HSF 2014 - Challenge #24 - All that glitters (Dancing Shoes)

The Challenge: #24 All that glitters

Fabric: Shiny lining material, faux leather

Pattern: N/a
Year: 1920's was my target era.

Notions: Modge Podge, Plasti-kote Brass Spray enamel, stick on 'gems'.

How historically accurate is it? Well this is more 'inspired by' than a HA copy.
Hours to complete: Took me two days.
First worn: To test nothing fell off.

Total cost: The shoes I got from primark ages ago so probably not more than £5, Spray paint £3.90 (but only used small amount), gems (pack of lots for 99p). Faux leather is cut out of a jacket given me for free. So approx £10 total.

I wanted some jazz era shoes for dancing in. I prefer doing charleston in flats so HA heels wasn't an option. So I started with a pair of ballet pumps. They had floral pattern and a heel with a straw texture, which meant they didn't go with any of my outfits. So I used modge podge and pining material to cover the shoes especially the straw bit. I then cut out a new 'sole' out of faux leather and glued to the bottom. This was when I decided I didn't like the look of the green.

So I then decided to spray paint them.

Once that had dried I got out some sticky gems, that are meant for deocrating your mobile phone. I stuck them down with pva glue rather than the weak sticky backing they came with.

Ready for dancing!

Clog Dance - an outfit

I had lots of plans to make an outfit...then forgot them in excitement of making Doctor Who outfit. Then realized this week I'd only got a few weeks left. Eep!

To read more about my clog dancing see this blog.

I got a burst of inspiration reading this on the website history page:
'The clothes worn by the dancers usually included velvet knee breeches, a shirt and a velvet waistcoat completed with a brightly coloured sash. The clogs themselves were often hand-made. The lace-up low miner's flat type of clog was used, the irons having always been removed. The clogs most preferred for dancing were made from ash as good clear beats could be more easily obtained. The more common beech or sycamore working clogs did not produce such sharp beats.'

 I've highlighted the relevent elements.
Velvet knee breeches - well this I would replace with a velvet skirt.*
A shirt - Well I have two options homemade or shop bought
Velvet waistcoat - not got time to make that.
Brightly coloured sash - This can be done quickly. I have green, gold and burgandy to choose from. My sash will be worn round the waist.

*I tried to make a elasticated waist dirndl type skirt but the velvet didn't gather well and was too heavy. So I shortened it and pleated it instead. Sewing onto a waistband (using this technique) like I used for my Edwardian skirt. Except I used petersham ribbon.
The hem dipped down at the back...that was my fault for hemming it before I had finished and had to make changes to my original plan. I have a choice...either claim its a dipped hem skirt. Or bustle the back over a petticoat. I think I could use hook n eyes to make it easy to de-bustle in modern wear.

Dipped hem -

As you can see above hem didn't come out quite stright...

Bustled - 

Both shown worn over my pain white short petticoat. If I have time I'll also make a coloured oen to double up.

So what do you think? Which do you prefer bustled or not?

Pride & Predudice - having a ball

I wanted to point my costuming readers to a program called "Pride & Predudice - having a ball" if you haven't already seen it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01sf0q6/

To quote the description:

Documentary celebrating the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice, revealing the hidden world behind one of the greatest love stories of all time by restaging a regency ball at Chawton House, the grand estate of Jane Austen's brother. Amanda Vickery and Alastair Sooke lead a team of world class experts as they reconstruct the ball in loving detail, from music and dancing, to food and fashion.
Jane Austen loved to dance and balls were hugely popular in early 19th century England. Crucially, a ball is also where Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy meet and begin their courtship. However very little is known about what they were actually like. What sort of music would they have danced to? How difficult were the steps? What were the clothes like to wear? And what did the food taste like?
This film uses music from the Austen family archives, as well as dances and dishes mentioned in her novels and letters to recreate the experience of attending an early 19th century country ball - the sort of event that Austen had in mind when she wrote some of the most famous and powerful scenes in English literature.

There's some fabulous outfits and it nice to hear authentic music on authentic instruments. They use real candlelight, which show off how nice the white muslin dresses look in that low light. There's also comments on how energetic the dancing is...having tried a bit of the dancing at the jane austen festival (see video above) I have to agree. Lots of fan fluttering. lol!

All in a 'flap' - Flapper Dress

So planning on making a 'flapper' style dress. Decided on my basic pattern. going to have to add a gore at the sides to make room for my hips. Will be fringing the bottom of the dress as I will need to be able to dance in it plus I suspect it might tickle under the arms. To decorate the top of the dress I'm thinking sequins...just can't decide on the pattern design.

a 'jazz sunburst' at the waist or hipline?

Some straight angles to give a empire line impression?

'V' shape to make more slimming lines?

What do you think? Any ideas? I want to keep it simple an unfussy but use it to best effect to make me not appear to be wearing a sack.

As you have been good I'll give you a little preview of the fabric....

Retro Outfit for dance lessons

I always have a project in mind for a dance outfit. And I saw a post today on a blog highlighting another post about the outfits in stage door.

I like the thought of a 'playsuit' but with a matching detachable skirt. As I'd wear it purely for dancing rather than 'all day' the usual issues I have with play suits and jump suits wouldn't apply.

I've seen a few vintage patterns with this concept of shorts, swimming costume or playsuit with a detachable skirt.

