More from the 99c Store

Well.
Summer is still lingering. Sometimes they are energetic fun filled, high-jink Summers, sometimes not. This Summer not so much. I did have a great time giving a class at Costume College, called the 99c Store Costumer, it was a lot of fun and people were very kind.  Afterward, I mostly lurked in the shadows admiring all the talent on display. My friend Chantal and I skirted the edges like Victorian crossing sweeps, all in awe.
I did want to post a couple more hacks that were well received.

Hack the first- place mat template

Cock-a-doodle-do it!

These are made from flexible plastic, easy to cut to shape. I cut it out as scallops for the bottom of an 1880's dress, they LOVED their scallops. This pliable material would work great for stencils too. Someone mentioned that they charge $15 at Michael's for a sheet of this plastic. I say it's definitely worth 99c 

Hack the second- hair donut chignon

Mmmmmm, donut

Cut it apart and re-shape it at will

Braid sewn onto the mesh with a comb added.

Sure, it's my own hair........

They are made of  mesh and once you cut them apart you can use them for all your fake hair needs. Roll two of them into a pompadour hair support, make them small for Victory rolls or flatten the mesh out and sew your chignon to it. If you you are lucky you can also find the fake hair switches there. This piece is from the 99c store, I've seen it in various blondes and once a gorgeous strawberry red. They are probably made from recycled water bottles, so you can't dye them.

Next time actual sewing content, I need a 1930's blouse pattern and will franken-pattern it from a dress.

Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine

Ladies, I Salute You!

Still working toward my sewing mojo.
In the mean time I have been pondering the women who have stepped out of their comfort to make amazing products available to the rest of us. I used to think how great it would be if SOMEONE made historical reproduction shoes that were affordable. I thought about it a lot. One can only scramble through the left-

My American Duchess Pompadors. How'd you like a house falling on you!

overs from the 1990's for so long, they fall apart, no matter how cute the curvy heel is. Enter American Duchess, she made the leap for all of us. I can attest to the quality and the personal customer support (I have 4 pairs). Brava!

Autumn Adamme the founder of Dark Garden Corsetry has been in the business of making hourglasses where hourglasses are needed since the late 1980's. Her shop in San Francisco is legendary and of course everything is available on line. http://www.darkgarden.com/

Most of us know Kendra Van Cleave, she had the watershed costuming blog and now has a fabulous 18th century hair styling book. Another leap of faith, and a marvelous endeavor.
http://www.amazon.com/18th-Century-Styling-Step-Step/dp/0692220437

From liquid rouge to hair pomatum Alicia Schult has it in her Etsy shop. These mostly organic products are from original recipes, 18th and 19th century. I have been using the Gypsy astringent and it leaves your face soft and smooth. It got rid of the little forehead bumps I was slowly amassing. I have given out her tiny rouge samples as favors and want to try the pomatum, it comes in different scents, mmmm rose scented hair.

Lauren of Wearing History has had her sewing patterns out for a few years and has a new line of ready to wear. If you can't sew or have time constraints (who doesn't) her line is a great way to go. Mostly vintage 30's and 40's reproductions in custom printed fabrics.
https://wearinghistory.clothing/shop/

Not just adorbs, but adorable, this deserves the whole word.

If you are looking for something smoldering to wear underneath it all  Gina of Maddy James has a line of vintage inspired lingerie. Why lounge in sweat pants when you can luxuriate in satin.
http://www.maddyjames.com/

This is just the tip of the iceberg and we all know the rest of the iceberg is ice cream. These ladies have all stepped out into the void and hoped to fill it and they have with yummy stuff we all need. I have thought of many a thing we could all use that never got out of the gate, I think we all have. My hats off to them (hey, I forgot about hats).

Please note, none of  these businesses have sponsored this post. I'm sharing my experiences of them because it's important to support these businesses. I want everyone to succeed and they can!

Ever Your Thimble etc.
Miss Brilliantine

I Tried to Sew a Thing

Is it a summer malaise? I don't know.
Have you ever gotten into such a turn of mind were even the thing you love to do is too much trouble? I've made a few forays into the sewing room and thought and thought about projects. I get out patterns and even bought some silk online. Meh, too much trouble, it's too hot, I don't wanna.
So many people are busily sewing for events and Costume College, I can barely fold up the unused pattern. Staring at UFOs won't get them finished.
What a rut. But you want pictures. I know how this works.
I have done a little dress-up so here's my pansy Fancy-dress that I wore to the Magic Castle in Hollywood on Sunday.

