I've decided to make a separate blog for our restoration projects on our home. Visit it at: The house that Apollos Williams built I'm going to be posting some fabric later to get opinions on what is okay to use for 1860's clothing. I'd love input!
Love,
Jenny
Showing posts with label 1860's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1860's. Show all posts
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
we made it home
last night, and now all the washing, starching, and ironing is going on. I'm not in a mood for any of it! Just wanted to let you all know that the sew along challenge is still sort of happening. We all have lives that keep interfering, dang it! Two of us did finish work petticoats...and Katie even made an extra chemise and pair of drawers! Just wanted to mention that we didn't forget.
Love,
Jenny
Love,
Jenny
Thursday, August 5, 2010
I'm going to Boscobel!!!
The town of Boscobel, WI hosts the biggest event in midwest mainstream reenacting, and I'm leaving in just over an hour to go! We're flying in tonight to see family, and Peter works the state fair on Sunday. So I've been hurriedly sewing up a storm, I've lost weight, and didn't realize it until just a few days ago. None of my stuff fits anymore! I've altered my silk skirt and sheer waist. My sheer dress bodice is in my lap...it needs to be regathered and repiped. I also have a white sheer bodice to repipe and reattach to it's skirt. Oh and if I can remember, and have time, I really need to cut out a new chemise. I have to finish hand stitching eyelets into my swiss waist, hem a neckerchief, attach a waistband to my work petti and hem it, and finish up one little secret project. Then figure out how to pack it all into a carry on! I've used one space saver bag already. Well I have to run if I'm going to finish.
Toodles!
Toodles!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
antique dressers and knicknacks!
Today Peter and I spent nearly our entire day at tag sales and antique shops. We finally have a signed agreement for our home, and the septic plans are at the board of health awaiting review. We have a new closing diginal date, but at least we didn't have to go to litigation to get our home. We got several really neat things for our soon-to-be home, and I can't wait to show them to you!ate of June 30th...several months past our original date.
Here is a really cool old fan that my husband picked out for $4, he is so excited to use it in his new office!
These next two pictures are of a wooden drying rack. It hangs on the wall and when it isn't in use folds flat! What an idea!!! I'm so excited to try it out!
This little dresser needs pulls, and we're thinking of using it to hold our flat screen and store our movies in the drawers. We haven't decided for sure yet.
This beauty is my new dresser! I love the color, but I also love the original wood. We haven't decided if we're going to strip and restain it.
This mirror we picked up for a steal, and have no clue what we're going to do with yet!
I love this last one! I've been wanting a spice tin for quite some time. I have no clue how old it is, but I know tins like this were used in the mid 19th century. One of the smaller tins has a slightly rusted out bottom, so I think I will be putting wax into all of them, just as a way to keep the contents more protected.
Here is a really cool old fan that my husband picked out for $4, he is so excited to use it in his new office!
These next two pictures are of a wooden drying rack. It hangs on the wall and when it isn't in use folds flat! What an idea!!! I'm so excited to try it out!
This little dresser needs pulls, and we're thinking of using it to hold our flat screen and store our movies in the drawers. We haven't decided for sure yet.
This beauty is my new dresser! I love the color, but I also love the original wood. We haven't decided if we're going to strip and restain it.
This mirror we picked up for a steal, and have no clue what we're going to do with yet!
I love this last one! I've been wanting a spice tin for quite some time. I have no clue how old it is, but I know tins like this were used in the mid 19th century. One of the smaller tins has a slightly rusted out bottom, so I think I will be putting wax into all of them, just as a way to keep the contents more protected.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
a sleepy update
I'm about off to bed now...it's 10 o'clock and I'm whooped. The bonnet is still in the same state it was when I put it down last night, it only needs about 30 minutes worth of hand sewing but...I'm so sleepy. I hemmed the work dress skirt and after 4 unsuccessful tries I gauged the waist band. It got to be so frustrating! My toile is now completely fitted, patterned onto paper, scanned into the computer, and emailed to Katie! That was my last big task for the night. I might be driving a racehorse to the track in Boston after I work tomorrow. I normally don't work on the weekend, but the weekend girl has a wedding to go to. If I don't end up making the trip to Boston tomorrow I'll get the bodice cut out, and with the lining already cut I will hopefully get the basic bodice put together, and possibly get the waistband assembled. I'm still not 100% sure what style sleeves I'll be doing for this dress. I'm hoping to have the whole thing, minus closures, finished on Monday. Tuesday I will get the closures out of storage, along with my work petticoat fabric, and hopefully get photos up by Wednesday. Well I'm off to shower!
