Showcase: Forever Amber

No Restoration series would be complete without the seductive Amber St. Claire. "Forever Amber ", published in 1944, was considered bawdy and immoral and was banned in Boston.  The Hayes office required many changes before it could be made into the classic movie starring Linda Darnell and Cornell Wilde. In the book, her fortune teller predicted she would have over a hundred lovers and rise to great power...Maybe these dresses helped?

Lord Perry Tip of the Week

Dear Lords & Ladies:

Novice designers frequently do not realize how important proper preparation of the materials used in creating your own designer dolls will be in your finished product.  As always, any of you designers may feel free to share any of your own "tips" .

• Always lightly press sutable fabrics (no velvets, etc.) before cutting-
• Read the pattern instructions completely before cutting any materials-
• Use a rotary cutter and appropriate mat for cutting out pattern pieces-
• Lightly use Fray Check  (or other suitable products) on pattern pieces after cutting and let dry thoroughly before stitching-
• Don't neglect pressing when instructed to do so (Many a lovely design simply does not show to advantage).  Pressing also helps in stitching your costume properly-
• Pay attention to detail.  Fashion doll clothing does not allow much "wiggle room"-
• Store unfinished work appropriately to prevent wrinkling and loss of tiny work- 

Each week, Lord Perry will pass on hints, tips, and other information  that can be useful to novice designers.  I have certainly learned the value of using these tips in the 17 years I have been creating Lord Perry Limited and Lord Perry Classic fashion dolls and the patterns in which they are dressed.

Next week's tip:  Choosing your doll..

                             Geneva White,     Lordperrypattern@aol.com  Facebook, & Twitter

Showcase: Castlemaine

Although Amber St. Claire only lives between the pages of a novel sensational in its time, her life was patterned after Barbara Villiers Palmer, the real life Countess of Castlemaine, one of the most famous mistresses in history (and more than one historical romance).  Barbara held the attention for almost two decades of most of the men and women in the decadent court of King Charles II of England.  She was granted the title of Duchess of Cleveland her royal lover; a vivacious, vital, and extremely dangerous red head!

Lord Perry Patterns has designed two gowns reminiscent of this lovely fashion period.  Both gowns are typical of day wear for noble ladies during the later mid 1600s.  In "Forever Amber", Barbara wears a lavender gown in which she has an assignation with the king on his return from exile to restoration London and an emerald green gown when she jeers her enemy Clarendon when he is forced to resign.

As always, Lord Perry suggests modern materials and construction methods that mimic types used during this time period.

...Geneva White  Lordperrypattern@aol.com , Facebook, & Twitter

Lord Perry Patterns have a new release!

Dear Lord Perry Pattern Patrons;

Today I put the finishing touches on Dazzlin' Dickies (Accessories) and Castlemaine (Restoration England). I'm a bit excited about completing these because "Dickies" begins the long neglected Victoriana patterns I have in the pipeline.  "Dazzlin' Dickies" will allow a designer to create looks from this time period with simple additions of a variety of collars and neck gear. 

"Castlemaine" is named after Barbara Villiers Palmer, probably the most notorious of King Charles II many mistresses.  "Castlemaine" is the second in the Restoration series based mostly on the book "Forever Amber", soon to be followed by "Frances Stewart" of this same time period.

Other patterns in various stages of development currently are: "Jane, the Producer" (Renaissance),
"Soignee Shades", (Accessories), "Hapshepsut" (Egyptian), and "Perfectly Plain" (Americana).

