Shabby Apple giveaway!

Shabby Apple dresses is having a giveaway via Grosgrain blog! Do go and check it out...

Shabby Apple San Gabriel GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Thoughts on 'Emma'

Just finished watching Romola Garai’s ‘Emma’ for the second time last night. On the first viewing I wasn’t too impressed. This time, however, I have some rather improved, different thoughts.

Romola Garai as Emma was so luminous and beautiful. At first Emma’s mannerisms seemed completely over the top for the 19th c. But seeing them a second time made me realize they were purposely showing a very immature young girl – who had always been the darling of the town and the center of attention – she naturally would thrive on attention, and didn’t mind being a bit overly dramatic or saying outrageous things. (especially to annoy her old friend, Mr. K)

She seemed to attempt to act a bit more mature when Harriet was near to ‘set a good example’. And after the failure of Mr. Elton, she realized a bit what thoughtless behavior had brought about, and was much improved for the rest of the film – except when Frank Churchill was around. Which – true to the book – he does not bring out the best of behavior in her, but the worst, which Mr. Knightly sadly notices.

Harriet seemed about right as the pretty, gullible, not-overly-bright best friend. Someone who Emma is quite understandably annoyed with by the end of the story. (of course she was the one who created the ‘monster’ so to speak, but yeah)

Frank Churchill was fairly charming I have to admit – and he did flirt outrageously with Emma. Poor Jane Fairfax! She wasn’t so easy to relate to as the Jane Fairfax in the Kate Beckinsdale Emma, you never really felt anything for her – but then you really aren’t supposed to. Emma never could warm to her or understand her until the secret engagement came out. She also seemed young and naïve enough to fall for the unworthy Frank Churchill.

Mr. Elton was perfect! Handsome – but horridly melodramatic and slimy.

And Mrs. Elton was beautiful – but rightly obnoxious and controlling. Her showy, overdone clothing fitted her well.

Mr. Woodhouse was very humorous. Although he didn’t look much like an invalid…:^)

Mr. Knightly was good. Funny, thoughtful, serious, blunt. Concerned for everyone. The perfect gentleman in every way – and his arguments with Emma were so cute. Though I didn’t like the blue and green velvet coats he wore. I thought he looked much more dashing when he was in black at the ball.

This Miss Bates wasn’t as hilarious at the Sophie Thomson version. Though she brought more depth to the character – she was still annoying, but in a sad sort of way….

I liked that with the longer running time we got to see more detail into the storyline and lives of the characters. Although – it seemed strange that they copied the Kate Beckinsdale version with the ‘daydreams’ that Emma has about Jane Fairfax and Mr. Dixon and Mr. Knightly. The Highbury ball was very well done, though. I like getting to see full dances, and not just bits and pieces.

The costumes were quite lovely. (finally we get to see some new Regency stuff !) Several of Emma’s dresses I want to recreate – the orange and green print dress she wear’s to Miss Taylor’s wedding, her yellow/gold honeymoon dress, her pink/gold Box Hill Dress, and a cute brown print sheer dress. Oh – and that darling little pale yellow bodice over the green dress. Love it. Some of Harriet’s were very nice too. I appreciated the fact that they kept most of the necklines from being too revealing. The only thing I didn’t care for were the white blouses that Emma and Harriet wore much of the time under short sleeve dresses.

Quite a lovely movie overall. I will most assuredly be getting this one on DVD.
Screen caps here.

A Little Humor...

A 19th century watercolor from the Met museum "Two Ladies Being Shown Fabric in a Dress Shop"

 The two ladies strike me as being very like Rebecca and Atlanta......what do you think?

Regency Dress and Featured on Ruffles and Stuff!

How sweet! My pink linen ruffled skirt was a featured entry on Ruffles and Stuff!
There are so many other lovely entries featured! I wish Disney good luck in deciding on the winners. It will be really tough - I can tell!

Also, I thought I would share some pictures of a recent custom order I made for an Etsy client. It is an 'apron front' style regency era dress. The pattern is one I sized up from the invaluable book Patterns of Fashion 1: 1660-1860 by Janet Arnold. It has supportive lining that crosses over and pins at the front, then the apron, or bib front buttons over it. Ties attached to the apron are looped around the back through tiny 'belt loops' and then brought to the front and tied underneath the apron front.

It is similar to the style of Ann's pale blue dress in Persuasion....

The first time I sized the pattern up - I made a pattern in my size. It fits excellently with my regency short stays from the Sense and Sensibility pattern. See more pics here.

A really neat feature is the long sleeves can button in and out of the shorter sleeves!
Some day - when I find just the right reproduction fabric, I will make myself a regency dress to keep. I love the style of that time period.

New Pink Linen Ruffled Skirt!

This little ruffled version of my favorite skirt has been floating around in my head for several months - and it finally found a chance to escape when I heard about the Ruffle Your Stuff contest... (do go and check it out!)

I have four linen skirts made from this super-easy 8-gore pattern that I drafted from one of Mom's favorite old jean thrift store skirts. One brown, one periwinkle blue, one gray/green, and now - pink!    With ruffles!
Perfect since I made it in time to enter the Ruffle Your Stuff contest! A double row of pleated ruffles finished off with a bias band of self-fabric. All skirt seams are flat-felled for zero fraying. (we don't want Henry Tilney to say it won't wash well, do we? In case you didn't know, he has such and understanding of linens, not just muslins...) Buttons up front placket with some little mother-of-pearl....well - buttons. Of course.

The ruffles I made with a handy-dandy 'ruffler' attachment on my vintage Singer 221 featherweight machine. It can be set for gathering or pleating.

Help! Death by ruffles!

The pieces of antoher handy attachment - the buttonholer!

Like it? I think it will look nice in summer with a floral tee and sandals, too!

Little Women

The Little Women Event was tons of fun! Thanks Rebecca for asking me to be a judge! I loved getting to see everyone's entries. For the larger categories it was so hard to decide on my top two choices. Each and every one was lovely and unique! As soon as all the judges send in their top two picks to Rebecca, you will be able to vote on your favorites. So be sure to get involved in choosing the winners! I look forward to seeing the final results!

1941 Wedding Ensemble

This weekend Mom and I made the find of a lifetime at an estate sale. 1941 wedding dress, shoes, slip, gloves, stockings, and veil! All so beautiful and in such wonderful condition. The bride must have always treasured and carefully kept each piece.

The dress has a classic early 40s sillouette with the gathers at the bust and the extremely fitted waist. It has the most amazing 5-foot train that swishes and flows like you wouldn't believe. The cream satin fabric looks brand new and the darker cream lace at the neckline is so beautiful and delicate.

The veil is such a cute little 'bonnet' style. It's so long and lovely. I felt like a princess!

Simply elegant heels. Unfortunately, they didn't fit.

I just listed it for sale in my Etsy store. I felt like I wanted to keep it, but its really not a style I would wear at my wedding. It is such a special collection that I'm sure someone would love to wear it on their own special day.

For all pictures see my photobucket album.