Good night!
Good night!
a mini update
We're all making quite a bit of progess! Amanda has her skirt panels sewn together, Katie has hers sewn together and gauged at the top, my cording is done on the bonnet, and all I have left are two seams and putting the ties on. I'm currently pinning the hem in. I needed a big fast project to feel accomplished. And accomplished I feel, although I also feel distracted. Hopefully I can get myself to focus today!
hugs to all!
hugs to all!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
still ploding along
We're all working hard on getting everything done.
Both Amanda and Katie have finished their slat bonnets, and both are having computer trouble. Hence us all still waiting to see their loverly creations. I'm still cording...I have ten more rows to go, and can't wait to be finished with it! We're all also working on our work skirts currently, and planning our work petticoats and deciding sleeve styles for our bodices. We're all on facebook and I wanted to share a funny ramble that we had going this week. Please ignore the bad grammar!
Both Amanda and Katie have finished their slat bonnets, and both are having computer trouble. Hence us all still waiting to see their loverly creations. I'm still cording...I have ten more rows to go, and can't wait to be finished with it! We're all also working on our work skirts currently, and planning our work petticoats and deciding sleeve styles for our bodices. We're all on facebook and I wanted to share a funny ramble that we had going this week. Please ignore the bad grammar!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Week 2 and 3 sew along challenges
Okay...our sew along challenges have hit a couple snags. My excuse is that my husband is home after 2 months on the road, so I've been spending some time with him for a change. Katie broke her thumb and went to Colorado to see her sister graduate from college (congrats Mary!), Amanda had prom and her 18th birthday party. So although we've tried to stay on task...it hasn't exactly happened.
Amanda has her bonnet cut out, and will hopefully be completing it soon, and then moving on to her work dress skirt. Her bonnet is a micro-check lime green and white. I bought it and ended up passing it on to her...it's super pretty. Her work dress is a brown plaid, I think. Again it's some fabric I passed on to her, but I only owned it for a day before she snatched it up.
Katie has her fabrics picked out, and tonight is going to try a new way to cut her fabric. Poor thing has had 2 casts already, and a lot of pain. She has had major difficulties cutting, but we've been brain storming and hopefully we came up with a new solution that will work for her. Her bonnet is going to made from a white cotton with blue flowers, and her dress is a pretty green with a polka dotty print.
My bonnet fabric is a semi-sheer pastel plaid made from green, white, purple, blue, and orange. My dress is orange with yellow flowers. I'm hand stitching the cords into the bonnet, and have the skirt panels sewn together.
Hopefully I'll get more accomplished today, but I have to go to storage to get my corset, and draft a new pattern. I think I've lost weight again, so a new toile is necessary.
I'm also scanning my patterns and emailing them to Amanda and Katie so they can have a general pattern to work off of, and tweak for themselves. We're lucky that we're all about the same size!
On a random note, here are a couple pictures of some of the things I have accomplished. For more images check out my etsy account, I'm too lazy to upload a bunch of photos today.
Love,
Jenny
Amanda has her bonnet cut out, and will hopefully be completing it soon, and then moving on to her work dress skirt. Her bonnet is a micro-check lime green and white. I bought it and ended up passing it on to her...it's super pretty. Her work dress is a brown plaid, I think. Again it's some fabric I passed on to her, but I only owned it for a day before she snatched it up.
Katie has her fabrics picked out, and tonight is going to try a new way to cut her fabric. Poor thing has had 2 casts already, and a lot of pain. She has had major difficulties cutting, but we've been brain storming and hopefully we came up with a new solution that will work for her. Her bonnet is going to made from a white cotton with blue flowers, and her dress is a pretty green with a polka dotty print.
My bonnet fabric is a semi-sheer pastel plaid made from green, white, purple, blue, and orange. My dress is orange with yellow flowers. I'm hand stitching the cords into the bonnet, and have the skirt panels sewn together.
Hopefully I'll get more accomplished today, but I have to go to storage to get my corset, and draft a new pattern. I think I've lost weight again, so a new toile is necessary.
I'm also scanning my patterns and emailing them to Amanda and Katie so they can have a general pattern to work off of, and tweak for themselves. We're lucky that we're all about the same size!
On a random note, here are a couple pictures of some of the things I have accomplished. For more images check out my etsy account, I'm too lazy to upload a bunch of photos today.
