Filthy Victorians 2012 - Moving Start Date

Hey you lot. So, unfortunately, I'm going to have to change the start date. Due to moving, clothing and health troubles and the fact I had three corsets mailed this year but one isn't suitable for everyday, one is shit and one never arrived, I'm going to have to change the start date of next year from January 1st to Feburary, probably between the 15th and 29th.

Really sorry about this, but I'm going to be making a F+F order for some skirts and dresses just after Christmas, as well as getting some new corsets.

You are all welcome to start at the original date, but I'm afraid that due to circumstances I cannot.

Hoping for earlier than that, but that's a worst-case scenario.

Thanks for understanding, guys. And if you don't, fuck you, you do now.

<3

Hello Interblags, This Is Your Cat

Hey you lot. Things have been hectic the past week or so! On Sunday, Growlithe and I went to Sydney, where we spent the afternoon in Luna Park, and then on Monday, we caught the train back to Melbourne! My Illamasqua and Morgana Minerals mix powder foundation lasted my two-hour nap on Growlithe's lap using Shaun as a pillow.

The train ride was great! Really quiet, beautiful countryside and all!

However, Tuesday sort of really sucked. Because I hadn't eaten for days, pretty much, I managed to get extremely ill that day. That day was also the day we had to go to Ikea to buy a bed. So Growlithe went upstairs to make a purchase, and I laid on the couch in the foyer (they have those for your convenience. I love ikea!). After about fifty minutes, I lumbered to the bathroom to violently throw up. But my makeup was still in place - I tweeted this about an hour later, touting it to be a christmas miracle. I felt a lot better, and went to find Growlithe.


And there, between the bedsheets and the flat-packed bathrooms were....some goths! I wish I had gotten a picture, these girls were gorgeous! I turned quite red when one of them complimented me. I also found a small fluffy white rat toy, which I brought home.

We came home, where we slept in the lounge, since our bed wasn't delivered til the next day. One of our housemates, Mini, was really worried about me, because I wasn't hungry! What a sweetheart.

We put our bed together yesterday, and I outfitted it in some awesome candystripe sheets, which I did think to photo before we laid down and trashed it by being wiggly. Unfortunately I can't upload it right now. </3 Soons, my pets, with all my photos of the baby kittens~! (Speaking of which, my babies need homes. Anyone want to share their homes with my awesome cats?)

Today we lazed around and did household chores. Not much happened - mostly Minecraft and we watched some more of hour Hatventures: Skylands urtoob series we're into. Growlithe went out and bought a kettle, too, and a powerboard so we can play our wii - or as we call it, our Woo. Along with a "goff woo remote with a nunchuck, because you're so goff".

Anyway, I have had a very persistant headache the last few days. Hopefully it will clear up pretty soon and I'll feel a bit better, and the fresh vegetables I have been eating have helped a lot. 

I am desperately trying to get ready for the Filthy Victorians, without much luck - with the sewing machine so far away, my eyesight getting worse and funds running low, I am fearing I might have to push back the start date a month.

Would you guys hate me if I had to? Life is getting really hectic and I haven't had the opportunity to blog much at all, which I hate, and I need to go out and do a good load of skirt-shopping!

Missing you all desperately, hoping to get some good, interesting blogging done soon!


On a final note, blog lurker and commenter Miss Gothy Girl and I met up a few weeks ago for shopping at Gallery Serpentine. We should never be put together again - we are TERRIBLE for each other! She has started a blog at my insistance - called Clockwork Bats ! Go and follow her, and hopefully she can get this seamstress business underway! I have to say, Nikki is awesome and so much fun! Hoping to stage a get-together when she is down after Christmas.


Much love, and missing you all!


<3

Filthy Vixtorians 2012 - Live Journal Up! (and a slight bitch)

We now have an LJ! A grand total of fuck all is posted there, so it's up to you guys to post your shit!

