Finished Breakfast at Tiffany's Dress for Prom

Hi All!  I'm back from the Reading, Pa airshow, what an awesome event!! I have so much to share but I want to get caught up with a few posts first. But before I forget, the winner of my surprise giveaway is ....

Brigid of the blog Boyer Family Singers! Congratulations! I will be contacting you soon :)

I have projects to share as promised. :) Today I have some photos of the Breakfast at Tiffany's dress I finished back in May for my friend Abby. You may recall the first post where we played with the pattern to get just the right look.

I first couple photos are ones I took with my cell phone so they are not all that great. (I have a new camera now so going forward photos will be much better!) The photos of Abby wearing the finished dress at prom were taken by someone else.

The final mock-up of the bodice back.

This photo, although very washed out, shows the finished front with some options for jewelry.

The finished back.

There were a few minor adjustments to make last minute, such as taking the bodice in a little more, but I think in the end it fit pretty well. Using my mom's sewing machine I was able to serge all the seams making the inside of the dress much neater. The fabric, although nice to work with over all, did fray quiet a bit.

Abby looks fantastic, don't you think?

Photo by Kate Garaffa

Photo by Kate Garaffa

 I love how the back of the dress turned out. :)

Photo by Kate Garaffa

Photo by Kate Garaffa

Breakfast at Tiffany's Dress for Senior Prom

Hello everyone! Thank you all so very much for your wonderful comments here on my blog, on Facebook, and on Flickr about my Sew For Victory dress. I was floored by how well it was received. Thank you! There are little things here and there I would like to change (most obviously a longer slip is needed!) but over all I'm very please with it. Cori and I are going to a big WWII event in Pennsylvania next month and I'm planning to bring this dress along. :)

I posted briefly on my Facebook page a few weeks back about a new sewing project. Now that my Sew For Victory dress is finished I have started to work on a prom dress for my friend Abbey. Some of you may remember the blue and silver lace prom dress I made for my young friend Jen. You can read all about the construction and see the final pictures in my posts here.

Abbey wanted something different and really special for her senior prom. So when she asked me about helping her create this particular dress I was super excited. I will be creating a version of the famous black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's. As part of my research on the dress I'll have to watch the movie, again. Oh darn. ;)

Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's - source

Source- Christies

 The original dress sold at Chrisie's a few years back. Here are a couple photos I found of the dress on display at the FIDM Museum and Galleries. Audrey's wardrobe for Breakfast at Tiffany’s was designed by couturier Hubert de Givenchy. In 2011, the FIDM Museum and Galleries held a special exhibition to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the movie. On display were recreations of Givenchy’s little black dresses worn by Audrey in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Little black dresses designed by Hubert de Givenchy for the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s - Source

Little black dresses designed by Hubert de Givenchy for the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s - Source

I first looked through my patterns to see if I had anything that would work as a base pattern. When that failed I searched online. Right away I knew that what ever pattern we picked would need to be altered to create that classic back. Below is the pattern I'm working from, Butterick 2460. It has the same gathered waist and an almost identical bodice. The skirt, obviously, will need to be lengthen but that should be easy. Another change will be to move the zipper from the center back to the left side.

Butterick 2460

Butterick 2460

Here is the progress so far....

The first step was to cut out and baste a mock up of the bodice straight from the pattern with no changes. I wasn't sure about the size so I wanted to get a good idea of those alterations first. There are two sets of darts to the front, and as was common with late 1950s and early 60s patterns the bust area is rather pointy, for lack of a better term. We going to see if we can smooth it out a little bit. After fiddling with the darts for a bit I begin drawing the new back.

The original back neckline will more or less become the bottom of the 'U' shape that connects to the shoulder straps. Next I used a marker - for some reason orange was all I could find - to draw the cut away sections, making sure to leave a portion of the center back attached to the center of the 'U'. Here's what it looked like.

I cut the front neckline a touch lower and had to adjust the arm holes as well. Here is the "new" back mock up. I need to remember to give myself a little extra material at the center back where the point meets the U. The plan is to keep the back all one piece. I'll be lining the bodice as well as using some interfacing to help the back keep it's shape.

Need to add a bit more fabric to this center section of the back.

Here's what the final mock up of the back looks like. The black marks indicate the back darts and adjustments needed for the side seams.

That's it so far. I'll work on adjusting the skirt to work with Abbey's measurements and gather my supplies for the actual dress.

