Costume Contemplations

Christmas Cheer!

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:59:49 GMT

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was wonderful, despite a small setback. Lots of laughter, good food, way too many presents and my first white Christmas ever. I ended my work week Wednesday night with a double dance program – got to do a minuet that I like but don’t often do because only two men in the group know it and it’s rather seldom that we are scheduled for the same program. My mom asked at Thanksgiving if I would take over the holiday cooking so Thursday I did a bit of baking and prep work for Christmas dinner before my husband and I took off to visit his family. We had a great, if short, visit with his dad’s family and his mom’s family. They thankfully live near each other so we can see almost everyone when we travel out that way. Does usually mean eating two big holiday meals in one day, followed by another the next day with my family, but we get all the families in that way.

We got home late Friday night and each opened a gift to the other. Hubby got me a pretty creamware reproduction of a 1740s teapot. He got several reproduction 18c stoneware fish-shaped pastry molds. (Yes, we are history nerds…)

Christmas day didn’t quite go as planned. We planned to open our gifts to each other at home, then go over to my parents’ house to spend the day with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and niece, and have dinner with my family and some friends. My body, however, decided that it wanted to conduct a full-body purge starting at 3:00am. There are apparently no urgent care type facilities open 8:30am or so on Christmas day in this area, so we ended up at the hospital. Five hours, three nurses, two IV bags and a couple of doses of anti-nausea meds later, I was yuking my way back home. Hubby had to cart foodstuffs and gifts over to my parents house while I slept off the all-night “fun” I’d had. Mom ended up doing some of the cooking after all, but my husband and brother pitched in, our friends brought stuff, s-i-l made her bacalao and they ended up having a good meal even if it wasn’t quite what was planned (and I didn't get to attend, much less cook it). I did wake up enough to se the snow falling in the afternoon – first white Christmas ever for me, including the year I was in Switzerland. Snowed most of Sunday, too. We probably shouldn’t have gone, but I was feeling well enough Sunday afternoon that hubby took me to my parents’ house so I could spend time with my family for the holiday.

So even though Christmas day was a bit rocky, the holiday was fabulous! Hope everyone is enjoying the post holiday glow. Cheers!

More happy things

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 20:22:43 GMT

Thursday happiness:

Pay day!
Being greeted by tail wagging dogs when we got home. Hard to be upset when two big bundles of fur are so glad to see you.
Decorating our tree. I love using all the ornaments that friends and family have given over the years and ones I purchased at places I have visited. Might not be a decorator tree, but it makes me smile.
Getting Christmas cards in the mail. Much better than the loads of junk mail that is the usual this time of year.

Things that have made me smile today:

It's Friday!
An unexpected visit from a friend/co-worker this morning. He works for CW, too, but we never run into each other unless we have dance program together. Nice to chat with him.
A big box of grapefruits and another of oranges. My god daughter had to sell fruit to support her high school band. Expensive fruit, but I like helping out her band and particularly love the grape fruit. Nom nom nom.
The rediculous, over-the-topness of the program at the Palace tomorrow. I'll freeze my feet off walking around in the gardens tomorrow night, but they will be beautifully lit and I will be with friends.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:22:28 GMT

Things that made me happy yesterday:

· Our fireplace is working again. It’s a gas fire, not nearly as mesmerizing as a real wood fire, but pretty, easy and doesn’t make as much mess in the house. Flip a switch and the fire is on. Ooooh, pretty flames.

· I spent the afternoon with my sister-in-law and niece doing a bit of Christmas gift shopping and chatting. Well, my niece did a lot of drooling, not chatting, but then she is only 6 months old and teething.

· A friend gave us a Christmas tree. He got one free from work but had already put up an artificial tree so asked if we wanted the real pine. Yes, thank you! Hubby brought it home and the dogs supervised our placement. Now to haul the ornaments out of the attic and put them on the tree. Might not happen until Friday or Saturday. In the mean time, the tree looks good perfectly nude.

And for today:

· I deposited the $100 contact allowance from my insurance. Almost covered their cost.

· I visited with the wig shop staff, who are frantically powdering and primping wigs for the big ball this weekend.

· The crock pot I lent to a friend for her Grand Illumination party was sitting on my desk this morning full of homemade cookies and candy. Nom nom nom.

