Tiger Lily's Threads

I'm WAY behind schedule with keeping my posts up to date. So, I will try my best to remember everything that happened - or at least go over the highlights. Back in early November, Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria, VA, hosted a Harvest Ball. I had a really great time that night and put my ballroom shoes to good work as I danced the night away with many friends who attended.  This event, I decided to pull out the old (but revamped) Waverly gown I wore back when I attended my very first ball at Gadsby's in 2013. Not much of a difference in color choices, but the zone front style look personally amiable to me rather than late 70's style the dress donned at first; also, upgrade on the accessories.  The evening started with me staying over my friend Beth's house in NoVa. She was a wonderful hostess, and I cannot thank her enough. Once we were ready for the evening, we headed into Alexandria and had dinner at Jackson's 20; By 7pm, we arrived at Gadsby...

2019 is finally coming to a close (whew!). As we all look forward to ringing in the new decade that is 2020, I want to look back on the projects that were done over the year with both sewing and public history. This year's sewing adventure was a challenge and a blast, as was all of the events and programs that I participated in. I cannot wait to see what awaits for me in the new year! Speaking of... On a very personal note, I feel very honored and blessed to have been able to participate in many wonderful programs, events, and projects over the year and want to take the time to thank everyone who supported me in every way. There's a lot that goes into what I do, and having a wonderful support group who has always been there with helping me gather research on specific topics, assisting with planning and development, with transportation and lodging whenever I'm working on a program locally or out of town, or showing support by attending the programs and events. I rea...

Looking back at all of the projects (sewing and interpreting) I've done this year, all I can say is Wow! Time definitely flew! With that in mind, I wanted to feature some of the top projects I've done as well as the future projects I already have planned and on the dress-form as we speak.  2018 Flashback Sewing Plaid 1880's walking dress 18th century half-boned stays  1770's Silk Gingham gown  Blue Silk Round Gown  1780's "Blossom " Powerpuff Girl Cosplay  1785 Green Pieriot jacket  1790's green linen dress aka "Ona Judge's gown" Steampunk Vest & Skirt 1770's Yellow Woolen Caraco  Interpretation Winter Immersion Weekend (Beck) Journey to Judge: Ona Judge Series Omohundro Institute Ben Franklin's World: Episode 212 (Voice of Ona Judge) Colonial Market Fair (Jemima Banneker) 2019 Projects 1785 Chintz Round Gown 1799 Copper Sari Round Gown 1890's Walking Dress ...

Over the past few months I've always wanted to make a pierrot jacket...actually scratch that! I've always wanted to make a proper zone front. The past few attempts I've had to make a zone front, mostly resulted in me just sticking trim overtop of my gowns to mimic one. Seemed like a good idea at the time, and it was; but then overtime I came to realize "where's the challenge? You're not really making a zone front by decorating the front like that. Gotta actually get in there, and do it." To quote Miss Frizzle, "It's time to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy." So with that in mind, I pulled out some inspirations via Kyoto Fashion Book, Pinterest, 18th century fashion plates, and online tutorials and got to work.  Shameless plugging here, but my stockings and shoes are from American Duchess . I've had these shoes since 2013 and never once needed to get them replaced (especially with all the battle reenactment events a...

Hey Readers just a quick update:  Katsucon 18'  is this weekend and I have been very busy with digging out and mending cosplays, helping my husband with his panel, doing the laundry, packing up suitcases and sewing....Oh God! And working! I forgot that too!  While this seems like a bit much and overwhelming...it is :P With that said, I decided to pull out one of my gowns that I made back in december and debut it for the convention. Only problem was, the trim I had used to decorate the gown was made from some poly-synethetic material that melts when you touch it with an iron. Can only imagine the shock on my face when I found that out. Thinking quickly, I painstakingly took the trim off and started decorating from scratch. Thankfully with some help from some reenactors and dressmakers on FB I was able to fashion a tucker out of some twill tape and two tiers of lace I had laying around, and throw a black sash around the stomach...that's when an idea came t...