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On another chat list, we've been discussing workshops and the cost to attend. Mine are expensive $995. for 5 days plus air, hotel, and all meals, except lunch. A suggestion was made to make dvds. I've avoided this medium because you don't have the support staff that comes with a publishing...

Candy, It is needle lace not bobbin lace so that narrows the search a little bit. Claire

What a wonderful treat! Claire

That is a wonderful color chart. How can I save it for future reference? or would you post it separately with a descriptive label? Thanks, Claire

Some of you will remember the photo Ang posted months ago--maybe last summer--of a Blass suit. It was very Chanel inspired with a stripe skirt and jacket and metallic brocade blouse (attached to the skirt) and lining. I think it was considered 70ish. Ang, if you can, please post the photo...

I would like to support my VFG friends and reduce or eliminate my e-bay purchases. Please advise where I can shop with the following info: Type mdse: vintage apparel, couture, accessories, patterns, etc. Price ranges and quality. Many thanks, Claire Shaeffer

Is the lining sewn in by hand, buttonholes-hand embroidered, lining at armscye hand sewn? If yes, then I would call it "couture quality." Claire

"C" means Cruise. Look at underside of buttons to see if they have Chanel trademark. If so, list it. Claire

Oh, dear, my detail is enormous. Well it's large enough to see the fabric weave and yarns clearly. I bought the jacket from the original customer. She dated it early nineties. The black trim appears to be braided with multiple strands; then it was embroidered with yarn. The yarn was probably...

Here is a detail of the trim. Claire

Hopefully, I'll have a photo in a day or two. Trying to catch up. C

Just before I went on vacation, I bought another Chanel jacket because it was different from any that I have. It arrived while I was away. When I examined it yesterday, I was surprised to see how different the trim is made from what I had assumed in the photo. It looks like it's a black...

I'll be in Phoenix next week for a workshop and two lectures at the Phoenix Art Museum. The workshop is on Friday 25 January. It is sponsored by the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers. The focus is on sewing techniques. The lectures are on Saturday at the museum. The morning...

It sounds perfectly fabulous. Claire

Also, the new exhibit at the Met is quite wonderful. There are several thrift shops on Third Ave. about 84th and 82nd. There are some resale shops on Madison beginning about 79th up to 85th I think.

Hopefully, I'll get this right next time. The pink dress is the Westwood. The Schiaparelli harlequin design is felt. Claire

This one says for message boards. C The Westwood was in Anglomania. It is truly stunning and made from a single piece of fabric. Claire

I have uploaded several images from the press kit, but I've forgotten which "term" to use. Obviously, I need to write the directions in my little notebook. Claire

There were so many beautiful garments I would have selected instead of most of those on the website. That's frequently par for the course on press pix. Claire

I went to the Press Preview at the Met last week. This is much smaller than the May exhibit but it is really a treat! The focus is on new acquisitions and was underwritten by Manolo Blahnik who was on hand. The 65 designs range from an 18th century lavishly embroidered man's red wool suit to...

Levi\'s jeans Last night there was a great program on MNBC about Levi's history and how to identify age of vintage jeans. According to the program there is more on there website. Sorry, I've worked all day and haven't had time to check it out. Claire

Ang, your new photo id is fabulous! Claire

Nadine, I'll keep you in my thoughts. When you are better, come to Palm Springs for lunch. Claire

I just received three new books: Couture Exhibition at the V&A Lanvin Dior All have lots of photos and information I have not seen about. There are also new Valentino and Chanel books. I don't have either yet. I've seen both and they are lovely. The Valentino has lots of photos. Claire

Recently a Chanel suit was advertised on e-bay. The lining had a small tear next to one of the quilting rows. The seller thought it was a rip and could be fixed easily. Actually, it couldn't be fixed at all. This is what caused the tear. The jacket fabric and lining were quilted...

Another thought, even though the suit has a label, checking the individual elements is always good in today's world of transferring labels. Unfortunately, labels are easier to add than a hallmark on silver. C

Deborah, Wonderful news that the stitching is only on the outside. The copies are stitched after lining or facing is sewn on. In couture, the stitching is done before because there are fewer layers and it's easier to stitch it perfectly when there is no excess bulk. Look at the sleeve seam...

Deborah, you're right--"looks" should be "loops." Actually, topstitching was frequently used as a trim. This is the first solid-colored suit I've seen with topstitching but lots of suits have it, sometimes with other trims as well. In fact, when I looked at your sleeve photo again, it...

Deborah's buttonholes on the front are handmade or hand-embroidered. Look at the photo carefully and you can see the little looks at the edges of the buttonhole. A hand buttonhole is cut, the hand embroidered; a machine buttonhole is stitched then cut. Claire

The pink threads--catchstitches--mark the center front. Sometimes they are cross-stitches, but these look like catchstitches. You did a great job with the photos. Claire