A Good Rest Well Earned
The fact that my bank account is in tatters - TATTERS! - is neither here nor there. Bernadette and I survived convention - that's the important thing - and we're now enjoying...
Outside the Lines
The posts in this category are just what its label says, i.e., every single thing ever written without categorization. If you want to read straight through from the very beginning, go to the last page and work your way through backwards. The most recent posts are always added at the top of the first page.
Spangles and Barbed Wire Embroidery
So, Bernadette's disguisement - her "Costume de Hollandaise" - is nearly complete. We're not posting photos yet, because she wants to make a splashy entrance at the Bleuette Gathering next Thursday evening....
The Fascinating History of Sequins
What do Michael Jackson, King Tut and Leonardo da Vinci have in common? Check out this fantastic article in the Smithsonion Magazine about the history of sequins and see for yourself. Spoiler...
Going Rogue
I'm not, by nature, a rule follower. Nevertheless, when I use LSDS patterns, I try my best to stay true to their history. They're not meant to result in perfection. They were...
And Once Again, the Word of the Day is Hmm. . .
Sewing for Bleuette is always an adventure when you use her LSDS patterns. Today I finished up binding the edges of the blouse for her disguisement. It's very wide. Bernadette is not...
So What, Exactly, are Those Things?
After reading through the pattern instructions and looking at several examples of completed Hollandaise costumes, I'm left with a question about the "ornaments" on the sides of the headpiece. In the LSDS...
At Least SOMEONE is Happy!
So. It's been a while! I like the word "while". It makes me feel a lot less guilty than words like "months" or "over a year". And I don't even have a...
Why Bother?
It's hard to say which came first - my love affair with textiles or my descent into doll costuming mania. It's all a little bit blurry around the edges. However. What is...
Fabric Stabilization 101
As I frequently need to remind the girls, we are NOT a museum. In many circumstances we have to "make do" with fabrics or trims which are appropriate, if not perfect, for...
Textile Conservation
Handling and preserving antique textiles isn't overwhelming if you know what you're doing. This wonderful website has oodles of information on storing, displaying, rescuing, and stabilizing all sorts of fragile things. It's...