The Times Herald from Port Huron, Michigan • Page 74

Past Pattern Replicas are for the discerning seamstress wishing to spare no detail. In fact, Saundra Altman, the company's founder, recommends that a corset be worn to complete the Victorian look. "A corset isn't worn just to draw in the waist," she said, "but to give the appropriate air and feeling. A Victorian lady, you know, could never turn her head just from the shoulder. The corset made it necessary to turn her entire body." A ready-made corset, a corset kit to sew or just a corset pattern are available through Past Patterns.

For more information write to Past Patterns Replicas, 2017 Eastern S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49507; include $10 for a 31-page catalog and an additional $1 for a swatch card. What do Princess Grace of Monaco, Luci Baines Johnson and Julie and Tricia Nixon have in common? Each wore a bridal gown with a Priscilla of Boston label. Mrs. James N. Kidder, professionally known as Priscilla, opened her first of three retail stores in Boston in 1945.

Her custom service expanded into a wholesale manufacturing company producing elegant gowns and headdresses for bridal salons in the United States, Canada and Japan. Bridal designs by Priscilla are now available for home sewing through McCall Patterns and are among the most popular commercial bridal patterns, several retailers said. While a bride may lack the confidence to sew her entire bridal ensemble, many brides find great savings in at least making the headpiece, one merchant said. Continued from Page 21 ruffled Bertha collar and separate detachable train. A smaller similarly styled holoku, ideal for a flower girl, complements the Lilioukaulani holoku and is available in sizes four through 10.

Petite brides will be particularly interested in Pauloa's bridal patterns as some are sized as small as three Junior Petite. Bridal wear is only a small part of Pauloa's pattern service, which includes patterns for all sorts of both contemporary and traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian clothing, as well as poakalani or Hawaiian quilting patterns. For a mail-order catalog, send $1 to Pauloa Patterns, Dept. 97, P.O. Box 11254, Honolulu, Hawaii 96828.

At the turn of the century, the stylish bride of a well-heeled family, wore a silk satin gown, probably lined in silk broadcloth. The bodice was boned and closed with an infinite number of tiny hooks and eyes. Under all, she wore a corset to project the proper silhouette. Remote as it may seem, patterns for duplicating the Victorian and Edwardian looks worn in the 1890s and early 1900s are available through Past Pattern Replicas. This mail order pattern company is a one-woman operation sure to delight history buffs; each pattern includes historical notes along with detailed instructions for sewing the costume, scale photos of the original lace and decorative trim, the fabrics originally used, estimated fabric yardage, time-saving hints and samples of the more complicated trims.

If v. It. if a-- i 1 I 1 i i i 1 os Li one. ROYAL GOWN Lady Diana's wedding dress is now available in this pattern, which includes a full, four-tiered underskirt made up of 18 yards of nylon net to add fullness to the skirt. The width of the skirt measures 177 inches.

to ut fox metis Ka) to rr aLL of you fxom tb HBxiJat I GNS Gown not limited to frilly lace OIVE.X tflXOUCjfl tfu. (cRtcejition. 5. Call Today I'M t66f 3532 Military 984-5191 The Most Memorable Weddings Begin At Marcile's Choose the perfect gown for your most special day from a large and lovely selection. Then, coordinate the attendant's and mother's gowns to compliment yours.

The result beautiful wedding, uniquely yours. By ERICA WILSON Gannett News Service Wedding gowns are traditionally frothy lace creations, but what if you don't like lace? It may be that your normal wardrobe is tailored and your taste runs toward uncluttered sophistication. Or you may be a more mature bride and would feel silly in a Barbie doll lace creation. There is an alternative. You can sew your own in any fabric you like.

Vogue Pattern No. 1488, for example, is shown in the catalog in lace, but would be equally effective in plain satin, organza or even a heavy cotton cloque. It's attractive as is, but for a very tailored effect, you might want to add a fat cording at the bottom. The main trick here is to cover really FAT cording. If you have access to such a shop, buy the fattest upholsterers' cording you can find.

Cover the cord in the usual way, with a strip of bias fabric wide enough to cover the cord and still leave a seam allowance, and stitch in place with a zipper or cording foot. Finish the gown according to pattern directions. Mark the final hem with pins, as you'd normally do, then mark another line above that to allow for the width of the finished cord. Then, right sides together (with the cord facing up, away from the hem) stitch the bias-covered cord to the dress. Flip the finished cord down and fasten the raw edges to the wrong side with a slip stitch.

Voila! Instant hem. By the way, if you have a hard time marking an even hem on a floor-length dress or dislike crawling around on the floor take a tip from the pros. Pin the first few markings while the 'bride' stands (in proper shoes) on the floor. Then stand the bride on a backless stool, letting the dress cascade over it. Using those few pins as a guide, walk around the bride with a yardstick and mark the rest of the hem.

It'll be perfect every time. PAGE TWENTYTWO 1m February Specials SAVE 20 on wedding invitations with purchase of a special order wedding gown. SAVE 25 off on In stock sample wedding gowns. Mi TAILORED This Vogue pattern could be lacy and romantic or tailored and smart, depending on the detailing applied. THE TIMES HERALD 69334 Main, Downtown Richmond 727-1504 Mon.Thurs.

Fri.9-8 Sat. Sunday February 7, 1982.