The Victorian Designer

At No. 11 – What to Wear?

/ Karin McKechnie-Lid / Leave a comment

What to wear? This is always a major question on my mind here or back in LA and it doesn’t always have an easy answer. If I were like my Victorian forbearers, I would have a selection of clothing changes for the entire day (along with a maid to assist) but being that this is 2024, I have to take a more realistic approach. So I brought three choices…each of these dresses have been worn for only four hours each and never to Tombstone. So, we shall have to see and you all will be the first to know!

On the Way to No. 11

/ Karin McKechnie-Lid / 2 Comments

Off to No. 11…Angus is driving the first shift. Brought NO work! Whaaat, no sewing in the car? New traditions.

All goofyness aside, we’re spending Labor Day weekend here at No. 11…time to get out of LA for awhile and take things a bit more slowly…well, we will be doing all sorts of things but for the most part with no time pressures. One interesting thing of note, I’ll be one of three people judging the costume contest being held in town on Sunday so stay tuned for more on that. Otherwise, we’re here to take in the sights, take some pictures and otherwise relax. Catch you down the trail!

Just Arrived At No. 11

/ Karin McKechnie-Lid / 2 Comments

And behold…there was dust…A transom had blown open (probably during one of those windstorms) so here I sit with my Swiffer, too tired to clean and laughing at goofy Miss Fiona.

Looking Back – Some Past Work – Seafoam Reinterpreted

/ Karin McKechnie-Lid / Leave a comment

As we get ready to head out to No. 11 this Labor Day Weekend, we got to thinking about a dress that we made for client living in Tombstone… It’s hard to believe that it’s been eight years since we made this dress but it was one of the most fun projects we ever did and better yet, it now resides in Tombstone. The dress design was intended more for the spring and that’s influenced our color choices for the fashion fabric and the trim.  Below are a few views:

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This one’s definitely springtime in 1880, perfect for the promenade with dyed to match vintage straw chapeau, re-blocked and sewn on our antique straw machines. Remember, YOU wear the hat, hat does NOT wear you- this is no random assembly of “stuff”. This hat, along with  our entire collection of hats, are designed with one person in mind: YOU, the client.

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Closeup of hand finished bodice with scalloped neckline treatment with vintage embroidered net and antique lace appliques. The hat is subtle, elegant, and understated with each decorative detail positioned for maximum effect.

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Seafoam is an excellent springtime color, conjuring gentle ocean breezes and long leisurely days at the seashore. Embroidered cotton and silk with vintage lace overlays, ruching, and ruffles. As with all our dress designs, this is a unique design constructed expressly for our client and as such, it’s a one-of-a-kind.