dfwcg magazine spring 2015

DFWCG Magazine Spring 2015

DFWCG.ORG

#1

A day comes in the springtime

When Earth puts forth her powers,

Casts off the bonds of winter

And lights him hence with flowers...

~Dora Read Goodale

A note from the Editor

This has been quite the season, and we kicked off 2015 with a flurry of events and activities! Regency style was definitely the choice for this Spring, and nearly all of March was dedicated to Regency events. We had our business meeting in February to decide the events for the rest of the year, and have been working hard behind the scenes to make the DFWCG bigger and better than ever before. One of the new changes is the beginning of our very own newsletter. We rely on our members for our content, so if you want to contribute to the magazine, please send your submission to us at [email protected]. Thank you to all of our members for making the DFWCG what it is today, and we look forward to building a great magazine!

- Megan Martin

Currently seeking content

- Tutorials - Pattern reviews

- Event reports - Costume articles

If you would like to contribute to (name), please

email us at [email protected]

VISIT US AT DFWCG.ORG

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR SUGGESTIONS? If you have any suggestions on how we can improve our magazine, please contact us, we would love to

hear your feedback! Email us at [email protected]

-

Contents

5

A week in 1815 Visiting the Battle of New Orleans

11 Burning Out Velvet

13

Faces of Impressionism A Victorian Outing

16

Costumer Spotlight Ginger Lane

21 Archery & Jane Austen

24

Costume Showcase Jay Ragan’s Mandalorian

27

How to Sew Hand Bound Eyelets

31 Beethoven at the Bass

36

Jazz Age Sunday Social

40

Calendar of Events

Every year in New Orleans, during the coldest part of January, reenactors converge on the

city to commemorate the Battle of New Orleans, a battle that ended the war of 1812, and

decided the course of American history. The 8th of January, the date of the actual battle

itself, was even celebrated for years as a second Independence Day.

2015 is a special year, as it marks the 200th anniversary of the battle. The city of New

Orleans, Chalmette Battlefield, and living history groups from across the country all worked

to create a memorable week of events, which included battle reenactments, formal soirees,

balls, dinners, and more.

I first learned about the plans for the battle’s anniversary through a FaceBook post about Le

Grand Bal 1815, which was to be held the Saturday evening of the anniversary week. Once

I started digging into the rest of the plans for the commemoration, I knew I had to make a

roadtrip to New Orleans and enjoy all the festivities.

We left DFW in the pre-dawn hours of January 6th and made it into town by late afternoon,

giving us plenty of time to check into our hotel. While there were events scheduled for

Tuesday evening, we hadn’t purchased tickets for any of them, so we spent the day simply

exploring the city and playing tourist.

Wednesday was the first of many busy days running between events. In the evening, a local

English Dance group was offering a workshop so people could prepare for the ball. It was

our first taste of what was to come, and it was certainly a tantalizing look at the future

events. The dances were fast-paced and fun, and we whirled around the room for hours

before we all disbursed.

Upon returning to the French Quarter, we headed back to the hotel to change into our

evening wear before walking across the street to the Hotel St. Marie for the Danny

O’Flaherty concert, an Irish musician who had performed for the reenactors for many years.

The concert ran late into the night, and we stomped, clapped, and sang along, laughing the

entire time.

5 |DFWCG.ORG|Spring 2015

Thursday was when things really started to pick up. It

was the Glorious 8th of January, after all, so things had

to be big! The city of New Orleans had planned a

fireworks show over the river, and one of the living

history units attending the reenactments had organized

a soiree in Napoleon House.

Napoleon House is exactly what it sounds like. It was

built in 1794, and local legend has it that there was a

plot to smuggle Napoleon out of Europe and set him

up in New Orleans at the house that now bears his

name. The plot was halted when news of Napoleon’s

death brought the plan to an end. The building has

housed all sorts of businesses since then, and now it’s

home to a restaurant and event space.

The soiree started at the same time the fireworks

display was set to start. Parking in the French Quarter

depends entirely on luck, so I had found a spot some

blocks away and walked to the venue. As I did, the

fireworks show began over the river, and the booms of

the explosions vibrated through the entire Quarter.

There were people in period costume on every street,

all funneling toward Napoleon House, and the booms

of the fireworks and the sight of so many uniformed

There were people in period costume on every street,

all funneling toward Napoleon House, and the booms of

the fireworks and the sight of so many uniformed

soldiers was thrilling. It made it feel like we were the

elegant gentry of the city, blithely carrying on with our

parties as the cannons were rocking the rest of the city.

