Another Dress Off To A Good Home…

She’s “just a cotton frock”, but it was fun to see where I could take this design. This Lily Absinthe gown is off to her new home and will look even better with a little Old West dust on that pleated hem! n the mid 1880s, there was a fad for cottons with swirly, busy paisley and floral mixed prints for fancy day dresses. I finished this sweet little project and combined it with vintage plush silk ribbon and softened it with my client’s old taupe edged lace, patterned from one of our antique bodices…I miss her already!

Yes, She’s just a cotton frock, but the fun is in the finishing…three kinds of pleating in her skirt, bobbinette shirring and ruching, and pretty silk covered buttons just for some mid 1880s style. I’ve found this style in so many extant images, especially those from the American Old West, so I couldn’t resist making this for a client.

Where The Inspiration Comes From…

This was the fashion plate I used for silhouette inspiration for these pieces, what started out as simple… became a project with strategic padding, specific corset styles, crazy hairpieces, and petticoats. Um, lots of them…

Fall In Tombstone…

Perhaps I’m overdressed for a stroll, but I can’t resist the sounds and colors of fall in Arizona…Dressing in Attire is normal here in Tombstone, one of the reasons we love it. If we hosted an event here…would you come out and see the Real Old West? We’re brewing some ideas….

And For A Little Distraction…

Does this ever happen to you? Vintage silk and sapphire silk velvet just put themselves in my path…and of course, I’m knee deep in client ruffles and pleats! Such a distraction….oh, the humanity! 😆

Taking A Turn Around Hjo…

Enjoying a twirl outside a gorgeous 1898 Swedish country house and hoping it doesn’t rain! I had fun today wearing (finally) my new 90s gown with all the restored extant embroidery. We come home to the US on Monday, then I can post the photos from the original museum gown before it was restored and answer questions like: “how did you get your sleeves to stay that big” and other fun thoughts one learns along the way. It’s fun to wear history when one can, but it’s a piece that will require gentle care. The hat is a deaccsession museum piece…another piece that requires gentle handling. The parasol I recovered in silk, then used one of my original lace covers.

NOTE: The video actually plays with the correct side up.