Filthy Victorians 2012 LJ

It is open to every and all, no account needed (although anon posts will be regulated just to filter trollin' and spam). Needing some admins and such, so jump on over.

For now, though, I'm going to go to sleep. It hasn't been a good day, really, and I got threatened by my friend's brother. It was hilarious. He pulled the whole "freak, hallowe'en is over" insult (and threatened to "bash my face in", which is - and this is the great part, you'll love this - illegal). My heart is fucking broken, man.

The funny thing is, he had the nerve to call me a freak, when his facebook photo is of him wearing a ladies' blouse and cutoff skinny jeans. He also has a feminine haircut. When you start calling a goth a freak, you should probably look in the mirror first, dear.

Now, I'm not saying it's wrong to dress like that. I'm saying it's off from the cultural norm. You know...like the goth subculture. Nice one, bucko. Nice one.

Filthy Victorians 2012 - Guidelines? (+tricks and one hell of a tummy)

CONTAINS HELPFULNESS

Okay, so they're not rules. Or guidelines, really. But they're the best I could come up with. They're basically SHIT YOU CAN DO.

-You may have on your Victorian Person 3 modern/Time Traveller items (I would suggest mewsics, phone and your sonic screwdriver) 

-Once a week is your Timetraveller Day. Constant 1800s is tiring. To help me carry this through, I am instating that once a week, you are Anything Goes Goth. Steampunk, cybergoth, industrial goth or Jeans And Tee goth - everyone needs a break! I bet most of these will be me in my 40s gear....damn you time travel!

-If for any reason you can't dress Victorian, you can use an Emergency Pass. (I will literally print and laminate a card saying "To Whom It May Concern; Please Excuse Ms. Lovett's Improper Dress. Her Chameleon Circuits Aren't Working Today.")

-Every two weeks, have a burlesque day. A break from long skirts and bustle pads will do you good (but going a day without a corset when you're used to it every day SUCKS A MILLION DICKS. Try to avoid that!), and some good ol' teased hair will give you a well-earned boost. Extra goth points for doing historically accurate Victorian burlesque gear. ;3

-If you can't acquire a suitable handbag, any old one you have would be fine (but check second-hand shops for old leather satchels!)

TRICKSIE KITTENSES (i'm on a nerd kick today. 8c)

Here are a few tricks I can give you.

-Any old work or school blouse can be edited all victorian - add a few layers of lace around the neck and sleeves for a jabot and prettiness. A small-waisted skirt worn over the blouse will reduce the need to take it in.

-For a 1870s/80s bustle skirt, you can get any old skirt from any old shop, get a few yards of matching material, and cut the skirt down the back panel. Re-hem the cut edges, and make bustle ruffles with the material. Stitch it onto the back of the skirt. I would suggest this tutorial for making the bustle back! For a bustle pad, a small lounge pillow pinned to some muslin wrapped around you can do just fine!

-For trains, the only thing I can recommend is shops like Vinnies and other charity shops - they sell old Princess Di style wedding dresses that you can use the train and petticoat of. Hell, you could probably find one to dye black and use. Veils are ESPECIALLY YES. Actually, let's just make this "rape and pilliage charity shops".

-For an 1860s look, you can get two long skirts from Target or K-Mart, and cut them both down a side seam. Cut off their waistbands and make one for your corset waist. Ruffle the skirt tops and sew them to the waist band. Then hem and sew the cut seams together - and hey presto, lazy full skirt! You can also edit these into pulled-back draped bustles typical of the 1870s.

-REMEMBER: Jackets match your skirts. Plain colours like black and white and navy blue are good for this. For some good inspirations, check Historical Clothing's extensive articles. :D they also have a LOT of helpful sewing tips, and if you like them on Facebook you will get a lot more!

What is your inspiration today? I have been watching a LOT of Doctor Who (from the episode before the Pandorica duo until A Good Man Goes To War), and so I am heavily channelling Idris at the moment!