Stepping into Napoleon House is like stepping back in

time. You slip through a narrow brick passage into a

courtyard with an iron lined staircase, which leads

upstairs to the restored part of the house. Period

costume was required for entry, and everyone was

dressed in their finest silks and cleanest uniforms.

Candles lit the entire building, making the jewels and

silks really glitter and shine. There was period music

being played, and Regency-era cocktails were being

served at the bars. On top of all of this, everyone I

spoke to was welcoming and warm, even to a non-

reenactor like me, and the entire atmosphere was

inviting and comfortable.


Friday, we finally managed to make it to the battlefield to see

some of the setup. We missed the big cannon duel that had

happened earlier in the day, but we did get a large amount of

shopping done at the sutlers.

Friday evening was the “Second Line Parade”, an unofficial

parade the reenactors do themselves, which snakes through the

French Quarter, from the steps of the Cathedral in Jackson

Square to Lafitte’s Blacksmith shop, the oldest continuously

operated bar in the country. There were fife and drum marches

being played by some of the military bands, and people in the

Quarter seemed very excited to see what turned out to be quite

an extensive parade.

Saturday, we finally managed to catch some of the battle! We

spent a good deal of the day walking around the camps and

watching some of the demonstrations. The Royal Navy Doctor,

who I’ve followed on Facebook for quite some time, was there

doing a demonstration in the infirmary tent, and he was

absolutely wonderful. His wife, who runs the blog “Serendipitous

Stitchery”, was charming and beautiful dressed!

It was great fun watching the battles and demonstrations, and it

helped to build the anticipation for the evening’s event, Le Grand

Bal 1815, the event that introduced me to this magnificent

reenactment in the first place.

Le Grand Bal 1815 was held in the Presbytere, directly on

Jackson Square. The Presbytere was built in 1791, with the

second story, where the ball was held, completed in 1813. The

long hall that housed the dancing felt wonderfully period, with

beautiful large windows overlooking Jackson Square, polished

wooden floors, and exposed ceiling beams. As the night went

on, Jackson Square below us emptied of people and the fog

rolled in, creating a romantic, and somewhat eerie, view from

our dance floor.

The rest of the building housed a Mardi Gras museum. We

had to snake our way through the exhibits, which included

elaborate costumes, props, vintage photos, and Mardi Gras

trinkets, to reach any of the areas that had been set up for the

evening, like the dessert bar or the dance hall.

The evening was a bit of a missed mark for me. I had been

looking forward to it for months, and had labored over my

dress for nearly half a year, so perhaps I was simply working

myself up over nothing, but everything seemed to go wrong for

me. I had to finish my dress In the hotel room before the

event, my hair wouldn’t cooperate, and then I managed to get

lost in the maze of one-way streets that the French Quarter is

comprised of while attempting to find parking. Thankfully, we

finally arrived, and just in time for my favorite dance, Mr

Beveridge’s Maggot, which has been used in countless

Regency- period films. And, after months of slaving over my

dress, I finally got to wear it, and I felt fabulous in it.


Sunday was the last day of festivities. There was a

reenactment on the battlefield again, this time with the

American forces winning instead of the redcoats, representing

General Jackson’s final victory over the British.

The victory was celebrated in the evening, with General

Jackson’s Victory Dinner and Dance, which was held at

Antoine’s, a famous French Quarter restaurant. Antoine’s was

also celebrating an anniversary – it was first opened 175 years

ago! The reenactors had booked the entire venue, and I had

no idea how expansive the building was.

We entered into a large open room, and since we were quite

early, we waited in the bar for the other guests to arrive from

the battlefield. Our dinner table was on the main floor, in the

large dining room known as The Annex. We were quickly

scooped up by some members of JASNA that had come from

Kentucky, and we claimed a table in the middle of the room.

Upstairs, up a winding iron staircase in a narrow brick

passage, were smaller dining rooms that had been reserved

by regiments and units that wished to dine together. The

largest of these rooms, called the Japanese Room, was

reserved for dancing after dinner.

Dinner itself was an exquisite five-course meal of shrimp

remoulade, oyster and artichoke bisque, crab cakes, pan-fried

pork, and finally, baked Alaska. Everything was absolutely

amazing, and I have no idea how any of us had energy to

dance after such a large meal, but after the dessert was

served people quickly filtered upstairs to claim a place in the

ballroom.

To say it was a tight squeeze is an understatement. We were

pressed shoulder to shoulder, and if we had a room twice as

largest of these rooms, called the Japanese Room, was reserved

for dancing after dinner.