Love,
Jenny
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Week 1 Sew Along Challenge
We all finished our aprons by last night! We all get gold stars for finishing the project! I'm so proud of the girls because they have a lot going on in their everyday lives, and sometimes it can be hard to fit sewing in to the schedule.
This week starts the sun bonnet week. Choice of slatted or corded, so hopefully there will be some interesting differences in them. I didn't get to the shop to get into my fabric stash before it closed. So instead this weekend I am working on finishing all my half worked projects that I have in my room. There are close to ten petticoats of various sizes that need hems and waistbands, the white voile, a child's dress that needs sleeves set in, men's drawers, and possibly a couple women's drawers as well. I'll keep you updated on all of our projects, and hopefully get photos up soon!
love to all!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
apron updates part 2
Okay so some how my apron ended up being the length of a skirt, so I cut a bunch off, and then thought that it was too short. It's okay...but not perfect. Again, I'm glad this is for the loaner gear. I never got around to picking out new fabric because it's been too nice to sew during the day. We're supposed to have thunder storms tomorrow, so hopefully I can get down to the shop and find new fabric for my second apron. I've made my final decisions on what it's going to be. Right in the middle of the project is when I should have decided, right? LOL Anyways it's going to have slash pockets, because I just learned of them! I haven't found photo documentation online yet, but once I do I will post a picture.
Last I heard from Amanda she was almost done hemming the bottom of her apron, but still needed to attach and hem the bib portion. If she doesn't get that done, at least she will still have an apron!
Katie has her apron cut out, but got moving on making a tunic for her son for this weekend. I'm confident she will get it all done, as we have done lots of last minute sewing and she has Friday off work.
2 days left until the next project, and I can't wait!!!
Last I heard from Amanda she was almost done hemming the bottom of her apron, but still needed to attach and hem the bib portion. If she doesn't get that done, at least she will still have an apron!
Katie has her apron cut out, but got moving on making a tunic for her son for this weekend. I'm confident she will get it all done, as we have done lots of last minute sewing and she has Friday off work.
2 days left until the next project, and I can't wait!!!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
apron updates
Here we are...2 days into the sew-along challenge and we have updates!
Katie has been quite busy working on modern projects, a frock to wear at her sister's graduation, and she's finished a clothes pin bag for her new line! Kudos for her rocking it old school and saving energy! In terms of her apron, she has chosen the fabric, a reddish plaid, and decided on the style. A pocketed half apron that closes on the side.
Amanda has found her apron, which was started a few months ago and laid aside. It is a yellow and off white vertical stripe. It will be a pinner style closing at the side with two buttons. She needs to attach the bib portion, and hem both that and the bottom half. After that buttons and holes will be all that is left.
For myself, i have sewn my apron by hand. It is hemmed, and gathered, just waiting for the waist band to be attached. For some reason I lost all interest in it once it reached this point. I went to move on to my second apron, only to find out I don't have enough of the fabric I had chosen. Back to the storage container it will go, and I will most likely pick another. In the interim I have been working on adjusting the white voile I made last fall. I made it in a week for my sister to wear to a ball. It was 2 inches too long in the bodice, and several inches too short in the skirt. I've adjusted both, and am working on re-hemming it currently. After the hem is set I will reset the bodice to the skirt. I know that is working backwards, but one must work with what motivation they have. I'm truly hoping to finish these both in a day or so, and also work on a couple petticoats.
Goodnight my lovelies!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
sew along schedule
Alright, we have a lot to get done in time for reenacting season, and I like lists...so here we go.
Week 1 ~ aprons
Week 2 ~ slat/corded bonnet
Week 3 ~ skirt and waist band portions of work dress
Week 4 ~ bodice and sleeve portions of work dress
Week 5 ~ work petticoats
Week 6 ~ collar, cuffs, and neckerchief
Week 7 ~ additional drawers, and chemises
Week 8 ~ nightgown
Week 9 ~ wrapper part 1
Week 10 ~ wrapper part 2
Week 11 ~ coat
Week 12 ~ mattress tick and toiletry bag
Week 13 ~ travel bag of your choice
Week 14 ~ morning cap
If anyone else wants to join in on this, even if it's only for specific projects, or a couple weeks. Feel free to add me, or comment and I'll send you my email address so your comments can be added to the blog.
