Monthly Archives: January 2016

Poiret Cocoon Coat (Part 1)

Posted on January 22, 2016 by freshfrippery

I am still working on my 1920s Egyptian Revival dress, but I am in the middle of tediously hand-stitching the trim, so there isn’t a lot for me to discuss about the progress of the dress. Meanwhile, let’s talk about cocoon coats! I have been wanting one of Paul Poiret’s luxuriously draped coats, and since the Egyptian event I am attending is during the winter, this is the perfect time to make one.

1912-georges-barbier-illustration-140-0407-de

Illustration by Paul Barbier. Check out that Egyptian print on the dress on the left!

I am using the Folkwear Poiret Cocoon Coat pattern, which seems quite easy and straightforward. Originally I planned to make one out of solid red velvet to highlight the red accents in my 1920s dress, but . . .

. . . a few weeks ago I was shopping for ribbon when I came across this incredibly beautiful silk velvet burnout fabric!

It has a beautiful blue, purple, and chocolate brown paisley pattern.

I later bought coordinating lining fabric to highlight the blue in the silk.

I’m looking forward to starting this project!

9 Comments

Posted in 1920s and tagged 1920s, coat, costume, Egyptian Revival, Paul Poiret, sewing, silk. Bookmark the permalink.

1920s Egyptian Revival (Part 1): Silk! Embroidery! Flapper Shoes!

Posted on January 17, 2016 by freshfrippery

Next month the GBACG is hosting an event at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. To celebrate the Egyptomania surrounding Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922, I will be making a 20s dress with an Egyptian Revival theme.

I am using white silk velvet and navy blue silk chiffon. Here it is pinned together but still looking rather plain before its embellishments.

I am using Decades of Style’s zig zag dress pattern, which I used before to make my Daisy dress for the Gatsby Picnic.

I made a bunch of silk chiffon bias tape to trim the zig zags, but sadly they are really too sheer and delicate and the seams show through, so I will have to come up with another plan. (The fabric is so sheer the sleeves are 2 layers of chiffon).

I have 8 of these vintage appliques, one for each panel of the skirt. They might be a little weird, but I am hoping they are just weird enough.

I am excited to wear the dress with these shoes I got from Royal Vintage Shoes. They come in black/gold and navy/silver, but not navy/gold, so I went with the black/gold combination. They are really lovely and I’m glad I’ll have an excuse to wear them!

11 Comments

Posted in 1920s, Gatsby and tagged 1920s, Egyptian, Egyptian Revival, shoes. Bookmark the permalink.

18th Century at the OT-Tea Party

Posted on January 6, 2016 by freshfrippery

Back in September I attended a fancy tea event called the OT-Tea Party. (It is a reference to OTT, meaning “over the top”). It was held in the gorgeous French Parlour at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Recently I received the official photographs from the event. (Pictures below are by KV Photography, with editing by Nicole Keane).

I wore a silk dress inspired by both 18th century gowns and Japanese lolita fashion. The dress is one of my favorite things I’ve ever made, and I’ve worn it to Costume College, Gaskells and PEERS balls, each time with a little change in the trimming or accessories.

24007948342_1c17f09645_o

I am wearing a pearl necklace and earrings, and a straw bergere I trimmed. My shoes are by American Duchess (the very first run of Georgianas!) 23748249499_6142597493_o

I wish my hair had behaved a little better that day, but I had a wonderful time, and ate lots of delightful sandwiches and desserts. 24089779936_50bef4e720_o

Here is the whole group together. There were so many amazing outfits and I hope the tea becomes an annual tradition! 23488213444_df2dc8fd16_o

3 Comments

Posted in 18th Century, Lolita and tagged 18th century, costume, lolita, OT-Tea Party, sewing, silk. Bookmark the permalink.

2015 Year in Review

Posted on January 1, 2016 by freshfrippery

I don’t usually do an end-of-year review, but I finished more than I thought this year, so here we go! (My plans for 2016 are at the end of this post).

I made a Game of Thrones Kings Landing gown for myself, and an Oberyn
Martell-inspired costume for my husband.

DSCN1478

I made two chemise a la reines (one cotton and one made of sheer
striped silk) and wore them together to a few events. DSCN1814

I had fun frolicking in a tulle fairy tale skirt.

I made a wool-blend Victorian bathing suit.

I was a maid from Downton Abbey.
DSCN1616

I retrimmed a bergere hat.

I attached appliques to a dress to make my Circulatory System outfit
for the Vampire Ball.

I finished the underskirt and overskirt for my Lady Tremaine costume.

I made new undersleeves for my 1850s silk plaid Victorian day dress.

My final project of the year was my 1840s fan-front Victorian day dress.

Goals for 2016:

Finally complete my 18th century stays! I actually “finished” them months ago except for the binding on the eyelets, but took a break from most hand-sewing because of a wrist injury.
Make the bodice for my Lady Tremaine costume.
Trim a hat for Lady Tremaine.
Sew a 1920s Egyptian Revival dress for a GBACG event.
New regency gown – not sure day or evening yet.
Make more PJs.

Wish list with time frame unknown: