Author Archives: avantgarbe

1790s / regency-ish painted shoes

After throwing my bodice mockup into the naughty corner (and also totally switching gears back to finish 1880s Captain America), I still needed a project that was a breather in between fitting. Enter shoes! Honestly, I would have been happy … Continue reading

Posted in 1790s, Accessories, Regency | 3 Comments

1790s outfit (or I just want to be a fluffy sailing ship)

New era time! So I’ve said for years I don’t like regency. To my modern eye, it just wasn’t a flattering thing. (Not sure if it hurts or helps my view that you can literally hide a pregnancy there). Then … Continue reading

Posted in 1790s | 2 Comments

1890s Symington Corset – Construction

So last time, I drafted a corset pattern in September 2019. Then I got distracted by other projects, then a MOTHER FUCKING PANDEMIC. Daycare closed for 3 months, so I had a full time job (which thankfully gave me a … Continue reading

Posted in 1890s, Corsets, Symington Corset | 1 Comment

1890s Symington Corset – Fitting

Hooboy, so I started this corset a while ago. Back in July 2019 when pandemics didn’t exist, I thought I might have time to make a new corset to wear with my Captain America Bustle for Jordan Con in April … Continue reading

Posted in 1890s, Corsets, Symington Corset | 1 Comment

American Duchess Cape – Sewing it up

After the ridiculousness that was FOUR MOCKUPS FOR A FRIGGIN CAPE sewing it up was nice and straightforward. The outer fabric was an easy choice. I’ve had some dark gray wool satin in my stash since 2012 (sheesh both my … Continue reading

Posted in 1910s, American Duchess Cape, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

American Duchess Cape (Cult) – Fitting

Like most folks who do historical costuming (or any sewing) on the internet, you may have heard of the free American Duchess Cape pattern. I volunteered to host a sewalong on TarValon.net for this (as it crosses over to cosplay … Continue reading

Posted in 1910s, American Duchess Cape | 8 Comments

Blackwork Elizabethan Coif

So 6 months ago the world fucking shut down (except the US didn’t actually shut down enough to prevent 200 thousand deaths. I have a lot of angry opinions right now. Anyways.). Daycare was closed, and my husband and I … Continue reading

Posted in Accessories, Blackwork Coif, Embroidery, Renaissance | 7 Comments

Captain America Bustle bodice – construction

Usually construction is the easy part, but this bodice had finicky steps where order mattered. Everything is made out of the blue Joann cotton sateen, flatlined with polished cotton. First, the sleeve needed the white decorative cuff added. I thought … Continue reading

Posted in 1880s, Captain America Bustle, Fantasy/Scifi/Cosplay | Leave a comment

Captain America Bustle Bodice – Fitting

Where we last left off, I had finished the skirt in time to wear to an outing(!), and had a goal of finishing the bodice ASAP. Welp, it’s still not done yet, but let’s start talking about it – My … Continue reading

Posted in 1880s, Captain America Bustle, Fantasy/Scifi/Cosplay | 1 Comment

Bustle skirt at the Legion of Honor

My last pre-quarantine event with the Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild was in the beginning of February 😦 The theme was bustle dresses, while attending the Tissot exhibit at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco (as Tissot was known … Continue reading

Posted in 1880s, Captain America Bustle, Excursions | Leave a comment