As ever,  I can be reached at Lordperrypattern@aol.com for more information, ..Geneva White

General info on Lord Perry Patterns

Happy Easter, everyone-
Due to the holiday, I will not be doing any work on patterns. (although, if I watch a movie this evening, I may be hand sewing something).Some of you are new to Lord Perry Patterns, so I will restate information that I have distributed to my existing customers:
-Lord Perry Patterns are meant to fit closely.  They are meant for collectors of OOAKs who want to design their own collections or for artists who are in the business of selling their designs.  Seam allowances are always a "scant" 1/4 inch (somewhere between 1/8th and 1/4 inch).  Sleeves and bodices are usually snug and not particularly suitable for small children.
-Certain pattern pieces (usually sleeves) may be slightly lopsided on one side; this is deliberate as fashion doll arms are not flexible and they will hang better if you ease the sides together. (the newer ball jointed arms will change that logic and newer patterns will reflect alterations.
-All patterns are designed with at least two views, but most designers are able to create many, many different views by simply altering trim and/or accessory options.  I have actually seen my design used at a doll show where the same pattern was used to create over 10 different dolls.  Each of them looked so different that only an experienced sewer realized the same pattern was used!

Geneva White   Lordperrypattern@aol.com  Lordperrypattern.blogspot.com

Lord Perry Tip of the Week...

Dear Ladies & Lords;

Many of you are experienced designers who already are familiar with the pitfalls and headache of finding exactly the right material in the right colors, etc. for creating your dream dolls costume. One of the purposes of the Lord Perry Letters is to share tips and ideas that will help some of our first time designers avoid the pitfalls that many of us have experienced in our first endeavors. Lord Perry welcomes comments, suggestions, or tips from any designer who wants to share-

Choosing materials with the correct (or as near as possible) proportions is critical for a balanced design.  Materials with patterns that are too large or trims that are too wide is a common mistake for the first time designer.  Many times the choice of laces, etc. come from "leftovers", especially if you have enough of it on hand.  Save it for a time when its size is appropriate!  Many times dolls will sell more quickly and for higher prices from designers who have this mastered than from designers who are better construction experts but use the wrong fabrics and trims. I have been told this personally from many customers at many doll shows, and have sold Lord Perry Limiteds for several hundred dollars, mostly because of my materials selections and designs based many times on fabric choices.
(My upcoming Hatshepsut is a current example of this principle)

Until next time.....Geneva White   Lordperrypattern@aol.com  Geneva White on Facebook

The world of Lord Perry

As you are aware, Lord Perry specializes in historical, ethnic, and fantasy patterns for 11 1/2 inch fashion dolls, and more recently, we have began developing these patterns for 16 inch fashion dolls.  Patterns usually contain two views, are easy to follow, have illustrations, and do not need any hard to obtain materials, expensive machinery, or any advanced knowledge of sewing techniques. Many of our patterns can be used for both the older 11 1/2 inch body types as well as the modern shapes.

All fashion periods are carefully researched and our patterns reflect one or more details that easily identify that period.  We do use the same techniques as designers of period movie costumes by updating fashions in ways that compliment our current fashion tastes.  Whenever possible, we use construction techniques that mimic period design, however, modern materials are suggested for your convenience. Ease of construction is always carefully considered in pattern creation.

As always, you may contact me at Lordperrypattern@aol.com and view our fashion doll patterns in my Facebook profile. (Geneva White).  Telephone 408-281-0903 or FAX 408-281-0699

All catalogs loaded to Facebook

All the catalogs have been loaded to albums on Facebook (BTW, I notice that only six albums display when you go to my profile; just click on the "see all photos" button to bring up all ten of the albums) I have to do some editing of the photos, etc., and a few pictures are missing, but I will get that all corrected within the next few days. Of course, you need to create a facebook account and become a friend of Geneva White to view the albums. 

Always remember that you can contact me by e-mail @ Lordperrypattern@aol.com, or by snail mail at 6041 Sanford Drive, San Jose, CA 95123-4539, or by phone @ 408-281-0903 for additional information, paper catalogs, order forms for patterns, etc.

....Geneva

Special Occasion & Accessories Albums now loaded on Facebook

Dear Lords & Ladies,

Firstly, thanks, Melinda for your kind words.  I really appreciate feedback on the patterns.  It is rewarding to know the patterns met your needs so well.