Dinner itself was an exquisite five-course meal of shrimp

remoulade, oyster and artichoke bisque, crab cakes, pan-fried

pork, and finally, baked Alaska. Everything was absolutely

amazing, and I have no idea how any of us had energy to dance

after such a large meal, but after the dessert was served people

quickly filtered upstairs to claim a place in the ballroom.

To say it was a tight squeeze is an understatement. We were

pressed shoulder to shoulder, and if we had a room twice as large

we may still have been crowded. The room was divided into three

lines so we could fit in more, but the line of those waiting to dance

still snaked out of the doors and into the hallway. Our dance

master, who had been at our table during dinner, did a wonderful

job of wrangling the dancers and walking everyone through

unfamiliar steps. We danced long into the night, and before we

knew it, it was the next morning! We excused ourselves around

midnight to return to the hotel, but the party was still in full swing

when we left, with no sign of ending anytime soon.

Burning Out

Velvet By Sandi Dreer

OMG! I'm going to be destroying this fabric! Who in their right or wrong mind would deliberately do this to

velvet? Lovely, sumptuous velvet?

Me.

My youngest daughter's latest costume from an episode of Doctor Who demanded that the velvet be

burned out. And it couldn't be purchased already burned out because the burnout appears on all the gores

of the gown. In lovely points in each gore. And above the hem by about an inch. The velvet used for this

project was a Chinese silk velvet that is made up from 23% silk fibers and 77% rayon.

My first step was scouring the internet and finding one (yes, just one) tutorial on burning out velvet. But that

tutorial directed me to Dharma Trading and a product they carry called "Fiber Etch".

Just like glass etching takes off a layer of glass, Fiber Etch removes the silk fibers from silk velvet. There is

a great video to watch on the Dharma Trading website too.

Fiber Etch is a heat activated product.


Steps in using Fiber Etch

1. Use in a well ventilated area as the product does have an odor. I thought it was a slight odor but it could be stronger for different people. Plus, this is a chemical, so follow all the precautions.

2. Cover your work area. We used my cutting table and taped some waxed paper on it. This prevented any chemicals from possibly hurting my cutting table.

3. Use a paint brush you don't mind throwing away afterwards. We knew we wouldn't be able to complete the entire project in one sitting, so we periodically covered a small glass that held the Fiber Etch with plastic wrap.

4. The fabric didn't need any special preparations. Simply place it where it is convenient to your workspace. Be sure to place the fabric right side down!

5. Using a stencil (or freehand if you're really talented in that area), paint on the Fiber Etch. The video I mentioned before used a foam brush, but I used a craft brush that was about 1/2" wide. I felt that a foam brush would lose too much of the chemical. The Fiber Etch will remove the velvet fibers where you apply it. So be aware of what kind of design you wish - you wouldn't want to have a reversed image by mistake.

6. Allow the Fiber Etch to completely dry.

7. Apply heat. My first attempt to apply heat to complete the process was to place the gown into my dryer. That was almost a complete failure. The chemical did not completely activate. So, out came my iron. Be very careful here when your burning out velvet! Do not place the iron completely on your project. The Fiber Etch will darken when the chemical has activated.

8. Remove the fibers. The directions stated to wash your project and I was leery of placing the velvet into the washer. But I did in cold water and it really worked. The softness of the velvet was only slightly affected and there was no shrinkage.

9. Dry your project. If you have the freedom to allow your project to

air dry, do so. I tossed our project into the dryer on a low heat.

Faces of Impressionism

A Victorian Outing

On January 10th, the DFWCG visited the Faces of Impressionism exhibit at

the Kimbell Museum. We dressed in late Victorian and Edwardian fashions

and had a wonderful time seeing all the artwork! The museum was very busy

and the exhibit was actually at capacity nearly the entire time we were

there. Lots of people were interested in us and our fancy dresses. Some of

them even thought we worked for the museum! The staff there were very

welcoming and even took some photos of us.

Ginger was featured on the Kimbell’s Twitter page, and they posted a lovely group photo, thanking

us for attending!

It was amazing to see all that stunning

art with friends. Getting a glimpse

into the everyday life of the era is

pretty fascinating. I know there's a lot

of little details I'm missing because I'm

too busy mentally deconstructing the

clothing of the subjects. I was so

caught up in the hat and facial

expression of one lady that I totally

missed seeing there was a tortie cat

under the table until it was pointed out

to me! I think that means I need to

spend more time around art.

In all it was a wonderful outing, even

though the exhibit was crowded and

the wait time to get in was very long.

