I've been strongly drawn to old button collections lately. At an estate sale a couple of weeks ago, I found a delightful baggie of buttons. Here are some of them, washed, and sorted.
Welcome to Ann Quilts
August 7, 2011
August 1, 2011
Magic Transformations
Thin Ice Theater's fall 2010 production was "An Ideal Husband" by Oscar Wilde.
This necessitated upper crust British formal wear c. 1895. My research showed that this was the era of the largest mutton chop sleeves ever seen on Earth. Plus froo-froos and lace and ribbons and feathers. Definitely a "more is more" look.
We wanted the look to be over the top. It's Oscar Wilde after all, and the theme has a lot to do with how over the top these people are, while at the same time maintaing that stiff upper lip in the face of actual Life happening to them. But we were certainly not going to make new dresses for everyone!
This necessitated upper crust British formal wear c. 1895. My research showed that this was the era of the largest mutton chop sleeves ever seen on Earth. Plus froo-froos and lace and ribbons and feathers. Definitely a "more is more" look.
We wanted the look to be over the top. It's Oscar Wilde after all, and the theme has a lot to do with how over the top these people are, while at the same time maintaing that stiff upper lip in the face of actual Life happening to them. But we were certainly not going to make new dresses for everyone!
July 24, 2011
Fen Quilt Update
Recent developments at the fen:
My friend asked if I could make the kayak smoother. I've been interfacing everything with a super-light interfacing, just for a bit of substance in handling and to help secure the tiny tips of the shapes, but it didn't really give the charmeuse much more stiffness. This is nice for a blouse of course, but didn't help the illusion of being a fiberglass kayak. So, I took off the kayak and make another with a very heavy interfacing.
My friend asked if I could make the kayak smoother. I've been interfacing everything with a super-light interfacing, just for a bit of substance in handling and to help secure the tiny tips of the shapes, but it didn't really give the charmeuse much more stiffness. This is nice for a blouse of course, but didn't help the illusion of being a fiberglass kayak. So, I took off the kayak and make another with a very heavy interfacing.
July 21, 2011
Repair of a Log Cabin Quilt
I've been working on a log cabin quilt. It's maybe Mennonite, purchased in Ontario a while ago. It's not very, very old. Probably made in the mid to later part of the 1900s. (When I started quilting, that's how I referred to "The 1800s". It stills sounds so strange to me to say "The 1900s"......) The current owner uses the quilt on her bed. It's been repaired once before.
July 18, 2011
About Wool Storage
I've been repairing an Amish or Mennonite log cabin quilt made with many wool fabrics. The story of the quilt is here. As I pulled out my wools to find patching fabrics, I thought I'd post a bit on wool storage.
I have several piles of old wool fabrics in my stash of scraps for quilt repair. Quite a few years ago, I suffered an invasion of wool moths. Not fun!!! I dumped all my wools in the wash and a hot dryer, no matter if they would survive or not. Many did not. But neither did the moth eggs.
July 8, 2011
Thin Ice Theater's Costume Collection
This is long. Make a cup of tea, and sit back and relax for a while.
A few years ago, Thin Ice Theater inherited a humongous set of costumes from another community/youth theater. The word "humongous" is not used lightly. It is stored in three houses in over 50 large storage bins and several closets. It includes not only the clothing, but a huge box of trims and another of feathers, quite a few prop items, and a crate of period patterns. We are forever grateful to the woman who built the collection over 25 years of theater work, and to her husband, who searched for someone to take it all and love it for her after she passed away. We do love it.
When we were invited to come see if we wanted the costumes, a few of us went, thinking we'd pick a few interesting things. I wish someone had taken a picture of our faces when we walked into the basement there, and saw the extent and the quality of the Stuff. And then, we found out there was just as much in the garage, too!
A few years ago, Thin Ice Theater inherited a humongous set of costumes from another community/youth theater. The word "humongous" is not used lightly. It is stored in three houses in over 50 large storage bins and several closets. It includes not only the clothing, but a huge box of trims and another of feathers, quite a few prop items, and a crate of period patterns. We are forever grateful to the woman who built the collection over 25 years of theater work, and to her husband, who searched for someone to take it all and love it for her after she passed away. We do love it.
When we were invited to come see if we wanted the costumes, a few of us went, thinking we'd pick a few interesting things. I wish someone had taken a picture of our faces when we walked into the basement there, and saw the extent and the quality of the Stuff. And then, we found out there was just as much in the garage, too!
July 2, 2011
The Butler and The Maid
Here's my latest estate sale needlework find. I am soooo happy! A set of two adorable appliquéd and embroidered tea towels:
