ACG Christmas

And then came the Australian Costumers Guild Christmas Party. Our theme this year was 20th Century, which could be interpreted a number of different ways. Many of our group chose to dress in vintage - 1950s, 1980s, and 1990s. We also had a jedi, and a pirate. I chose to wear my Little Mermaid costume, as a 1989 film, it was right in the time period. I had a wonderful afternoon and it was a great and relaxing afternoon for the end of another year with the ACG as we watched the sun gown down over Brisbane from the Kangaroo Point cliffs. I even go to play with my cousin's light saber.

Proclamation Day 2011

The second Christmas event that I have attended recently was the annual celebration of Proclamation Day - the day when Queensland officially became its own state. That was on the 10th December. And that was is 1859, so Crinoline is the order of the day.

The only addition that I made to my costume was to pop on one of my wigs this year instead of using my own hair. But that is more to do with the current colour of my hair rather than any other sort of thing. I decided to use my new burgundy wig, which was rather complimentary to the purple of my crinoline - the one that I made last year. I have to say, I have had so much use out of this one skirt - between wearing it as an evening gown as well as pairing it up with a day bodice.

Before the event, I also got stuck into fixing up my mum's brown evening gown that I made a few years ago. I decided to make her a crinoline for a start. It is put together with some quilting cotton that I had leftover from a vintage dress I have cut out, the regular irrigation tubing, gold brads and twill tape. I used the Truly Victorian round crinoline for it and made the oversized one - more as my mum is a larger woman, to help balance out her shape. I fixed the skirt where it had pulled out of the waistband and remodeled the bodice - removing the bertha. I found that the bertha made mum look bigger on top than she is and added to much bulk, the gown is much more flattering without it. And the crinoline works really well under the dress, you notice the bias skirt detail a lot more now. I will just have to make her a petticoat or two for the crinoline before she wears it again.

All in all, a very successful event. I had a great time and it was lovely to get mum and dad dressed up again. I think mum was very pleased with her "new" ensemble, and I know that I am much more pleased with it.

Vintage Pool Party

Phew. Have been incredibly busy of late. With the onset of December comes an abundance of Christmas parties. My first one was held a few weeks ago, with my re-enactment group RIFF. As the weather takes a turn for the warm, we decided to have a pool party. And of course, it was a historical pool party. Most of us chose to do vintage. I apologise for the lack of photos, it seems that I was too busy having a great time to actually take many.

For my swimsuit, (no photos worn), I decided to make a 1950s style one. It is made out of quilting cotton that was leftover from one of my vintage dresses. I took quite a bit to get the pattern for my swimsuit fitting me (about 4 redrafts and mock ups in total). But I was sizing up from a 32 inch bust to my 38inch bust. And of course the hips and waist as well. It's actually a very flattering pattern with the gathering running down the front. And the orange trim is a bias so that it allows for movement and a little more flexibility around the legs. It does up down the back with a zip. Unfortunately my vintage reproduction swim cap didn't arrive in time for me to wear it, but I now have them, so I think that another vintage pool party may be in order to make use of my caps. And I will aim to get at least one photo of myself in there. :P