Something for all costumiers.....

Here's a site that might be of interest to many a dressmaker, costumier or bridal designer.

Oodles of hints and tips and inspiration to perfect those period pieces! I wouldn't normally promote a subscribable online magazine because I would never normally join myself, but I simply jumped at this as it simply is a wonderful resource!

I hope you enjoy!

Update on 1850s evening gown.

Well we had a busy and successful film shoot at the weekend involving about twenty actors in full period costume. It was a wonderful sight in a stunning setting.

Here are some pictures of me in my dress. Hopefully you can see from my previous post that I altered the berha (which was a last minute idea) as I decided it was too big and didn't flatter me at all.











Considering I was wearing a heavy petticoat, corset etc, I found the outfit surprisingly comfortable although some of the other girls complained about their corset all weekend. I really found it quite bearable and the corset very supportive. I really didn't want to take it off at the end of the shoot! The most uncomfortable part of the dress was the collar/shoulder which was quite tight around the upper arm and restricted movements, although one girl played the piano delightfully for us.

Please checkout www.wagscreen.co.uk for more information on the film!

1850s Evening Gown

Here's a sneaky peek of my 1850s evening gown for The Lady of Shalott film adaptation. It is made from the loveliest blue silk with a pretty floral design. It is then trimmed with satin bow and delicate lace. I can't wait to wear it for filming!

New Year, New Projects

Well the year is drawing to a close on what can only be described as a truly bleak and bitterly cold mid-winters day. It only serves more poignantly to look forward to the coming spring and everything the new year has to offer. I'm not usually one for new year regulations, but I did make a consious effort to control my finances and generally be more positive about my situation. Afterall, they say good things come to those who wait, and wait I have done. The final quarter of this year has been so blessedly busy that I finally feel I have achieved something which is buoying me smoothly into 2009.

I thought today I would make a list of projects I intend to complete in the coming months and it will be interesting to see how they materialise.

Fistly, 1850s evening gown and associated undergarments for the final part of the Lady of Shalott film to be shot in March.
I then have my first bridal commission to start, which requires the toile to be ready in March although the completed gown is not needed until August.
My husband and I are determined to attend the Jane Austen Festival in Bath in September for which we both need a Regency walking ensemble.
Then in October we plan to attend Whitby Goth Festival with a good friend. I've promised to make her and myself a Victorian, gothic inspired outfit and something suitable for my husband.

Crikey, I shall be a busy bee! And that's providing I am not over run with comissions through the business!

I now have an online shop for my tiaras!

www.joannasbridal.etsy.co.uk

or you can link to it through www.joannasbridal.co.uk

Winter

Today winter threw it's chilly mantle over us as snow fell softly from the grey sky, settling like icing sugar on the roofs, roads and gardens. It glowed mystically in the cold dawn light as the sun crept slowly over the distant horizon. A family of blackbirds trooped about boisterously on the lawn and the bunnies kept their paws inside their hutch, content to munch their breakfast in the dry whilst watching me wrestle with the new bale of hay.

1900 Blouse

Here is a little mini-project I've been doing for Orchard House Wardrobe. It's a circa 1900 blouse to form part of a range of outfits for a local college. I used the Laughing Moon School Mistress pattern (I think!), but I had to alter the design to make it back opening at the insistence of the student who refuses to wear a front opening blouse and I added an extra pleat to help fit her size better.

It is made from a pretty cotton print and is trimmed with real vintage laces!