Week 1 ~ aprons
Week 2 ~ slat/corded bonnet
Week 3 ~ skirt and waist band portions of work dress
Week 4 ~ bodice and sleeve portions of work dress
Week 5 ~ work petticoats
Week 6 ~ collar, cuffs, and neckerchief
Week 7 ~ additional drawers, and chemises
Week 8 ~ nightgown
Week 9 ~ wrapper part 1
Week 10 ~ wrapper part 2
Week 11 ~ coat
Week 12 ~ mattress tick and toiletry bag
Week 13 ~ travel bag of your choice
Week 14 ~ morning cap
If anyone else wants to join in on this, even if it's only for specific projects, or a couple weeks. Feel free to add me, or comment and I'll send you my email address so your comments can be added to the blog.
sew along ideas
The girls and I are going to do a sew along. Each week we will have one project to make. If it's a big project we may break it into steps, and do one step a week. Our weeks will go Friday-Friday, so that each project will be done in time for said person to leave for the reenactment on the weekend. Tomorrow we start aprons. It's up to the individual as to what style apron to make. My goal is to finish one half apron I started and also start and finish another half apron. I'm working on using up my massive stash of fabric, so both are blue plaids, but completely different fabrics. They will close at the waist with two china buttons, and will be made with two widths of fabric gauged and set on the waistband. I'll be updating this blog with our thoughts and gripes on these aprons. I'll also be working on my other projects, and searching for my camera through all of this. Hopefully photos soon...even if it's of the other girl's projects.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
lacking motivation
Hey all,
I'm seriously lacking motivation. Although my body has stopped aching from work, getting up early and driving an hour still is kicking my butt. I spent 28 hours last weekend in NYC with my husband, and it was a whirlwind of riding hours in my truck, cabs, on trains, and even a carriage through Central Park.
I haven't gotten much sewing done due to all these excuses...I've sewn a handful of privacy petticoat seams, on machine, and done some pinning. Since it won't be visible I'm going to do a machine hem on all of these. I'd like to finish them up after the sun sets tonight. I do hate spending time inside when it's lovely out!
I'll fill you in on more later, I have a bit of hand sewing to do, and I will have some items to show off!
Best,
Jenny
I'm seriously lacking motivation. Although my body has stopped aching from work, getting up early and driving an hour still is kicking my butt. I spent 28 hours last weekend in NYC with my husband, and it was a whirlwind of riding hours in my truck, cabs, on trains, and even a carriage through Central Park.
I haven't gotten much sewing done due to all these excuses...I've sewn a handful of privacy petticoat seams, on machine, and done some pinning. Since it won't be visible I'm going to do a machine hem on all of these. I'd like to finish them up after the sun sets tonight. I do hate spending time inside when it's lovely out!
I'll fill you in on more later, I have a bit of hand sewing to do, and I will have some items to show off!
Best,
Jenny
Friday, February 19, 2010
clothes for the children
My husband and I don't have any children yet, however we have several friends with kids and grandkids. Since they don't belong to me I will refrain from using their names. I'm going to try to opt for using initials of some sort. So far I have three girls and two boys to dress. Ages vary from 1.5 years up to 8. I'm very excited and have been sketching and studying period images to come up with the best options for them.
For AK's better dress, I'm thinking of using a semi sheer pink plaid along with some white voile.
This will also be her first time wearing skirt supports and corded stays.
For her younger brother, DM, who isn't yet potty trained. I'm really liking the skirt with a separate waist and matching jacket. Even though this would be his best dress option, I might still make the waist out of something a bit more hardy than voile.
I have talked things over with their family, and we've decided to go with matching colors for their everyday clothes. I think it will be easier to keep an eye on them while they're running around camp, or playing with other children. I have quite a bit of a green and white check that I might turn into matching frocks. The former will get a set of pink calico pinafores and the latter a set of red calico smocks.
CW is going to be two and a half when the season opens and is very nearly breached. I've talked with his mother and we've decided on tunics for this year. I'm very excited to try this option out!
His 'Sunday' outfit will possibly be a linen tunic, but I haven't decided yet. His everyday outfit will be a short sleeved cotton tunic, and linen short pants. I really like the wide style that are cuffed at the bottom. He's got a wool hat, but I'd like to make him a linen cap for his best outfit.
Our eldest, LP, is an 8 year old girl. So far I've decided she is going to get a new set of underpinnings, including stays and a hoop. Last time I asked her favorite colors were purple and red. I'm thinking of making her a purple sheer dress. She's a total doll, and I know would take good care of it. She also needs another everyday dress. Something with a jewel neckline and long sleeves for the colder events. She's also going to get a set of pinafores. Hopefully 2 cotton calico ones, and I'd love to make her a nice white one to go over her sheer dress. She'd look just like anAlice in Wonderland !
