Chandra's Historic Clothing

Pectoralis major causing major problems

Mon, 28 May 2012 14:55:48 GMT

None of my 1840s pattern drafts fit me anymore. I had to take in two inches from the side seams on the Laughing Moon Round dress pattern, but the armscyes are SOOO small. My chest, shoulders, and arm muscles have responded really well to all the weight lifting, but now I can't lift my arms in my dresses since my chest muscles have gotten stronger and bigger. I'll be working on fiddling with the pattern some more and have Ian help me with the fitting.

On the plus side, I do look pretty darn good in a sleeveless blouse or tank top, so it's not all bad!

I also finally made a bumpad for my 1840s skirts and I LOVE IT. The skirt thrust in the back is awesome and was one aspect of my silhouette that I always wanted to improve.

Fabric SNAFU

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:21:31 GMT

The bolt of grey wool fabric I wanted to make a Jane Eyre inspired 1840s dress out of had only 3 1/2 yards left. Boo for me, but Ian bought it to make an Edwardian suit to wear to my sister's wedding, since he thinks he can get by if he's smart with the layout. The suit will go quite well with the handlebar mustache he has been growing out for 6 months.

I'm a total BAMF. There. I said it.

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:05:54 GMT

I ran in a 10-mile running event this morning with a pace of 9:39/mile and a finishing time of 1 hour 36 minutes and 28 seconds. I didn't do any training for running this event and only ran three times last week for 30 minutes each session. I wanted to have a 10 minute/mile pace and I'm still in shock about my finish time.

I can't walk now, but I did go to the gym and lift weights this afternoon (upper body only).

You can do anything you put your mind to. I certainly couldn't have done this 80 pounds ago!

Finds from The Bins

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:47:24 GMT

Here is a chantilly lace shawl I picked up a few weeks ago. Since you pay by the pound, this probably cost me about 25 cents. It measures 105 x 50 inches and has a few holes, but I'm not complaining!

I also found this paisley shawl. It's small, but pretty, and the kitties like it.

1852 Dress

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:31:09 GMT

X-posted at blogger: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5245596887948546178#editor/target=post;postID=1909896197473754333

And now for something completely different

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:48:36 GMT

I am starting a 12 week heavy weight lifting program to complete my transformation from formerly fat teenager to totally ripped adult. I even joined a gym. It's that serious. This means I am putting all of my sewing projects on hold until then. Ideally I want to tone up my legs more than anything and the only changes I foresee in my upper body might be a slightly smaller waist, smaller lower abdominal area, and my upper arms might increase in size. Because I have no idea what my body measurements will be at the end of this program, I really don't want to start a dress that will fit me perfectly now, and then fit poorly later (lesson learned on my red squiggly 1840s dress). I might even have to make a new corset since I have already taken in the one I made a little more than a year ago. I will have to have a new dress in June a week before my sisters wedding when I will be doing presentations on womens clothing at a museum event and want to have everything fit perfectly. I want to make something like this, if I have the money to buy the wool:

I have a few 1840s prints to make cotton dresses and a yellow and cream stripe silk as well. I really like this dress, since I've never made a short sleeve dress, and I won't look young enough to wear something like that forever!

Decisions, decisions!

Executive decision!

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:09:45 GMT

I'm using this 1830s print I bought at Mill Ends in Reno with this pattern:

Ian and I had planned on going on a five mile run this morning. I got up at 7AM on a SUNDAY to eat some oatmeal and then wait an hour for our run. Guess who has a stomach ache from eating crap food at a party yesterday. Not I. But now I have time to work on sewing with a nice cup of coffee and cuddly kitties to keep me company!

1930s/1940s Dress

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:40:19 GMT

I am attending a vintage themed dinner party in the next few weeks wanted to start on a sewing project this weekend. I bought this fabric at Joanns:

I have two patterns in my stash that could work:

or this dress with contrast color, pocket flaps, and belt:

Right now I am leaning toward the second dress. . . Off to mock-ups.

Victorian Christmas

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:33:28 GMT

See our decorated house at blogger! http://dressingthe1840s.blogspot.com/2011/12/victorian-christmas.html

Dickens Fair 2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:15:52 GMT

Cross posted at blogger: http://dressingthe1840s.blogspot.com/2011/12/dickens-fair-2011.html

Super shiny dress!

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:37:47 GMT

So, my twin sister is getting married next June at an outdoor wedding venue and I want to have a killer dress to wear. So far, I love this one the most. It's out of stock, and probably way too expensive: http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/include/Zoom.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446400411&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492715000&bmUID=jdI9k8J

I just ordered a series of swatches ranging from silver, nude, and a few shades of pink. I can do this!

Off to finish my thesis tonight and turn into my 1st reader tomorrow!

1854 French Cantiniere Uniform

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:38:14 GMT

Cross-posted from my blogger:
http://dressingthe1840s.blogspot.com/2011/10/1850s-french-cantiniere-uniform.html

Paris!

