bonnet inspiration - 1874-75

I am embarking on construction of a bonnet to go with my blue seaside bustle gown. It's meant to be from about 1874-75, so I've been flipping through my copies of Peterson's Magazine from these years. These are the images that look the most like what's going on in my head.

April 1874

May 1874

May 1874

July 1874

August 1874

August 1874

August 1874

December 1874

December 1874

February 1875

June 1875

June 1875

July 1875

regency inspiration

There has been a lot of buzz about the exhibit catalog for Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion that has just been published. While I don't yet own this book, there is a fantastic online gallery of the exhibition that has given me many ideas for future projects.

In the interim, I am still making ruffles for the Blue Seaside Bustle Gown that I am planning to wear to Costume Con in a few weeks. I've just reached the point where I am really excited to wear it - and where I'll be done with the skirt and can start the process of trimming the trim.

Photos to come, though I won't post the finished gown until after Costume Con.

at the intersection of craftiness and fandoms..

I haven't cross-stitched since I made an set of American and Confederate flags for a 2nd grade project about the Civil War (overly ambitious, much?), but have decided to take this skill up again after seeing this:

You can purchase the Firefly crew and many other fantastic patterns from weelittlestitches on Etsy. I have no appropriate fabric for cross-stitching (of course), so it'll be a bit before I get started on this. (Plus, Costume Con is coming up soon and I have much to do!)