The past year was a rough one health-wise, so it’s a bit of surprise to me writing this post and tallying up my costumes how much I got done! That makes me optimistic for what I can achieve in 2019, even though I’m going to be reasonable in order to keep myself sane and less stressed.
I went to the Legion of Honor museum wearing my 18th century mauve silk dress in February, which I started in January.

Photo by John Carey
My other January project was to make this steampunk belt and tea holster.
In March I made a Regency outfit for my husband and new dress for myself. (The pelisse and bonnet are not newly made).
At Silicon Valley Comic Con in April I premiered my Vice Admiral Holdo costume, my proudest achievement of the year! (I also joined the Rebel Legion with it!)

Photo by Business Insider
In April I wore a Victorian/Edwardian-inspired bicycling outfit to a train ride and BBQ.

Photos by Chris Wiener
May was a mermaid month, with a tail and shell bra.
In June I wore a vintage-style First Order Uniform, inspired by Star Wars.

Photo by Gloria Sheu
For fun, in June/July I made a medieval fantasy princess dress.
In July I wore Crimson Peak 2.0 (an outfit that I made in 2017 but upgraded to wear to Costume College).

Photo by Gloria Sheu
It included a big lilac petticoat.
During the summer I also made myself a cotton novelty dress.
In October I wore this Gibson Girl dress to a GBACG event.
I also made a big trained petticoat for it.
My last big project was this 1830s Romantic day dress, worn to the Dickens Fair in December.
I also made a blouse using a Wearing History pattern.
I’m surprised at all the projects from this year and look forward to more! On the horizon I’ve got some more Star Wars outfits, an 1890s sweater, an 18th century dress, a 1920s robes de style, and a lot of vintage-style daily wear.
AAHHHHHMAZING!!! You are so inspiring. I can’t even pick a favorite, they are all so wonderful!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with in the coming year!!
Aw, that’s so sweet of you! I’m so happy you like my costumes! Happy new year!
A truly fabulous year, bravo! Would you mind sharing where you found the fabric/pattern for your summer novelty dress?
Thank you! I got the fabric from Ebay; it might be vintage. I used Vogue 8789 for my dress pattern.
Wow! Just WOW! Fabulous array and excellent workmanship! Hope to meet you at Great Gatsby this summer!
Thank you! I’m looking forward to the Gatsby Picnic. It’s a can’t miss event!
The Dickens dress is totally my favorite and so amazingly fantastic!! Great job on the 2018 sewing list.
Thank you! I really like that one as well, and I am so surprised I got so much done. =)
I am hoping to make something Mary Poppins-ish, especially since Mary Poppins Returns just came out. I haven’t seen it yet, but I love Emily Blunt’s blue dress with the double cape. Do you have any similar costumes you already made or a link to a friend’s costume?
Hi! I like the costumes in that movie too! I was getting all sorts of ideas while watching. I haven’t made any similar to that blue dress with the double cape and no one else comes to mind, but I wonder if you could modify a Sherlock Holmes costume pattern since that has a cape?
Beautiful costumes, l enjoy reading your blogs and I do some historical sewing myself. I live in Rochester, Kent in England and we have our own Dickens Festival with some truly gorgeous costumes. I reckon many of them are recycled curtains etc as many of the fabrics are just right for the period. You see a huge variety at all levels of skill etc and some of the steam punk ones are amazing in how inventive they are. I do now go in costume, though silk is beyond my budget, I found a lovely lilac taffeta that looks good. Yes it is dead dinosaur, but it looks good ☺️. Think for myself the hooks and eyes on a tape might be a good idea for the front bodice as I haven’t a maid or husband to hook me up at the back, so it’s do it myself. Anyhow, got till June to work on it…..
Hi Christina, thank you so much for reading my blog and taking the time to comment! I am lucky that some US stores have really great silk sales, but there’s no shame in using a polyester taffeta; I do too sometimes. Good luck with your outfit!