Today I completed loading the Special Occasions catalog (except I am missing a picture for Christmas of the "Magic Moments" Holiday series). 

For those of you who may not be familiar with our patterns, Lord Perry occasionally releases a holiday series containing a costume for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.  To date, we have four series: "Country Classics(1995)", "Festive Femmes(1996)", "Magic Moments(1998)", and "Queens of the Night(2008)".  We have also released four Bridal gown series that contain a wedding gown, bridesmaid, and in one case, flower girl.  These collections are  "Romance (1996)", "Caress (1997)". "Elegance(2007)", and "Charm (2008)".

Lord Perry Letter-Medieval & Fantasy Collections posted

Dear Lord Perry Ladies & Lords;

Loading the albums with pictures of my patterns is time consuming ( I have to edit many of my pictures for Facebook that didn't require this in my paper catalog) but I now have loaded the Medieval & Fantasy Collection today-now I have two of ten catalogs loaded (with some minor editing still to be done!). I seem to be having trouble letting some of you access this blog for comments;  I am not able to find any answer except that my settings are blocking you.  I have checked all the boxes that say to allow comments, but I still don't get a comments button on my blog.  Does anyone know how to do this?  If so, please e-mail me at Lordperrypattern@aol.com.  I would surely appreciate it.  

....Geneva

Renaissance, Restoration, & Revolution catalog is now loaded

For all you Lord Perry Lords and Ladies-The Renaissance, Restoration, & Revolution catalog is now completely loaded on Facebook (Geneva White )in the album with its title. (shortened to R,R, & R).  This catalog contains  historical dress from the Renaissance periods of Italy, Spain, and England as well as the fashions of Restoration England.  It also contains the revolutionary styles of France and the English colonies of the New World.

Lord Perry has 10 catalogs displaying all its patterns.  We will share them with you as they are loaded into the appropriate albums.

-Geneva                Lordperrypattern@aol.com

Lord Perry Letter of the day:

For your information- A survey of our customer base provided the following data:

36% wanted more contemporary fashions (modern couture, brides, and youth fashion)
27% wanted larger catalog pictures showing more detail
55% wanted more Victorian and "Titanic" fashion (Belle Epoch)
55% wanted more patterns for 16 inch dolls
63% just wanted more patterns for the 11 1/2 inch dolls such as Barbie

I would appreciate your comments and suggestions as this is the direction Lord Perry is taking.  Please give me your feedback

(Lord Perry developed 7 new patterns since then, and 3 more will be released very soon-one of them,"Versailles-Grande Belle"  is for the 16 inch fashion doll)

Lord Perry Listens

-Geneva White     lordperrypattern@aol.com

Be sure to explore our pictures on Facebook-I'm still loading the albums, but we are addressing the issue of better pictures.

New Pattern Releases

New patterns released since the beginning of the year are-"Atlanta Belle",(Civil War) "Katherine, the Princess" (Renaissance), and "Anne, the Ambitious" (Renaissance).  I should be releasing "Dazzling Dickies" (Accessories) by the end of the month.

 I also have "Castlemaine" (Restoration), "Hatshepsut "(Egyptian), "Enery VIIIth", (Renaissance),"Soignee Shades", (Accessories) and "Perfectly Plain" (Victorian) in various stages of development.

-Geneva    lordperrypattern@aol.com

Lord Perry Letters/Lord Perry Listens

Dear Lords and Ladies;

The structure of the Lordperrypattern blog will simulate the formatting of the paper driven Lord Perry Letters and Lord Perry Listens issued in the past.New product information, tips on creating your own designs and using Lord Perry Patterns will be titled Lord Perry Letters; responses to questions or suggestions will be titled Lord Perry Listens. 

Catalog pictures can be found on Facebook or they can be obtained in paper format by contacting LordPerryPattern@aol.com for more information.