Is it influenza?
Is it a catarrh?
Should I remove her tonsils, and put them in a jar?
Is it mal-contentment, brought on by a wish?
Please remove your horoscope and put it in the dish.
Cast an oath on sticks and stones, meted out by churls,
Then take the word of better men, who know what's good for girls.
V.

Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine

A Tale of two Tin-types

Last Sunday the Social Daunce Irregulars in conjunction with Los Encinos State Historic Park put on an event called a Victorian Day in the Park. Frolics were had, a little dancing was done (less than anticipated because of the heat) and pictures were made. I've had my picture made in the wet plate process before and have had great results. But take a look at the variability of this process.

I love the first picture, I think the bustle dress looks great, but wha' happened to the contrast? I wore the dress on purpose because of the bright pink embroidery on the white background. This kind of process is very sensitive to contrast. Maybe standing in front of a white wall wasn't the best idea, they had set up early or I would have suggested something else as a backdrop. Here's the dress in real life.

I'm stumped, maybe it was the fact that I was glistening from the humidity, a rare thing in my part of So. Ca. I will try it again. They can do better!

The Altruistic Hat

Well, things have been siren inducing fun. I have had all my attention in a familial direction and just needed a fun, mindless and satisfying project. My friend Athene has wanted a new hat and I was gifted (yes a verb) with this great straw hat.

Shape is meh, but straw is great!

I give it a little bath and reshaped it so-

Hot, hot water and persuasion, also helpful water and glue mixture. 50/50 Aleene's glue and water in a spray bottle will show it you are the boss of it! I spray it on after I like the shape, as sizing.

Another view, I love the 'flower pot" shape, I'm a little obsessy.

Just add ribbon and flowers.

It practically makes itself and one can feel good about selflessness.

Just keep adding ribbon loops and flower stems until you achieve picnic ready lightness. Not having the concentration for any kind of sewing,  this scratched the creative itch and pretty topper!

I love a straw hat and I love to bend them to my will.

I can stop whenever I want. really.

Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine

Two More 99c Store Hacks-

For the warmer weather.
Picnic season is upon us and we need to keep cool. In our persons and with our props.
Here are a couple of really quick hacks from my fav 99c store.
Hack the first-insulated carpet bag.

I tried this last Summer on the round basket and it worked a treat.

The basket doesn't have a lid so I use a folded cloth to keep in the cold, works great.

 I used one of those fold-up auto sunshades, cut it to shape and machine sewed it with a heavy needle. The feed dogs can't grip it so you need to guide a little, just a little persuasion will do.

Use your blunt craft scissors to cut it out.

I used the smooth side in and just sewed up the 2 sides and the bottom, Presto!

This will hold 3 bottles of Champagne and a few sandwiches, if you like that sort of thing. (Ha, toes!)

This works about as well as any of those insulated bags from the store. It won't keep ice cream frozen but with a few cold packs, drinks and food stay nice and cold/cool depending how long you use it. Plus you can customize it for a buck!

I won't tell if you don't

Hack the Second- Dress shields.
I sew dress shields into all my dresses, I've used heavy flannel drapery lining,  remove and wash them after each use. I was wandering the automotive isle and ran across these polishing cloths.

It could work!

Machine washable you say, go on....

I thought I could simply cut them out and not have to serge the edges, I haven't tried them yet but "all signs point to yes" as the Magic Eight Ball used to say.

The happy crescent

I tack them into the armscye seam, just like every extant dress I've ever seen.
Pause in your perplexity for the practically perfect picnic.

Ever Your Thimble Servant,
Miss Brilliantine

Impressionist Picnic

Or what you can make with a $10 sari other than a regency gown. I wanted an easy picnic dress and found a lovely simple organdy sari. The rest you can see for yourself. Mostly pictures, beware!

I used every bit of the embroidered edge, it made itself!

I filled in the curvy front with another bit of embroidered organdy. Never throwing anything away pays off.

I draped the overskirt  using as much of the edge as possible, asymmetry to the recuse.

re-trimmed flowerpot hat

Lolling under the trees

Mega-Bustle (look for her in the new Marvel comic)

Our resident painter, Chuck. At the Impressionist picnic we don't just talk the talk, we walk it.

The Gentlemen

The ladies

The Rancho

I love a vintage picnic and luckily have like minded friends. Do we do a first person impression? No, we just like to bring out all the linen, plate and bubbly, get dressed up in out finest, filmiest attire and disport ourselves. That's enough.
I was waylaid by an emergency dental surgery earlier that week, malaise set in. I did finish the dress and muster all the enthusiasm I could.  I ended up having a lovely time. (But thuffering thuccotash I thtill have thitches)
Ever Youur Thimble Thervant,
Mith Brilliantine