Regency Slippers - Planning Stages

For the Regency Ball next month, I'll need appropriate footwear.  Or at least a reasonable facsimile.  I have this pair of dyeable satin slippers:

With a bit of customization I think I can come up with a decent pair of 1810-1820 style evening shoes. I've found the following images of flat or low-heeled rounded-toe slippers from the time period I'm aiming for:

1812 Metropolitan Museum of Art

1810-1820 Manchester Art Gallery

1812 Metropolitan Museum of Art

1820s Augusta Auctions

1800-1810 Manchester Art Gallery

The main thing I've found in common with all slippers of this era is the side seam, usually covered in some sort of trim.  Also, most examples have a combination of pleated ribbon trim around the throat of the vamp and some sort of bow or pompom on the toe.  I am currently playing with ideas of dyeing and/or painting the shoe itself, and various ribbon decorations for the toes.  I'm thinking these shoes will end up in the blue color family, as the dress I'm planning is going to be pale blue and white.

I will be using these helpful tutorials on painting/decorating the shoes, as well as referencing more inspirational images from my Sweet Slippers Pinterest board.  

Regency Madness

I found out yesterday that there is to be a Regency ball only an hour away from where I live, and the day after my birthday!  Having absolutely nothing remotely acceptable to wear and barely a month in which to fix that, I got started right away.  First I tore my well-ordered (haha) bedroom apart in order to determine if I had any amount of suitable fabric to make a ballgown.  I came up with the following:

3 yds light blue cotton, 2 yds white cotton voile, 1 yd white striped cotton voile, 3 yds eyelet trim, 1 yd blue velvet ribbon

I then logged onto Pinterest and went on a Regency pinning frenzy, which I carried on again this morning when I woke with the realization that I would need a bonnet.  Also shoes, but I have that covered.  I may cannibalize a modern jacket in order to make a passable spencer.  We'll see how ambitious I get.  Remember I can't buy any fabric!

Edit:

And it'll be perfectly timed for the Historical Sew Fortnightly Stripes challenge, too!

...And A Muff Cover

As promised, here is my newly-completed muff cover:

Once again I followed Koshka-the-Cat's tutorial, with some minor changes.

A Muff And A Mob Cap

So I've noticed lately that muffs with removable covers seem to be all the rage in the costuming community.  Naturally, I had to join in!  I love anything that involves customization and re-usability   So with that spirit in mind, I present to you a muff base:

Exciting, right?  

And also a mob cap, just for fun:

American Duchess Giveaway!

She's doing it again!  American Duchess is giving away a new pair of her latest Edwardian shoe design - Gibson.

Aren't they pretty?  

All you have to do to enter the drawing is to share the giveaway on Facebook, Blogger, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.  Full instructions can be found on the American Duchess blog.

Fabric Decisions

So... I have a dilemma.  I have this lovely taffeta fabric:

And I really want to make it into a robe a la francaise, but I don't have enough.  :(


The fabric I have is in the form of two skirts, two dresses, and two tops from a discontinued line of bridesmaid designs.

Theoretically there is enough yardage contained in all these garments to make the gown I want, but none of the pieces are long enough to form the shoulder-to-floor pleated back section that I desire.  So the way I see it, I have three options.

A Pocket And A Petticoat

I have finished two more costuming projects!  I'm on a roll for this month.  :)  First is my embroidered pocket:

I finally learned how to do French Knots!  

And second (although actually finished first :p) is my new brick-red petticoat:

Pay no attention to my messy room - or the cat.  

Curtain-Along Cloak Photo Shoot

I finally wore my Curtain-Along Cloak out and about yesterday!  I was in Williamsburg for a job fair, and afterwards went for a drive around the Jamestown area with my lovely bf, who was kind enough to take some pictures for me at a pretty scenic overlook.

No New Fabric Challenge - January Recap

One month down, eleven to go...

On January 2, I made a resolution that - for me - was very difficult to make.  Surprisingly, it hasn't been as difficult to keep as I had anticipated.  I have been doing more sewing and less shopping, more planning and less dreaming.  This challenge has forced me to organize - and use - the fabrics in my stash, making my work area (i.e. my bedroom) a nicer place to work (and live).

Decreasing "The Stash" and increasing productivity?  I should have done this ages ago!