But, we had a good turnout, and it was

nice to have lots of time to talk to

everybody.



How did you first get into costuming? What

was the first costume you ever made?

I’ve always liked old timey clothes and skirts

and dress-up. I went as Laura Ingalls for

Halloween several years when I was little, and

helped my mother make a new costume when I

outgrew the first. When I was fourteen, my

family began Civil War reenacting for real. My

mother made my first dress, but told me that if I

wanted more, I would have to make them. She

taught me, but I did it.

Do you prefer creating daywear or evening

attire?

I’m not sure I have a preference! I’ve made

very little evening wear at all, so it’s hard to tell.

Evening wear tends to be the nicest fabric and

prettiest colors, and I do like that.

You seem to have made an outfit from almost

every time period. What is your favourite

costume that you’ve made?

This is tough. I like them for different reasons,

though I tend to like my most recent ones the most

if they turned out right. So right now, that would be

the white muslin dress and pink silk slip dress I

wore to the Ballgowns at the Bass event. And it’s

the whole outfit, not just those two items. I really

liked the white silk “Romney” gown I wore last fall,

though, and I’m looking forward to wearing it again.


You’ve drawn inspiration from artwork,

fashion plates, and extant pieces in the

past. What is your favourite source for

costume inspiration?

Extant pieces are probably my preferred,

because they’re the safest. By that I mean that

it’s absolutely authentic, and the closest I can

get my version to the original, the more

authentic it will be! That’s particularly nice

when I’m working in a time period that’s not as

familiar to me. But when just looking for

inspiration, I look at everything. Artwork is

probably my favorite for pure inspiration.

Some costumers can’t stand seeing metal

grommets on garments, while others have

a thing about hoop boning showing

through a skirt. What is your costuming pet

peeve?

Probably lack of corsetry; that’s pretty

fundamental for re-creating the look of any

period. Of course, there’s a host of 1860s-

related “reenactorisms” that make me really

twitchy! ;)

Do you like to use period materials in

your costumes, like buttons and trim,

or do you prefer to use closely

matched modern items?

By “period” meaning “original” as in

antique or vintage? I want to use what

looks and acts the closest to the original,

as far as possible. Now that I think of it, I

actually don’t use many modern things; I

haven’t used buttons in a while, and those

have been antique or vintage. I’m very

picky about trim, so I tend to just avoid

designs that require unavailable materials.

An exception are vintage rayon ribbons

and trims. They tend to be much higher

quality than modern equivalents, and

rayon acts far more like silk than polyester

does.

What is your favourite sort of finishing touch

to make for an outfit?

Hair! The right hairstyle completes an outfit

better than the most fabulous set of

accessories. It’s amazing how many wonderful

period hairstyles can be achieved with wigs or

with well-styled hairpieces.

Some people enjoy the research more than

the actual sewing, while others dive right in

and just start sewing without a set plan.

What is your favourite part of the creation

process, and which part do you wish would

just complete itself?

My favorite part is the construction. I think that

puts me in the minority! My mother put it,

“Sewing is taking one piece of fabric, cutting it

all up, and putting it all back together into one

piece again.” I love putting it back together. My

very least favorite part is making patterns.

Cutting and putting together muslins and trying

them on and figuring out what to change is

tedious at best.

Which time period do you feel comes most

easily to you? Is there any period you feel like

you can whip up a dress for over a weekend?

The 1860s are definitely the easiest for me, and I

have a good set of patterns for it. I could do a dress

in a weekend if it was already planned out and

there was little to no trimming. I’m approaching that

point with Regency, too.

There are a great deal of costume events in the

DFW area, which span many different time

periods and genres. Which are your favourite

sort of events to go to, and how far in advance

do you start on your wardrobe?

The Georgian picnic is consistently my favorite. But

I haven’t really planned anything in advance for it!

Usually sometime in the year previous there’s been

at least one event that I’ve made something

Georgian for, and I like to re-wear costumes. I also

like to “re-mix” old ones, changing them up with

new petticoats, fichus, outerwear, headwear, or

anything along those lines.

What bit of historical fashion do you wish

would make a comeback in modern fashion?

I’m not sure it’s just a bit, but the overall

pear/hourglass figure. It’s been out of fashion for

60 years at a minimum, and it’s about time it

really makes a return. I’ve got hips, and they just

can’t be hidden!

Do you find historical costuming influencing

your daily wardrobe in any way?

Not often; at least not the majority of historical

costuming. For several years I went nearly full

vintage or me-made vintage, 30s-50s. While I

wear very little true or repro vintage day-to-day

now, my aesthetic still shows that look.

