Almost time!

The time for the much-anticipated Jane Austen Society convention has almost arrived! This week has been something of a daze - somehow I seem to have left all the booth details until the last, I've been too busy sewing to think of much else!

So, besides some last minute sewing (I'd still like to reach my self-imposed quotas....but we shall see)

I've been......

Painting ...the sign featuring my logo for the booth table!

Packing... Both modern clothes, and my own Regency attire!

Creating... and gathering vintage inspired decorations for the booth...

...and taking photos of the finished items for later use in my Etsy shop.

Honestly I'm getting kind of scared! I've never done anything like this before.....so I'm praying all goes well, and I don't forget to do/bring anything vital! :)

Inside My Wardrobe....

My vintage armoir, where I store many of my costumes/vintage/historical clothing - is currently full of Regency dresses. 17 adult dresses are completed for the JASNA booth...and make quite a colorful collection!

Need to make....

Just. Three. More.

 (to complete my goal of twenty!)

Recent Projects

Even in the midst of Jane Austen sewing craziness, I've squeezed in a few custom orders.

The first, which was actually also a Jane Austen request, was a simple but lovely blue linen Regency dress.  

Destined to swirl at an English Country Dance, I was told!

I've been getting quite a lot of requests for 18th century style children's costumes lately, which are of course a lot of fun!

 

These were for 2 sisters having a themed birthday party! Their mother designed the gowns herself, and sent me a sketch from which to pattern the dresses.

 

Sis didn't want to give up the pink one!

  

This dress, was in the style of the blue taffeta 'Felicity' dress, which can be seen in the shop, but in a historical reproduction cotton print. Accented with vintage cream lace.

Sewing Week Report

Last week was an unusually busy week of sewing. Rebecca came to stay for our belated annual 'sewing week' and we were determined to be the two most productive seamstresses in the history of historical sewing.

 Our goal was sewing items for the Jane Austen convention. So, with the aid of several movies, chocolate-chip cookie dough brownies, and the delightfully cool weather,

Our combined accomplishments were:

5 dresses

2 weskits

3 bodiced petticoats

2 ruffled caps

2 aprons

1 morning robe

for a total of 15 items in 4 1/2 days!

(of which we are not unreasonably proud....)

Sadly we didn't really take any pictures during the course of the week. We were rather- busy. Later we have planned a mammoth photo shoot. 

 But to suffice for now are a few sketches and one sneak peak of a red and gold ball gown.....

Hope everyone is doing wonderfully! I'm counting down the days to the Jane Austen convention, looking forward to being done with this crazy huge sewing project!

What I've Been Sewing...

So, what have I been up to lately? Sewing. Sewing until I can't see straight late into the evening.

The summer didn't go exactly as I had forseen, so I'm crunching for time, getting ready for the Jane Austen Convention where I will have a booth selling Regency attire.

I don't have acutal pictures for you, but I've been doing quite a few replicas, inspired by Regency era films, so here are some pictures of my inspirations to tide you over....:)

A reproduction of Anne's pale blue apron front dress.

In my size too.....which means I may just have to keep it to wear myself.....

This late regency dress, circa 1827-29, according to Janet Arnold, was a fun project! I got the idea from an roll of vibrant silk plaid that has been sitting in my fabric stash unused for several years. Yes! this is the perfect opportunity to make an outrageously pretty dress with it. So far I've made a mock-up (which turned out just lovely, if I do say so myself) in yellow cotton print. Before the convention, I hope to get the silk version completed.

One of the quickest types of Regency dresses are one-layer sheer dresses with long sleeves, that fasten in back with drawstrings:

One in navy blue cotton lawn,

Two others in chocolate brown.

So far I have 11 dresses made that are ready to sell in the booth.

My goal is to have at least 20 minimum by October, God willing .:)

+ various undergarments and accessories which I have made a fairly good start on as well.

 There are also 3 other dresses of various descriptions which I haven't yet decided if I am going to sell or wear myself....:)

I feel a bit like this right now:

Somewhat tired, and ready for a good night's sleep. :)

 

Historical Costume Inspiration Festival 2012

Remember the Historical Costume Inspiration Festival last October? Are you ready to do it again??

Well - I'm excited to announce -Story of a Seamstress will again be hosting the festival in

January 2012.

 (The exact dates will be announced closer to time.)

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What to expect during the HCIF:

-An entire week celebrating historical costumes!

-Interviews with costumiers

-Fabulous giveaways

-The Costume Contest

-Great prizes

-Helpful Articles

-Visual inspiration galore

-'Meeting' talented seamstresses from all over the world!

You will be invited to share your historical costume sewing projects,enter the contest, and be able to view everyone else's lovely entries! Last year we had over 50 exquisite costume entries!

I will be posting several times each day during HCIF, with my own historical replica projects from the last year (I have so many to share!! Exciting!), as well as my interviews with famous seamstresses from the historical costuming world, and much more!

If you weren't involved in last year's Festival, then go back and relive the fun, read all about it, and enjoy the scrumptious costume inspiration!

There will be a few changes in the way the contest works, such as new categories and such, which I believe will be for the better! I've also got some pretty amazing prizes in the works for the winners! More details will be forthcoming! I wanted to go ahead and make the announcment to give everyone a chance to do their photoshoots before the weather turns cold.

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So, if you plan to be involved in HCIF, or even  if you just enjoy looking at everyone's entries, then I would be grateful if you would take one of the buttons below and place on your blog sidebar and link to this post.

Help me spread the word - the more the merrier! Thanks!! 

If you have any thoughs or critiques about the festival - I would be glad to hear them, as I am of course still planning all the details!

Are you as excited as I am? Can't wait, girls! I know it's going to be delightful!

18th Century Princess

Historically inspired by the 18th century, a princess dress in pink satin and cream taffeta....

This morning, I sent this ensemeble off for a little girl's birthday party. I had quite a good time making it - actually it was a variation on another 18th century style dress I did last year.

Although, I have to admit I like this one better. :)

Dress can be seen here in the shop.

Isn't little sis adorable?

A ruffled taffeta petticoat to match! I think it gives the skirt a nice shape.

Can now be seen here in my shop.

Details.

 I used two different types of trim put together - the cream laced cord, and some lovely organza rose, pearl and lace stuff.

This has me itching to sew some actual, historically constructed 18th dresses......but that must wait for a while yet! Still been super busy on Regency dresses - hope to have pictures posted of that soon!