Victorian Winter Dolls discussion

I admire your patience for hand sewing! drives me up the wall and I always end up going in a slant

 

*LOL* Yeah, mine tend to start off small and even and by the time I'm near the end of the seam they are HUGE and all over the place.

 

It always makes me wonder how before they invented sewing machines, those gorgeous dresses were created and still last to this day (I was recently looking at pictures of dresses in the Museum of Costume in NY).

 

They hand stitched everything including the lace.
*flexes her crochet fingers*

I'm not sure about $$$ but I think someone could get a lower end machine from Sears and do better than the Made in Who-Knows_Where-For-Slave-Wages machines that Wallyworld sells.

Just my opin on it.

 

I can't imagine how long it would take to prefect those skills. And the hands cramps, ouch...

 

Lifetimes. You'd start as a child, learning basic stitches, doing samplers etc. minor repairs. After a lifetime you *could* become good enough to make the tiniest stitches; make real bobbin lace, whatever.

I personally adore doing crochet lace, but I've watched bobbin lace makers, even hand sewers and I am very grateful for machines. LOL

That exhibit you were talking about: is that the one with the 17thh and 18th century gowns, hand made lace, Brussel and Bruge? omgosh I've seen photos from the NY exhibit and wished it wasn't 4000 miles away.

 

Also back then they had all day if that was their professions to do it. Now we have things to occupy most our time (like dollies!! )

But yea, I didn't say they were pretty lol!! I have no patience for it, but doing back stitches goes a lil faster for me and holds the stitch. (Mine do taper a bit towards the end ^^; lol)
I love hand crochet lace...but I wouldn't be able to do it myself X3

 

That's ok. my hand sewing suckors.
hahaha
And to think, I used to do embroidery.

 

ohhh hand lace is wonderful! To slow for me though. >.<
Speaking of sewing machines, I swear by old ones. they are like little tanks. I got a 60's machine worth $400 at a yard sale for $10 and it's perfect.
I'm so nervous about my fist clothing orders going through! eeee!!!!!!!!

 

I was actually thinking of a combination of things. I was looking through a older Vogue and saw a picture of Cathrine The Great's wedding dress in an older exhibit. And for school I did a project on woman's fashions of the past, I went to the Bellevue museum of art to see some shoes on loan from NY too. My first source for fabulous clothing is always the Institute for Costume and Technology (forgive me if that is not the exact name, I am a little sleepy) they have the best collection of everything. Makes me sad too that all the good museums are on the other side of the country.

This Brussel and Bruge collection sounds interesting though! I am going to have to look it up.

 

Even before I got in to crochet I was always fascinated by textiles. such simple items could be turned into such elegance. Oddly enough, when I do lacework crochet, I'm usually doing vintage patterns, things from before the 1950's or earlier. I love our modern designers, like Trish Kristofferson or Mary Werst, but when some nameless or name lost designer came up with something so simple to protect chairs and sofas which -while we don't use them for that anymore - can be turned into shawls and capes it answers my need for "ancient" and "vintage" while still being modern and beautiful.

Now, if I could figure out how to make SD clothing with that little steel hook.... LOL

 

We are on the same wavelength I don't crochet or knit (never could master it) but I do embroider and beading. I have a flapper dress from the 20's all woven in lead beads and I have yet to find a way to replicate it for my dolls. Wouldn't Odette look cute as a flapper? I'd love to put her in a flippy dress and cloche hat.

 

Odette would be adorable as a flapper!!


I was thinking, until I get someone to code an account type website, would anyone mind if I had a 'Status' page where I post the list of people I have waiting, whats being processed or has been shipped? I can use numbers that are specific to those people's emails that only they know. Thats if you want privacy on your order?

 

Flapper Odette would be wonderful!!

About order status... yes! Would be wonderful to know the status of our Odettes!!

 

I just want to make sure everyone is ok with having others know their order status, if not I'll make codes for everyone

I'm getting Gwendolyn ready to be finished molded! This part is the hardest part, sooo many things can go wrong x_x

 

freya, you should check out Auguste's designs, she does some really lovely crochet work.

 

Wow that's nice stuff! She makes it look easy but I've tried and it ends up horrible. LOL Perhaps when i get done with the ongoing and coming up projects I can finally devote practice time. I'd love to make stuff for my Lishe and Yes for Odette. Beadwork ... yup. sparkly beads and bangles. A little chain crown for her head with hanging crystal beads. *sigh* (I do know someone here at DoA that does that and she's awesome! )

 

Isn't it lovely? I bought a couple dresses from her, they are gorgeous.

 

Flapper attire is already on my list. >.O
It was before I even started on Odette's costume.
After little miss fire I'll be able to get to some of my other ideas.
(I may forgo the tassel-look, but there is a lot more to flapper fashion than that.)

 

Personally I love the wool drop waisted coats, cloche hats, and Etre-inspired designs of that period. I don't think people will mind no tassels