Otherwise, I’m just overall more aware of my

proportions and what looks good, so I’m more

picky about how clothing fits and looks.

What would you like to be known for with your

costuming? Do you think you have a costuming

signature?

I would like to be known for doing slightly different,

unusual things. I particularly enjoy things that are

well-represented in documentation, but for whatever

reason aren’t really being made by costumers. I think

my costuming signature would be precision. I don’t

think I can wear something thrown together. It makes

me happiest to have a garment that is well-made, fits

very well, and is part of the entire ensemble.

If money and time were no object, what would be

your dream costume to create?

Probably an Edwardian evening gown in silk satin.

Embroidered by hand, with gold, and pearls or beads

or stones as appropriate. Silk tulle and net and lace.

Horridly expensive and time-consuming! And I don’t

have any of the underthings, so that’s another thing

to do.

by Beth Klimek

Rarely does an event come along that’s so perfectly tailored to our hobby and interests, but

that’s exactly what we got with “Archery and Jane Austen” at the Wylie Recreation Center.

The event listing promised an introduction to archery with a Jane Austen twist and a boxed

lunch to follow. While it wasn’t specifically mentioned either way, many of us anticipated an

outdoor event. Since it was scheduled right on the heels of a cold spell many of us burned the

midnight oil getting our spencers and pelisses ready. We shouldn’t have worried - the day

turned out sunny and much warmer than expected, and the event took place completely

indoors!

We were directed to a private room and welcomed with coffee, tea, and scones. Some of the

staff had dressed in Regency attire for the occasion, and they were delighted that we came in

costume. After a brief introduction to the sport of archery and its significance in the Regency

period, we moved on to the safety and logistics of using a bow. Then we were divided into

groups of two or three for target practice.


We all got several turns at our targets, and I can

honestly say it was much more challenging and fun

than I anticipated! Even though we were relatively

close to our targets and were using very easy-to-draw

bows, hitting the target took quite a bit of

concentration, coordination, and perhaps a little bit of

luck. After a few rounds of practice, we had all shown

enough improvement to move on to the real challenge

of the day!

The instructors turned the targets around, and we saw

that several images had been taped to the back of

each. They included a knight, an engagement ring, a

golden arrow, and other images that relate to Jane

Austen books. We had to decide which three all

related to a single book, and then hit those images with

our arrows. The winning team was promised a prize.

The competition was on!

Two of our teams ended up tying (both with our guild

members!) and our prizes were Cadbury Cream Eggs.

Yum!


Then it was time for lunch. We were shown across the courtyard to a seating area and delicious

boxed lunches. We had three different kinds of finger sandwiches, a tangerine, and cookies for

dessert. It was such a lovely day, we decided to eat at the outdoor seating area and soak up some

sunshine. That gave us an opportunity to mingle and chat. We learned that some of the other

participants were members of the Jane Austen society, and they loved our costumes too!

This was such a fun and unique event. I can’t think of a better way to shake off the last of the

winter blahs than with friends, costumes, and a little friendly competition!

Costume Showcase

Mandalorian from Star Wars

Costumer: Jay Ragan

So, when did you first start working on

the Mandalorian armor?

I haunted the Mandalorian Mercs Costuming

Club forums for about a year before actually

starting, basically reading everyone else's build

threads. Then in March of last year we started

my build.

I know some Star Wars costuming is

super strict on authenticity guidelines

and screen accuracy. Is there a

standard set of 'must haves' for

Mandalorian armor, or is there more

of an opportunity to personalize your

armor?

There are standards for quality and general look,

but the only Mandalorians that require screen

accuracy are Jango Fett, Boba Fett, and the

Mandalorians from Clone Wars cartoon.

Everyone else has a lot of customization

possibilities.

That's awesome! I've noticed that you

have changed the colors on yours a

couple of times. Do you change them

for different events, or are you

experimenting with different looks?

The first time I wore my armor was before I

actually painted it. The original silver look was

actually just the primer or base coat, because I

ran out of time. The black and gold is my final

look, and was where I always intended to go

with the look.


What sort of events do the

Mandalorians participate in?

Conventions, of course, but those are not as fun

as the charity events. My favorite events have

been the Autism Walk in the fall, and the

Hemophilia Walk in the fall, as well. We

recently participated in a car show, and Star

Wars night at a hockey game. Next up is a

summer reading program at a local library, which

should be a lot of fun.

Was this your first time making

armor?

Yes, it was!

Wow, that's impressive! Did you do a

lot of experimenting, or did you have it

pretty well planned out when you

started on it?