I really like the wearing history sailor girl playsuit pattern. (If I can find a UK stockist I'll buy it) otherwise I'll have to improvise.

I was looking at maybe using a modern pattern like M6533 and drafting a matching skirt. But what kind of skirt? A-line, circle, half circle, pleated or dirndl? What do you think.

I have been keeping back in my stash a nice printed cotton, black with little flowers.

Update:

Here is my little sketch. 

Decided to use this pattern...

 

But modify it. Adding darts, sleeves and peterpan collar.

Now deciding on the skirt. A line but button down the side or pleated?

Jane austen festival, Bath - Regency Dress Outing - Part 2

And here is part 2. On the Monday we had signed up for the beginners dance workshop. But we had a few hours to pass before it started...and what can you do in Bath to pass the time while dressed in regency outfit.

Visit the pump rooms to take the waters. Got lots of people ask for photo's someone even thought we were the staff. lol!

Oh, dear....wonkey buttons

Have a cream tea. We went to the Bath Bun tearoom. A place discovered on a previous visit which does lovely lunches and cream teas. And I loved how the waitresses just took it as quite normal we were dressed up.

As you can see I was wearing open robe and 'regency turban' for the dancing.

We arrived at the venue for the workshop early but found others there so we had a little chat before doors opened. I joined in almost all of the dances. Despite my usual issues with 'heys' and 'strip the willow' in dances.

My favourites was the 'polonaise' with its funny step, and 'the duke of kents waltz' which I thought was very elegant.

It was a shame we couldn't stay for the 2nd workshop and learn Mr Beveridges Maggot.

I did get a quick video of the dancing though.

Regency Dance - thinking about what to wear

I have signed up for the 'Beginners’ Dance Workshop' at the Jane Austen Festival. So I thought I really should think carefully about what I choose to wear. For one thing I think I will have to have my hair dressed differently. And secondly I'm thinking about hem length.
I don't want it to drag along the ground/get caught up in my feet when dancing but I don't want it too short so it spoils the effect. And as essentially I only have one dress (one petticoat and one open robe). I'm going to have to find a way of stopping it getting dirty/smelly so I can wear it twice.  Maybe it will add to the authenticity? 
I wonder if there's a launderette near the B&B? lol! If worse come to worst I am packing my modern maxi dress which will probably 'pass'. 

Lindy Exchange!

SO I went a little quiet on my blog for a week....I have an excuse. Got all excited about the local lindy exchange. Started making a dress but found after I sewed up the sides it was too small. Eeeek! So I didn't post it up on the blog (I will once I sort out the problem....going to add some godet's to the side seams). Then I was busy dancing/watching the dancing all weekend. They danced on the seafront on the saturday...despite some inclement weather (wind and showers) the sun came out long enough to enjoy the dancing.

I've not been learning long but felt I had improved after all the 'practice'.

And there's nothing quite like having a live band. Seeing all the outfits on the final night has given me ideas for more stuff to make.

Anyway...back to normal now.

New Shoes!!!

I've been trying to find time to get up to london to go buy some swing dance shoes. Had my eye on the aris allen ones. But they are sooooo expensive and well I got impatient and decided I'd buy some character dance shoes instead off ebay. I was a bit nervous about how high the heel would be.

Capezio 550 Character Dance Shoes

They arrived this morning. Quite pleased with them. Heel wasn't as high as I thought they would be....now will have to break them in a bit. I think they can 'pass' for 20's-50's era in look.

Dance and outfit inspiration - 2

Was thinking about 30's fashions and came across this video. You get a good view of a selection of outfits. Love how all the chaps wear straw boaters.

THE PARK PARADE

And of course the famous lambeth walk...'Doing the Lambeth Walk..Oi!!'

NEW DANCES FOR EVERYBODY

The evening dresses are floaty, rather Hollywood. I think they make them all look very tall. I'm surprised no feet get caught in the skirts.

Swing Dress - wishlist

So I was looking for a good dress pattern that would give that 40's feel but have a swooshy skirt. 

I spotted this on a youtube clip.

And thought it could be adapted into a dress. Now I've got to find a pattern for it.

Btw. I love the shoes!

I have been told that it is probably not a complete dress but a dress a little like a 'skater dress' with tie up shirt over the top. Which is do-able with RTW items.
Something like this and this but with sleeves....and a pair of these lovely shoes.

Some shameless blog promotion

Just to let my readers know. I have another blog
http://thelearningtoclogblog.blogspot.com/
Where I post about my learning to dance using only Brenda Walkers Clog Dance Book/DVD and (more recently) getting a few one off lessons from local dancer.
I regularly post up videos of progress and comments are always welcome.

Bunting

On my successful sewing projects list is bunting.  Managed about 2.5metres in two Saturdays of sewing. At least it got me used to the sewing machine...I think I would have taken a year if I'd done it all by hand.


And here it is in situ at the EATMT Traditional Music Day 2011


Which was a fab day out as usual. Got lots of tunes I'm planning to learn after hearing them at the session.

EATMT TMD 2011 - Kirkgate Hornpipe/Bodmin Riding March/Radstock Jig by Ladydetemps

And I got a chance to watch the stepdancing this year.

Here is the video I did of my playing one of the tunes I learned after heard it at Stowmarket.