Wanted: Turn-of-the-Century looks

Last year while watching the film Heaven Can Wait, which stars the divine Gene Tierney, I took a few screen captures of her look in one of the scenes.

As the movie is set in the early twentieth century many of the looks are too costume-y to wear today, but this one, I thought, could still be pulled off (of course in an appropriate setting. I'd love to wear a look like this when I play in my orchestra concert next month.)

My mom got in the mail the other day a catalog from a company called The Pyramid Collection. The clothing in the catalog was definitely a bit quirky-- an odd combination of new-age skirts, steampunk- style jackets, and goth trinkets. And, even though I don't usually wear that sort of stuff, some of the pieces turned out to be quite cute. The velvet skirt below immediately made me think of Gene's outfit from the film.

Next up, finding a blouse. These pictures had me googling "heirloom sewing."  I'm definitely crushing on Gibson-girl blouses.

Two Things at the Same Time

I don't really seem to be able to handle doing two things at the same time.  To wit, I've been posting semi-frequently on a different blog, The Great Vintage Sewalong of 2011, and have dropped off the face of the earth here at Dum Spiro Spero.


Here's what I've been busy working on:

Isn't it cute?  The dress is from 1941.  I'm making it out of a deep pink velvet.  And I'm hoping to have it completed by Valentine's Day.


I've sewn it up in muslin once, made some alterations, and sewed up the bodice part again in muslin.  This is how it looks:

I'm happy with my progress, so I'm ready to cut it out in the fashion fabric and to proceed.


It's a vintage dress party over at the other blog.  Do stop by and check out all the fun garments people are making!

Costumes from the Duchess

I haven't been feeling particularly inspired to write in my blog lately. Not only do I not feel inspired, I feel downright shallow-- like all I have to write about is trivialities. Then, a couple of days ago I took this test that asked, "What is the reading level of your blog?" and the response when computed came out "Junior High." So, not only am I uninspiring with nothing to say, but apparently when I do say it, it's so simple that even a Junior Higher can keep up.

On that note, having accepted that I write for children, I'm going to talk about pretty clothes.

On this rainy New York day, my girlfriends and I went to see the Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes film The Duchess. I loved the costumes and would love to make versions of them that have been modernized for 2008. There are details like bows, and the seams in the back of the dresses, and little bustles that would look beautiful today. Also, if you check out the film's website, costume designer Michael O'Connor's clothes are displayed in a wonderful interactive setting. You can turn the dresses around 360 degrees as well as zoom in on the sumptious details.

The Duchess' "Blue Fox Uniform." I'd love to make a jacket similar to this in dark blue velvet.

A profile view showing the silhouette the bustle creates.

A detail shot showing both the buttons and the ascot which I think would translate beautifully into modern day wear.

The "Victory Dress," I found this frock to be quite darling, but especially love the black velvet ribbon tied around her neck.

A detail shot showing the bustle. I am currently making a jacket with a very similar bustle.

This detail shot is to focus on the use of stripes and how they are oriented different ways to create a style. The matching of stripes is also used as a mark of quality production.