· I have sewing circle tonight so get to eat good food, gab with good friends and finish making the buttons for hubby’s Christmas gift waistcoat.

· idlewild_grey should be there tonight. I see that she will be able to go home for Christmas. Spending the holiday alone away from family stinks. I’m so glad she gets to go home.

Let's get happy!

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:43:06 GMT

Ah, yes, posting. I had a roll going there for a bit. Three posts within a month. Much better than the three in a year schedule I had been keeping. Let’s see if I can get back into the posting groove. I think I’ll steal jennylafleur’s idea about posting things that make me happy and another friend’s November facebook status updates of things for which she was thankful. Like jennylafleur said, this time of year there are so many happy things, and nearly every day something reminds me of how thankful I am for my health, family and friends.

So I am happy for a fun start to the holiday season this weekend. Friday night I went to a friend’s office holiday party. I didn’t know anyone else there, but I had a good time with my friend, who had had to plan the event for 200 people, and I got to dance. If you can call failing body parts somewhat in tune to Lady Gaga, Byoncé, and Akon dancing. My friend and I had fun, though.

Saturday hubby and I helped a friend with some work around his house. Our friend R bought and 18^th-century house 8 or 9 years ago, and is finally getting some work done on the place.

He had been laboring under the false hope that he would do the work himself, but finally wised up, refinanced and is having pros put on a new roof, replace the cedar siding, install new reproduction windows, rewire the house, put up drywall, and even install heat. Yes, he has been living in a house without heat. Well, he does have working fireplaces, but those only put out so much heat, and the windows were rotting so any breezes could waltz right in the house. Did I mention that our dear friend is a bachelor? (Did I need to?) I love him to death, but sometimes he is totally impractical. Yes, I realize that people lived for thousands of years without central air and heat, and some people still do, but he doesn’t live in a third world country or some lost civilization in the Andes. He has been living with 200 year old technology mostly because he goes off and buys boy toys (of the gun or tool variety, not the 1980s Madonna variety) and doesn’t save up those bits of money for little ol’ things like heating. Anyway, he is finally getting that done. Sometime in January. Or maybe February. But at least he will have some heat.

Sunday hubby and I puttered around the house, doing grand things like laundry, playing with dogs, cleaning bathrooms and making cookies (though certainly not at the same time). We also hung up this coat of arms we got, a prop from the John Adams HBO series. It's now over our fireplace.

Too silly and funny to hang but too silly and funny not to. Early evening we met up with friends in Colonial Williamsburg to see Grand Illumination. Can’t say that we say much of the entertainment other than the always great fireworks, but most of us have been many times and our entertainment is party hopping, hitting up several parties the numerous friends who live in the Historic Area have.

We watched the fireworks from near the Magazine this year, first time I’ve watched from there and the first in a long time that I haven’t worked the event. Standing outside from 3:30-8:00pm telling people (including some knuckleheads with lit cigarettes) that “no, you cannot go under the barrier to cut across that area that is full of unexploded fireworks, please walk around,” can be tiresome, but people are usually in a good mood, and working at that barrier means you get front row out-of-the-crowd access to watch the fireworks.

Anyway, this year we decided to skip working the event and just play. Hit three parties, ate too much junk food, and laughed a lot. I love starting the holidays off with Grand Illumination! Everyone is having a good time, the decorations look great and the fireworks are beautiful and plentiful.

As for sewing, I didn’t get a lick of that done the last week. Last weekend I did make two quick and dirty dog bed inserts out of old sheets last week so that I can wash those. The original insert was too big to put into the washer and was starting to smell overwhelmingly doggy. I also recovered our dining room chairs, which did involve fabric but no sewing. And I finished the buttonholes on the waistcoat for my husband. (Behold said buttonholes in a very crappy picture
.)
Now I need to cover buttons and sew them on – would much rather cord pewter buttons, but he wants covered buttons – and fit the side and shoulder seams. Guess I’ll start those buttons tonight. Gotta cover 16. Not the most fun sewing venture…

Probably no sewing tonight

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:42:28 GMT

Hubby adn I are having at-home date night tonight. We haven't seen the last couple of Harry Potter movies and want to catch up before going to the new one. Now if I can stay awake -- after tossing and turnign last night, I had an ealry start to the work day for a commercial shoot. I'm ready for a nap!

