After two weeks of house guests, we were on our own again last week. Peter was even out of town on business for three days. Braeden had enough of being passed around and wouldn't let me put him down for a few days. We're now getting back into the swing of things, and he's allowing Peter to hold him for an extended period of time again.
I've been working on getting him to nap on his own, which is hit and miss. He's a good sleeper but likes to be touching someone. Some days he will sleep in his basket just fine, and others I'm back in there every fifteen minutes to put him back to sleep. In other Braeden news he's getting super strong and growing like a weed! He started rolling back to front at three days old and front to back at three weeks. He tries to crawl to you if you move away from him, but doesn't have the arm strength to hold himself up so his front half just gets pushed along the blanket by his legs. Size wise, he was ten pounds five ounces at the midwife's office last week, and has grown three and a quarter inches!His 0-3 month clothes are starting to fit snug and his 3-6 month onsies are fitting well with just a little length in the sleeves and quite a bit extra length in the pants department.
I've been figuring out how to manage my time most days, and have started to catch up on drafting the patterns I've promised folks and have been reading a ton. It feels great to be able to challenge my brain again. I have one question for all you reenacting bloggers out there; if you had 70" of 60" wide tropical weight wool what would you make with it? Colorwise it is deep plum with light gray pinstripes.
Thanks, Jenny
Well the nursing cover is finished, minus the button and hole. I thought I had a pretty white button for it, but can't find it. I'm heading to the city on Wednesday for a prenatal appointment with my midwives, and to do some shopping. I'm going to use a 50% off coupon to get a new pretty white button from Joann's. If this child comes before then, I'll just pin it or something. I'm not too worried. I probably won't even use it until we start going on outings.
My frustration lies in my hands being swollen. It's extremely difficult for me to accomplish sewing tasks when my fingers don't want to work! I've cut way back on salt, and drink lots of water but they're so stiff. I'm trying not to complain too much about it, because I can still wear my wedding band. It's tight, and leaves a little mark, but it's there. I'm a night time sewer as well. I sew during the day, but I find it much easier to focus at night when I don't want to be working outside. My contractions keep kicking up at dusk, and trailing off in the early morning. This is not exactly helping my to-do list, but hey, there are contractions! I'll take it!
I've been working with my cranky sewing machine because I can't manage to sew through velcro or elastic by hand right now. I have all the covers (11 I think) cut out both shell and water proof liner, with the velcro tabs attached. The gussets are about half finished having the elastic applied. All that's left is stitching the gussets to the covers, and finishing the edges with more elastic. I really am ready to be done working with all these modern fabrics and notions. I have a true dislike for them, but it is teaching me patience. Especially after sewing on 6 gussets last night to realize I had the seams going the wrong direction.
Well I need to get to my list of chores, the main one being cleaning the stinky chick's box (they're inside with us until it warms up). I'll introduce them soon, hopefully. Also, if anyone wants a more timely update of what's going on birth-wise, or just in general feel free to add me on facebook. If I don't get around to posting something, my husband sure will.
Best,
Jenny
Still no baby! I'm going a bit nutty with waiting, and the phone calls and messages from friends every day asking where the baby is aren't helping my patience. I've been cleared to do as much activity as I want because I'm measuring 2.5 weeks ahead and the midwives are predicting that this little bundle isn't going to be so little!
My sewing machine is having issues with the tension or something, and for the life of me I can't figure it out. It only happens if I use a newer Coats and Clark spool of thread. The thread doesn't come smoothly off the spool...it all of a sudden will spin like crazy and several inches will come off and wrap around the medal spindaly-thing that holds the spool. My husband is going to take it in to a repair shop as a birthday gift for me, but the nearest repair shop is almost an hour away. Needless to say, we're waiting until we have another reason to head in that direction.
I've been hand-sewing some, but not too much. I've finished the nursing pillow cover, and will have my version of a hooter-hider finished tonight. I have burp cloths and diaper covers left to finish at some point. I don't know which is more important to have right away. I have 2 diaper covers that were given to me, and quite a few hand towels that could be used as burp cloths.
Which would you recommend I work on next?
Thanks,
Jenny
19th century clothing...for little ones, or my husband, or really anyone but me. I'd sew for myself but my ribcage has *gasp!* increased by at least an inch, maybe two. I'm already fretting that the dresses I have won't fit. I have lots of little ones I can sew for, including my own *squee!* and darling husband sure needs clothing but I'm forcing myself to finish making my cloth diapers and covers.
I'm about half way through my goal of fleece pre-fold diapers, and haven't even started on the covers yet. I've tried knitting some woolen soakers, but I get frustrated and rip it all out. I'd like to get at least 3 covers knitted as well. There are multitudes of baby things that need to be sewn before I can move on to the want to be sewn items. Sigh...I'm half way considering cutting back my hours at work (that have already been cut in half) just so I can have more time to sew.
Also, I really would like to post photos of what I have sewn, but our internet connection is so poor that it is impossible to load a photo onto blogger. Hopefully I'll get up the ambition and time to go to the local coffee shop and post some photos...my other blog is desperately in need of some updating as well!
Off to sew!
Love,
Jenny
A friend sent me a message earlier this week saying that she was going to an event in February and needed to know exactly what to wear.I thought rather than reply to one person, I could make a post out of it because I’m sorely lacking in “look what I made” posts. This isn't the finished article, but I thought I would post it while the ideas are percolating in my mind and add to it or edit it later.
My first thoughts are that what your clothing needs are in the winter and summer really aren’t that different.In the winter you just need more!
