My Other Vintage Passion

Figgy Pudding- I'm the dramatic one on the right

I don't remember if I have ever posted about the fact that I love madrigal music, especially the bawdy stuff (which frankly accounts for 80% of the secular music of the time, just read between the lines). Sometimes I hear it in my sleep and have spent hours and hours looking through music books at the library and loving every minute of it.

I used to perform every summer at the Bristol Renaissance Faire for 11 years, first as a madrigal singer in various groups, then as the director, arranger and performer in an amazing all-female group called the Consorte Bella Donna. I still have thoughts about reforming this group because it was all kinds of awesomeness and what else is one going to do with a courtesan costume that sports an 8-yard bustle?

Consorte Bella Donna-Lusty Young Smith.mp3

English Ivy at Stronghold 09

I still perform at Renaissance Faires on occasion and this weekend I am at one in Oregon, IL called Stronghold. I am also selling my Tart Deco hair flowers and wreaths with a few extra Halloween goodies like witch hats. If you are in the area come and visit me!

New Vogue Pattern Down With Love

I just got the email that Vogue has come out with its new Fall/Winter patterns and there is one Vintage Vogue pattern that I am SO going to get when there is a sale- Vogue 8687.

This pattern looks like it was used verbatim for the Down With Love movie. You know that scene where Renee Zellweger's character walks into the bar with her book publicist, played by the delightful Sarah Paulson,  and they have dresses that match each others' coats? Yep, that one!

pic from http://www.smh.com.au

Quilted Skirts for Fall

McCall's 8997

I absolutely love a quilted skirt in fall. It is such a great practical vintage look. I like to wear mine paired with a turtleneck sweater and matching chiffon scarf at my neck, but there are so many possibilities. It is also super simple to make them because of all of the prequilted fabrics available. Just pick up a circle skirt pattern and sew away.

 If you don't sew, here is a treasury of some nifty skirts that are available on etsy right now.

Click here to visit this treasury

September 25th is Museum Day

What better way to go vintage than with a visit through history? The Smithsonian is hosting Museum Day this Saturday and you can download a ticket for free admission for you and a guest for a participating museum. Go to the Museum Day website to locate a museum near you and download the ticket!

Personal Style Alphabet

Piet Paris Fashion Alphabet via iloveillustration

VaVoom Vintage just posted her personal style alphabet and I was so inspired I decided to try my own. Anyone else want to try? Make sure and comment with a link so I can see it!

A is for Art Deco, one of my fav styles
B is for Bootless Betties, my 1920s-40s vocal trio where I wear repro dresses that I sew
C is for circle skirt, the bigger the better
D is for dropped waist, something I wish I could wear
E is for Emma, the Kate Beckinsale movie that I watch when I sew
F is for fragile, which is how lingerie should look (but not actually be)
G is for Gabardine, one of the best fabrics to make repro clothing
H is for hair flowers, which I make and wear everyday
I is for inspire, which is what most things do to me
J is for jabot, loved it on 18th c. fops and 80s Adam Ant and wish it would come back
K is for Keds, a comfy shoe for casual vintage looks
L is for Louise Brooks, the epitome of flapper fabulousness
M is for Marie Antoinette, one of my fashion muses
N is for New Look, the amazing style that bridged WWII and the 50s
O is for opulence, for a gal can never have too many frills and bling
P is for parure, I have quite a few vintage jewelry sets
Q is for quirky, something that my taste tends to be
R is for rockabilly, the fashion and the music
S is for striped socks, I have about 15 pairs
T is for tulle, I am a total petticoat whore :)
U is for undergarments, the most important part of good fashion
V is for vinyl records that I listen to when I sew
W is for wing tip, one of my favorite vintage shoe styles for men and women
X is for XL (sorry had to steal this one from VaVoom Vintage cause it's too perfect)
Y is for yellow, specifically lemon yellow, specifically pale lemon yellow- swoon!
Z is for zigzag, the best sewing stitch ever