Scarf It Up!

What do you do with scraps of lace, fringe trim, and lace roses?

Make a scarf!

I realize this is not for reenacting but sometimes it's fun to make something pretty for today's fashions:).

The rosettes are made from lace scraps and some of the discarded beading.

The entire project took about an hour and cost less than $10.

From Thrift to Treasure!

I found this old prom dress at a local thrift shop for $1.

While most people see a dress I see satin and chantilly lace!

Calvin was kind enough to model the dress for effect:).

Another thrift shop find was this straw hat for $2.50.

It may look like a straw hat to most but I see something more!

Calvin helped once again by modeling the hat:).

So what do you do with an old prom dress and a straw hat?

Make a bonnet, of course!

After cutting up the dress and straw hat I covered the new bonnet base with the lace and satin.

Then I added feathers, silk ribbon, flowers made from dress scraps, and a black sheer bow on the back.

And voila!

A new bonnet for less than $10!

Hats Off!

This is a basic straw hat from a thrift shop that cost $2.50.

This is the hat after.

I cut the brim down as well as the crown.

 After I cut the hat up I added trim to the brim, antique feathers, vintage velvet band,

 and silk and velvet hand rouched flowers.

Silly me forgot to take a before picture of this straw hat but realized it was in the background of the other hat picture:).

It was also found at a local thrift shop for about $2.

I decided to make it into a bonnet.

I added silk ribbon, lace, antique feathers,

and flowers.

Two of the flowers came from a craft store and the sequin one is from the 20's.

Each hat took about two hours to create with a total cost of about $10 each:).



Parade of Teapots!

Warning!

This is something of a long, two part post.

The first part is our float from the parade on Saturday celebrating Beaufort's 300th birthday.

The tractor that pulled our float is a 1953 John Deere.

Some of the ladies riding on our float which represented the civil war era of our town.

A reproduction cannon with two civil war soldiers keeping watch.

One of my dear reenactor friends, Louise.

I wore my blue and yellow dress for the occasion.

Soldiers riding on the tail end of our float.

This beautiful antique fire engine led the parade.

Hmmm, who's this talking to the driver?

Yes, it's Gary Sinese.

His band played a concert Friday night to raise money for the Wounded Warriors program.

He rode on the fire truck for the parade.

Now for part two.

There is nothing nicer than enjoying a pot of tea after a parade.

These are some of the many teapots and china pieces from the Charleston museum tour we took a few weeks ago.

I know this isn't a teapot but it had a spout so I thought I would include it:).

I hope you enjoyed the parade and museum teapot and china tour.

I think I'll have a cup of tea.

Care to join me?



Fashion Extraordinaire!

The "Threads of War"

fashion exhibit at the Charleston Museum is amazing!

Some of the dress pictures I posted before but many are new photos).

This is one of my favorites!

Wow-look at that waist!

Even Scarlett would have a hard time getting into that.

It would take both Mame and Prissy to pull those corset strings that tight:).

Detail of above dress.

Short-sleeved cotton dress with gorgeous pin tucks.

This dress has pom-pom style buttons and was worn as a wedding dress.

Undergarments, bodice, wrapper, and a beautiful antique quilt backdrop.

Chemise, corset, and petticoat.

Talk about a tiny waist!

Close-up of handmade lace on a 19th century bodice.

Beautiful wrapper.

My absolute favorite dress with close up of bodice below.

Day dress.

Leather boots.

The toes on these look as painful as the corset waist a few pictures above.

Children's clothing from the 1860's.

Lace baby bonnets.

The cutest little antique boots!

I hope you enjoyed the fashion show.

To view a collection of antique fans visit

http://thevictorianparlor2.blogspot.com/