This project is perfect timing as I just learned that the blog Rhinestones and Telephones has launched the Hepburn Hepburn Project. :)

Film Shoot in Saranac Lake, NY

UPDATE 10/02/14
The film is finished! You can view it here. :) http://vimeo.com/user8610031/review/99793460/a249feef26

Hello all,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. I haven’t posted anything for awhile and now that the holiday season is underway I think I’ll find I have less time for my blog. I have a couple projects in the works – not all clothing related - and lots to do to get ready. I’ll be teaching a wreath making workshop next week and still need to figure a few things out for the class. I do have one special sewing project, but more on that later.

Saranac Laboratory Museum - Source

Today’s post is one I’ve been meaning to write and have not had a chance until now. I recently had the opportunity to work on a film set and I must say, it was a fantastic experience! Signature Communications of Maryland is currently working on a film for the National Park Service titled Struggle and Triumph: The Legacy of George Washington Carver. The film will be shown at the George Washington Carver National Memorial in Diamond, Mo. Known as the "peanut man," Carver was an African-American scientist and inventor. He developed and promoted about 100 different products made from peanuts including cosmetics, dyes, paints, plastics, gasoline, and nitroglycerin.

While searching for filming locations, the crew came across the Saranac Laboratory Museum located in historic Saranac Lake, NY. Built in 1894 by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, the laboratory - the first of its kind in the United States - was used specifically for tuberculosis research. The building was restored and opened as a museum in 2009. It was selected for the NPS film because of its close resemblance to Cavers's lab at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Director John Allen and a NPS adviser setting up for the first scenes

Carver measuring out peanuts

The scenes filmed in the Saranac lab featured Carver, played by actor Altorro Prince Black, conducting some of his famous research on peanuts. Scenes shot later in the afternoon depicted Caver interacting with a group of African-American students, played by students from North Country Community College and Lake Placid High School.

Students from North Country Community College and Lake Placid High School

So, what was my role in all of this? I spent the day working as a production assistant. My first task when I arrived in the morning was to make a list of all of the props. There were 6 or 7 boxes that had been shipped to the lab full of various glass jars, test tubes, and other laboratory equipment. Each box had to be unpacked, inventoried, and if possible, labeled so we knew who to return it to. A few items belonging to the Saranac lab were used as well. Including a 19th century brass microscope that Dr. Trudeau used to diagnose his own case of tuberculosis. How's that for a piece of history!


A few of the many props used that day

More lab equipment. The posters on the museum was tell the history of the Saranac lab.

At the end of the day all the props were sorted and carefully repacked for shipping. A few items were donated to the museum. Another of my jobs was filling test tubes and other glass contains with colored water to resemble different chemicals. The large glass jar seen on the table in some of the photos was filled with a combination of baby oil, water, and yellow food coloring. I'm not sure how many times I ran up and down the stairs that day but it was a good work out. :)

I spent a little bit of time assisting Judi Flowers of Proper Period Productions who was in charge of the costumes that day. Judi, who was kind enough to share some of her wardrobe tips, was great to work with.

When it came time for the actual filming I kept a digital log of the individual shots and made notes about each of them. Did you know there's an app for that? I think it's called movie slate but I'm not sure.



Colored test tubes, one of my little contributions to the film. :) .

Although it was a very busy day, it was a lot of fun and really peaked my interest in the film business. Everyone of the cast and crew was wonderful to work with.
More photos from the Carver film shoot on my Facebook page as well as the Historic Saranac Lake Facebook page. 

You can read news articles about the Carver film here, and here. This last article makes an interesting comparison between George Washington Carve and Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau.

Halloween Countdown Continues - "I Married A Witch"

Continuing the Halloween countdown.
Today's Halloween pin up post features Veronica Lake in a publicity photo for I Married A Witch. The 1942 film, directed by René Clair, stars Veronica Lake and Fredric March.
Enjoy!

Source

Did you know that Constance Ockelman, - a.k.a. Veronica Lake - was only 4 feet 11 inches tall? I had not idea! You can read more about Veronica Lake's career here - Veronica Lake: A Biography in Pictures

Veronica Lake -  Source

Here's great close up of Miss Lake.

Source

Great Hair Fridays - Linda Darnell

I'm trying out a new series of posts - Great Hair Fridays. I'll pick a different starlet or hairstyle to feature in each post. Let me know what you think!

