.jpg)
Black. Navy. Camel. Grey.
Grey. Camel. Navy. Black.
Camel. Navy. Black. Grey.
Gets a bit boring, doesn't it? It did for me! But those were acceptable business colors during my business career and I had the coordinating shoes and bags in each color as well. Then I discovered costuming! A world of color!
I had so much to learn and I knew it since my color and design skills were untested. I knew I couldn't yet sew the clothing, so I purchased my first gown on eBay which was for an upcoming Victorian Tea and Architectural Tour.
Then I found a kit to create what was to be my first costume accessory - a beaded reticule.
The finished reticule is just barely large enough for my car keys, but it will be perfect and I'm so thrilled to have learned so much!
To give myself more practice with design and color I offered to make beaded reticules for costumers I knew in an online group. Josie was first.
She sent me fabric from a gown she was making and I selected beads and silk ribbon and scaled up the kit pattern I already had and dove in with bead and embroidery design.
Gina was also making a gown and sent me some of her fabric. I found the most perfect beads for her butterscotch colored fabric. I learned how to print a transfer to iron on a cotton for the lining and included her gown inspiration on the inside of the reticule.
Loving the reticule I had created for her, Gina asked me to create one for her Mom's gown. She sent me some fabric and I chose the bead designs.
p
Kathleen had recreated a gown from a Tissot painting and I was thrilled to create a coordinating reticule with her fabric, my bead design, and another transferred inspiration on the reticule lining.
This Victorian Natural Form Era gown is made from the skirt of a champagne gown won on eBay and a bodice and train made by my friend Goldie. Didn't she do beautiful work??!! I made a beaded reticule with scrap fabric which shows up so beautifully when suspended from a chatelaine.
Locating these photos on my old computer was a walk down memory lane! I already had a miniature mare and miniature stallion, Honey and Buddy. And the year I'm on my reticule journey I found Celtic Cowboy and we were both in training to drive a miniature cart. Isn't he just the cutest?!
The fabric Kathy sent was so gorgeous I didn't need to add much embellishment except for the bead drapes. As with all the other reticules, the handle is also beaded.
Goldie made a beautiful recreation of a gown from an 1879 Peterson's Magazine fashion plate. I added a coordinating reticule and later a bonnet (but that's for the next #costumeflashback).
Beth was recreating a stunning Worth gown and sent fabric, trim, and some of the embellishments she was using on the gown. Swarovski heaven!
Malinda and I had shopped together one day and she purchased a panel of the most amazing fabric and designed the most amazing gown around that panel. I designed a reticule to compliment but not detract from her design using all the colors in the panel.
Katie had no idea what a surprise was coming her way! A group of costumers had assembled to create a new royal purple and gold ballgown ensemble and it would be presented to her during a convention. I was honored to be asked to make the beaded reticule.
The last beaded reticule I would make of this dozen was a giveaway won by Clancy in Australia. She immediately guessed which bead patterns belonged to whose reticule. She sent me fabric and her design, and I created her beaded reticule with piped edging, a beaded handle matching the piping design, and with her gown inspiration transferred to the lining.
These were my first dozen beaded reticules. Making them for friends was so much fun and I took away skills that have served me well throughout my costuming journey! It's my hope that sharing my journey will inspire you to begin your own and enjoy the fun and friends that costuming can bring! Thank you for being here!
Hugs,
Jeanette