And for added daw, here's my friend's cat's fat tummy.

A TUM TUM TUM

Let me know what you think!

Filthy Victorians 2012: My Corset Mania (help pliz D: )

Blargh! Sorry for my absence, I have been busy being very stressed out for no reason. Anyway, Mr. Growlithe and I went on a brave endeavour last night for new corsets - I need them. I need them bad, and thus, my corset mania began anew....and guess what? YOU LOT GET TO HELP PICK.

We found HEAPS of cool sites, including Isabella Corsetry, Corset Connection, and a professional tightlacer's manufacturer. I also bought a PDF guide on how to make my own corsets, including a whole bunch of patterns. $29 from here, and I think it was a good purchase!

But now it's come time to choose....and it's so hard! I LOVE Isabella Corsetry, Corset Connection has a line of corsets especially for cheapasses like me, and the tightlacing manufacturer has...well...they have these.

That, my lovelies, is the Edwardian S-bend corset, also known as the health corset, the straightfronted corset, or the Sylphide corset.



She was an exotic dancer.
'nuff said.



They offer beautiful shape (not including that one last picture of course), amazing waist reduction and are more comfortable than a traditional corset. :D

My only problem with the beautiful s-bend corset is....well...the price. It's over $370 (and that's just me estimating). But, says the rest of me that really loves that kind of corset, my Gallery Serpentine corset was $325. Or maybe I could put that to rest for now and get TWO corsets instead!

Although.....Edwardian corset. D: (they began showing up in Paris in 1900 - just scraping into the Victorian era! Hooray France! Hooray loopholes!)

Then, from Corset Connection, we have these:

Carnival Corset, $189

And the Saloon, $199

Both are gorgeous!

However, now onto Isabella Corsetry, which is...well. They're stunning.

The Edwardian overbust, $200 off-the-rack, $300 made-to-order and $450 custom - that's right, you can buy an off-the-rack corset, one made when you order it to a preset size out of about a million different fabrics with minor adjustments (they can let any part in or out) or completely custom.



The Josephine Underbust, $157 off-the-rack, $250 made-to-order and $360 custom - I don't *do* underbusts, but...wow.

Actually, ALL of Isabella's underbusts are stunning! They go from cute and quirky, to spidery, to downright ooky-spooky goodness!

Now it's your turn! Comment and help me pick me some corsets! Godspeed, too, else i find some shoes I just HAVE to have, or a rather adorable hat. ;3

Much looove!

Filthy Victorians 2012 - Sunday Best and Churchgoing

So here we have it, my first day wearing a bustle and corset. It wasn't unpleasant. In fact, i quite enjoyed it, and thanks to the joys of linen clothing, I did not so much as sweat in the gorgeous spring sun.

 

I'm also using this for the facebook competition because, to be honest, i finally felt interesting!

cats attacked my skirt and made it uneven.
Luckily, they are cute and it's easy to
fix.

Damn yellow light.

 So, here's what I'm wearing.

-Hat from Corsets-au (they are the BEST for tiny hats)
-Lovechild Boudoir skirt, strung up.
-Home-made muslin shirt
-My sister's black crow jacket
-60" strand of pearls from I-Love-Pearls
-Funtasma granny boots
-Gallery Serpentine custom corset.

I literally did the best I could
photographing this.
Apparently, I live in a house
without pens.

What I did today was head into Huskisson (the next town over) while my sister got her tattoo touched up. I sat in our favourite cafe and read for three hours, and then I went outside and sat at the wharf to read. Quite a lovely day!

The Victorian era idea of Sunday was rather like the idea of Sunday in previous centuries - church. Hence came the idea of your "sunday best" - the best clothes you had, you wore to church. Women who were not in mourning wore creams and pastel colours as well as headcoverings, and men wore their best day suits. The idea was that you were supposed to be showing reverence by looking your best at church, but really, I think it was just another way for bored housewives to show off to each other. Sunday Best was - and often is - a contest.