All the kids are in need of coats for the cold months, sleepwear, new underpinnings, and something to keep their heads warm in the cold, and cool in the heat. This equates to 6 chemises, 2 undershirts, 8 pair drawers, 2 night shirts, 2 nightgowns, 2 pair stays, 2 hoops, 8 petticoats, 4 corded bonnets, 2 quilted hoods, 2 quilted caps, 4 sack coats, on top of the tunics, gowns, and frocks! I'm so very excited!
BTW, all of these images are from La Mode magazine and are available online. Please contact me for links.
For AK's better dress, I'm thinking of using a semi sheer pink plaid along with some white voile.
This will also be her first time wearing skirt supports and corded stays.
For her younger brother, DM, who isn't yet potty trained. I'm really liking the skirt with a separate waist and matching jacket. Even though this would be his best dress option, I might still make the waist out of something a bit more hardy than voile.
I have talked things over with their family, and we've decided to go with matching colors for their everyday clothes. I think it will be easier to keep an eye on them while they're running around camp, or playing with other children. I have quite a bit of a green and white check that I might turn into matching frocks. The former will get a set of pink calico pinafores and the latter a set of red calico smocks.
CW is going to be two and a half when the season opens and is very nearly breached. I've talked with his mother and we've decided on tunics for this year. I'm very excited to try this option out!
His 'Sunday' outfit will possibly be a linen tunic, but I haven't decided yet. His everyday outfit will be a short sleeved cotton tunic, and linen short pants. I really like the wide style that are cuffed at the bottom. He's got a wool hat, but I'd like to make him a linen cap for his best outfit.
Our eldest, LP, is an 8 year old girl. So far I've decided she is going to get a new set of underpinnings, including stays and a hoop. Last time I asked her favorite colors were purple and red. I'm thinking of making her a purple sheer dress. She's a total doll, and I know would take good care of it. She also needs another everyday dress. Something with a jewel neckline and long sleeves for the colder events. She's also going to get a set of pinafores. Hopefully 2 cotton calico ones, and I'd love to make her a nice white one to go over her sheer dress. She'd look just like an
All the kids are in need of coats for the cold months, sleepwear, new underpinnings, and something to keep their heads warm in the cold, and cool in the heat. This equates to 6 chemises, 2 undershirts, 8 pair drawers, 2 night shirts, 2 nightgowns, 2 pair stays, 2 hoops, 8 petticoats, 4 corded bonnets, 2 quilted hoods, 2 quilted caps, 4 sack coats, on top of the tunics, gowns, and frocks! I'm so very excited!
BTW, all of these images are from La Mode magazine and are available online. Please contact me for links.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Harvest Ball weekend
So many things have been happening, and I'm going to try desperately to catch up on everything. Let's see, back when I was updating on a semi-regular basis I left off with promising to tell you all about the Harvest Ball. I've tried once to post about this and it became very long and drawn out. This is my second try.
The Harvest Ball was back in November, on Veteran's day weekend. That day I flew from Orlando, Florida to the Moline, Illinois. From there I drove to Dubuque, Iowa to pick up my friend Katie. We are a couple of shoppers so we made a quick detour to one of my favorite western wear stores.
From there we drove to Kathy's just outside of Madison, WI. I was picking up a sewing machine from her to bring with to lend to yet another friend. After a quick chat about dresses and battles we were off to meet Amanda and swing by a Joann's. We missed Amanda's exit so she was on her own to catch up with us at Joann's. After running through Joann's and being utterly annoyed by their lack of selection we were off to meet up with the rest of the gang for the ceili dance.
There was tons of confusion about where we were meeting, and how to get there but we made it through Milwaukee's ghetto without anything bad happening, and ended up running in to the Irish Cultural Heritage Center, just as the instructions ended.
It was a flurry of hugs and giggles. After all the dancing and talking to the wonderful band, Frogwater, we all headed to our hotel in Racine. We had several cars in our party, and each one of them managed to get lost on the way!
The next morning we were desperate for good coffee. The concierge told us we were only 4 blocks from a Starbucks. After walking close to a mile we stumbled upon a dunken donuts. It was a lovely fall afternoon, the temperature far above normal. So the long walk didn't really matter except some of us still needed to finish our gowns that we were going to be wearing in just a few hours!
