jayene | Costume Meme

1.What is your favorite fabric?
Wool, but I’m liking the fine whale corduroy I’m working with now too…..

2. Best pattern you have ever used?
Erm there is a whole lot of no patterns in my work. I’ve used a lot of Drea Leeds instructions and I like the simplicity doublet pattern….with heavy alterations….it’s simplicity after all.

3. If you had to choose to make a dress from either the 16th century or 18th century which would you choose and why?
Depends….On my current wish list I have a civil war gown, maybe a bustle gown, the Tudor which I’m finishing right now, the cranach gown, and the French doublet gown that is still in construction…..I’d rather finish one of those….

4. Last costume book you purchased?
One of the Kohler books…and a couple of neat ones on smocking…that are around here somewhere…….

5. Do you prefer hand sewing or machine sewing?
For ages I thought machine, but I blow sewing machines up. The most normal machine malfunctions if I come near it…I’m much more productive sewing by hand

6. What type of sewing machine do you own?
I have an old Kenmore that doesn’t work, a Neechi that kinda works, and a friend Brother on loan which hasn’t blown up, it just develops random tension issues

7. If you were given a choice to visit a museum to study costumes, what country and museum would you choose?
I honestly don’t know…I’d like to actually see the Mary of Hungary dress though

6. Favorite costume designer---before 1945?
Not up on that

7. Do you prefer working with silk or velvet?
Depends on the texture. Usually velvet because it doesn’t slide nearly as much. When I use pins they always stick me so less pinning fabrics are good.

8. Cotton or Wool?
Depends on what I can afford but I love wool!

9. If given the opportunity to be taught the craft of costuming by a costume designer from any era, who would it be?
I love the Worth gowns

10. Silk thread or Linen thread?
Glazed cotton is a beautiful thing for hand sewing. I find silk to fragile mostly. I have not tried linen

11. Given the choice would you choose to learn the art of dyeing fabric (natural or chemical) or the art of draping?
Would learning to drape involve a dress dummy that isn’t falling over or coming unstuffed? I like draping but that hampers me. Dyeing would be fun though. The last time I tried the red was kinda pinkish….

12. What is your dream dress?
The blue silk crepe and gold organza made into a princess seamed gown with cape and cord couching on the hem and a triskalion appliquéd on the cape and pearls and emerald chip beadwork. It’s going to be my wedding dress and in about 11 months I’m going to start working on it.

13. Arnold or Hunnisett?
I own nothing by either of these people. The Arnold books are what I am aiming for….

14. What costume drama would you prefer to have worked on?
On a limb Babylon 5 because they did some very innovative designs

15. Favorite Queen?
Elizabeth or Eleanor of Aquitine

16. If you could own only one costuming book, which would it be?
A good book of portraits

17. If you could only choose one embellishment for your gown, what would you choose?
cord couching.

18. Feathers or fur?
feathers

19. Green or Red?
Deep greens

20. Assuming you own more than one vintage garment. Which piece would you donate to a costume museum?
I doubt anyone would want my Mom’s polyester lime green dress

21. What is the most comfortable - corset/stays/set or bodies you have worn?
My blue Elizabethan

22. Embroidery or Tatting?
Embroidery
23. Lord of the Rings or Star Wars?
Lord of the rings, the original star wars was great, but gods did it go down hill

24. Favorite Costume Drama Actress?
I could not tell you

25. What was the last Costume you made and why?
Last mostly completed, my blue Florentine under gown. Last worked on, the Tudor

26. Last costume drama DVD you purchased?
I haven’t bought anything for just the costumes yet

27. What type of music do you listen to while sewing?
Usually I watch DVD’s. It’s a great time to listen to the director commentaries

28. What inspires you to create a ensemble?
A need to make beautiful things, and a love for history

29. Would you prefer to be a costume designer or a costume technician?
A designer, then when I put the same sleeve together inside out the fifth time in a row I can delegate. 