On my recent visit with my mom and dad, who live in Southeastern Massachusetts, I popped into my favorite antique store for a quick look. As I passed by the front cabinets, I glanced in and to my surprise came across these beauties. Three beautifully preserved hand-carved baleen busks. After I scooped my lower jaw…… Continue reading A Random New England Discovery
I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve been going nuts trying to work from home as well as keeping my kids connected with both their remote classwork and the classmates they so dearly miss. I never thought my kids would have more conference calls than I do, but we’re definitely competing for the best…… Continue reading Staying Home and Sewing a Child’s Fitted Mask Pattern.
My days are so packed full with work and school, it’s rare that I get a chance to read. So I have started using my lunch break for just this purpose. I was really excited to receive my copy of Feedsacks: The Colorful History of a Frugal Fabric in yesterday’s mail. At almost 600 pages…… Continue reading Lunchtime Reading
When walking through museums and galleries, I often hear people commenting on how “tiny” people “back then” really were. Often times this observation is based on just a few examples available on display. While the individual whose clothes are displayed was perhaps “tiny” it also means that she, or he, was wealthy or at least…… Continue reading “Waist” and Waste
Sometimes things just work out. Perfectly. A few months ago, an acquaintance alerted me to an exhibition of 50 (yes 50!) Victorian gowns. “Sounds great”, I replied, “Where is it?” “In Saco, Maine”, came the response. Gasp! “That’s a little over 3,000 miles away, but thanks for thinking of me!”, I replied and quickly filed…… Continue reading The fates align
And by little I mean whoever wore this was teeny tiny (maybe a size 2?). But here she is. A gorgeous little find that I could not pass up for a mere $10. It’s great for study and was made entirely by hand. The fabric was pintucked by machine before it was stitched together. It’s…… Continue reading The Little Blue Dress
I admit it. I go to the antiques faire just to fondle the vintage clothing and linens. I gawk and gape at how much thought, detail, and effort went into each of them. I just can’t help but appreciate them. We’re in a time of consumerism and fast fashion. I get it—it’s easy and convenient…… Continue reading I’m a sucker for something well made or well designed.
I think Ulyana Sergeenko may very well be one of my favorite designers of all time. I love her use of historical and fantasy references and the elegant way she incorporates familiar fairytale elements in dramatic ways. I mean, who doesn’t love Slavic folklore and cunning references to paganism? So inevitably, I had to include…… Continue reading Ulyana Sergeenko
Vivienne Westwood was born Vivienne Isabel Swire to Gordon Swire and Dora Swire in England on April 8, 1941. She moved to London at the age of seventeen to study silver-smithing at Harrow School of Art. After only staying for one term, believing she could not make a living in the arts, she decided instead…… Continue reading Dame Vivienne Isabel Westwood
Lee Alexander McQueen was born on March 17, 1969, in Lewisham, London. The youngest of six children born to a taxi driver father and schoolteacher mother. Alexander, or Lee as he was more commonly known, knew from a young age that he was gay, and as a result suffered much teasing from his classmates. He…… Continue reading Alexander McQueen
refashioning history 