Burlesque Hats

I struggled to get pictures online since my internet connection (wireless in Ireland, Horay) was near non existant again for the last 4 days. So here is my first Badge of Hats:
 The red velvet Pillbox in the front was my first ever Burlesque hat.

Back again

Due to sickness, I stayed away from the Internet for a while. Now I am back and will post updates the coming weekend.
 A little hint: "They look cute and have to do with Burlesque".

Decided also to participate this year in the DPP (Double period project) from YourWardrobeUnlock' and tell you a bit about this and elaborate on my entry.

That's me

Glimpse

Now, I am not saying that embroidering on velvet is easy, but it is easier than I expected. Still time consuming as every embroidery but due to the short pile of the velvet it is nearly as easy as stitching on plain fabric. A few pearls look uneven but it improved after I started to tighten the thread a bit more. It is really worth doing a sample before doing the actual garment, but hey, I could not wait to "dig in".

A comparison of theory and practice.

In theory: One puts two pieces of velvet on top of each other and does sew the 15 inch seam with a sewing machine in 1/2 a minute time, basting included.

In practice: One spends hours to put two pieces of velvet on top of each other and the slippery material (which must have been invented by the devil himself) does not even remotely stay where it is supposed to stay. No matter how careful one does arrange it and baste. Nerves are shattering. The cat does not dare coming near the room, where curses are discharged against the gods of fashion. One is tempted (with blood shot eyes) to get a hammer and nails and nail the two layers of fabric against the table before basting.
At the end one does finish the job without knowing why it did work on the 87th attempt and how the coffee finished up at the ceiling.

In theory: One transfers the embroidery design on the velvet and stitches sequin after sequin along the lines.

In practice: One askes oneself if a cape is worth risking a stroke?

110 years ago...

... some women wore the most elegant and beautiful garments in fashion history. After 3 days of constant drawing (only interrupted by the new Potter movie and the cat) I finished a few minutes ago an embroidery design for a shoulder cape for the turn of the 19th century, which I believe to equal the splendour of the Edwardian time. The cape will be done in red cotton velvet with a very short pile. The embroidery is done with black beads (not the round variety) and sequins und black silk satin. Bordering the cape is a black silk taffet ruffle with lace and silk ribbon.

Beading, beading, beading.....

I really should not start anything new, BUT (Thats a big but huh?) I could not resist after a few ideas popt into my head, what else to do with beads and sequins. On my to do list are now a late 1880s Mantelet, a early 1890s Cape/collar thingy and a 1900s velvet cape. Still drawing the embroidery designs.


These are the tassels which go to the back of the 1880s Mantelet.....
.....and here is the fringe for the 1890s Collar

My current projects/plans

What to expect the next few days, weeks, months?

I allways have my hands on several projects although I did not do very much this year. You might call it creative emptiness. Now I am back and currently I do a lot of embroidery for a:

- 1911/12 evening gown. Whether I make the dress itself in black or in white silk taffet, I do not know yet, but the overdress will be from top to bottom black tulle embroidered with black sequins, glass seed and bugle beads. It is very satisfying to look at the finished embroidery, but it is really back breaking to hunch over an embroidery frame for hours on end trying to get those little slippery bastards to stay where they are supposed to be. The time spend on it so far is 110 hours and the whole dress might take somewhere between 700-1000 hours.

- Of course the outfit will not be complete without the proper under garments and corset. But as mentioned above, there is enough time before the embroidery is finished.

- 1875 Workbag after Petersons. Something small that can be done while sitting in a comfy armchair.

- 1905 Silk taffet petticoat in olive green with goldbrown and black antique lace inlays. This petticoat has to be finished before making a black voile skirt and a white silk blouse after a German fashion magazine from the same year.

- 1891 Corset after a pattern from Ageless patterns. Raspberry red (how naughty) with black flossing.

- 1858 Crinoline dress in white/green/yellow plaid silk or since there might not be enough left over from this silk a red/blue/green cotton/poly blend and:

- a matching straw bonnet to either dress.

- For me a black frock coat, a striped pyjama and slippers after patterns from the 1920s.

First post

People keep asking me what I currently create and this might be a good way of keeping people updated about it. Please keep in mind that I never liked writing very much and the main reason for this blog are pictures about my progress. Enjoy peeking.....