tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723529401611754692012-02-16T19:34:53.470-08:00See new blog at http://aylwen.blogspot.comAylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.comBlogger221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-79110269673985305082011-02-20T03:47:00.000-08:002011-02-20T03:47:57.161-08:00

Dear Friends I have moved the contents of this blog across to my main Blog at aylwen.blogspot.com and hope you will transfer your bookmarks across. For more intimate costume chatter, you can friend me at http://aylwen.livejournal.com/ . As you will become aware, I make costumes from 1480s right through to the early 1900s, and what I am working on is influenced by what events I am attending. I am

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-8162735005576082262009-02-09T19:30:00.000-08:002009-02-12T02:52:04.337-08:00

My current Renaissance gown is based on Florentine 1560s gowns, in particular those pained by Bronzino. After this heat is over I want to fix it up and possibly make another one with fabric overloading my attic.Initially I'd like to make a coverciere (related to the English partlet) using the the gown worn by Eleanor of Toledo as my inspiration. This partlet is made of cords tied in a

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-10918130450043239172008-12-17T04:11:00.001-08:002008-12-17T04:14:58.998-08:00

I'm experimenting with making a pattern from one of my extant regency gowns. Somehow my lines don't look right, and I'm seeking comments from people more experienced than myself at this. Pictured on the left is the back pattern piece, and then with rough lines drawn over it. It is originally a size 6 adult.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-45459317139478403992008-12-14T21:25:00.000-08:002008-12-14T21:52:31.643-08:00

I've been busy and could not work on this gown until now.Since drafting the pattern I've come to the conclusion it is much easier to work with the Janet Arnold pattern instead of the Norah Waugh version.I've used the back and side back pieces from The Elegant Lady's pattern, and the rest is drafted up to match.The pattern is missing the front piece at the moment as I ran out of interfacing. It is

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-88341666750264982992008-07-13T18:43:00.000-07:002008-12-10T07:23:35.785-08:00

Next to be added to our collection is the 'open robe', seen in Sense & Sensibility and commonly referred to as The Picnic Dress. I've seen dressmakers call this as a half-robe, however Norah Waugh in 'The Cut of Women's Clothes' refers to it as an open gown.I am considering using the pattern of an open gown c. 1795 from the Victoria and Albert Museum that Norah Waugh published in her book, The

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-47677595365404953582008-06-03T21:36:00.000-07:002008-06-03T21:40:30.739-07:00

Sewing lessons are now available for beginner/intermediate level sewers who wish to make a historical costume. Hourly rates are as follows:Private lesson, student brings all supplies (my machine may be used) $20.00/hr.Semi-private lesson, students bring all supplies (my machines may be used) $15.00/hr./student.Small group (3 students), students purchase/bring all supplies (my machines may be

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-36155374914065824022008-05-19T20:37:00.000-07:002008-12-17T04:22:32.593-08:00

I made this regency ball gown, a size 6 in a lovely embroidered silk.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-56075497925105441762008-05-19T03:27:00.000-07:002008-12-10T07:23:36.587-08:00

I had the pleasure of organising a Gone With the Wind Ball last Saturday night. Pictured here is a group photo taken just after supper. If you would like to come to more of our balls, please visit our upcoming page.We were very lucky on this occasion to have special guests from the Australian Costumers Guild in attendance, traveling from South Australia and Queensland specially for this event.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-74395518459629049892008-05-18T22:29:00.000-07:002008-05-18T22:32:06.223-07:00

There are some wonderful online sources of regency patterns for those experienced in pattern drafting.To list just a few:Danish Museum: http://tidenstoej.natmus.dk/periode1/dragt.asp?ID=6Vintage Connections: http://www.vintageconnection.net/RegencyDressesAndPatterns.htm

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-53292557214468990972008-05-18T19:07:00.001-07:002008-12-10T07:23:36.771-08:00

Today I started work on a regency-era half robe.Out come my two favourite books - Costumes in Detail and Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1. Both of these books are indispensable to a costumer's collection.Left is the 1795-1800 half robe as illustrated in Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1.Underneath the half robe will be a round robe (or round gown) that is presented in Norah Waugh's book,

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-76036381826378762172008-05-17T20:48:00.000-07:002008-05-17T20:49:10.192-07:00

I found this great website online today, it has some great stuff.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-52190035551469348302008-05-14T03:47:00.000-07:002008-12-10T07:23:36.924-08:00