If you attend church, or plan to for 2012 (in the interest of historical accuracy, as I am considering finding a good, suitably grand cathedral) then having your Sunday Best is essential - from your best bustle to your bonnet, I am sure you will look fabulous! However, if you are a Woman of Science (and not fanciful things such as religion), or perhaps you're just Granny Weatherwax, you should have suitable attire for sunday in any case.

Accidental buttpic! I liked it though. XD

A good church-going bonnet, for any practising religious folk amongst you, can be purchased from a good internet site, like Covered for Him or the Mennonite Maidens. Such businesses are usually only too happy to make custom things, so if you can give them an example of what you want, they can make them. Headscarves are also appropriate, and can be made easily. I often MacGuyver my shawl into a headscarf for when it's raining heavily or if I'm just not having a good hair day. It's easily done with bobby pins and clips.

Your best corsetry is to be worn on sundays - your smallest waist - but being conservative with your bustles on a sunday is a good idea. Make sure your clothing is not mostly stark-white, but off-white and pastel colours. A straw bonnet (which you can make from a straw hat) decorated with pink ribbons and pretend flowers is also appropriate for church-going.

Today's waistline. Any comments?

In summary, churchgoing in the 19th century was much as it is today: a pointless and rather ongoing affair that relies on pomp and circumstance.

...should I introduce the Catholic Church of Melbourne to Hurricane Kitty, do you think?

;3

Party on, Goths. :D

PS: Here's a picture of my hair after I took it out. And no, I'm not naked. That's what shaun thought and I figured I would just end that right there.

Sea air+bun. Also, why do I always look like I have
grease paint on?! Stupid room!

Filthy Victorians 2012 - DIY Bustle Overskirt

So, me, being so damn bright, forgot to photo the procedure. SO HERE'S THE FINISHED RESULT.

Ignore the garbage bag.

 So, here's what you need:


-An ankle-length or longer skirt, preferably one with a frilly edge.
-needle and plenty of thread
-scissors

Optional: turn a pillow into a bustle for added butt.


Get your skirt and threaded needle. Tie a series of knots in the end of your thread. Flatten your skirt out and mark it so it you can see the back half clearly.


Thread the needle into the back of the skirt, into the inside and pull it up to the top, a few inches below the top. Pull it through until the material is ruffled to your satisfaction, cut and tie several knots.


Move along a few inches in repeat, only going an inch higher, cut, tie off. Then do two more right up at the waistband, one on the same level as the second thread, and another on the same level as the first. If you want more ruffles or are using weak threads, add more, but keep it as even as you can.


The best thing about this is that it can be done and undone in five minutes, to change up any skirt. Making a skirt to go under it is just as easy too, and most of your long skirts will be good underskirts.


Have fun with this and post pics! <3

Filthy Victorians 2012 - Home, Hair and Beauty

Whilst doodling around the internet after a maker of tea gowns and household dress, i found this guide about Victorian-era living. Oh, and the book is totally available on ebay for cheap.

Buying it? Yes. yes I am.

Also I found this helpful article on hairstyles. <3 They have heaps more but I am yet to read them. Remember - having your hair hanging down is most unseemly for a young lady and is very very sexual. Or something. I'm not too sure where that idea came from. XD

:D 

More resources found after original post that I can't be bothered to type sentences about:

Haiirrrr

More hair, specifically a bun.


Here's a great eveningwear article.


Makeup makeup makeup. Amazing article and wobsite, thanks Stefanie for posting it to me! <3


If you find anything useful, please facebook/tweet/email/comment it to me and i will post it up for everyone.



Much love!

Filthy Victorians 2012 Mini-Post - FORUMS

kdfgjskld;jgslhj

I've been trying to get onto Forumotion to get a forum up. But it 's all "no. fuck you. I refuse to load". Proboards it is then. >>

Updating when it's up and running!