I had finished mine the year before, but this year I had added more trim to it. However, the white voile I had made for my sister wasn't yet hemmed. Katie also needed help with some finishing touches on her pink and purple plaid lawn. Amanda needed her sheer white overskirt pinned up. Killer had her own group of girls she had brought down from Appleton, and several h and everyone took a wrong turn somewhere along the way!of them had tweaks they needed done. She, herself needed to use Kathy's machine to stitch the eyelets on her ballgown. Everyone was dressed and their hair done up. We had somewhere around 15 girls in our party by the time we were all done. We got to the ball a bit late as usual. The time there was a blur, I don't remember too much from the actual ball, but it was fun! Afterward we all went out for a late meal and crashed! I'm going to do a seperate post of some photos from the weekend because this one is already so long!
The Harvest Ball was back in November, on Veteran's day weekend. That day I flew from Orlando, Florida to the Moline, Illinois. From there I drove to Dubuque, Iowa to pick up my friend Katie. We are a couple of shoppers so we made a quick detour to one of my favorite western wear stores.
From there we drove to Kathy's just outside of Madison, WI. I was picking up a sewing machine from her to bring with to lend to yet another friend. After a quick chat about dresses and battles we were off to meet Amanda and swing by a Joann's. We missed Amanda's exit so she was on her own to catch up with us at Joann's. After running through Joann's and being utterly annoyed by their lack of selection we were off to meet up with the rest of the gang for the ceili dance.
There was tons of confusion about where we were meeting, and how to get there but we made it through Milwaukee's ghetto without anything bad happening, and ended up running in to the Irish Cultural Heritage Center, just as the instructions ended.
It was a flurry of hugs and giggles. After all the dancing and talking to the wonderful band, Frogwater, we all headed to our hotel in Racine. We had several cars in our party, and each one of them managed to get lost on the way!
The next morning we were desperate for good coffee. The concierge told us we were only 4 blocks from a Starbucks. After walking close to a mile we stumbled upon a dunken donuts. It was a lovely fall afternoon, the temperature far above normal. So the long walk didn't really matter except some of us still needed to finish our gowns that we were going to be wearing in just a few hours!
I had finished mine the year before, but this year I had added more trim to it. However, the white voile I had made for my sister wasn't yet hemmed. Katie also needed help with some finishing touches on her pink and purple plaid lawn. Amanda needed her sheer white overskirt pinned up. Killer had her own group of girls she had brought down from Appleton, and several h and everyone took a wrong turn somewhere along the way!of them had tweaks they needed done. She, herself needed to use Kathy's machine to stitch the eyelets on her ballgown. Everyone was dressed and their hair done up. We had somewhere around 15 girls in our party by the time we were all done. We got to the ball a bit late as usual. The time there was a blur, I don't remember too much from the actual ball, but it was fun! Afterward we all went out for a late meal and crashed! I'm going to do a seperate post of some photos from the weekend because this one is already so long!
Monday, November 2, 2009
getting there
With the plans of going to Florida, I'm out two day's of sewing at home. I'm planning on taking some hand sewing with to keep me busy though.
I've scaled back my list of things to do, and am getting done just what needs to be finished. The white dress(photos to come!) needs hooks and eyes, which are going in tomorrow and a hem. The dark plaid really pops against the white dress!
The berthe is on the pink and green silk, all that is left is attaching the bodice to the skirt, and I think I will add flowers to the berthe and possibly the skirt.
I'm cutting out the first pair of real men's drawers, and doing the three main seams by machine tomorrow morning. These are made out of heavy duty cotton, and will be cut off below his knees, per his request. The will have two china buttons, and cotton tape running through the hand sewn grommets to tighten them a bit in back.
for hand sewing I have the three petticoats that need hems. I think I may have been off on my math, babysitting will do that to my math skills I guess, so I may have to do a very narrow hem on them. If that's the case, I may do the bottom two by machine. The drawers need a waistband attached, and everything needs buttons and holes.
I also started a headdress that I'd like to finish before the ball. It's green silk ribbon, that will be pleated and goodness only knows what else.
I gifted my black ballet flats to my friend, Katie, because they'd stretched out and I was walking out of them. I couldn't imagine trying to dance in them. Now the hunt is on for something black, flat, matte, and affordable! I had considered making shoes, but alas, no time.
I will try to update again tonight with photos now that everything is coming together nicely! Off to finish packing. I will be in Orlando in 24 hours!
I've scaled back my list of things to do, and am getting done just what needs to be finished. The white dress(photos to come!) needs hooks and eyes, which are going in tomorrow and a hem. The dark plaid really pops against the white dress!