My Romantic Gown is complete and I wore it to the Albert Hall in Canberra last Saturday night. All I need to do now is make a corded petticoat to keep the skirt out a bit.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-46258749886508200982008-05-05T15:01:00.000-07:002008-12-10T07:23:37.314-08:00

I had a shock yesterday. I filled in a calculator to see if it was profitable to sell my regency gowns. I found that if I wanted to earn a base wage I should be selling them for approx. $400. I couldn't believe it!I've already had to go and raise the prices on all my garments because of shipping rates getting the fabric here. I felt horrible doing this but it is not fair to my family to make

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-71826867558176184722008-05-04T03:05:00.000-07:002008-12-10T07:23:37.470-08:00

I managed to cut out, line and sew a bodice for another romantic era dress, using the S&S pattern, one of my favourites. I tried a different neckline and will have it close at the back. I've used the long sleeve option, as it is coming into Winter here and the days are quite chilly.This is a most flattering pattern, particularly for larger shaped bodies, and is the one garment that I receive

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-17966733560125945422008-05-03T12:07:00.000-07:002008-05-03T12:16:28.538-07:00

Members from the Sense and Sensibility Forum are hosting a Week in Feminine Dress from Sunday, May 4th through Sunday May 11th.I guess that I wear feminine dress most of the time, though it really depends on your definition of feminine.Thinking that I should update my other website at In Timely Fashion I found this article on being feminine.How to Be Femininefrom wikiHow - The How to Manual That

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-81053088543906587672008-05-03T11:52:00.000-07:002008-05-03T11:55:30.228-07:00

I really do not recommend sewing late at night. After running around with the children all day it lures me in with its peaceful serenity, then takes a mean turn.I have my trusty sewing machine in for repairs, and an old singer on the table that wants to act up, and goodness knows how many times I've had to unpick because of tension problems.Someone told me once never to cut fabric after 10pm.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-8414534934024757792008-05-02T02:19:00.000-07:002008-05-02T02:26:10.851-07:00

My boys are lying in bed this evening listening to Marry Poppins, a BBC Audio 4 CD set read by Sophie Thompson.This is a lovely production, well worth looking for if you have a chance. I purchased it on sale in a remaindered bookstore. The boys really look forward to bedtimes with these special treats.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-3581260472666188922008-05-01T21:04:00.000-07:002008-05-01T21:15:07.613-07:00

In studying the antique and comparing them with the modern fashions, there are no greater contrasts than in the styles of headdress.Women always wore flowing drapery, of course varying with fashion's freaks, but still, from the time of the most antique statue to the present day, flowing skirts are found, sometimes suffered to fall in the folds of the material, sometimes drawn gracefully(?) over

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-73372385528262194842008-05-01T20:45:00.000-07:002008-05-01T20:50:12.768-07:00

A box of hoops has arrived and is currently residing in our lounge room. It will be such an amazing sight at our Gone With the Wind 1860s Ball on the 17 May. Everyone has been spending their spare time making sure their dresses are ready.Yes, you can hire a hoop from me! There are plenty to go around @ $30 hire. Collection is to be on Friday 16 May, between 10.30am - 2pm.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-29484776790749275822008-05-01T20:41:00.000-07:002008-05-01T20:45:31.588-07:00

Have you saved all of your ball tickets? I must admit to being remiss about tickets - normally I just let people pay at the door to our balls, but starting last month I've created a monster: collectible ball tickets.Now when you pre-purchase a ticket to one of our balls I am posting it out in a special folder. It seems so much nicer.

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-21830641440268218172008-05-01T19:59:00.000-07:002008-05-01T20:04:48.235-07:00

My collection of 12+ regency dresses for hire are hanging in the trees drying. Quite an amazing sight, with the sun coming through leaves tinged with autumnal gold.Making these gowns was a challenge, but seeing them put to full use during the Jane Austen Festival was an absolute delight. I have always wanted to have a collection available for those without a gown or time to make one.Our next

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1472352940161175469.post-20910403600374407992008-04-30T16:23:00.000-07:002008-04-30T16:30:20.680-07:00

Regency Reproductions is all about re-creating Regency costumes. Aylwen Gardiner-Garden has been sewing garments from the regency era for the last ten years, and has amassed quite a collection of fashion prints, patterns, books, antique gowns and fabrics.Today she is the director of the Canberra Jane Austen Festival, and the co-organiser of dance classes and balls with the Earthly Delights

Aylwen Gardiner-Gardennoreply@blogger.com0