Any volunteers for admins? <3

much love!

Filthy Victorians 2012 - Invading Social Networks!

Second cup of coffee for the day; it was a bad choice! Oh well! :D Heather's house coffee is the most satisfying coffee (far better than the disappointment that is Shaun's house coffee).


So here we are. August 24th.Waaay closer to 2012 than I can really realise. So, i figure, i should get my shit together.

First port of call, spreading the word about the place. FIRST IS TWITTER. EXCEPT IT'S MORE LIKE MEOWER BECAUSE I AM A CAT.

If you have twitter, you can find me at 19thCKitty. If you're going to be a 24/7 Victorian goth and you do not have a twitter (or feel like a namechange), sign up as 19thC[name]. Are you one of our darling helpers, the Little Alices? Go for Alice[name]. Twitter is a great way to share outfits on the go, as well as lamenting about the woes of Victorian womanhood and vehemently discussing fashion and the corset controversy.


Facebook is next. Then I'll start fucking around with forums and the like.


Want to help? WE NEED GRAPHICS.


Draw, photograph and photoshop for us and you will receive our everlasting love.


We also need the technology-inclined to do coding and the like.


Of course, seamstresses and tips would be helpful. Let me know any of your publicity ideas, including forum stuff and ESPECIALLY stuff for what we should have on the forums as far as subforums and catagories. :D


Much love! Party on, goths!

That'll Teach Me to Go On Holidays - Brief Update

Just a brief post before I head to bed. (so fucking tired man)

A hundred and two followers total and over a hundred emails since I left on thursday. Wow. I can feel very loved now I suppose! I'm so happy to hear such an outpouring of OMG YES, and I can say it will definitely go ahead with such support! I'm getting around to responding to everyone but right now I am very alkdsfjlksdgha. I am pleased to report I have been training the growlithe in proper Victorian gentlemanly behaviour in preparation! Now I just have to teach him how to walk beside me, hold my arm properly, and pull my chair out for me (because of my hip I can't really pull my own chair in x3). Ladies, train your gentlemen!

Thankyou everyone who wished me fun on my holiday! It was very lovely in Maroochydore, aside from Shaun's mother's constant yelling. She told us we were no help and yelled at us when we tried to help.Most importantly, I was right. :| Regardless, I bought an AMAZING curling iron (from an Italian man), the brand of which I will post later. I also got a 60" pearl necklace and earrings to match. everybody thank the growlithe for his enabling of my Victorian obsession! (really, do, he's amazing)

As for organising a community for our Filthy Victorians, I don't quite know what we're going to do yet. If you have any ideas, please feel free to tell me or Amy, and it'll be sorted out and set up by October, to give us plenty of time! I think forums are the way to go, since we can then have more than just the fashion! Blog will of course remain open for business.


Lastly - hello new followers! Thankyou for your support, and I hope to get to know all of you individually and personally over the next year and a bit. Believe it or not, I really am interested in your day-to-day lives and would love to read your stories and follow your blogs. Comment them to me!

A more in-depth update when the time comes.


Party on, my ever-growing beloved goths!


PS: I'm using the desktop at mum's, and the firefox spellcheck is rejecting a) it's own name ("firefox"=not a word. irony.) and b) British, that is to say, proper spelling. Well guess what, Firefox? NEIGHBOUR COLOUR BEHAVIOUR HONOUR LABOUR PAEDOPHILE THANKYOU LEGALISED PRIORITISED ORGANISED

Filthy Victorians 2012 - Resources and Organisation

Firstly, everyone who has voted that they'll join in, comment so I know who you are and can keep track. Secondly, post this around and link to the original post, to spread it around to as many people as you think could be interested.

Apparently we're the Filthy Victorians now, as coined by Amy. I really like this name. So it's sticking and screw you if you don't like it. I did some research yesterday to gather some things for us. firstly, the resources, and secondly some things we need to decide on.

