The Civil War Era

By | July 12th, 2014|Categories: Uncategorized|

The Civil War (1861 – 1865) had a large, and very personal effect on everyone then living in the United States, but most especially in the South. Most of us recall images from the very famous movie “Gone with the Wind”. Who hasn’t seen and envied Scarlett’s ivy-print day dress, or the fabulous red gown [...]

Slatington Ball

By | June 26th, 2014|Categories: Ball Gowns, Civil War, Uncategorized, Victorian Era Celebrations|

This year Recollections will be one of the proud sponsors of the Slatington Ball, an event which happens only once every 25 years. The ball will take place on Friday, August 15th, at the Diamond Fire Company Social Hall. This year will be special because the ball will be the culmination of the 150th anniversary [...]

Costume College

By | April 22nd, 2014|Categories: Steampunk, Uncategorized|

What do Dust Ruffles and Dress Shields, Beginning Thermoplastics techniques, Death’s Head Buttons, and Making a Pair of Mechanical Wings have in common? Each is one of the over 150 classes that will be offered at this year’s Costume College, presented by the Costumers Guild West, this July in Woodland Hills, California. As an avid [...]

Downton Abbey

By | February 18th, 2014|Categories: Uncategorized|

Highclere Castle Highclere Castle is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and also features as Downton Abbey, the hugely successful drama series with over 11 million viewers in the UK and now shown in over 100 countries around the world. From the pen of Oscar-winning ('Gosford Park') screenwriter, Julian Fellowes, now Lord [...]

The Old West

By | December 17th, 2013|Categories: Uncategorized|

The American West has left an indelible mark on fashion trends on both sides of the Atlantic. Few periods are more distinct than the styles that emerged as civilization came across America and newly-established towns created an environment where ladies could once again aspire to dress as they had when they still lived in the [...]

The Victorian Era

By | December 17th, 2013|Categories: Uncategorized|

The Victorian Era is named for Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901. As you might imagine, fashions changed dramatically over this 60-year span, but the changes didn’t happen as quickly as you might think. During the early years of the Victorian age, travel and communication were much slower than today, so a particular [...]

Victorian Christmas Cones

By | December 7th, 2013|Categories: Uncategorized|

We hope you will enjoy making this beloved decoration. Depending on the paper you use, and the embellishments you choose, your cones can be very simple, very elegant, or anything in between. The materials are easy to obtain, and the technique for making them can be mastered by even the very young.   Materials: Paper [...]

The Ouija board (a very Victorian pastime)

By | September 17th, 2013|Categories: Uncategorized|

  Those Victorians, who from today’s point of view seemed to have a decidedly morbid bent, were fascinated by the idea of being able to communicate with departed loved ones. Though it was first brought to the market in 1890, the parlour game known as the Ouija board had been around for many years before [...]

The Edwardian Era

By | August 25th, 2013|Categories: Downton Abbey, Edwardian Era, Edwardian Fashion, Fashion, Recollections|Tags: , , , , , , , |

The Edwardian Era is named for Queen Victoria’s son Edward, who ascended to the throne upon her death in 1901. This was to become an age of unparalleled luxury as the bustles, stiff silks and wools of the 1890’s gave way to the new decorative Art Noveau style. The French termed this period la Belle [...]