Vintage Luggage for Costume College 2014

Since the theme for Costume College this year is accessorize, I thought it would be fun to have vintage luggage to take with me.  I had looked at some older stuff from the Amelia Earhart line, however, I stumbled onto some pieces that matched an old suitcase I all ready had.  When I graduated from high school my Aunt had bought me a cute plaid suitcase that had a vintage vibe of the 50's, in 1977.  The ad for the luggage on ebay dated the pieces from the 1950's, but since their construction and materials are exactly the same as mine, I doubt it.  I didn't argue with the seller since it was very cheap and I knew what I was getting.  I was tickled to be able to find stuff to match.  The plaid was the same, however, the vinyl parts were black instead of green as my original piece.  Here is my trusty old grasshopper case:

It took me back and forth from the US to Europe, round and about for years and was still in great shape to be used by my children for their first trips.  I cleaned it inside and out and restored the vinyl with a good cleaner and it looks pretty good.  

I had also been given a red hat case my mom had owned from the 1950's that I cleaned up as it is in great shape as well.  So it will spark up the plaid collection and be great for hats and hair pieces that are going with me.  

The larger grasshopper and the tote on the right were one ebay purchase and the large garment bag another.  I think the garment bag might be slightly older as it has some differences in construction and the fabric has similarities but more color.  The thing I love about it is that it is long enough to take some serious costume dresses and quite wide.  The seller of the garment bag didn't claim any age for it, however, it might be from the 50's or 60's.  All the pieces, (except the red bag), were made by the Atlantic company.  I am having fun buying, and getting ready to use them all.  I had wanted to get more pieces from the collection when I was younger but never had the chance.  By the time I was able to buy nice luggage, times had changed and I have a lovely matched tapestry set, as well as some modern multi-directional four wheeled pieces.  Naturally none of these pieces have wheels, shoulder straps or any modern fittings, they are however, well made, commodious, and cute.  Since I am driving to LA and can use the hotel cart for moving them, they will work well for Costume College.  

Demode Court Ensembles Project

I haven't forgotten I signed on for the 2014 Court Ensembles project.  I have been thinking and planning and all is  now coming together.  I have all my materials, trims and accessories, have pawed through patterns and determined what to use, or not.  Now I have a week off to work on it and get a great start with plenty of time to finish up before I go.  Here is the link to the project if you are interested in finding out more.http://demodecouture.com/wordpress/wp-contents/uploads/2013/08/icon-300x300.jpg


So my gown, you know how sometimes when you first see an historical gown and LAAAAA!  Music plays and you know you have to make it, well that is what happened when I saw this gown from Christie's web site.  It was originally made for (possibly), Sarah Otway-Cave, 3rd Baroness of Braye who may have worn it for mourning when her husband died in 1815.

Looking at the pictures posted I like most aspects of the gown, but I think the Baroness may have been a bit more showy of a gal then myself.  I may reduce the number of places the trim is applied as the bodice was simply loaded front and back and trim in 3 places on the sleeve?  Perhaps I may reduce it somewhat.  

I also can't quite tell if there is sequins or beads at the center of the appliqued silver braid flowers, but it appears there might be.  I think it would be fun to put pearl beads in the center.  So for the gown I have black velvet, gold Venetian lace for the outer trim and silver braid for the couching.  You can tell when you blow up the photos that the gown separates in the front at the middle, which makes sense as in another view you see that the trim is to the right and left of center, although the under skirt did not survive with the gown.  I have some pearl white satin that I will make into a petticoat and use with this, when you walk you will get peeps of pearl white, therefore, my decision to put pearls at the center of the flowers to tie the two together. 

I all ready have some sweet embroidered gold slippers to wear and will be trying my hand at a Cameo Tiara as well.  

See you at the Gala!

Long Pause for a new sewing room

So I thought I would have kept up better with my blog, however, I took a pause to help my youngest daughter move out and convert the room she was in to my lovely new sewing room.  You'll have to wait until late August to see pictures, because I won't finish the curtains until then.  I got all done but that and I took a break to finish my sewing for Costume College.  I have finished several things and will post some sneak peaks soon.  I am on a sewing stay-cation right now and working on my Court gown, more to follow.