So Steady as She Sews: Costume College, Saturday

Saturday started off bright at early at 9am for more programming. I started with a talk on tailoring a man's Regency tailcoats, presented by the gal who designs patterns for Laughing Moon. I picked up a few tid bits about construction and such, but it was mostly targeted towards people who are going to use their patterns as opposed to those figuring it out from the tailoring manuals of the time. She did have some good notes about fabric weights and the types of support structure that were and were not required for the time period, though. So that was helpful.

Next up was a class on beginning bobbin lace. While kits were available (of which I bought one), there wasn't really the time for any instruction. It was more of an introduction to what it was, with the tools for those who want to try it at home.

If I ever get around to using my kit, this is the sample of what it is that I'll be making.

Next up was 18th century women's outerwear, which covered short and long cloaks and pelisses. No real new information for me there, but I caught a lot of names for references and research collections online. Also, now I want to make a pelisse. No good reason for it, other than I haven't made one yet and they look interesting. Oh, this 18th century rabbit hole that I have fallen into.

Also hit Five Faux-Historical Accessories which singled out some of the biggest no-nos of accessorizing historical costume, as well some both some cheap-n-easy-n-close-enough and not-so-cheap-but-super-accurate ways of fixing it. Makes me want to go home and make a lot of purses and reticules and the like.

Saturday night was the big gala event, and what a production it was. They do this semi-organized 'red carpet' event where they have chairs lining the halls going into the ballroom and attendees get to walk down it and have their picture taken/be gawked at. It was kinda fun, if a little overwhelming. But I suppose it's better than the alternative, which is everyone just crowding about the space and hoping to catch a picture of the costumes if they can. It also significantly ups the likelihood of finding photos of yourself online the next day, which I appreciated. The Honey and I went the full nine yards with the hair and makeup, which I thought really pulled the whole thing together. The look was relatively simple, really. After a touch of concealer where needed, we just loaded up with a metric ton of matte white eye shadow from Sephora, then touched the cheeks with a matte red. Red lip liner only, to keep it matte. A scant touch of mascara for both of us and a light dusting of pale blue eye shadow for me and we were ready to go. I know there's not really supposed to be any color on the eyelids, but my babies were getting lost in a sea of white powder and I had to do something.

Here we are texting the obligatory "look how silly we look" selfies to our friends back home.

Here we are all dressed up. I like how the red/blue/ivory with gold and brown color palette worked out.

Actually, sitting in panniers turned out to be not that difficult after all.
So long as the seats next to me remained unoccupied. ;)

Such a cad. The outfit was like an open invitation to ham it up for the crowds.

Another full length shot. I think I know why women in the time seemed to pose with their hands
where they did. I needed to use the fan to hide where my pocket access slits tended to gape open.
Add that to the list of things that need to be tweaked when I get home, as well as adding fur revers
to my bodice, hooks to hold the front of the skirts up and moving the shoulder seam on Honey's coat.

I fell behind and this outfit totally would not have happened had it not been for Bethany's last minute help.
I did the pattern & mock up of the coat, her the cutting and assembly, and I the hem/trim/buttons.

Honey's wig, courtesy of Bethany. It was perfect!

I'm just giddy over my wig. I took a lot of progress pics and promise to get those up here at some point very soon. I had to use the glue stick trick to get the tiny hairs in front of my ears to stay in place, but next time will have to powder them a bit more thoroughly. I'll probably disassemble the wig and re-style it at some point before the next Costume Con, try to make the shape a bit less cone-like and a bit more symmetrical. Maybe now I can read Kendra's book in depth and figure out a better way to manage that nonsense in the back.

Shot of my wig, courtesy of Geri, who had the forethought to take side
view photos of both the wig and the dress for me.

And some bonus shots of some of my favorite costumes of the night. Most of them were from people I didn't know personally, so if you recognize yourself or a friend, please let me know.

So miffed that this photo didn't turn out better, but I had to include it anyway
because the makeup and prosthetics job on this was just phenomenal.

This matched pair were really sharp in their slate grey. I kind of wanted to follow
him around and take pictures of the pleats in his coat, as they were pretty sharp.

This outfit was so fun, and she seemed to have such fun wearing it. Bounding around
and running up and down the halls, fluffs of hair and swags of fabric bouncing in the breeze.

Not the best view from the side, but...

...check out that trim! I will bow down to the master on this one. That braid is well done.

The little embroidered emblems inside the swirls of trim were so intricate.

Another entry from the 18th c court ensembles group. It was a coronation gown,
so she had one hell of a train following her around.

The petals of this skirt were just to die for.

Woo hoo, plaid! Orange and blue plaid is one of those prints that I'd look at on the bolt and think, nah.
But it loos SO sharp in a bustle dress. Well done, Tracy!