I’m assuming she’s going to an event that is dated somewhere during the Civil War and it’s not a pre-war event.Working on that assumption here is the list I would prepare for myself before I went.I love lists!!!
Sturdy leather boots
Stockings – preferably wool
One pair of drawers for every day
One chemise for every day
A shortened petticoat to wear next to the drawers
Skirt support *
Three to five petticoats depending on the circumstances of the event
One sturdy dress – preferably wool
This list is the typical list I would recommend for anyone going to an average weekend event.The only differences I would have would be the textiles recommended and those would change with the weather.
Additionally I would plan on bringing a few things because this event is * I think* is taking place during winter in the Midwest.
One hood
Outerwear, either a coat or multiple shawls if you don’t have a coat.
Rubber over-boots to protect your leather ones
Mittens
Scarf
*It is my belief that most women attending Civil War reenactments would be portraying someone existing in the middle class of society.From the research I have done, and the tons of research belonging to other individuals that I have read, or discussed I believe that the vast majority of women would be wearing skirt support on a daily basis.Either a cage crinoline or a covered hoop, but something would have been worn.There are plenty of working circumstances that would limit the size of the support, but not necessarily negate the use of said support.
to say that I haven't done anything blog worthy in awhile...but I hope to soon! I'm getting the itch to sew again, mainly because I have a looming deadline. I figure that most of what needs to be finished for the summer needs to be finished before spring if it's going to be finished at all! This means 3 things. 1. I need to finish clearing off my interim sewing desk. 2. I need to finish my mending pile before I start a new project. 3. I need to go into my unheated sewing room to find fabric...and it's a scary mess up there!
I feel like I've been constantly getting yelled at to slow down and stop doing physical things lately (luckily none of this has come from my midwives) so today I'm taking it fairly easy. Hopefully I'll finish at least #1, maybe even #2 on my list tonight. That is after I do barn chores and make supper.
P.S. there has been talk of picking up our sew alongs where we left off last summer!
Here it is, my reason for why I have barely posted in the last few months...I'll be 6 months along next Monday. It seems like time is flying so quickly, I just can't keep up with everything that is going on! Were not finding out the gender, and we're planning a home birth, so it's going to be quite an experience for us!
On other notes, I've been working on finishing up some Christmas decorations, and have a few gifts to get made up so hopefully more posts soon! Love, Jenny
Although most of my time has been spent working on house projects, I have worked on a couple things.
A scarf I started this time last year, but it got lost amongst the moving boxes for months, and another one that will hopefully be a Christmas gift;
an Alice in Wonderland costume, that I didn't get photos of; this one was for a pony club Halloween costume contest. Very little sewing, but a lot of imagination with two wonderful little girls;Most recently I've been working on my homemaking skills. They definitely need work. I'm trying to come to grips with not contributing 50% of the income. This is something that both my husband and I had talked about, and I thought I was going to like being a stay at home wife, at least part time. I'm having trouble feeling like I contribute enough. Mainly because when I go to work a couple hours at the farm in the morning, my husband cleans. He cleans much better than I do, and I feel quite guilty about not holding my own. I do the majority of the household shopping, and all the cooking and mending. I just really need to get on top of the cleaning aspect of it. Baking isn't quite my thing yet. I can make cookies like no one's business, did a halfway decent cake for Peter's birthday back in may, and have okay pies...but bread scares me. I've never made an edible pizza crust, and my first pumpkin bread just plain didn't turn out. This is a crafty project I dreamed up, eventually it will be an advent calendar. I'll try to do a separate post on how to make the pieces. It's really turning out to be easy as pie
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
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!
It's hot, I'm warm and burnt from tubing this weekend. I have no motivation. I finished Aaron's drawers, and will mail them tomorrow. I really need to finish a gift for my friend, b/c she's due any day now...but I have no motivation. That is all. :)
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!
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!
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!
Katie Hoffmann~ Got my bonnet cut :) I'm making progress!! Pinning it to the bed works great! **Hoping i don't cut my quilt** :
haha yup 10 weeks left. Provided we all get in gear and start catching up on our projects. This week we were supposed to be finishing work bodices. 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.
lol I missed some of the conversation.... i was busy!! lol... poor brat... you'll get over it. I'm handicapped remember!? lol. You'll b fine!! And my darling jenny, you ASKED ME for ideas!!! lol :) I love you tho!!
If it makes you feel better i bought new nail polish before we started this crazy project and i still havent had time to use it ---------- Sent from AT&T's Wireless network using Mobile Email
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
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!!!
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.
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.
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 have been working on various things, but I can't find my camera. It's packed somewhere...I hope. Along with the charger for the video camera. We still aren't into the house, and my husband is off tour in less than a month! I so want to have the house all scrubbed down and organized for when he gets back. The place doesn't look like it's had a good scrubbing in decades! There is a ton of black nasty cobwebs, and it is just overall unkempt. I dream of being on my hands and knees with a bucket of sudsy water and a scrub brush! I've been working on some cotton flannel petticoats. Although I don't have any documentation for patterned cotton flannel petti's, they are quite warm and much cheaper to make up than canton flannel. I've also been patterning kids clothes. My goal is to make underpinings, and outer clothes up through size 10 right now. So far I have 3 styles of dresses in 3 sizes. It was a lot of work! But oh so fun! I apologize for the lack of photos...I'm also searching for my husband's back up camera, but haven't had any luck. Well, goodbye loverlies, I'm going to drink coffee, watch robin hood, and plant some mystery bulbs (in a pot, since I haven't got my lawn yet).
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