Costume College

[imoldfashioned]

Who went? How was it? What classes did you take? What did you make? What did you buy? Tell all, please!

 

[Kaela]

Yes, I'd like to know more about this too...

Naturally, I think I'd like to major in history and study fashion (I imagine folks on this board would be empathetic!!!)

Who here has any sort of history major? What schools do you think are best for that? I think everybody's got their own favorite....
As far as the fashion portion, I'm looking to go to FIT in NY..

 

[Vanessa]

Massive amount of pictures located here.


Classes taken:
-Wardrobe Requirements for a Woman of Leisure in the 1880's
-Fitting a Victorian Bodice
-Forties "B" hat or "Blastin' Betty"
-French Drape Pattern Making
-Making a Cloche Style hat
-Overview of Millinery and it's Secrets
-Uniforms of the First World War

It was fantastic as always. So many talented and friendly costumers (90% historical - meaning pre-1915).

Bought:
-Loads of spiral boning to last me until next year's College
-Vintage flowers for hats/hair
-Two late Victorian patterns
-Two pairs of white kid gloves (just in time to wear to the Gala)

 

[Lauren]

Me too! Me too! (obviously as we're attached at the hip) Please forgive if these classes aren't the word for word titles:

I took
*Regency Corsetmaking
*Straw braid hats over buckram
*Making a 20's cloche
*Womens Costume in Renaissance Venice

It was great like always! I bought too much- nearly every Early Bustle (early 1870s) pattern I didn't have by Truly Victorian, some vintage lace and hat trim, ribbons, a reproduction 1700s hat, and I think that's it. I stocked up for the year

It was fun because this year I actually knew more people and was great fun meeting Colleency in person. She's one of the dearest people I've met!

At the Gala on Sat night there was a slew of us in 1700's Robe de Francaise, so it was fun getting shots of those.

Here's my Robe de Francaise:

And here's Vanessa's Early Bustle Gown:

And here's us with a very handsome Erte at the tea:

 

[Rosie]

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap Vanessa and Lauren, you ladies look smashing. Smashing doesn't even do you two justice. Beautiful!

 

[VintageJess]

Oh my heavens! Lauren and Vanessa those dresses are just tremendous! Really, you look like you've walked out of a history book. Wonderful! :eusa_clap

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Wow, you both look incredible. Nice to finally see the finished product. You both did amazing jobs.

 

[RetroModelSari]

I´m absolutely thrilled! What wouldn´t I give to wear a dress like those!!! *sigh*

 

[fortworthgal]

I'm just floored by you girls that can produce such works of art! I can barely sew a button! lol

You both look stunning.

 

[imoldfashioned]

Vanessa, thanks so much for sharing all your photos! Some of my favorites were 28 (love the dress on the lady second from the left), 57, 64 (the posing with the fans is too cute) and 150. Nice to see ladies of all shapes and sizes attending too.

Lauren, you look just like Tasha Tudor’s picture of Cinderella at the ball in your gorgeous Robe. It’s also amazing that your face looks completely “period” no matter what period you’ve chosen—so many of the folks in those photos looked modern despite their great garb but you always look like you stepped out of a picture whether you’re dressed for 1780 or 1930.

For both of you, how were the hat classes? I particularly wondered about the Forties "B" hat or "Blastin' Betty one.

 

[fortworthgal]

It’s also amazing that your face looks completely “period” no matter what period you’ve chosen—so many of the folks in those photos looked modern despite their great garb but you always look like you stepped out of a picture whether you’re dressed for 1780 or 1930.

I've noticed this as well.

 

[Miire]

I LOVE the Rococo Dress!
In Theatre, more so for costume work, I had to study every type of clothing from every civilization starting at Mesopotamia. Renaissance was most interesting as far as "equipment" but when we got to the 30s to the 50s, I was in heaven!

 

[Lauren]

Thank you so much everyone! I'm flattered! Costume college is great fun, and I've met some lovely gals through going the last few years.

 

[Miire]

There seems to be something different about your costume in comparison to the other women in the room. I think its the massive amount of detail your work that makes it stand out and just look better than the others. You should seriously try designing for film and theatre. Lots of money doing what you love most! If I had that talent, I wouldn't be in lighting design.

 

[colleency]

I had great fun at Costume College, too! It was great meeting Lauren and Vanessa, and I hope to see them again for the Queen Mary in November.

I took fewer classes, because due to a machine failure, I was still sewing my tea dress an hour before the tea!

Classes:
Glove Making
Overview of hats and headdresses:1910 to 1920
Ragtime Accessories for Ladies
Pressing Matters (How to iron while creating garments)
Forties B Hat or Blastin' Betty
Women's Clothing Changes: 1910 - 1920

I caught part of these classes:
Overview of 16th Century Gaelic Clothing
French Pattern Draping techniques
Costuming on a budget

Costumes worn (sorry, I didn't take any pictures):
1954 Sun Dress
1933 Day Dress
Kaylee (Firefly) Outfit
1924 Erte dress

 

[colleency]

Review of classes:

Most of the classes were lecture, but the following were limited, hands-on classes:

Glovemaking
The best class I took! It was great, and I came out of the class with one glove mostly completed that really fit my hand. The class was 5 hours, so you can see that glovemaking is complicated. The most difficult parts are doing the calculation to make sure you have the correct size and installing the thumb. I had to see the diagram of how to put in the thumb, and actually sew it, before I really got what we were doing. The instructor has plans to make a pattern/lesson available. I believe I'm on her mailing list, and I will try to post here when she is ready with it, if anyone's interested.

Ironing
Second favorite class! The main gist of this class was that you should always iron as you go along in sewing. Press your seam flat before you press it open. There were several tricks for how to iron curves, and a couple of tips on how to sew something so that it can be ironed well.

Blastin' Betty
Sadly disappointing! The teacher was like a drill instructor/high school teacher and treated us as semi-intelligent. The reason no one found out any info on the hat was that she made the name up. The hat looks like something that Lucille Ball would have worn (a real hat, not a joke hat) in I Love Lucy. It would probably have been a good class had I not already had one of the hats in question. We got most of the form made in two hours. The written instructions probably tell you how to attach the fabric, but we never got to that. Luckily, I've taken hat classes before, and I know how to do that.

 

[BettyValentine]

I think I'm in love!

This looks like the most wonderful thing ever! You all look fabulous.