The berthe is on the pink and green silk, all that is left is attaching the bodice to the skirt, and I think I will add flowers to the berthe and possibly the skirt.
I'm cutting out the first pair of real men's drawers, and doing the three main seams by machine tomorrow morning. These are made out of heavy duty cotton, and will be cut off below his knees, per his request. The will have two china buttons, and cotton tape running through the hand sewn grommets to tighten them a bit in back.
for hand sewing I have the three petticoats that need hems. I think I may have been off on my math, babysitting will do that to my math skills I guess, so I may have to do a very narrow hem on them. If that's the case, I may do the bottom two by machine. The drawers need a waistband attached, and everything needs buttons and holes.
I also started a headdress that I'd like to finish before the ball. It's green silk ribbon, that will be pleated and goodness only knows what else.
I gifted my black ballet flats to my friend, Katie, because they'd stretched out and I was walking out of them. I couldn't imagine trying to dance in them. Now the hunt is on for something black, flat, matte, and affordable! I had considered making shoes, but alas, no time.
I will try to update again tonight with photos now that everything is coming together nicely! Off to finish packing. I will be in Orlando in 24 hours!
Monday, October 26, 2009
I'm bored with white!
I didn't work on anything with color today, it was white white white! Starting with sewing the main seams of 3 over hoop petticoats, and one privacy petticoat together. I hand gathered them for the waistbands, including one for the yoked-tucked version. With my wrists being sore from all the hand sewing I've been doing I called it a night after only working on sewing projects for 10 hours. Hopefully I will find time to get the waistbands attached and all but the tucked version hemmed.
I got a bug in my bonnet, so I drafted and cut out the first of the two nightgowns. I used an old white kind sized bed sheet, bleached back to prettiness! It worked nicely because it was just the right amount of fabric. It is much heavier than muslin so it will give a bit more modesty.
Tomorrow is going to be a great day! I'm heading up to meet my friend, Katie, and help her finish up everything she needs for the harvest ball. So far I've helped her make her petticoats, we've made a corset from a duct tape pattern we made of her, and I've talked her through making her drawers. She bought a used bridal hoop, the kind that are sold at the mainstream sutlers, and we've re-sized the hoops, and are going to put tucks and a waistband in it to fit her better. Tomorrow we have to get a good start on her chemise and draft her bodice for her party dress. Her fabric is a pink, purple, and white semi-sheer cotton plaid, so I'm refraining from calling it a ballgown. I'd also like to make it with a front closure so that she can put it on herself. We very rarely attend balls, and those that we do are not authentic events, so this dress will offer her more opportunities for her to wear it. I don't feel like I've accomplished much of anything photo worthy, so I will make sure to take photos of things as we go tomorrow.
I got a bug in my bonnet, so I drafted and cut out the first of the two nightgowns. I used an old white kind sized bed sheet, bleached back to prettiness! It worked nicely because it was just the right amount of fabric. It is much heavier than muslin so it will give a bit more modesty.
Tomorrow is going to be a great day! I'm heading up to meet my friend, Katie, and help her finish up everything she needs for the harvest ball. So far I've helped her make her petticoats, we've made a corset from a duct tape pattern we made of her, and I've talked her through making her drawers. She bought a used bridal hoop, the kind that are sold at the mainstream sutlers, and we've re-sized the hoops, and are going to put tucks and a waistband in it to fit her better. Tomorrow we have to get a good start on her chemise and draft her bodice for her party dress. Her fabric is a pink, purple, and white semi-sheer cotton plaid, so I'm refraining from calling it a ballgown. I'd also like to make it with a front closure so that she can put it on herself. We very rarely attend balls, and those that we do are not authentic events, so this dress will offer her more opportunities for her to wear it. I don't feel like I've accomplished much of anything photo worthy, so I will make sure to take photos of things as we go tomorrow.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
updates on the sheer and a sore finger
Whil
e working on the white gown, I was just finishing stitching back one side of the center back in preparation for the hook and eye tape my thread broke! Not at the end where I was just about to knot it, but in the middle! I haven't figured that one out yet. I then managed to sew 2/3's of the waistband on before realizing there was a twist in the waistband. I was trying a new way of setting the waistband without pins. I sewed the waistband to the back left and back right, leaving the center unstitched. This way I could use my gauging threads to ensure that it would fit. I finally successfully attached the waistband and am calling it quits on the white for the evening. Tomorrow I will attach some muslin to the top of the skirt interior to bulk it up for gauging, and draft the sleeves. I'd like to make double puff short sleeves with a narrow cuff. I need to get another set of undersleeves out of my voile, and 4 tuckers. With the left over I may try a gathered bertha to go with the dress.
