Christmas Tea at the Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3Vysq9X0sgq2_RiFXg2d_3Tew1efSuzyTGdm2nrKKa0qSOcseuNrZADAKTfKAGsupQh5PZwMYlqa9jHGZLXEtgSKjRMvkK8_KaNPJUOGdsRdlFI5VLVxEo69VxAtbaOvhf65euFMy7jt/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+(4+of+6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3Vysq9X0sgq2_RiFXg2d_3Tew1efSuzyTGdm2nrKKa0qSOcseuNrZADAKTfKAGsupQh5PZwMYlqa9jHGZLXEtgSKjRMvkK8_KaNPJUOGdsRdlFI5VLVxEo69VxAtbaOvhf65euFMy7jt/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+(4+of+6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This past Saturday good-sized group of us Great Basin Costumers invaded the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, for their afternoon High Tea.  There was no set period for costume, just a "come in whatever you'd like to wear," and so we had Steampunks, Civil War folks, a couple bustle girls, and an elf. :-)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2qcWoK1lWomlj2NATK5tp0HIf_tZBb0eKc16NbG3_VtnVmaDsSEPOMwVXILDLL-HBhT4YpPWSitD8E74EzCPY7NrGqBS0BORbDrKLqiW2dv52jnwuzLKbSrU34_YtxsE1iMFWnNoWNqu/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25281+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2qcWoK1lWomlj2NATK5tp0HIf_tZBb0eKc16NbG3_VtnVmaDsSEPOMwVXILDLL-HBhT4YpPWSitD8E74EzCPY7NrGqBS0BORbDrKLqiW2dv52jnwuzLKbSrU34_YtxsE1iMFWnNoWNqu/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25281+of+6%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmxXmxMewZY-QQkn1tPRJyOtlVSHF9jQKqMYeqNdc4aMvuA-2a26pqGy3J2dTdnPx3_rnN0Zq4HJjNzDGU2BpQiv1TJLzXnXnQlczZr7C-WL0tZiu4zO0RW5lWReAytwNXO5ygfCE1_P3/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25285+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmxXmxMewZY-QQkn1tPRJyOtlVSHF9jQKqMYeqNdc4aMvuA-2a26pqGy3J2dTdnPx3_rnN0Zq4HJjNzDGU2BpQiv1TJLzXnXnQlczZr7C-WL0tZiu4zO0RW5lWReAytwNXO5ygfCE1_P3/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25285+of+6%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2KeWh4rpAq_T9ujRKI81aKiStaREk4cLVZTAkJWBoTJXfnRVpR7anw6D2dppVuPpYv_4mBQ947zq4ay-OrgWAA7bw3YEptWNlDA7Snzh_JKC8Jda8Iell61uDKlRwfERtqr1JfIR2lbY/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25286+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2KeWh4rpAq_T9ujRKI81aKiStaREk4cLVZTAkJWBoTJXfnRVpR7anw6D2dppVuPpYv_4mBQ947zq4ay-OrgWAA7bw3YEptWNlDA7Snzh_JKC8Jda8Iell61uDKlRwfERtqr1JfIR2lbY/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25286+of+6%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />I finished my 1879 gown just in time, putting the last stitch on the hat around midnight the night before.  I'm happy to say that on its first outing, the gown wore quite well.  I *loooove* Natural Form. I think it might be my new obsession - I already want to make another one!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhg1qBrmyduGUY-2zERi0WzeB144ZqdJ765YsgRPUAEe_AGDXLBvcvSSc9bzuaHQybZ8IKZRRhr4xzaCoUFDl5QHed8rWt8S6LaNsdUnhe_OHU91l7VEMo1p9N6DLPS6i11sI6hGgM7xt/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25282+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Natural Form Bustle Gown" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhg1qBrmyduGUY-2zERi0WzeB144ZqdJ765YsgRPUAEe_AGDXLBvcvSSc9bzuaHQybZ8IKZRRhr4xzaCoUFDl5QHed8rWt8S6LaNsdUnhe_OHU91l7VEMo1p9N6DLPS6i11sI6hGgM7xt/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25282+of+6%2529.jpg" title="" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaAXG8V099tIASnanwIpoLtrpb1HRtYfh3PFtpb5U7Xf3wXPU8KF1nKH0wzHUreAggi6EgiLd1-_dUTBuBEs1RgjOITOicmBAZ4vCUQv_9kgcoZWQoMhq21Yc60wrNpgPgNXKRsTK3uiz/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25283+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bustle Dress Natural Form 1879 1880" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaAXG8V099tIASnanwIpoLtrpb1HRtYfh3PFtpb5U7Xf3wXPU8KF1nKH0wzHUreAggi6EgiLd1-_dUTBuBEs1RgjOITOicmBAZ4vCUQv_9kgcoZWQoMhq21Yc60wrNpgPgNXKRsTK3uiz/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25283+of+6%2529.jpg" title="" width="426" /></a></div><br />After the tea, several of us wandered down to The Nugget for the Battle Born Civil War Reenactor's annual Christmas Ball. We had a lovely dinner, danced a few lovely dances, and in general had quite a nice time (although I didn't get any pictures, sorry!). I didn't change into 1860s evening attire, oh well. The BBCWR are a very accepting, fun-loving group that would never look down on such an anachronism.<br /><br />It was a lovely day, a lovely evening, and now back to the sewing table for the next project!