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:44:05 GMT

Ah, grand plans for sewing last weekend were somewhat waylaid by unexpected visits and nice weather. A friend had the floors in his house refinished and couldn’t walk on them for two days so asked to stay with us for the weekend. He and my husband went of hunting Saturday, which meant I could have spent the afternoon sewing, but the weather was too nice to be inside. I cleaned the frostbitten plants out of the vegetable garden, put away the outdoor cushions for the winter and played with the dogs. Sunday was even prettier. I did sit on the front porch swing that morning and start on the pockets of one of the waistcoats before we went over to visit my folks. I love walking in the woods over there. The old 19^th-c roads make great trails, and the dogs come bounding along.

I have done a bit of sewing this week. Sunday and Monday night I altered a hunting shirt for an event my husband is doing next month. The last couple of nights I have worked on the pockets and front lining of one of the waistcoats.

I’m using a Kannik’s Corner jacket pattern for this one, just not putting sleeves on it. And the cloth is some nice striped linen from bauhausfrau . Thanks, L! I have one front lining in and should be able to finish the other side tonight. That means buttonholes next. Ugh. I think this needs 16 buttonholes. And my Brunswick waistcoat needs buttonholes. Woohoo.

On the bright side, it's almost Friday!

Looking like a waistcoat weekend

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:54:46 GMT

Well, I think all the sewing for the week happened Sunday. As I was leaving work yesterday several friends from out of town called to say they was in town (Colonial Williamsburg was giving free admission to veterans and active duty military) so I spent the evening visiting with them. I did get home early enough to sew the sleeves on. Now to figure out the side pleats.

This weekend my free time will be dedicated to waistcoats -- mine for the Brunswick and the two I am making for my husdand. Gah! That means a LOT of buttonholes.

Pretty purple pleats

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 21:30:24 GMT

So this sewing thing that occasionally happens around here…uhm, yeah. Some sewing happens, but I don’t seem to manage to post much. I’ll try to remedy that. Might help me keep focused on the numerous sewing projects that I want to get done by February. I have the Brunswick, two waistcoats for my husband, and a 1805 tunic gown I'd like to get done in the next couple of months. And that doesn't inlcude the polonaise that I started last year, the early 19c corset that is wearable but needs cording, the early 19c coat cut out for my husband, finishing the trim on a 1770s gown, and the hemmed but as yet sewn on ruffle for the bottom of a silk petticoat that is already made that are all in my UFO pile.

Last weekend I attended the www.burnleyandtrowbridge.com/ Brunswick workshop.

I decided that since I have enough cloth to outfit a small country, I would use something from my stash so pulled out a shot silk I got probably 7 years ago. I originally got it to make a 1770s gown, but I have several other fabrics earmarked for that so why not use it for another type of 1770s garment?

We draped sleeves and the pleated the backs Friday afternoon.

Saturday we worked on the fronts. I decided I wanted a separate waistcoat instead of an attached front. This way I can make a stomacher and wear it as a pet-en-l’air, too.

Sunday we sewed the fronts to the backs so that we could mount the sleeves and drape the lower sleeves.

I left with the sleeves basted in. I haven’t touched the Brunswick since Sunday afternoon. Monday we went out with some friends, Tuesday I had an evening dance program and last night we had dinner with some friends from out of town. Hubby is supposed to cook tonight so maybe I can sew the sleeves on and start on the side pleats.

Time Flies

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:08:45 GMT

I'm going to the Twenty Year Club reception tonight, a first-timer for the annual reception for those employees who have been here 20 years or more. I can't believe I've worked here that long. Funny, I got a job here in the first place to earn a bit of money while I looked for real job. That was back in August of '89. I have since discovered that real jobs are rather overrated in my book. I'm grateful to have a job I like and work with interesting, talented people.

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:45:34 GMT

Twelfth Night was a roaring success. Around 65 people attended, all but 3 in costume. (We’ll banish them next year!) Some folks who came last year in modern clothes found, made, bought and borrowed costuming to attend this year in high style. Lovely music, lively dancing, brandy punch, tasty treats, Twelfth Night cake, and fine company in beautiful garb enjoying animated conversation made for a very pleasant evening. sadievale , jennylafleur , sweet_lil_yank , and chinook2006 were there in all their lovely silks and high hair.

