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[1908 dinner dress] Three steps forward, two steps back
© Cathy Hay with the permission of Birmingham Museums & Art GallerySo just as a reminder, here (above) is a photo of the ruffle on the underskirt of the 1908 dinner dress. Building it from the...
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[1908 dinner dress] One step at a time
© Cathy HayGive a mathematician a decision, and what does she do? Draw a diagram, of course! You can see above (click to enlarge) that we were all right about the neckline: the braid is right for the...
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[1908 dinner dress] Seam allowances and boning channels
© Cathy HayIn my last post, mala_14 asked for nitty gritty details about how I'm treating the seam allowances and boning channels inside the bodice, so here: the innards. A reminder, first of all, of...
View ArticleAnniversary
Today is a special day.It was a year ago today that I took my courage in both hands and did something I'd secretly wanted to do for years: I left my partner of almost ten years.It would appear that...
View ArticleYou're going to hate me...
...but I'd just like to point out how awesome it is to be self-employed and set one's own priorities. Today? Ten hours sewing. Progress is mine!!! Hahahahahaaaaa!
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[1908 dinner dress] Pintucking
© Cathy Hay with the permission of Birmingham Museums & Art GalleryOn to the outside of the dress! First, this pintucked panel. A week or two back, I bought my piece of silk chiffon with which to...
View ArticleChateau de Pys: the MUSIC VIDEO
Oh yeah, we went there.If you liked this, share it like crazy and do consider tipping the filmmakers, who are battling breast cancer right now in a country without free healthcare. Look for the...
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[1908 dinner dress] The fun part - decorating the bodice!
© Cathy HayWhen I was in the museum, my favourite part of figuring out this dress was the layering of the pieces of drapery on the bodice. I numbered all the little pieces on a scribbled diagram and...
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Visa dilemma
In my last post on the subject, I shared how I may have found my way into the United States. The E-1 Treaty Trader, a non-immigrant visa that'd get me in for two years, renewable for another five,...
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[1908 dinner dress] More draping, and adding the skirt
© Cathy HayDid you notice this? Neither did I. Yesterday morning, before I could carry on draping, I had to fix the ridiculous back. I have no idea why I did it like that. But anyway, then it got more...
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[1908 dinner dress] Sleeves and hem
© Cathy Hay with the permission of Birmingham Museums & Art GalleryAnd so to the sleeves. I'm into my last couple of days in my own sewing room, so I'm getting all the major work out of the way and...
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[1908 dinner dress] Last photos in England
© Cathy HayHere is the dress one more time, before it goes into the suitcase. The sleeves are in, and the oversleeves will now be gathered up into the cap shape of the original and trimmed with braid....
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[1908 dinner dress] At Laurie's
© Laurie TavanAnyone who knows Laurie will know that she's a great photographer as well as a great costumer, so just for once, you get pictures not just of the work, but of the worker. Here I am...
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Costume College
What just happened?This is what I remember: I was at Laurie's, and then there was a long, long drive, and then this flash of COLOUR and NOISE and ENERGY and there was this kind of strobe effect in...
View ArticleGISHWHES is back....
Well all, Cherylyn, Claudia, and I will be checking out of our minds for the next week. We are participating (for the third time!) in the community social art project known as GISHWHES.What the hell is...
View ArticleGISHWHES: The List
ALL of the Items below should either be captured as "images" (which are photographs) or "videos". IMPORTANT - Unless otherwise specified, ALL VIDEOS must be 30 seconds or less! 1. IMAGE: "GISHWHES Hugs...
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Alphonse Mucha and his Models
I believe the idea came from claughter713, and it wasn't long after last year's Costume College - the idea was banded about when I was staying with her last August, so it looks as though we actually...
View ArticleHome, part 1: Fairfax
Last night was one of those occasions when you start chatting with a friend and end up talking into the night. I can be pretty guarded, so it always comes as a surprise when I find myself taken...
View ArticleHome, part 2: Sausalito
Last time I told you about where this story began, but there are a couple of prequels. Here's one of them. I also reveal why things have not been quite right with me for the last few months, and why...
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Home, part 3: Alameda
If any of my UK friends are looking for a good idea for a catering business, I've got a corker for you, because there's one thing I love to do in America that just doesn't seem to be a Thing in...
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