This is what I've sewn for reenacting in the NCWA. Since I don't keep records on when I constructed things, dating will be sketchy. I gotta keep better records... I also have a tendency to wear a smaller circumferenced hoop than others, for two reasons: 1 - I'm small, and something too large around will make me look stupid. 2 - I don't like taking up too much space when manuevering. These things are flexible, yes, but they can still knock over tables.

Red Velvet Renaissance - 1997
- This was my first major attempt at building a details-intensive Elizabethan court gown. The velvet and all trims were purchased at New York Fabrics before they were bought out by Joanne's. At the moment, all I can find are these two pictures. I'll post more as I can find.

My First Work Dress - May 1998
- This was my first work dress, and it came out pretty good. It's 100% cotton, woven plaid - not that crappy, printed stuff. The cotton came from Joanne's, from their cottons section; the buttons I already had in stock. The pattern is Past Patterns 701, the fitted bodice, and I've used the same one for all my work dresses. Altman's patterns are pretty amazing, but you need to make a muslin first to check fit. Both the ballgown bodice and her fitted bodice need some recutting in the front armscye. They cut up and in too much for the modern figure. The skirt is easy: one long rectangle gathered to fit the waistband.

My First Ball Gown, by Tycho, of course! - December 1998
- This was my first ball gown, and it doesn't suck too bad. For the bodice, the pattern used is Past Patterns 704. (I've used the same pattern for all my gown bodices.) It's all silk, with hand-beading running around the neck, sleeve hems, and on the butterfly appliques that you can't see too well 'cause I'm a dork and haven't taken any more pix of this dress. That will soon be rectified! I'm pretty proud of the bead work - I love doing it. Also built all the jewelry you see, as well as the haircombs and purse. I really want to do another dress incorporating moreses and bettereses beading. Got a hot little purple and black paisley number that's just screaming to be built into a gown with major beadwork.

Brown cotton velveteen ball gown, made for Grand Ball - December 1999
- Can't remember where I got the velveteen. Fabrics R Us in San Jose? Joann's? Hancock's? Whatever - it weighs about 50 pounds. Or at least feels like it. I was very tired by the end of the evening. The red silk is from Thai Silks in Los Altos. That place is amazing - they pack so much silk into so small a store. Flowers are from Michael's and whatever other craft stores selling fabric flowers.
- This dress was my first cartridge pleating outside of a Renaissance outfit. Came out pretty good! You always want to use gingham for gauging - the 1/8" ginghams are perfect for measuring out.

Brown and red stripey cotton tea dress, made for an afternoon tea up in Oakland in 1999
- This and my other red/black cotton dress are my two favorite hoop dresses. They're both light and comfy. The fabric was ordered online from Reproduction Fabrics. Ribbon came from Joann's. I loved doing all the box pleating trim (done without a ruler!), but in retrospect I should have also piped the back princess seams. It just looks dorky with only the armscyes piped. Matching the stripeys was fun on this one, too. I call this piece my autumn tea dress.

Blue silk plaid ball gown, made for Grand Ball - January 2002
- It took me forever to find just the right silk plaid. I finally found this one at Stone Mountain and Daughter in Berkeley. The plaid's a bit larger than I would have wanted, but the colors and price were right, so I said the heck with it.
- The trims are from Joann's Fabrics. I raided their holiday sale stash for just the right amount of obnoxious holiday silver crap. The tiny silver bows I'd gotten a couple of years before from a remnants place up in Sonoma County.
- I'm not really thrilled with the overall construction of the gown. I don't like how the bodice fabric lies, as well as how the pleating in the skirt came out. Bleah! But, hey! At least I matched patterns.
- I'm really pleased with how my necklace, earrings, and bracelet came out. I love making my own jewelry. Most materials are found either at gem shows or purchased from Rings 'n' Things up in Spokane, WA. Note how the bracelet developed a kink from being worn so much.

Khaki and black woven silk ("World's Most Boring Gown"), made for Grand Ball - January 2003
- What can I say? Looking at this dress puts me to sleep. The colors are drab, it's not very decorated. It just sorta sits there. It's like wallpaper. Just writing...zzzzz. Either the fabric should have been dyed before use, or I should have used more colorful (and more of!) trim. Even the beadwork is half-assed. I got it because I love the weave. Too bad it's snoozeville. Oh - I got the fabric at an NCWA event in Fresno, from a sutler visiting from Oregon.

Wine with peacock feathers ("Quest for Feathers!"), made for Grand Ball - January 2001
- Wine silk from Thai Silks in Los Altos; feathers, TWO HUNDRED OF THEM, from an online feather company, the name of which escapes me since I don't use feathers very often. Overall, I really like this dress and the effect of the feathers. Don't think I'd do it again, though, since it took something like three weeks to stitch and glue all the feathers in place. ARGH. On the other hand, saw a lot of movies. :)
- And once again, I made my own jewelry. The tiny gold birds are actually vintage spangles from General Bead in San Francisco. General Bead's web site is insane since they have so much stuff. It's better to visit in person. I think they have a branch down in San Diego, too. Have fun, kids!

Red and black cotton tea dress, made as a half-mourning/sympathy mourning gown in 2001
- This fabric caught my eye when I was with my friend Vida at a shop up in Sonoma County. I'd been playing with the idea of making a half-mourning/sympathy mourning dress, but had no clue where to begin. This bolt just sort of fell into my hands, and it went from there. Also decided to keep the trimmings to a minimum, since I'd just come off of making a ball gown. And look! I piped the back princess seams. Clever me. Hair by the amazing Miss Emily of Beverly Hills.

My latest workdress - 2004
- This beauty is constructed of 100% cotton purchased from 19th Century Clothiers and Dry Goods, aka Judith Peebles. She has an amazing collection of period prints, these being two of them. The moment I'd laid eyes on 'em, I knew I had my new workdress and apron. Yee-haw! (Note: my sewing room has since been cleaned up!)


I recently finished my latest work dress for Dickens Faire - GBACG was having a meet-up, so I got all gussied up! AND I also won first place for best working woman outfit, and got a $20 gift certificate for Laughing Moon. Yay!