There were several moments when I felt like I was back in time savoring an evening of entertainment -- dancing Trip to Paris to teh sounds of a German flute, sipping brandy punch from a period-shaped wine glass, hearing Robert sing with Kate and Amy joining in the chorus, and crawling into a poster bed in my shift with the curtains drawn and the fire blazing in the fireplace. The comments from other guests seem to indicate that most people had as much fun as I did. Huzzah! Don’t know if I can wait another year for such a fun party.

My goof y hair and blue jacket

Twelfth Night cake, macaron and brandy awaiting the trip from our room to the tavern.

The sisters Blake in such lovely hand-sewn gowns, with a friend game enough to wear borrowed clothing for party.

A thrum cap and a new blue gown.

Borrowed clothes, big smiles. (Hair styled by teh fabulous Amy.)

The lovely ladies from Fredericksburg.

Visitors came from Fredericksburg, DC and Staunton.

Pretty pretty princesses. (The woman in the middle did the hair on these three, and six other ladies in attendance.)

This picture is fuzzy but I love the feel -- period clothes in a period setting with period lighting, and the shadow of teh man wearing a cocked hat on the wall behind sadievale .

Card playing commenced around 1:30am and continued for almost an hour before sleepiness set in.

As far as sewing goes, I made a new petticoat to go with the jacket I made for Costume College last summer. The petticoat is a silk/cotton blend that has a dreamy soft drape. It unfortunately now also has spots of red candle wax (curses to he who brought red candles to the party anyway), traces of meat pie, a spot of brandy punch and a streak of soot on it. I hope the millinery staff can offer words of advice on how to clean all that out. None is extremely noticeable but still not nice additions to a brand new petticoat. Oh, well. It was worth the fun!

It's a Small World

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:11:01 GMT

I just had to do a doubletake on an email I rceived. It was a facebook notification that someone else had commented on the status of a friend after I had. What was weird was that the person commenting is the person who owned the house my husband and I bought in August. We never met the former owners, who now live in Germany, and who are apparently friends with a friend of ours.

I now have Disney music stuck in my head.

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:16:03 GMT

So, I've managed to keep my New Year's resolution so far.

Of course, it's only January 4. And I've had lots of visitors around so no time to even think about sewing, not to mention that our 'playroom' is still a disaster of boxes, baskets and random stuff from our move in August. I can't easiy get to sewingstuff. Or anything else in that room. Maybe I'll have some time evenings of this week since I don't have to work nights. I would like to make a new petticoat out of some silk/cotton striped cloth I got in teh Garment District after Costume College.

With the idea that farbic is like wine -- you should have a certain amount on hand to go with what yummies are served, and it can age for the perfect pairing -- I somehow see the resolution disolving sometime about May. Or one good silk internet sale. :)

On a different note, we had fun at several New Year's Eve parties. One friend rocked a great vintage find:

She had a great vintage coat, too.

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:47:36 GMT

My new year's resolution for 2010 --
Don't buy any more fabric. I have enough to outfit a small country. :)

We'll see how long this lasts.

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:57:50 GMT

I did get a bit of sewing done on the teal jacket Wednesday – between eating and gabbing – and Friday night.

The front pieces are sewn to the back now and the sleeves are done except for the eyelets for the laces at the wrists and being set onto the bodice. I need to set and sew on the shoulder pieces. I couldn’t get the back to work like I want so am hoping to get some help with fitting tomorrow. Once I get the shoulder pieces on, I can get the sleeves set and sewn. Then need to hem strips of taffeta to use as ribbons for the sleeves and belt. Bah. Lots of little hems. Not the most fun things to sew ‘cause they are just rectangles. At least I can do those in the car on the days that my husband drives us to work. Good use of the commute time.

The back is now sewn to the fronts, not just pinned. I don't know why I'm leaning over like that -- must have been looking down at one of the dogs.

And the front. I need to replace the top drawstring with smaller tape -- I used 1/4" linen tape and think I'll replace that with some 1/8" cotton tape that will be easier to hide once tied. And the front belt will be laced shut with a "ribbon" of the teal fabric. (And please excuse the funky arm position -- It is a period position but boy does it look dunny here. I wasn't doing it on purpose, I was holding something.)