Christmas Tea at the Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV

This past Saturday good-sized group of us Great Basin Costumers invaded the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, for their afternoon High Tea...

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V343: Costumer's Christmas Swag

Some of the lovely, lovely items I received for Christmas...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsRFpDWZv4tfKlVAX6I2D3WC8KmAEh3zvjjyf-spDBJLzABOcgx3ReBNaF4aVJ_VCF-lqsyAjfK1hDNuX0prOijgByKBQC3-XZScIgPVfRLTzvLGonzVXaeO0V5vAf-sseSL7c_pL7nz5/s1600/IMG_20121227_133246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsRFpDWZv4tfKlVAX6I2D3WC8KmAEh3zvjjyf-spDBJLzABOcgx3ReBNaF4aVJ_VCF-lqsyAjfK1hDNuX0prOijgByKBQC3-XZScIgPVfRLTzvLGonzVXaeO0V5vAf-sseSL7c_pL7nz5/s640/IMG_20121227_133246.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costume books! The one beneath is an illustrated shoe reference guide - good stuff!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIuy3OybGnhznUb-3se5iisQtMMIz6nrQZYur-tHXu5oepOllRRxXxcLLU-ltTSB_pawL-gJ0pNgjo51PYdelGt1HHqoqpWOlxN5ROD2NMbMX-5752dgozIwUHTTw9urmmZqRC-jGMS8l/s1600/IMG_20121227_133919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIuy3OybGnhznUb-3se5iisQtMMIz6nrQZYur-tHXu5oepOllRRxXxcLLU-ltTSB_pawL-gJ0pNgjo51PYdelGt1HHqoqpWOlxN5ROD2NMbMX-5752dgozIwUHTTw9urmmZqRC-jGMS8l/s640/IMG_20121227_133919.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely beaded 1920s style purse.  I've been sorely in need of one.  Also, a feather hair clip adornment.  Feathers are always welcome :-)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvAI3r8xspeXNfv3toTCZ030X2ePrl42Gmd-TYJyKCXoMG1b7X0DwPCkVg7cxbMb9NxUyzPgu-DXWi2tBWS4x_mziCuo08uuSUp3Lg1Sb4L2NYa844tK6NQIualp15ZYdnfXcf5rFFsaU/s1600/IMG_20121227_133619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvAI3r8xspeXNfv3toTCZ030X2ePrl42Gmd-TYJyKCXoMG1b7X0DwPCkVg7cxbMb9NxUyzPgu-DXWi2tBWS4x_mziCuo08uuSUp3Lg1Sb4L2NYa844tK6NQIualp15ZYdnfXcf5rFFsaU/s640/IMG_20121227_133619.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More costume/history books! I can't wait to read "Plumes," all about the history of the feather industry.  Beneath is "Circus," a Taschen feast-for-the-eyes full of beautiful photos and artwork.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgVpp23i_WG-gG_jdrNNDPuwMw2aOiLAnnoELlXD4Sypgky259L72z_U1rEZVjMugquFNhB3Imkdfu7d7uiTxKGFtsK5hZDpFX9K3J2MlYTxPLqf7YIUrWZRp_P43-PupdB40ht_sHRP1/s1600/IMG_20121227_140901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgVpp23i_WG-gG_jdrNNDPuwMw2aOiLAnnoELlXD4Sypgky259L72z_U1rEZVjMugquFNhB3Imkdfu7d7uiTxKGFtsK5hZDpFX9K3J2MlYTxPLqf7YIUrWZRp_P43-PupdB40ht_sHRP1/s640/IMG_20121227_140901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A set of French curves.  I don't know how to use these yet, but I shall learn! I know they are handy for pattern drafting.</td></tr></tbody></table>What lovely costume/history/geek things did you get for the Holidays?

V343: Costumer's Christmas Swag

Some of the lovely, lovely items I received for Christmas... Costume books! The one beneath is an illustrated shoe reference guide - good st...

