hand sewing – Page 2 – Malvena Pearl's Emporium

costumes for “Ballad of Baby Doe” at Berkeley Opera

I completed the costumes for the character of Augusta Tabor, in “The Ballad of Baby Doe”, played by Lisa Houston.

Thank you again, Ms. M. I couldn’t have done this without your moral support and your loan of various garments to alter!

The show is set in the 1880s and 1890s and based on a true story. You can see it at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Avenue, Berkeley

Saturday, July 11, 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 15, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 17, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 19, 2:00 p.m.

The names of Baby Doe, Horace Tabor, and Augusta Tabor have become mythical, but they are actual figures in Colorado history. An exquisite period piece of Americana, The Ballad of Baby Doe is based on their story of love, honor and politics, set against the boom times in Colorado in the 1880s when silver was king. Douglas Moore‘s lush score depicts this gripping riches-to-rags epic through lyricism of irresistible beauty, soaring arias and rousing chorus scenes. A star vehicle for the late Beverly Sills, the role of Baby Doe will be sung by soprano Jillian Khuner.

CAST

Baby Doe …….. Jillian Khuner
Augusta Tabor …….. Lisa Houston
Mama McCourt …….. Marney Margules
Horace Tabor …….. Torlef Borsting
William Jennings Bryan / A Politician …….. John Bischoff
President Chester A. Arthur …….. Ross Halper

Also featuring Elizabeth Wells, Angela Hayes,
Cary Ann Rosko, Elizabeth Gentner, Cass Mann,
Kelcey Poe, Darcy Krasne, Adria Swan,
George Arana, Wayne Wong, Michael Crozier,
Alex Taite, Kenny Louis, Michael Beetham

Buy tickets to The Ballad of Baby Doe
or order by phone at 925-798-1300

Production photographs by Ching Chang

Historical information: Baby Doe lore; Baby Doe photos

chemise details

I think I am finally done sewing M’s chemise, or shift. It’s linen and she had some vintage lace for me to add to it. I put in a channel so she may gather it up at the neck. Here’s a photo of the lace I sewed along the neckline. I enjoy hand sewing.

Hat for M.’s 18th century costume

M. and H. talked me into going to the PEERS event in Alameda for Halloween. I hand sewed the silk covering on M’s hat with scraps of white silk from Betsy and some silver lacey trim from M. I think it came out well. It went well with her midnight blue outfit that she completed completely by herself. (She also made an outfit for her friend R.)

Shop the Emporium

Malvena Pearl’s Emporium: Services and Products

We sell ephemera, jewelry, costume accessories and other fine goods on our esty.com web site:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/malvenapearl

And we offer these other custom services to you:

Beadwork and Garment Repair Service:
We repair beaded jewelry, beaded trim on garments and we do mending or repairs that require fine hand-work. Small or complex jobs are right up our alley. Drop us a note.

Custom Orders:

We work with you to design and produce custom orders for bonnets, cravats, fichus, capes, jackets, vests and other garments that you need. You may be attending a dance, a ball, an historical reenactment event, a retro-themed party, a fair or a convention. We’ve created and re-styled contemporary garments into the full range of costumes from the Victorian era through outfits inspired by science fiction, comic books, Japanese anime and fantasy literature.

We also make custom beaded jewelry designed to accent that costumes you already own.

Custom Made Hat Boxes:

Beth Woolbright creates hand-decorated hatboxes to suit all of your vintage hat storage needs, made to your specification. Have you got that special someone to shop for, who really needs a beautiful container, decorated by hand, to suit her fancy? Or if you need a dapper hat box, created in a vintage, gentlemanly fashion to store your beloved’s derby, fedora or pork-pie hat, then Please do send us your requests!

And remember to visit the Malvena Pearl etsy site to see our goods today!