I didn't sew much the rest of the weekend because Saturday morning hubby and I drove two hours away to pick up a piece of furniture we got on eaby (great deal and a pristine piece), then went to a party some friends were having for the local home beer brewers association (home made beers, bratwursts and kraut -- mmm) and afterwards we went to another gathering of friends at an 18th-century house on the river (spent most of the evening enjoying cool breezes on a gazebo over the river's edge -- heaven!). Yesterday hubby and I spent the day tackling some house maintenance, nothing too major but we might be putting our house on the market soon so need to get it spiffy. Maybe I can finish this jacket during lunch times this week, 'cause the evenings will be spent painting front doors, cleaning windows, repairing closet doors and other fun stuff.

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:03:27 GMT

Okay, so actually took pictures of the 1780s jacket I’m working on. Most of the sewing that has occurred on this was done during car rides and plane flights during my trip to the Vintage Dance Week on the Queen Mary. Sewed a bit on the sleeve lining at lunch today and hope to get the other sleeve finished so I can get help with a fitting tonight at a stitch and bitch session some friends are having. Not a lot more to do, but my sewing time is pretty much down to lunchtimes and a few random evenings. Too many other fun things to do outside when the weather is so nice. Speaking of that, the weather has been tolerable enough that my husband and I have had the air conditioner off since Saturday. We’re talking July in Virginia and a husband who breaks a sweat at 67’, so that is really impressive to have weather that cool. Yay for lower power bills and fresh air in the house!

Lining side of jacket back

Jacket back

Jacket front lining

Jacket front with shoulder piece plopped on. BTW, all these pieces are in desperate need of ironing after being stuffed in a bag for the last month. Guess that should happen soon.

Sleeve waiting to be sewn

I sew the fashion fabric (right sides together) and one piece of the lining along one sleeve seam, then sew the fashion fabric and the other piece of lining down the other sleeve seam, then turn the raw edge of the linings and sew those to the other piece of lining. This keeps the lining from shifting around in the sleeve and covers the raw edges. Don't think I explained that well, but it works well (as long as you sew by hand, which I tend to do).

And I left the sleeve open on the lower edge so I can add buttons or lacing. I need to turn hems and add either a placket and buttons or eyelets for lacing.

Still have a fair amount to do. Hope we all get a lot done tonight at the S&B.

There has been sewing...just no posting

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:37:03 GMT

Okay, so I stink at this posting thing. I've been reading and enjoying other's posts. Lots of pretty frocks being made. I just haven't managed to get around to posting anything. With prodding from my husband, I'll try to get more regular about this. Besides, he took pictures of my dress-in-a-day I made for this weekend.

sweet_lil_yank

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:08:34 GMT

Aah, what along pleasant weekend. It started last Thursday when I met up with chloeandrudy and her husband to go on a carriage ride.
Now off to change for dance.

I’ve worked for Colonial Williamsburg almost 20 years and that is only the fourth time I’ve taken a carriage ride in costume. One of those times was taking a VIP who didn’t speak much English on a tour of town in a drizzling rain so that wasn’t much fun. The weather Thursday was perfect – sunny and warm. A bit breezy, as

The dress of 5000+ French knots

We met up the next morning to go to the Market Fair at Fort Fred. We waved to jennylafleur and bauhausfrau as we passed their towns. I’ve never been to the Market on a Friday. It wasn’t as crowded as on the Saturdays I’ve been in the past. That was rather nice, and the weather was great. I didn’t find much this year – I only purchased a bit of ribbon – but had a great time visiting with chloeandrudy and several vendors I know. chloeandrudy came home with several hats for friends, silk ribbon, silk stockings and a pretty cap from The Silly Sisters.

BK and hubby at Fort Fred Market Fair -- they bought more than I did!

Saturday after a day of gardening (yay), grocery shopping (enhh) and laundry (ugh), I managed to get another couple of panels lined and sewn to the jacket back. Yesterday I added a bow and ironed the 1931 dress and worked on another jacket panel. I’m freakishly slow and was tired after walking dogs and helping my aunt with some gardening so progress was slooooowwww. I’m working tonight which means no sewing. Maybe tomorrow. There are only five weeks between now and the Queen Mary dance week so I need to kick it into high gear to get that other 1930s day dress and hopefully a 1910s gown made.

