Monday, April 2, 2012

Belts and Buttons

Welcome!  If you're stopping by from the A-Z, a special welcome to you!
Today's post is the letter B, which made me think of Belts and Buttons in costuming.

Many eras and genres of costume make bold use of belts.  Sometimes they are utilized as a means to secure weaponry and supplies.  Legolas's held his daggers (presumably to make his hands more free to use his famed bow. ;)).
(yes, please, and thank you!)
(c) Newline Cinema
Lucy Pevensie's held both her dagger and her healing cordial.  And let's not forget these three lovely ... er... people, who use their belt(s) to become rather armed to the teeth in order to fight their way out of the messes Captain Jack manages to get them all into. :)

(c) Disney Pictures
I found 3 such belts that I plan on using for battle/preparedness gear on some upcoming costumes.  (Think Laura Croft/Witchblade/Steampunk/Kick@** female fantasy epic type character, etc, etc.)  I got a great deal on them- only a few dollars each at the local thrift store. :)

Conversely, belts can be used strictly for decorative means.  Just wander down to the textiles/fashion room of ANY major art museum.  They can be fabric (scarf-like), beaded, or embroidered.

Check out this embroidered belt (circa 1912 costume design) in "The Music Man":
I cannot flipping wait to make my own
reproduction of her costume!!!
I found one (same thrift store as above) to go with a 19teens era dress in the near future.

Here's a closeup of the embroidery:

B is also for buttons.  While myself keeping things viewed through the lens of a British influence/era, I do currently reside in the Southeastern US.  And nothing says "Southern Sewing Gentility" like a mason jar full of Grandmother's (and in this case, Great-Grandmother's!) buttons in the sewing room:


Last but not least, don't forget about these buttons for the Hobbit Dress! (Which, regrettably, has been put on hold until the Regency pieces get done!)

7 comments:

  1. I am in awe that you make dresses/clothing and even more so that it is not a simple shift dress. It is something that I have always wanted to learn. Great finds in the thrift store too!

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  2. Wow, great post! Thank you for your comment yesterday :)

    I love the buttons in the final picture. And I can't wait to see a picture if you do make a reproduction of that costume! I made a new years resolution back in 2011 to learn so sew, which unfortunately did not end up happening but I'm determined to learn at some point! I have/had a needle phobia ever since I was younger, which oddly included sewing needles, but I've overcome it now :)

    Great post! I look forward to the next one!

    Nikki – inspire nordic

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  3. Some great images, and a really innovative post. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Nikki- That reproduction piece probably won't be completed until next year, as I have waaayy more than is reasonable on my plate now! LOL I also used to have a needle phobia, but it didn't extend to sewing ones. Just the epidermal kind. (Two pregnancies took care of that in a hurry. I felt like they took blood every single week! :P) I hope you do get to learn to sew! It's wonderful! :)

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  5. Very cool! I like that embroidered belt you found. The one from the Music Man. Nice thrift store finds, too!

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  6. Hey, Shannon! Thanks for popping by (AND co-hosting the challenge!) I've followed you for a year over at The Modest Peacock. :) Good to see you again!

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  7. That embroidered belt is so pretty :-)

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