I've made decisions regarding the bertha for my ballgown as well, I've dec
ided to do a a shaped and pleated bertha with green bows. Hmm...I don't think I'm describing it near as well as I'm imagining it! I never piped the bodice when I made the dress last year. I'd like to pipe the bottom edge of the bodice, and the neckline. I also need to bone the bodice, and re-hem the skirt. It is hemmed to a nice height, but I don't like the finished product on the inside. So far I've only reset the waistband onto the skirt. So much to do!
As for the nightgowns, I've finally decided on styles for both of them. Since one is for myself, and the other for a friend I didn't want them to be identical. I'm going to do two versions of a yoke bodice, one with a triangular yoke, and the other with a slight curve. Both will have a self fabric frill attached and the yoke seam and 4 or 5 china buttons. Basic gathered sleeves, and maybe a self fabric frill at the cuffs as well. I need to sort through all my white cotton fabric and find my heavier stuff for the nightgowns, don't want to be showing off more than I bargained for in the mornings!
I've reattached the waistband on the
silk ballgown, but it resulted in my finger being torn apart. I'm going to call it quits for hand sewing on my silk until I get sharper needles and a thimble that fits! I may still draft up a couple patterns before bed. I'm thinking that a yoked chemise, drawers, and petticoat set, to wear with my nicer dresses, would be just adorable! Hopefully I will have something more completed to show tomorrow!
e working on the white gown, I was just finishing stitching back one side of the center back in preparation for the hook and eye tape my thread broke! Not at the end where I was just about to knot it, but in the middle! I haven't figured that one out yet. I then managed to sew 2/3's of the waistband on before realizing there was a twist in the waistband. I was trying a new way of setting the waistband without pins. I sewed the waistband to the back left and back right, leaving the center unstitched. This way I could use my gauging threads to ensure that it would fit. I finally successfully attached the waistband and am calling it quits on the white for the evening. Tomorrow I will attach some muslin to the top of the skirt interior to bulk it up for gauging, and draft the sleeves. I'd like to make double puff short sleeves with a narrow cuff. I need to get another set of undersleeves out of my voile, and 4 tuckers. With the left over I may try a gathered bertha to go with the dress.I've made decisions regarding the bertha for my ballgown as well, I've dec
ided to do a a shaped and pleated bertha with green bows. Hmm...I don't think I'm describing it near as well as I'm imagining it! I never piped the bodice when I made the dress last year. I'd like to pipe the bottom edge of the bodice, and the neckline. I also need to bone the bodice, and re-hem the skirt. It is hemmed to a nice height, but I don't like the finished product on the inside. So far I've only reset the waistband onto the skirt. So much to do!As for the nightgowns, I've finally decided on styles for both of them. Since one is for myself, and the other for a friend I didn't want them to be identical. I'm going to do two versions of a yoke bodice, one with a triangular yoke, and the other with a slight curve. Both will have a self fabric frill attached and the yoke seam and 4 or 5 china buttons. Basic gathered sleeves, and maybe a self fabric frill at the cuffs as well. I need to sort through all my white cotton fabric and find my heavier stuff for the nightgowns, don't want to be showing off more than I bargained for in the mornings!
I've reattached the waistband on the
silk ballgown, but it resulted in my finger being torn apart. I'm going to call it quits for hand sewing on my silk until I get sharper needles and a thimble that fits! I may still draft up a couple patterns before bed. I'm thinking that a yoked chemise, drawers, and petticoat set, to wear with my nicer dresses, would be just adorable! Hopefully I will have something more completed to show tomorrow!
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Katie Hoffmann ~ Got my bonnet cut :) I'm making progress!! Pinning it to the bed works great! **Hoping i don't cut my quilt** :
Week 5 ~ work petticoats
Week 6 ~ collar, cuffs, and neckerchief
Week 7 ~ additional drawers, and chemises
Week 8 ~ nightgown... See More
Week 9 ~ wrapper part 1
Week 10 ~ wrapper part 2
Week 11 ~ coat
Week 12 ~ mattress tick and toiletry bag
Week 13 ~ travel bag of your choice
Week 14 ~ morning cap
Blame Katie, she kept giving me ideas.
Katie Hoffmann
Katie Hoffmann