And two back panels pinned and ready to be sewn. One day...

chloeandrudy mentioned – a gust of wind blew her hat off while we road down Duke of Gloucester Street. Thankfully a passing pedestrian picked it up and gave it back. chloeandrudy’s husband was a good sport as we visited the Millinery shop and the Costume Design Center. By lunch time I had to go back to work and chloeandrudy headed off to lunch.

Our carriage ride

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:24:48 GMT

Didn’t get a stitch of sewing done this weekend, but had a blast. Friday night went to Dad’s retirement ceremony. He’s been teaching math at the same community college for 41 years. Now he’ll be a full time putterer out in the country, playing with his saw mill, dogs and tractors. Go, Dad!!

Saturday my husband and I drove down to North Carolina to attend the F&I event at Fort Dobbs. We both had short presentations as part of the programming – I taught dance and hubby gave a talk on the weapons used by provincials during the Cherokee Campaign. (To brag on hubby, he wrote a book that was published last fall on arms of the provincials during the F&I war. http://trackofthewolf.com/(S(v0udltjrmmwzfaqtjkw2zy55))/categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=4&subId=22&styleId=62&partNum=BOOK-OSFP )

Gotta love the power point presntation in costume.

We still had plenty of time to hang out with our friends who attended with us and the friends who volunteer at the site on a regular basis. The weather was beautiful, one of those rare (in the south) sunny days without humidity or bugs. In the evening, the site fed us chicken, slaw, bread, potatoes, carrots all cooked over coals during the day – yum! Then the marquis used for presentations during the day became the tavern at night. Too much fun was had by all.

Yesterday on our way home, we stopped as several antique stores. Came home with a couple of cheap pewter plates, a repro basket-diaper-dot plate, two late 18^th-century tea cups and an early 19^th-century saucer, all for about $70. Not bad!

Spoke with Val this morning. We’ll be taking a carriage ride in costume Thursday morning and seeing a few clothing-related sites that morning. Friday we’re going to Fort Fred for Market Fair, where I am sure that I will find more fabric to add to the already bulging stash.

I dance again tonight so no sewing. I might be able to pin a few things after I change before I have to head over to the Palace for the program.

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:35:58 GMT

Sewing will be on hold again today. I found out yesterday that my dad, who is retiring after teaching math at a community college for the last 41 years, is being honored at a shindig at his school tonight. Go Dad!! My dad is very low key, rather shy and has been to his fair share of work functions, so he wasn't really planning to attend this program. Someone from his work had to let him know that he really should be there, wink, wink.

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:14:32 GMT

A bit of sewing last night -- two middle back panels done and sewn together. Today has been one of those days -- nothign major just a thousand pinpricks of aggrevation. And I have to work tonight so won't get home until 10:30. No sewing for me tonight. :(

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:44:43 GMT

I managed to get one section of the back of hte jacket sewn last night and another pinned. I felt like I was moving in slow motion -- I'm hoping the other 9 panels go a little bit quicker. Too many things I want to sew. Now if I just didn't have to work...

But I must say that I am thankful to have a job. A co-worker was let go two weeks ago and I just heard that a few more people in another department were laid off today. Eep!! I'm keeping my nose to the gridnstone and hoping for the best. On the bright side, this morning I had my milestone picture taken -- I've worked here for 20 years. Double eep!! Were has the time gone??

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:12:17 GMT

I got the lining cut out last night and all the pieces ironed. Not a stitch sewn. Maybe tonight -- it's my husband's turn to cook supper so while he toils away over the hot stove, I'll hold the couch down and sew. Maybe I can get two or three of the ten back pannels sewn tonight before the sleepies hit. (My husband woke us both up last night around 3am when he dropped kicked a demon cat that was attacking him in his dream. Gotta love be jolted awake by the bed shaking and the covers flying.)

Of frock coats,

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:58:14 GMT

I have been sewing, just not posting. I think maybe I’ll try the idea of challenging myself to post every day. Might help me focus my sewing a bit – there are a ton of things I’d like to make in the next couple of months.