We learned a LOT from attending an armor

party, and that made it much easier. Also, there

are a lot of templates and resources online. Still,

there is a learning curve, and we made mistakes

along the way, heh. We just kept plugging away

there is a learning curve, and we made mistakes

along the way, heh. We just kept plugging away at

it until we got it where we wanted it.

Now, my husband did the bulk of the Sintra work,

and he has experience making armor from metal,

so some of that transferred over.

What advice would you give to those

wanting to tackle their own armor

projects?

If they want to make a Mandalorian, they need to

go to the MMCC website and register, because

then they'll have access to information on local

armor parties. Nothing can beat hands-on learning.

Also, much of what is learned for Mandalorian

armor can transfer to fantasy armor, as well. If they

want to make armor using other mediums like

worbla, there are a lot of great resources on

YouTube.


Is there anything you'd do differently if

you were to make the armor again?

I don't think so. Mistakes are part of the learning

process. There are, however, upgrades in my

future. In fact, we are re-doing my bracers right

now, since my old ones are just a trifle snug. I'm

also going to upgrade my flight suit so I can

have the double sleeve look that Jango and Boba

sport. I'm going to add conductive thread to my

gloves so I can take photos with my phone.

There are a whole host of small upgrades on my

mental checklist.

Anything else you want to say about

your outfit?

When making this Mandalorian, I considered

every layer. I think most people focus on the

rigid parts, but I made my outfit multi-layered.

When I take off my breastplate and back, my

arming vest is visible. I'll remove the thigh plates

and layer a sarong type skirt under the loincloth

and kama (the leather skirt on my kit), and I call

that my "light kit." It looks pretty awesome on

its own. I'm pretty proud of the work I put into

the over-all design. In spite of the upgrades I

have planned, I really feel I've got a top notch

costume.

If you would like to have your outfit considered

for our Costume Showcase, please email

[email protected] with a photo and

short description of your costume.


How to Sew

Reinforced Eyelets


Supplies: Thread scissors Embroider floss Hand-sewing needles Metal Rings (size is your preference)

Separate out two of the strands from the embroidery floss. Thread these through the needle and draw them through so to the two ends meet again. You’ll end up with a thread four strands thick.

Create a hole in your fabric where you wish your eyelet to go. An awl is best for this, as it does not break the fibers of the fabric, but for some larger eyelets you make need t o snip the hole open. Place your metal ring on the hole you’ve created. You’re going to sew around the ring to create your eyelet.

Begin by inserting the needle through the back of the fabric, directly next to the metal ring. Pull your thread through, leaving a little over an inch on the other side of the fabric.

Insert the needle through the hole you created, and pull your thread through.

On the back of your fabric, pull the short tail you left to one side. Take the thread that you pulled through your eyelet hole, and place it over the tail. You want to catch the tail when you pull the needle through the fabric again, which will secure your thread in place.

On the top of your fabric, bring your needle up beside the metal ring again, this time about 1/8-inch from where your first stitch was.

When you pull your thread through the fabric, it should wrap around the tail, as in the picture.

Repeat these steps around the entire ring, catching the tail each time, until you’ve made it all the way around. Once you’re back where you started, you can snip off anything remaining on the tail.

On the top of your fabric, bring your needle up on the outside of your ring, and draw it all the way through. Draw your thread through your center hole again, and then bring your needle back up through the fabric, directly beside the stitch you just made.

Repeat around the entire ring, creating a satin-stitched eyelet. Your eyelet should look identical on both the front and back of your fabric.

To secure the end of your thread, pick up one of your stitches with the tip of your needle, and draw your thread underneath this stitch.

Repeat this several times, until you feel your thread is thoroughly secured.

Snip off your thread, and you’re finished! You now have a strong, sturdy eyelet.


“Music is a higher

revelation than all

wisdom and philosophy.

Music is the electrical

soil in which the spirit

lives, thinks and

invents.”

~Ludwig von

Beethoven

Bass Hall in Fort Worth has always seemed like a

perfect place to hold historical costuming events.

The Hall itself sparkles with white columns and gold-

plated lighting fixtures. There are hand-painted

murals on the ceilings of sunrises and sunsets in the

east and west portals. Look up at the ceiling In the

main hall and see if you can find the two hawks

floating in the painted sky, a nod to the artist himself,

who was named Hawk. The interior of the

performance hall hearkens back to the grand opera

houses of Europe, and Bass Hall is the only

performance hall in the world that has “piano boxes”,

a pair of boxed seats in the gallery that take the form

of a piano lid. It’s a beautiful, magical hall, and the

perfect place to enjoy some fantastic music in some

historical finery.

