Lydia’s Paraphernalia
I recently discovered the word "paraphernalia" has an old, legal meaning, separate from how we normally use it. Back in the day when dowries were part of a marriage contract, a woman's...
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.
Introducing Lydia
Lydia is 14" tall and marked 1469 C1OD. I adore her long, lean lines and her exquisite presence. Even though she smokes like a chimney and mutters to herself in an unintelligible...
A Delightful Place to Learn
One of my favorite websites is Antique-Gown.com. Although their main goal is selling antique clothing, their photographs are detailed and often include that holy grail for costume historians - pictures of the...
Edwardian Beauty Was Not Skin Deep
During a recent conversation, a friend commented on the beautiful simplicity of Edwardian fashion. She's very lucky we were on the telephone or I might have had to hit her. I said,...
Nothing Glamorous Happens on Picture Day
Maddie and I headed out to the garden this morning with high hopes of making something special happen. We had everything we needed - including a wonderful Manet poster to use for...
A Concert in the Tuileries
Maddie was recently invited to an outdoor concert at the Tuileries. Since the Emperor isn't currently in Paris, his private area of the gardens is open to the public, which is always...
Desperately Seeking Frosting (and Sprinkles!)
Maddie's red sprigged summer dress has been nicknamed "the cupcake dress", for obvious reasons. I had to explain to the girls what cupcakes are. Now they all want me to stop sewing...
The Devil is NOT in the Details
You often hear the phrase, "the devil is in the details", which means imagining something wonderful is easier than actually making it happen. But - however benign this reference to satan may...
By the Skin of My Teeth
I need to get better at predicting how much fabric one of these enfantine dresses is going to take. Especially when ruffles are involved. Because what you see above is all that's...
Life at a Snail’s Pace
Yesterday I spent seven hours cutting out one piece of Maddie's next dress. Clearly, my expectations that it would be finished by Monday were way off base. C'est la Vie. Sometimes, drafting...