Costume Diary: August 2009 Archives

Base Patterns:

Some Base Inspirations:

Only… I totally ran out of time to do all the decorative stuff.  And I broke my necklace as I walked out of the room.  And I never got around to making a headpiece.

Here’s what I ended up with:

a shift, ok white on white door is hard.

underskirt:

Dress views, bottom back:

Front top

Front bottom

Close up of bell sleeve

Top back

The shift had silk sleeves with lace at the end, which is impossible to see against the door, but trust me it looked really cool under the bell sleeves.

So I inadvertently insulted someone’s costume… inadvertent, as in, I was overheard.  So the only real way to escape the sense of shame that causes is to seriously outdo their costume like you said you could.

So in my history of going overboard, I’m going to start now.

Base Costume, colors: black, blue, green, or grey…:

head to toe:

• hat: buy hat form and decorate appropriately.  must search for clock parts, hinges, etc.  mongol-style and victorian-style giant keys. see: and the covers of “The Passionate Princess,” “The Sign of Love,” “Race for Love.”
• hair: luckily, I can still use my own.
• glasses: is it worth the effort of getting new glasses? i think it is.  we’ll see.
• earrings: must make something with chains, ear cuffs, and clock parts.
• necklace: must make something with keys.  also, a well-tied scarf.  white silk – ascot? also, a few handkerchiefs (one to show, and one to blow!)
• this outfit needs a vest so i can carry a pocket watch with double chains, keys, and a fob seal.  and maybe a carnet du bal, but I just might use an iphone in it’s place. will need a leather case for that.
• jacket: needs more pockets.
• pants: can’t argue with them.
• underwear: should properly include a shift, drawers, corset - see 
• shoes: black patent leather, with brass buckles.  possibly gears.
• accessories: fingerless gloves, if i have time to make them.  otherwise purchased fingerless lace mitts.
• accessories: box purse – brass hinges and findings, would cellulose acetate be easier than a book? would that be necessary with all the other accoutrements?
• accessories: laid cotton cards in vintage font.