Studio Davina

 

It’s May, and I’m thrilled to collaborate with the uber glamorous Basinah and her mum to craft a multi-piece assiut capsule wardrobe. Our mission is to use a couple of assiut shawls and a dress to build as many wardrobe pieces as possible using a mix-and-match format.

Basinah

Basinah, and her mum Jiniko, have been part of our team since we worked on The Cloth of Egypt c. 2014.  For the next edition of Costuming from the Hip, we are working together to create a small collection of ensembles that showcase different design and construction techniques.

The first ensemble is made from three purple assiut shawls and a dress.  We’re building a coordinating bra and belt set, a two-panel assiut skirt, and a dress. Jiniko is executing the sewing for this design collaboration.  We’re transforming the traditional dance dress in several ways:

• Redesign Neckline
• Remove Sleeves
• Embellish with Rhinestones
• Transform Sleeves

“Costuming from the Hip” update

I’m very happy that the text of the book is basically finished.  During May, I’m editing the bibliography and other end matter content.

My goal is to create a bibliography that will serve as useful tool for future researchers.  We’re sticking to published books, and organizing them into logical groups for locating publications thematically.

In addition, #CFTH30 includes a new research guide for using archives. I’m including my best tips, tricks and methodologies for finding information in newspapers, magazines, and journals.

Sewing Resumes here at Studio Davina

Some folks might have heard over on Patreon or in my Studio Davina group on Facebook, that I’ve been having some issues with my right thumb.  Over the past two months, I’ve worked on some rehabilitation and I’m happy to announce that I’m once again able to pull a needle.   Hurrah!

Time to head back into the studio to resume work on the appliques for the “Blue Mermaid.”  Photos to follow in the next post!

Happy Dance and Costuming,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
May, 2025

 

I’m frequently asked about my favorite tools in emails, at events, and during interviews. As a pro seamstress with 30 years of experience, my favorite tool is a box lid.

Michael’s carry a product called “Photo Memory Box” and they area cardboard available in plain colors, craft, patterned, and now even made of wood!

Why is this lid Magical?

How do I love thee, oh box lid, let me count the ways:

• Just the Right Size: These box lids are long enough to hold my sewing shears, and wide enough to hold a large receptacle for pins and a container for hand tools.
• Shallow Depth: Because it’s so shallow, nothing can really “fall to the bottom.” And while I might have to sort a bit to get the perfect thimble, my tools are visible.
• Ease of Travel:  Two plastic boxes fit perfectly within this tray. I just cover the pin box and the tool box and drop them in my kit and off I go.
• Affordable: If I spill a coffee or tea, I can replace the box for less than the cost of going and getting another coffee.  (Fortunately, my Michaels is close to a Duncan Donuts.)
• Craft Containment:  This lid holds my essentials. It prevents the seam ripper from rolling and snips from becoming buried under sewing projects. This box lid sitting beside my sewing machine becomes a great target for catching all the tools and implements required for machine sewing.
• Personal Tradition:  And it just feels darn good to carry on this habit, that is now tradition. It just makes me happy and secure knowing where I can find that thread snipper!

But what about the rest of the box?

I’m an avid journalling fan. so I use the “box bottom” to hold my notebooks, journals and planners. Although the bottom of this box lid is long gone, I use the the box bottoms for containing my A5 or smaller journals.

If I need to grab a journal for on the go, to become a new commonplace journal, or to work on a specific project, I just take one out of the box.

This notebook box serves as a limit to my blank journal hoarding.  Right now, it’s pleasantly full. But if I wind up filling the entire container, I stop purchasing until I’ve used some of the notebooks up.Photo boxes are also recyclable. Since I’ve closed my custom costume side of business, I am use fewer and fewer plastic boxes in my life. As my current bins fatigue and crack, I’m recycling them. Then, moving forward, I’m choosing cardboard and textile options for my storage needs.

Happy Dance and Costuming,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
April 2025

Hello Hello,
Today, I’m taking a break from working on the new manuscript for “Costuming from the Hip.” To share a method for sharing digital research using presentation software.

Today, I’m sharing a method for efficiently storing your reference materials. You can use this system locally on your computer or in cloud-based methods – many of which are free.

Whether you’re a student working on a research paper or a historian working on a full book, you might find this method is quick to master and easy to use.

Presentation Software for Historical Research Storage

There are many ways to save your research content. From building your own storage filing system on your computer, to using note-taking software in the cloud, there’s many approaches to choose from.

One method that I teach my students uses presentation software. Your computer might have an application included in its operating system.  I’m a “Mac Girl” so I use Keynote on my computer. Many of my students use PowerPoint on their PC’s.

You can also find free, cloud-based software available such as Google Slides, and Canva. This is especially nice if you’re low on storage space.

Presentation Software: Google Slides

Most presentation software is easy to learn. YouTube creators have been making simple demos and tutorials to introduce you to the basics of using any software.  If you don’t know where to begin, I always suggest Google Slides. There are many demos like this one:

Presentation Software: Canva

If you’ve already using Canva to make flyers, web, and social media graphics, you might want to choose this familiar place to explore making a history reference slide deck.  There are two tiers to Canva, and the free version has ample tools to create your research notes slide deck.  Here’s a demo if you want to try Canva:

Presentation Software In Action

Once you have your notes stored thematically into a slide-deck there are many things you can do with this information.

• Plan a social media campaign:  Use your “research slide deck” to create a series of posts to your favorite platform and make sure you nail the details.  If anyone asks you “where did you get that info?”  You are amply prepared to look up that information at a moment’s notice.
• Develop Evergreen Web Content: The beauty of historical posts, short and long form video is that it never becomes dated. If you’re interested in sharing in this way, you can organize your research decks to quickly re-find your source material.
• Cite Your Sources: If you’re interested in taking the role of a thought leader, the research slide deck allows you a place to store primary source materials.  Easily create in-text citations, foot notes, or a reading list. In my work, I create a reading list on the final slide(s) of my research note slide deck.

Today, more than ever before there are places to locate primary source material so you can engage with history in a direct and fundamental way.  No matter what your goals are, if you find yourself looking something up, be sure to save that data.  It might be useful to you, or one of your friends, fans, and followers in dance.

And now off to draw!
~ Dawn Devine ~ Davina
April, 2025.