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 20:40:45 GMT

I survived my first overseas trip with only a semester of college French! I have to say that Downtown LA has the Montmarte Fabric district beat. We did go to the Paris Flea Market and Ian found some amazing original buttons to use on his next 1850s frock coat and an Onegin inspired 1830s frock overcoat. Now to finish my thesis and graduate already!

Paris!

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:21:58 GMT

I'll be there in a month for our 3 year belated honeymoon!

Gah!

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:49:50 GMT

I just died inside! They painted a beautiful sideboard PALE SHELL PINK WITH GILDED ACCENTS!

(from a 1939 interior decorating book)

Original 1850s Ladies Shoes

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:16:28 GMT

Cross-posted at blogger: http://dressingthe1840s.blogspot.com/2011/08/1850s-ladies-shoes.html

Settled In Our New Place

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:15:56 GMT

Even though it was the move from hell (48 hours pretty much non-stop packing, moving, and cleaning), we made it to our new house in one piece! All that's left is to hang pictures from the railing and buy some ungodly expensive area rugs and we'll be golden.
Here's a link to a few of my favorite features of the house!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdarcy1/sets/72157627457772104/

My parents came over for dinner less than a week after we moved in and they loved the place. I think they were shocked how nice it was for how little the rent is! I think I'm still in shock too!

Husband Brag

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:05:07 GMT

Here are two awesome impressions by husband Ian has put together in the last month. He made the 1872 Fatigue Blouse from pattern draft to completion in 24 hours. He's crazy.

135th Anniversary of the Battle of Little Big Horn

New York Infantryman 1862

I have to admit, I'm going to miss the facial hair when it goes soon...

New house!

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:46:15 GMT

We get the whole house, a basement, a front and back yard with patio, and it's all original inside and out! And it's cheaper than my smaller duplex apartment to boot!

Here it is on the cover of a local book that just came out about our neighborhood. It was built pre-1895 and looks pretty much the same:

We beat out 11 other people too. I think I charmed the landlord with my history nerdy-ness. . .

Laughing Moon 1840s Round Dress Pattern

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:20:41 GMT

Post over at blogger. I love that dress...

http://dressingthe1840s.blogspot.com/2011/06/laughing-moon-11-ladies-round-dress.html

Done!

Tue, 31 May 2011 02:37:24 GMT

Quickest. Project. Ever.

The pattern:

Before:

After:

And now for something completely different...

Mon, 30 May 2011 18:01:05 GMT

I started working on a 1940s bathing suit yesterday! I'm using fabric from a vintage circle skirt that had weird stains all over it that I found at the Goodwill Outlet. I had just enough to cut out the top, but not the trunks that go underneath the skirt. I think I'll just buy some modern swim suit bottoms to wear instead. I want to have this made by this weekend when I leave for Washington DC for a week for work. CRAZY!

If the weather sucks, or the pool is questionable at our hotel, I can always wear it this summer at a few family get togethers we have planned. I haven't been swimming since I was 10, let alone worn a two-piece. Eek!

The '80s are historic, right?

Sat, 21 May 2011 22:21:28 GMT

Not 1880s, 1980s! My sister and her fiance co-hosted a 80s prom theme birthday party. I found a ankle-length crushed velvet dress at the Goodwill outlet and cut the length off. White tights, neon nail polish, purple pumps, side pony and I was ready to go. Ian was out of town so I went stag. I never went to any of my high school proms, but my sister went senior year with a boy who had been lusting after her for a few years. My mom felt bad that I didn't go so she bought me a VCR. Isn't that the saddest thing ever?

Edwardian attire thinking out loud

Tue, 10 May 2011 19:49:21 GMT

The centennial incorporation of Angels Camp, California will be next year and I need to start planning a whole new wardrobe. There will be an operational printing press and maybe a sewing machine to work with, so I need to make an apron to keep my clean.

#5068: Ladies' Gibson Shirt-Waist: 1910 - 1915
http://www.pastpatterns.com/5068.html

#5328: Skirts: 1910 - 1915
http://www.pastpatterns.com/5328.html

#106: 1901-1908 "Straight-Fronted" Corset
http://www.pastpatterns.com/106.html
or

A Nineteen Teens Corset
from Corsets and Crinolines
http://www.koshka-the-cat.com/teens_corset.html

or
Ladies' 1910s Corset
http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/products/rh1057-ladies-1910s-corset

or
titanic era corset and pattern
http://bridgesonthebody.blogspot.com/2010/12/titanic-era-corset-and-pattern.html

#108: Four Edwardian Corset Covers & #117: French Drawers
http://www.pastpatterns.com/108.html

#5438: Ladies' and Misses' Apron circa 1911-1914
http://www.pastpatterns.com/5438.html

1840s Fan Front Pictures!

Mon, 09 May 2011 00:57:59 GMT

Posted on blogger:

http://dressingthe1840s.blogspot.com/2011/05/1840s-fan-front.html