A Regency evening of music and dining


The Fort Worth Symphony was

performing Beethoven’s famous

5th Symphony that evening.

Beethoven’s works are always

popular concert events, and the

hall was crowded with people

eager for the show. Our group

met a half-hour before the

concert began so we could

mingle and admire each other’s

new outfits. Many of the ladies in

attendance had made new

gowns just for the occasion, and

there were even a couple of

elegantly dressed gentlemen in

our party. We discovered that

we had a “4AM Sewing Club”,

since several of us had stayed

up late the night before the

concert, sewing together some

last minute garments for

ourselves or our sweethearts.


The first half of the

concert consisted of

Richard Strauss’s and

Prokofiev’s Piano

Symphony No. 5. There

was a short intermission,

and then Beethoven’s 5th

was played in its entirety.

It was so exciting to hear

those famous opening

notes being performed

live! The Fort Worth

Symphony was

wonderful, and the music

was truly special.


The Hall emptied quickly after the concert

ended, so we had a chance to do some

more mingling, take some pictures of our

costumes in the beautiful setting of the Hall,

and admire each other’s work. We were

even flipping seams by the end of the night,

checking out each other’s hand-stitching.

And there was no shortage of fabulous

accessories, either! Many ladies had made

their own jewelry, from tiaras to necklaces,

there were embroidered gloves and fancy

reticules and playful turbans with features at

every turn.

We ended up being the talk of the Hall that

evening. People were approaching us all

evening, curious about our group and asking

us questions about our clothes and why we

were dressed up. There were even people

finding us during intermission saying, “I

heard about you and just had to come see!”


By the time we had finished snapping

pictures, we were all rather famished, so we

headed across the street to Bird Café, a

restaurant that offers “small plates”, which are

tapas style servings of eclectic food.

Everything from devilled eggs to sesame duck

wings was on the menu, and everything was

delicious. They had some original drink

offerings, too, such as the basil-lime cooler,

and the raspberry, fever-few ginger ale. Their

desserts were spectacular, and you could

choose to go heavy with a coffee chocolate

cake or lighter with a triple berry cobbler. Our

waiter was attentive, and knew exactly what

wine to pair with every dish, the notes, and

almost anything else you could think to ask.

The entire evening was lovely, and we

stumbled out of Bird at around midnight, full of

delicious food and humming beautiful music

as we headed home.

The Jazz Age

Sunday Social

I’ve always seen these beautiful pictures from

costume clubs around the country, from

events like the Gatsby Picnic in California, or

the Jazz Age Lawn Party in New York –

ladies in diaphanous white lace gowns and

straw cloches, gentlemen in seersucker suits

and tweed. I could imagine lounging on a lush

green lawn or playing croquet while munching

on wax paper wrapped sandwiches and

listening to a band playing Jazz music. These

events were always so far away that I never

had the chance to make it out to one.

But, last year, the Art Deco Society of Dallas

came to the rescue, announcing their first

ever Jazz Age Sunday Social. I had to miss

out that year, but I was thrilled to hear that

they brought the event back for a second

time, and I was determined to make it. For a

while it seemed like the weather would drive

the picnic indoors, but the climate gods

smiled on us, and just before the picnic

started, the rain stopped, the clouds cleared,

and we had beautiful, calm weather for the

rest of the day.


The event was held at Dallas Heritage village, a collection of historic homes and building, all

pre-1910, that have been moved to a park and arranged as a small village, complete with

brick streets and a Main Street. The Model A Club was there with a great showing of vintage

cars, there was music from the fantastic band, The Singapore slingers, and for those that

forgot their picnic, there was a food truck offering creative sliders, like “The Nutty Pig” which

sported bacon and peanut butter and was completely delicious. The band had set up inside

the pavilion because of the earlier rain, and there were many costumed attendees out on the

dance floor enjoying the music.

There had been a planned meetup for the

Costumers Guild, but with the Beethoven

event the night before, many opted to

stay home for the picnic, especially since

the weather was iffy. We brave few that

made it out found each other in the music

pavilion, and spent the day watching the

dancing, admiring the costumes, and

enjoying the cars. There was even some

shopping, with a few jewelry and hat

vendors on site. I even had a chance to

ride in “Milly”, the Model A!

I enjoyed myself a great deal, and next

year I will bring my own picnic, camp out

on the lawn, and enjoy the spring air.