Linda Darnell in "A Letter to Three Wives"

I think Linda Darnell is one of those talented actresses that is often overshadowed by other starlets of her time. Although her personal life was troubled and later in life she suffered from alcoholism, (what starlet's life was perfect?) she had a successful career as an actress and model. (You can thank her mother pushed her into a modeling career at the age of 11.)

Darnell made her film debut in the role of Marcia Bromley in the film Hotel for Women (1939). She was 16 when the film was produced which made her one of the youngest leading ladies in Hollywood at that time. Some of her best known films are Forever Amber (1947), Unfaithfully Yours (1948) and A Letter to Three Wives (1949).

One of the things I admire most about Linda Darnell is her very versatile look. While some starlets kept to a signature hairstyle - Veronica Lake's peek-a-boo hairstyle for example - Darnell didn't seem to be afraid of trying something different. She was a gal who looked great no matter what! Seriously, do a Google image search on her. You will be amazed at the number of photos that turn up.

 Here she is with long flowing locks and a nice curly up-do.

Linda Darnell c. 1943

Linda Darnell with Laird Cregar in Hangover Square, 1945

I love her look with victory rolls, especially this first photo of her in the plane. I'm trying to master a victory roll hairstyle for myself and I'm using these photos as references.

Swing Fashionista

Linda Darnell, age 16 c. 1939

Linda Darnell as a cheer leader

I'm not sure when this last photo was taken, but I'm guess late 1930s. Isn't she a dish! And what a great hat too. :)

Fashions for a Day at the Races

Bodemeister, one of the favorites for the 2012 Kentucky Derby

Tomorrow is the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. That means for those lucky enough to attend the Derby or for those going to a Derby party, it's time to break out your best race day attire! Hats, hats, hats!

A Google image search for Kentucky Derby hats and race day fashions turned up some really fabulous hats. (And some absolutely ridiculous ones.) It seems the trend today is to have the biggest, flashiest hat possible! Flowers and feathers and bows, oh my! Don't get me wrong, I love good Gainsborough style hat. But a few I saw were just, wow, over the top. They screamed "look at me!" Of course, hat of all sorts have pretty much always been a part of the Derby fun and are as much a tradition as mint julep and the song, My Old Kentucky Home.

Churchill Downs President Matt Winn with a group of ladies at the 1938 Derby

Cherry Hill's Garden State Park Racetrack August 23, 1946

Race track fashions, 1958

Below are some great race day fashions designed by Samuel Robert. I like the pink suit with the matching hat. Not so sure about the gold pants suit.

Fashions by Samuel Robert, 1958

Fashions by Samuel Robert, 1958

One of my favorite hats (and all time favorite movies) is the black and white hat worn by Audrey Hepburn for the race track scene in the movie, My Fair Lady. It's very much a Gainsborough hat.

Are you planning on wearing a smaller hat, but are unsure of how to wear your hair? Take a look at this quick 1940s hair and hat tutorial posted today by Brittany of Va-Voom Vintage. Brittany offers a couple different hair tutorials. Just click on the tutorial/info tab on her page.

Scene from My Fair Lady

Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady

If you are watching the race tomorrow, enjoy! And don't forget your glass of mint julep!

What is your favorite Marilyn Monroe costume?

There are just too many great movie costumes to choose from...

I recently watched the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Jane Russel and the one and only, Marylin Monroe. Like many of you out there, I enjoy watching these kinds of classic Hollywood films for entertainment but also, of course, for the costumes! One of Marylin's most iconic outfits from this film is the pink dress worn for her "Diamond Are a Girl's Best Friend" routine. But that costume is not my favorite. No, not because it's bright pink .... well, ok that's part of it.

 Image from GlamAmor This covers my Pink for the month of February  :)

My all time favorite Marylin outfit from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes has to be this one. It's rather simple but oh so classy! I wish I could find an image online that was in color. 

I love the little tucks in the dress and the single, long feather in her hat. Her leopard muff and wrap are just stunning.
Here is a look at the costume in action.

Tommy Noonan as "Gus Esmond" and Marilyn Monroe as "Lorelei Lee" in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

 For a look at more great costumes from Marilyn's movies, check out this page. There are photos of her in costumes from her major and minor movie roles as well as costume sketches by William Travilla.