History

I'm starting here with an example of MY history! This is a really old photograph of me with my faithful portable sewing machine. Sewing machine afficionados might be interested to know it's a Singer, model 222k, but to me, it's affectionately known as 'Tiny'. Tiny has been all over the place with me - to science fiction conventions, friends houses, costume fittings and, as in this case, the TV/TS centre in London. It's quite a basic machine, just straight stitch, with attachments for buttonholes etc., but it's built like a brick, which is why it has withstood the amount of knocking about it's had over the years Incidentally, I HATE this photograph, but it's the best of a very bad bunch.....

Here's Andi 'modelling' some of my handiwork! The dress is actually a theatrical costume I picked up second hand. It's quite old, and has the details of the maker and the production inside. It was made for a production of 'The Scottish Play', and although the trims have faded with time, it's possible to see what it must have looked like originally. It is also very heavy, like many of my costumes. I had to restore this dress, including replacing the velvet sleeves, which had got covered in paint. Andi worked on the head dress, a French hood, under my direction. This included making pickadills, the tiny tabs around the edge of the hood, from scraps of fabric. This drove him to distraction! - but he could see it was worth it in the end; it's the details that make the difference between a costume that will do and one which is worth wearing! I made the over gown myself from an original Tudor design as found in the late Janet Arnold's 'Patterns of Fashion'. For anyone interested in learning more about historical costume, this series of books is one of the best places to start, giving details of actual garments and their construction.

carpe diem...

Here I am as Lady of the Manor! When I was offered the chance to wear these gorgeous Tudor gowns, I wasn't going to turn it down. For costume, the Tudor period, up to 1603, is probably my favourite. Fashion was extreme and garments structured, so making them presents a challenge to the 20th century seamstress. I'm not going to make an excuse for my lack of make up - sometimes it's more fun not to worry about it and just seize the opportunity at hand.

Sadly, these gowns don't belong to me, though it has to be said, dressing up in historical costume gives you a good excuse for wearing tights, jewellery and padded miniskirts (actually a late form of trunk hose) in public! It seems a pity that now we are so restricted in what we are allowed to wear, and our choices are so limited by 'market forces'. I'm not saying I'd like to do without the benefits of our times, but I wish that society permitted more freedom of expression in dress. There seems to be a double standard - women have so much more freedom than men. When Princess Diana wore a tuxedo it was hailed as a stroke of fashion genius. One can only imagine the reaction if Prince Charles had arrived wearing a Versace evening dress!

Back to TV Guide

Science Fiction