Sense and Sensibility

Busy at work, I have not had the opportunity to blog as often as I generally like to. I did not have the chance to tell about my recent visit to Pasadena for the Jane Austen Evening, the annual Regency Ball, and must say, it was a very festive and entertaining event. All the planning and months of sewing certainly paid off when we entered the event hall to find a world transformed, a step back into time,  with ladies dressed as Elizabeth Bennetts? I never saw so many deep decollated, puff sleeved, ballet-slippered, ringlet haired women in one place. And the men were definitely Darcy'd out, in buckled shoes, white hose, breeches, waist coats, high cravats! Some men came in naval splendor as if on shore leave from Lord Nelson's Royal Navy, and some as dandies complete with lace hankie and silk fan.

The music was provided by a live band, a string quartet I believe, and the dances were called as they say, by a lady on stage,who instructed the dancers as they went along, to "turn", "set", "cast", " hay", etc as the music proceeded.

As in Jane Austen's time, it was a chance to see and be seen, and hopes were high as men, and in this case, women, asked for dances of each other, even filling out dance cards, if you please. There were the perennial wall flowers, and the belles of the ball. It's not easy to be left out, or passed over, even if it is just a lark!

And so one does ones best to be light hearted and gay (gosh, even that has a different meaning today), and join in the fun as much, and as often, as one can. By the evening's end, we had encountered our friends from our home town county dance group, and made some new friends, too.

It was a memorable evening for me, one I will long remember. When we left, we walked back up the block to our hotel, warmed by the dancing and by the excitement of the last dance, the Sir Rogers, as it is known, a rather free-form romp, with hand clapping and bows and curtseys, and about as much wild footwork and frenzy as politely and raucous could be imagined in 1810! I look forward to the next opportunity to whirl back in times other day!

Next time I will be prepared for all the etiquette, making sure my dance card is filled up WAY before the first strains of the violin can be heard!!! I don't want to be a wallflower, or have to dance with a poor representative of the social circle, having my toes or train stepped on. That may sound Prejudice, but it would be the Sensible thing; not to have one's Sensibilities disturbed. Ahhhh....the foibles of social hierarchy live on.

Happy Birthday, once again, Herr Mozart!

 

Ahhhh! Today is Mozart's birthday. And this would make him? What? Born in 1756, only 258 years old! And, still young.....his music enduring for eternity.

And, so, this being one of my favorite holidays, I must devote my blog to Wolfgang. This morning, I indulged in some nice strong coffee and sachet torte for breakfast, listening to some of his music, of course. Some symphonies today, including one of my favorites, the Symphony No. 39 in e flat major, k 543. One of his last, it is a mature work, filled with all types of emotion...longing, happiness, quiet reflection, and the last movement, the Finale, allegro. It is absolutely triumphant. Wolfgang at his best, I think. I say, "danke Schon, herr Mozart!"
I link it here for you to hear. You will not be disappointed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsIKOiSDw2Q

Getting it right!

Well, the Regency Ball is less than a week away, and I have been sewing fast and furious. I recently tried on my dress to show my daughter who is also attending the big event. And, it's a good thing I did. The dress, though I do not have voluminous hips, was too tight! Ouch! Thank Heavens...she had a perfect solution, and one that actually enhanced the gown. So, out came the seam-ripper, and I had to get busy all over again.




Now, there is the question of accessories, shoes, jewelry, fan, hairdos and hair ornaments. As my daughter, states, if you miss a step on the dance floor, no one will care, but to miss a step in one's ensemble, is very bad indeed. You don't want to be accused of putting on a Halloween costume. These are historically-accurate period gowns! I told her I had a lovely fan to bring with, and was told, "Oh, no. That one is Victorian!" Though it can be frustrating to hear a criticism, she is absolutely right!


I'm sorry I cannot post any pictures today. Something is wrong with my site, but I wanted to inform you that I am preparing for the upcoming weekend, and hope to attend in great style. Also, a special thanks to my http://dressedintime.blogspot.com daughter for helping me to get it right!

Everything Old is New Again

First, I greet you with Happy New Year. Hope you had a very festive, happy, healthy holiday!

As the song says, Everything Old is New Again! With every new year, there are new things to learn and new things that present themselves, that we can either pass on, or embrace.

My first new opportunity of 2014 involves something old that will be new for me. A Regency Era country dance scheduled for mid-January, in California. Of course, one must have the proper attire to attend, and to that end, I have been sewing up a storm, after reviewing the time period. In order to get it right, one cannot (I have been told, and I have found) look at movie costumes. Of course, Hollywood takes artistic license with these things, but if you want the right look, you must look at old paintings and fashion plates. I have learned this from my friend over at http://dressedintime.blogspot.com She's going too along with her extremely supportive husband.

She is a master historical costumer, and I have learned a great deal from her. Techniques that are historically accurate, fabrics that are a yes, or a no! Appropriate hairstyles, jewelry, shoes, etc. So, I have been sewing my gown and accompanying jacket all by hand. It's a fun experience (if you don't mind your fingers becoming pin cushions! ha ha). Now I know the great value of a thimble!

My jacket is called a "spencer", a short little thing that goes over the empire-styled dress.
At left is the bodice of the jacket, and below, the wonderful puffed sleeve to be attached. At right, the back detail.

At present, the jacket is done, and I will have to take more photos, and so I am working on the dress, a white cotton number that is Regency period appropriate.
The Spencer dates from the 1790's,  originally a woolen outer tail coat with the tails cut-off, worn as a short waist-length, double-breasted, man's jacket. By the early 1800's, women adopted the style to complement the empire gowns.

I was totally inspired by the gold jacket, bottom left, and also by the fashion plate of the lady below. And so, I am sewing away, with thread bits on the floor, on my clothing, on my cat! I only have until the 15th of the month. Meanwhile, I am trying to find a lovely paisley shawl to go with the entire ensemble.

So, look for new things, new opportunities as 2014 unfolds. You may be pleasantly surprised if you throw caution to the wind and bust out your dancing shoes!!