buttons part 2

So after a total of 9 and 1/2 hours the buttons are done. I am sure it would have gone faster if I had done them before. Since it was a first try and I decided to go for some bling I'm pretty happy with the amount of time it took



Stage 1




Stage 2



Stage 3



Close up of finished button

shoes2

are finished, well I need to add hooks and eyes, but they are otherwise done and fit!

shoes

So the prototype for a pair of flat shoes has started!









after an hour and a half of work I have one shoe done and the second almost done!




shoes based on this lovely mary jane type style from an italian portrait

buttons

So I was looking at a zoomed in copy of my inspiration portrait



and it looks like there are buttons on the sleeve! Which means I have an excuse to make some thread wrapped buttons!

Again this is a project I have always wanted to try but until now really didn't have a reason to. I used the tutorial at http://www.renaissancetailor.com/demos_buttons.htm


so after 5 hours I have 8 of the 12 buttons started. I intend to add either a pearl or jet bead to the top and add some black and gold details just to make them pop

handkercheif and fan

so I am so scared to death of cutting into the silk, I tend to do this any time I have amazing fabric to work with it takes me some time to get my nerve up. So in the meantime............. Pics of the handkerchief and silk fan





And because I know I would never hear the end of it a close up of one of the corners



Lastly the silk paining on the paddle fan

36 hours 11 minutes

and I am at a stopping point on the embroidery, now to run to the store to get the silk thread to make the camicia and do some more work on the camicia

sorry

I'm sorry to be so brief yesterday, but my husband came home after he was shipped off to Camp Lejeune in NC since shortly after Christmas.
My 4th layer is done, I tried weaving for the first time! I went ahead after a lot of reading on the web and tried cardweaving, it was a lot of fun! I made my own pattern using the ermine off of my device and was able to make them reversable!

I was inspired by this pair of garters from the museum of fine art in Boston. Italian dated 1575–1600

Since my sewing machine died during last years IRCC I have yet to replace it and have been borrowing a friends machine off and on over the last year. At the moment I am without a machine so it looks like I will be doing most of this by hand. 

I am currently 35 hours into an embroidery element in which I gave gold work a try.

I'm feeling really good about it for a first try!