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V336: The Geneva Hand Fluter - Experiments

Last to arrive from my round of eBay acquisition was the Geneva Hand Fluter, a ridged iron that was used to flute, or crimp, all kinds of things, like cuffs, collars, ruffly trims, from its patent date of 1866 to about the 1920s.<br /><br />There are several kinds of fluters.  I chose the most available and affordable option, the Geneva, which come in two cast iron pieces - a base plate and a rocker with a handle.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />The width of the plate is 3 inches, and it is about 5 inches long.  It had rust and crud on it, but in the spirit of restoration, Chris took a wire brush to it and annihilated all the build up from the last two centuries.  Patina is nice and all, but not when you intend to actually use the thing.<br /><br />Next came seasoning - after a good scrub, I coated both pieces with canola oil and baked them for about 1.5 hours, allowing them to cool off in the oven overnight.  Just like a cast iron skillet, seasoning protects the metal from rust, yet isn't oily or dirty.  It's like magic!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD8r7aAbfEzR1ZwbDMEobH-znxpmPGkA7c7kfqocxnag4QuoG6GAyvDWCAmQWbABavrY4MSTHqZCFhERQouwY_HFnomjA5i1jhu5kSYKNlkAAkVIM64mBNAbSYKIjLULpKcbmlJRZJXYa/s1600/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+(1+of+5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD8r7aAbfEzR1ZwbDMEobH-znxpmPGkA7c7kfqocxnag4QuoG6GAyvDWCAmQWbABavrY4MSTHqZCFhERQouwY_HFnomjA5i1jhu5kSYKNlkAAkVIM64mBNAbSYKIjLULpKcbmlJRZJXYa/s640/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+(1+of+5).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tis the seasoning to be jolly...</td></tr></tbody></table>This morning I tested the whole thing out, with a piece of 4.5 inch long Dupioni silk, from my <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/2012/12/v332-new-project-giant-green-acres.html">Green Acres dress</a>.  I heated both pieces of the iron in the oven, at 450 degrees, for about 25 minutes.  I sprayed the silk piece with straight up vinegar, blotted it on a paper towel to remove the excess, then layed it on the plate for a good, sizzling fluting.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqTETp0kdt5CI0XmhzBHpX8uuPQ0ppPsPcuhO9Ciw37A8HQkXI5FWb8RIXdwF8J5ysuJaqcv-LBmQKN0ChFkaIDxJ57PvuWOF_NtYinbXK8SV_LDvCuEDQdj3FtHZ2zUSdEJ9Fq-0CWot/s1600/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+%25282+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqTETp0kdt5CI0XmhzBHpX8uuPQ0ppPsPcuhO9Ciw37A8HQkXI5FWb8RIXdwF8J5ysuJaqcv-LBmQKN0ChFkaIDxJ57PvuWOF_NtYinbXK8SV_LDvCuEDQdj3FtHZ2zUSdEJ9Fq-0CWot/s640/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+%25282+of+5%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeRVV4TGlLJpxbpQn1l77bHTyKdS0WSegjABCp4lm4ao3U7VeaQQc-AbP5q34eTnYIIzXLkmp24dSma-nnW9o0tc6qH0H1_p7zgezEQVvY3PKLQDEHcQmd38vnpyqFlHc56dobn9uL4k_/s1600/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+%25283+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeRVV4TGlLJpxbpQn1l77bHTyKdS0WSegjABCp4lm4ao3U7VeaQQc-AbP5q34eTnYIIzXLkmp24dSma-nnW9o0tc6qH0H1_p7zgezEQVvY3PKLQDEHcQmd38vnpyqFlHc56dobn9uL4k_/s640/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+%25283+of+5%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-z-A_qB2kisYSkR_ExdWRoxietDlaSXnwyjqqJjewQxHYy50RbB-vjp1AKsGRq2fCzDYSOey-4JIDnjFsazcJ06wq5wIR5VYuipOWfOSUrrsVbNkJ_3xGElWIawI5paZodJJrddAByfLu/s1600/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+%25284+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-z-A_qB2kisYSkR_ExdWRoxietDlaSXnwyjqqJjewQxHYy50RbB-vjp1AKsGRq2fCzDYSOey-4JIDnjFsazcJ06wq5wIR5VYuipOWfOSUrrsVbNkJ_3xGElWIawI5paZodJJrddAByfLu/s640/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+%25284+of+5%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />....and it worked!  Like pleats, the ridges shorten the fabric - in this case, it went from 4.5 inches to 2.5 inches, so I know how long I will need to cut my strips to meet the 100-or-so inches of hem to which the fluted trim will be applied.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIxpD8dvivisTNoGg05eL36E6qbH9drhQ_BO7HtlsmFXzIR5l4cJ7svm4pxZAD2hn77NPiu52qUC3VmbZuChCFw_S7omQEKjVUJPrzhpr02CW9iPr7EBGOXa1avtACZA3V2iDi9kJ_TN9/s1600/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+%25285+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIxpD8dvivisTNoGg05eL36E6qbH9drhQ_BO7HtlsmFXzIR5l4cJ7svm4pxZAD2hn77NPiu52qUC3VmbZuChCFw_S7omQEKjVUJPrzhpr02CW9iPr7EBGOXa1avtACZA3V2iDi9kJ_TN9/s640/Geneva+fluter+12-16-12+%25285+of+5%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Of course, I also burned myself, but dang those flutes look good!

V336: The Geneva Hand Fluter - Experiments

Last to arrive from my round of eBay acquisition was the Geneva Hand Fluter, a ridged iron that was used to flute, or crimp, all kinds of th...

Read more »