Resources

Patterns:

Laughing Moon - all kinds of stuff, including bustles!

Discount Sewing Warehouse

Unlinking: etsy is an excellent place to get 1800s fashion patterns.

Buying:

Discount Corsets ( UK, USA, Australia ) - corsets are expensive, but these are cheap, sturdy and effective. The outer fabric tends to rip a bit, but as we'll be wearing them under our clothes it doesn't really matter too much, we can just patch them up. The AU site has three for two sales.

Gallery Serpentine - expensive as hell, yes, but by far the best corsets. Can even pick up the occasional bits and pieces there that are period-correct (their widow skirts are very good for the 1880s-90s)

Lovechild Boudoir - Not the cheapest, or the most period correct in their original clothing, but their bustles are pretty good and as are their fishtail skirts (popular 1870-80). Their corsets are also worth a try and their caplettes are to DIE for.

Gentleman's Emporium - Victorian and Edwardian clothes, good quality and fair price for both men and women. Bonnets and swimwear are an important addition, I suggest buying from them.

Tutorials

So far, I've found this one, for a victorian skirt. Making it as soon as i can, and it's really simple!

Inspirations

Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd - set around 1885-ish, it is a good example of costume (except for Mrs. Lovett wearing her corset on the outside. what? everything else is spot on)

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland - this film version also has good costumes (particularly alice's original dress - an excuse not to wear a corset), and the book was published in 1865 (the sequel in 1871), so it gives you a good idea of the culture and mannerisms of the time.

Tim Burton's....tim burton - Good examples can be found in most Burton movies of appropriate Victorian dress. :D

Terry Pratchett's Going Postal - this film is a BRILLIANT example of Victorian-era attire. Hogfather is more late-Victorian or early Edwardian, but still a good place to go. The novels also have a very Victorian feel. (Going Postal can be downloaded here, only 600MB and worth the watch)

Doctor Who - Whovians like myself have no doubt noticed that every planet outside of Earth is Neo-victorian. Seriously. Victorian, Neo-victorian or Steampunk. Go watch. We'll wait.

If you find more resources and tutorials, please email me the link at lilithxrequiem@aim.com and I will add them to a special link page (which I will probably make tomorrow).

To break up the word-monotony, here is a picture of Franky.
He's a crankyfrank.

 

What we need to decide on

-The perimeters. We have to decide if we are doing strictly the years Victoria was the Queen of the British Empire and Empress of India, Defender of the Faith and Head of the Church of England (sorry but that's a kickass title, and that was June 1837 until her death in January 1901), or if we will extend it a little further into the Edwardian era (say til 1905ish) to give us more leeway and also because there were so many blurred lines and it would mean the less learned and younger members would find it easier.

-How we'll organise the community. We have many options - a forum, a Facebook group (they have discussion boards) or an open blog community (maybe on livejournal).

-How many hours a week. Not everyone can do it 24/7 - I will - but we need to set a certain amount of hours per week need to be spent Victorian in order to qualify to be a full Filthy Victorian. Remember, if you can't dress up, you can still be a part, and share things with the community (perhaps we shall call you our Little Alices? please comment on this).

-if we are to have events. Certain days in the year to be spent in period-costume-period-costume. Hallowe'en will be fun this year, kiddies. ;3 Of course, I will try to organise any get-togethers from my end, but we'll see what comes to pass and how many people we amass.

What I want, first and foremost (other than to succeed!) is to create a community within the community, with a share of information, clothing and advice. i know I will gladly make corset covers and chemises for anyone willing to make petticoats.

Also, I wish to thank my good friend Bernadette, who, when this all came about the other day, offered to make me a Victorian-era riding outfit! eee! Thanks, Bernie! Also to my very own Granny Weatherwax, Magdalena, who shall do her darnedest to make me some about-the-house period correct dresses.

So thanks to the both of them for being so darling, and I will ask them for their best resources too!

Party on, goths, and let me know what you think