1812 costumes continue

 

After the rush of going to Chicago and exhibiting at the Vogue Knitting Show, it's been back to my neglected studio this week.  No dolls. That means back to 1812. I have finished the yellow Spencer, with the help of my able assistant, Laura. The sleeve detail is exquisite, taken from a period source. The silk godet insert is the softest twill silk you can imagine. 

 

The front was taken from a period fashion plate. The military look was big back then. The braid was made form covering piping with yellow silk, then braiding it. The collar stands up to properly display the trim, which is ruched silk and floral trim.

 

The back has lovely little pleats which swing nicely and the buttons to finish them off. I loved making this beautiful jacket, even with the challenges presented by the sleeves fitting the armhole and the collar standing properly, which required several pattern drafts.

 

What's next? Well a pelisse (coat) is under construction. Then I have an idea for a dragon....

November Sale at the Studio

Woodland Santa Class

Next month, which is almost upon us, I am doing a couple of new things: hosting my first ever Studio Sale and also hosting a new class at the studio, the Christmas Dragon!

So, mark your calendars for November 11 and 12th for the Christmas Dragon class. The Christmas dragon has long been known of in Cymru, where he helps Santa out when his reindeer can't do the distance, or the weather is just too awful! He and Santa are long since acquainted, being about the same age. They have an annual get together, when all the mythical folks gather in Never Neverland.

The class will be creating a needle felted head, tail and feet, and everything is provided for you, for $100.

The Studio Sale is November 17 - 20. 10 - 4pm each day. I will have Noggins for sale, (which are always popular with my friends) as well as some Christmas Dragons and other gift items. If you are very, very good, there will be homemade cookies as well. So please join me at the Studio 1276 Wellington Street, Ottawa.

On November 19, during the Studio Sale, we'll be making the Woodland Santa pictured above. He's the neatest, fastest little guy you'll ever make! The class runs 10 - 3 pm and is $50, including the kit.

If you would like to join the classes, please email me, using the link above and on the left!! You're not supposed to add your email to blog posts, don't you  know, because it causes Spam!!

Machine and Dragon

My Garage hound hubby found this for me last week. It's an old Singer treadle machine head, with a shuttle type bobbin. I doubt it works and the throat plate is missing, but it will be a fine prop in my studio! Now it needs a little table to sit on... Off you go, hubby! He loves a reason to hunt garage sales. Any idea how old it is?

The dragon had a little more work done this week. Body work, plus I shaped up his head and added eyes. I also began detailing his claws. The bum has a stone in it now, for weight, so he should hold his roaring pose.

I may take the lower jaw off, as I need to add a tongue first. You have to see a dragon's tongue when he's roaring! The head needs more skull, which I'll add along with horns. What colour should they be? I have decided on a green dragon, with red highlights. The Harry Potter dragon was grey and colorless, from being kept underground. This guys is wild and free!