I finished my husband’s Manchester velvet coat. He hasn’t had occasion to wear it but I made him put it on last weekend so I could get a few pictures. Doesn’t look too bad, but after that coat and helping hubby with a laced officer’s coat, I’m not looking to doing any men’s tailoring any time soon. Not nearly as fun as

female froufery.

I also finished a brown cotton c1810 work gown and a plaid apron to go with it. Nothing terribly exciting, but I had the cloth on hand (some of the stuff we got from the John Adams prop sale) and had had the possibility of an 1812 event, which didn’t pan out. So I haven’t worn the outfit yet, but I’m ready in case any wear-your-cruddy-1812-stuff event comes up.

Back in October I started on a Victorian bat costume. I had hoped to wear it to the dinner of the costume conference held in town over Halloween weekend. I didn’t have time to finish the outfit (stupid work gets in the way) so that has been on the pile of unfinished projects. I worked on that a couple of weekends ago, trying to drape the overskirt. Where I want the draping to fall and where the opening in the skirt is don’t work together so instead of having the drape and the skirt attached to the same waistband, the skirt is now complete and I’ll attach the draping to another waistband. That, and the 16 buttons and button holes on the bodice, will be put back on that unfinished projects pile for a while since there are other upcoming events for which I want some new duds.

I’m going to the vintage dance week on the Queen Mary in June. I’m almost finished making this dress in a random rayon from the sale pile at Hancock’s.

I know very little about 1920s and 1930s clothes so have no idea how hideously wrong the print on my rayon might be, but it was cheap and I will probably only wear this dress once. I had to make a few adjustments to the pattern – I shortened the bodice about two inches because the original length hit too far down my backside. The pattern may be a copy of an original, but that was not a good look for me. I also added some fullness to the back skirt piece because the original was pretty straight. I like the look of the illustration, with a wavy skirt so to heck with the original just because it was original. Now all I have to do is finish the belt and press everything.

I have a solid rayon for another 1930s-esque dress, a shorter version of this Simplicity pattern.

I’ll have to adjust the pattern for the skirts since most of the fullness is below where I want to hem the skirt. Shouldn’t be too hard, and again the fabric is el cheapo rayon. I won’t have a lot of sewing machine time next weekend, so will work on some hand sewing. I made some adjustments on a toile for a 1770s jacket last night and cut out the silk. I need to cut the lining tonight. This is going to be a cross between a number of period images. I'll be glad if it comes out anywhere close to any of these.

Okay, so I hope I get at least a wee bit of sewing in tonight after supper and before I keel over from sleepiness.

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:12:36 GMT

Weeeee! I’m almost finished with my husband’s Manchester velvet coat! I was hoping to get it done for the Twelfth Night party this past weekend, but there weren’t enough hours in the day. Hubby has other things so wore a jacket he made last fall. It was nice to not have to rush since this is the first men’s coat I have made and don’t really know what I’m doing. Thank goodness for the tailors who have given lots of instructions every time I take the coat to them and ask, “what do I do next?” I think one more trip over there, with husband in tow, and I’ll be able to finish within a couple of hours. The sleeves should be tightened up a bit, and the skirts are too long so I need to make those adjustments. Then I need to sew down the skirt pleats, tack the pleats in place and sew the sleeve linings to the body lining. Close, though! I won’t finish until next week, when I can go over to the tailors.

I was hoping to sew on my quartered back gown I started in November this weekend, but hubby and I are going up to DC tomorrow. Just for the day, but the drive and the errand cut into sewing time. Hubby will be driving on the way there so I can sew some then. I need to pleat the skirt, attach it to the bodice, decide whether or not I want boning in the back, add that or not and finish up the top of the back of the bodice. Oh, and hem the skirt, but I have to attach it first.

Last weekend a bunch of us had a Twelfth Night party at a tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. Great fun, with about 80 people dancing, conversing, drinking, eating and enjoying each other’s company. sweet_lil_yank,

sadievale

her mom and two friends joined in the fun. They all looked lovely in their 18^th-century attire and I had a grand time talking and dancing with them. Now to think of a good place for next year’s Twelfth Night. :)

Some pics of hubbies coat, before I sewed it together;

And sadievale looking good in her pretty pink gown.

Pretty gowns

Mistletoe

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:54:17 GMT

Happy New Year, everyone!!