Rebecca Maiten (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
theladyrebecca) wrote2013-03-29 08:59 pm
theladyrebecca) wrote2013-03-29 08:59 pm
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L.A. Trip
I flew down to L.A. last weekend, for a quick trip. The real reason was for my grandma's 90th birthday, but since it was also my birthday, I got to have a little fun in the fabric district!
On Saturday, my parents and I went to the FIDM museum. I had never been there before, and was quite impressed by both exhibits (I just wish I could have taken pictures!) Everything in the "A Century of Cotton" room (donations by Helen Larson) was absolutely gorgeous. I need to make the sporting skirt (I believe it was 1890s?), and there was so much fine, delicate, embroidered cotton, particularly as fichus and shawls. And there was an amazingly pleated 1880s child's coat-dress with a false-front closure. It was so cool to see it up close!
In the other room, were the movie costumes, most of which were from last year's films. It was amazing to see the Queen's costumes from Snow White and the Huntsman up close. They were filled with soooo much detail that you simply can't see for the three seconds each one appears on-screen. The most stunning was a greenish amazingly tailored gown trimmed with tons of beetle wings. My other favorite from the movie room was Cosette's Romantic-era dress. It was so well-detailed, and so historically accurate-looking that it wouldn't have seemed out of place in the Cotton room.
Afterwards, we went to the FIDM Scholarship store, where I had also never been before. Everything there has been donated, and proceeds go to the students. As far as I can guess, pretty much everything there was probably worn by models. Which meant they actually had lots of shoes in my size!!! (I wear size 11.5-12. This never happens.) On the other hand, pretty much all the clothes were in tiny sizes. But I wound up buying a pair of 4" strappy heels, a necklace, and four pairs of earrings. Success!
Following that, we headed to the fabric district. My parents had never been there before, and I think they were pretty impressed. Home Fabrics was my first stop. I found three yards of a lovely light blue silk taffeta remnant for $5, and came across the same gorgeous orange shot silk taffeta that I saw there last summer. And as a birthday present, my parents agreed to pay half of it! I bought 6 yrds, which I think will be just enough for my 17th c gown. Of course, now I don't know what I'll do with the coppery-orange silk taffeta I bought online...
I also went to my favorite blingy store. No good bling this time, but I found some really beautiful trims which I'm thinking will be lovely for Regency, for super cheap. We walked around a bit more until my mom's legs were too tired, at which point she rested in that shop with all the lovely cut-velvet garments. And purchased one. :)
Sunday was devoted to my grandma's birthday, but on Monday, we had a little more time to explore. For example, I found out that my grandparents live about 10 minutes from Richard the Thread. (yay for hoopsteel with no shipping!) Likewise, Richard the Thread is directly across the street from Sony Studios (totally going there next time I'm visiting). Then we drove towards Wilshire/Miracle Mile, and went to the International Silks and Woolens. They had some lovely stuff, but the prices were super high! I bought some nice pink satiny piping for Rapunzel, though. And then we hit up Whimsic Alley, since my mom had never been before.
I flew back to Seattle Monday afternoon, and finished up the Rapunzel skirt on Tuesday. I'll post pictures soon, but now I need to start on the bodice.
On Saturday, my parents and I went to the FIDM museum. I had never been there before, and was quite impressed by both exhibits (I just wish I could have taken pictures!) Everything in the "A Century of Cotton" room (donations by Helen Larson) was absolutely gorgeous. I need to make the sporting skirt (I believe it was 1890s?), and there was so much fine, delicate, embroidered cotton, particularly as fichus and shawls. And there was an amazingly pleated 1880s child's coat-dress with a false-front closure. It was so cool to see it up close!
In the other room, were the movie costumes, most of which were from last year's films. It was amazing to see the Queen's costumes from Snow White and the Huntsman up close. They were filled with soooo much detail that you simply can't see for the three seconds each one appears on-screen. The most stunning was a greenish amazingly tailored gown trimmed with tons of beetle wings. My other favorite from the movie room was Cosette's Romantic-era dress. It was so well-detailed, and so historically accurate-looking that it wouldn't have seemed out of place in the Cotton room.
Afterwards, we went to the FIDM Scholarship store, where I had also never been before. Everything there has been donated, and proceeds go to the students. As far as I can guess, pretty much everything there was probably worn by models. Which meant they actually had lots of shoes in my size!!! (I wear size 11.5-12. This never happens.) On the other hand, pretty much all the clothes were in tiny sizes. But I wound up buying a pair of 4" strappy heels, a necklace, and four pairs of earrings. Success!
Following that, we headed to the fabric district. My parents had never been there before, and I think they were pretty impressed. Home Fabrics was my first stop. I found three yards of a lovely light blue silk taffeta remnant for $5, and came across the same gorgeous orange shot silk taffeta that I saw there last summer. And as a birthday present, my parents agreed to pay half of it! I bought 6 yrds, which I think will be just enough for my 17th c gown. Of course, now I don't know what I'll do with the coppery-orange silk taffeta I bought online...
I also went to my favorite blingy store. No good bling this time, but I found some really beautiful trims which I'm thinking will be lovely for Regency, for super cheap. We walked around a bit more until my mom's legs were too tired, at which point she rested in that shop with all the lovely cut-velvet garments. And purchased one. :)
Sunday was devoted to my grandma's birthday, but on Monday, we had a little more time to explore. For example, I found out that my grandparents live about 10 minutes from Richard the Thread. (yay for hoopsteel with no shipping!) Likewise, Richard the Thread is directly across the street from Sony Studios (totally going there next time I'm visiting). Then we drove towards Wilshire/Miracle Mile, and went to the International Silks and Woolens. They had some lovely stuff, but the prices were super high! I bought some nice pink satiny piping for Rapunzel, though. And then we hit up Whimsic Alley, since my mom had never been before.
I flew back to Seattle Monday afternoon, and finished up the Rapunzel skirt on Tuesday. I'll post pictures soon, but now I need to start on the bodice.