Those that are hesitant because they

may not have anything 1920s, or think

they don’t look good in 20s-era clothing,

don’t worry! There was everything from

early Teens to 1940s, so there was a

wide range of silhouettes to choose from!

I’m looking forward to creating a new look

for next year, and I can’t wait to see how

they don’t look good in 20s-era clothing,

don’t worry! There was everything from

early Teens to 1940s, so there was a

wide range of silhouettes to choose

from! I’m looking forward to creating a

new look for next year, and I can’t wait

to see how they’ve expanded for Year

Three.


Calendar of Events For more information on the events listed here, please see our “Upcoming Events” page on the DFWCG website.

11 April

Fantasy Frolic Join us for a laid-back gathering that combines fairies, elves, wizards, pirates, and any type of fantasy character that you can imagine! Anything goes for this event, and some costume suggestions include cosplay, historical fancy dress, steampunk, anime, lolita, faire-wear, or your own completely unique creations. We will share picnic foods, play games, and take lots of fun pictures while we are together. We will meet at the entrance where the playground and pavilions are located at 2:00.

2PM

Colleyville Nature Center

25 April

History with a Twist

History with a Twist is a celebration of classic American cocktails, created by noted Dallas mixologist Brian McCullough of The Standard Pour, served along the charming Main Street at Dallas Heritage Village. Attendees may visit various cocktail stations until 10 p.m., while enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres and entertainment by the Singapore Slingers.

7PM Dallas Heritage Village

26 April

Jane Austen Society’s Spring Tea

Join the North Texas chapter of the Jane Austen Society as they visit the French Tea room in the acclaimed Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas. Brian Cushing, a Regency period reenactor, will be this year’s guest lecturer on the topic of gentlemen’s clothing.

2pm The French Tea Room at the Adolphus Hotel

9 May

Sherlock Holmes at the Perot The game's afoot! Along the dim, gaslight streets of London, a crime has transpired, and Sherlock Holmes need our help to solve it. Join us at the Perot to search for clues and test your sleuthing skills in this wonderfully interactive exhibit that explores science, history, literature, and pop culture. Costumes are strongly encouraged.

7 June

1812 Overture at Concert in the Gardens Join us at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens as we enjoy a Regency picnic and evening of exciting music, set to fireworks! Bring a blanket and picnic dinner to enjoy under the stars. The lawn fills up quickly, so be sure to arrive early!

` 6pm Fort Worth Botanical Gardens

12-14 June

Costumer’s Lost Weekend Join the DFWCG at our very own costuming convention! You’ll be able to partake in costume workshops and events, and you’ll have a chance to spend some time relaxing with your fellow costumers. Weekend and daily registrations available at clw.dfwcg.org

Crossroads Retreat Center Lindale, TX

20 June

The Netherfield Ball Join the North Texas Chapter of the Jane Austen Society for an evening of elegance, dance and music with tasty refreshment and excellent company. Two dance workshops will be held the morning of the Ball to acquaint attendees with the dances for the evening.

7:30PM Oak Lawn United Methodist Church


We would like to thank all of our readers for their support

We look forward to bringing you our Summer issue in July

Contributors Events

Sandi Dreer

Beth Klimek

Ginger Lane

Megan Martin

Jay Ragan

Events are added to our calendar as we learn of

them, and so the list in DFWCG magazine may

not reflect the entire list of upcoming events for

the DFW area. If you are hosting or know of an

event that you would like to see listed in our

Upcoming Events calendar, please email

[email protected]. For the most up

to date information on Guild events, and other

costume events in DFW, please visit our website

at DFWCG.org.

Costume Showcase Contributing to DFWCG Magazine

Our Costume Showcase is designed to

celebrate excellence in costuming displayed

by the members of our Guild. If you are a

member of the DFW Costumers Guild and

would like to have your costume considered

for our Costume Showcase, please email

[email protected] with a clear

full-length color photograph of your

costume and a short description of the

inspiration, materials, and construction

process. If you costume is chosen for the

Showcase, we will contact you for a more

in-depth interview.

We are always seeking contributors to our

magazine! If you have a sewing or costuming

tutorial, an event report, a costuming research

article, costume movie review, or any other

costume related content that you would like to

see included in an upcoming issue of the

magazine, please email us! Submissions can be

sent as Microsoft Word documents or PDF files,

and will be formatted to best fit into the

magazine. For tutorials, please include a clear

color photo of each step that you have written in

your article.

DFWCG Magazine DFWCG.ORG

Dallas-Fort Worth Costumers Guild Magazine

dfwcg magazine spring 2015

Documents