Let the Insanity Begin

Clearly, I should not be allowed to watch Youtube. It always gives me horrible, wonderful ideas. After watching series from Bernadette Banner, and this series from Engineering Knits, I decided to take a stab at making my own Victorian undergarments: chemise, drawers, petticoat, stockings, and skeleton corset. By hand. No machine. With hand knitted/crocheted trim and…

Woman Killed by Underwear

I've talked in the past about how dangerous 19th century fashion was. From the dyes used in clothing to the creams women used on their faces, fashion was a deadly business during the Victorian period. Crinolines are the Civil War-era descendants of the big, poofy underskirts of the 16-1700s. With a form made of wire…

Finished Object Friday

I finished crafting projects this week, and surprise, surprise, one of them DOESN'T involve yarn! I got the idea for this shawl right before symposium, and it was the project I took with me. I actually finished it about two weeks ago. It's a great wrap I can just stick in my purse when we…

Time Jump

Last weekend was our season opening at the village. It was busy, and exciting, and so much fun, even if we did get rained out on Saturday afternoon. Since we have moved into the 1890s, I've updated my character a bit. Instead of working for the Sanitary Commission like her predecessor, Miss Charlotte Brown (so…

In Character Part 2.1: Inspiration Shots

In developing the wardrobe for Charlotte, I'm moving from the drawing room into the office, so there are some changes in the types of clothing I need to make, and not just because of the change in time period. Charlotte is not a public speaker, though she has to look her best for work and…

In Character, the Sequel

One bittersweet part of 2016 is that it means a transition in the village--a shift of 30 years, from the 1860s to the 1890s. While I am looking forward tot eh change, it is sad to say goodbye to the '60s, and to Lucy Spinnerman. That's right, Lucy is being retired after only a year.…

Current projects

Just two that I've been working on lately. The white is half a snood, and the blue/purple/green is an almost-done kindle sleeve. My wrists have been mothering me, so the knitting slowed down a bit this week. Is it the weekend yet?

In Character Part VI: Shoes and Accessories

Any costumer will tell you that the devil--or your character--can be found in the details. Especially when playing the role of a more upper class character (like Lucy) the right accessories can make all the difference. Lucy's accessories are still a work in progress. There are many pieces I'm still tweaking, but here are the…

Guest Post: Corsets!

This week's post comes to you from Missouri Dalton, who is far more knowledgeable about corsets than I am. Missouri a writer and artist from Ohio. You can find her blog here. Her latest book, A Curse on the Mountain, is now available from Dreamspinner Press. Ah, corsets. The foundation of many a historical costumer's…

Steampunk Symposium Recap

Greetings, 21st century people! I am back. I'm rested. And I had a fantastic time! This year was hands down the best Symposium since it started in 2012 (well, last year might have been pretty good, too, but I wasn't there). We drove down to Cincinati on Friday, arriving too early to actually check in…