Author: Catherine

Yellow Ragtime Era Dress – Simplicity 8399

Yellow Ragtime Era Dress – Simplicity 8399

This Ragtime era dress was my re-entry into historical sewing in 2012, after not doing any at all while I was at university. It has proved to be a very versatile dress and I seem to alter it slightly every time I wear it! The …

White Cotton Regency Dress – Simplicity 4055

White Cotton Regency Dress – Simplicity 4055

This is my very first attempt at a Regency dress.  For my inspiration I looked at earlier Regency dresses from 1800-1810, influenced by the classical statuary of ancient Greece. I used Simplicity 4055, view A, without the overskirt and with extra fabric in the back …

Retro-Inspired Blue Daisy Dress – McCall’s 6503

Retro-Inspired Blue Daisy Dress – McCall’s 6503

I love this dress. It is comfy, stylish, and looks complicated but was actually very easy! The pattern is McCall’s 6503, view D, with no sleeves. The fabric was a lucky quilting cotton find on the clearance table at Joann’s. I did my usual grading …

Margaery Tyrell Cosplay – McCalls 6745 and Butterick 3134

Margaery Tyrell Cosplay – McCalls 6745 and Butterick 3134

For Halloween 2016 my department at work decided to do Game of Thrones, and I chose Margaery Tyrell. I love her dresses and was dying for an excuse to make one. My version is a combination of several of her blue/turquoise dresses: the v-neckline, halter, …

Valkyrie Underdress – Butterick 4827

Valkyrie Underdress – Butterick 4827

My concept for the Valkyrie outfit is that of an ethereal, not quite there creature. The under-dress is very simple, and I plan to dye it blue from the top down, so the ‘image’, as it were, will be in focus at the top and …

Chainmail Vest and Byzantine Chain

Chainmail Vest and Byzantine Chain

Chainmail is one thing I never thought I would do. Enter Valkyrie, stage left. Chainmail Vest I decided that since Valkyries are often lightly armored, and I did not want to do plate or leather, chainmail was the way to go. So I turned to …

Viking Hood, Coat and Gloves

Viking Hood, Coat and Gloves

I made my Viking hood in 2014, when a friend gave me a yard of a lovely dark brown wool. It is based on the Skjoldehamn find, made in the brown wool, lined in flannel. I started with the lining, and I’m glad I did, …

1860s Ball Gown – Simplicity 1728 with Self-Drafted Bertha

1860s Ball Gown – Simplicity 1728 with Self-Drafted Bertha

This is my first foray into the world of hoop skirts: an 1860s ball gown for Viennese Nights in San Diego, 2016. I learned that you have to walk differently (slow and smooth), sit differently (between the hoops) and that if your hoop skirt is …

What Does a Viking Wear? My first efforts at a Viking outfit

What Does a Viking Wear? My first efforts at a Viking outfit

In 2014 I joined a Viking reenactment group, and therefore needed a whole new wardrobe.  I started with a basic underdress and apron dress. Both are of linen, because wool is usually too hot for Southern California, and I also did a Jorvik cap of …

Steampunk Elsa and (Mad) Lady Hatter – Simplicity 2172

Steampunk Elsa and (Mad) Lady Hatter – Simplicity 2172

Steampunk Elsa This is one of those rare projects which came out just how I imagined it. Usually I have to tweak the idea along the way, taking into account fabric availability and time constraints. Not this time – it all worked! I wore this …