New sewing goals

Tags

1815, future projects, Regency, Waterloo

Waterloo 2015

My sister and I need a small wardrobe. The challenge: fitting reenacting clothes plus other clothes in suitcases while still traveling light.

Basics to sew:

1. Two day dresses a piece (I have one day dress already)

2. Two petticoats a piece (at least one each that is bodiced)

 

 

I just can’t stop thinking about it, so I want to start sewing now!

Advertisement

Terrible Halloweens, mitts and a trip to Gloucester, VA

Tags

battles, Gloucester, mitts, reenacting, traveling

Last night, my husband and I were reminiscing about Halloween costumes from our childhood years. I had been a princess, a nurse, a witch – the usual. He had been a dinosaur and an astronaut. Then I remembered 6th grade. By that age, American Girl dolls had become very popular. There were only five on the market: Felicity, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, and Molly (the classics). I was already reading tons of historical fiction by age 11 and I loved everything about Addy and the Civil War time period. I begged my mom to let me be Addy for Halloween. I desperately wanted her pink dress too. But historical clothing patterns were not hugely popular at Joann’s. And I wasn’t African American. My mom didn’t think anyone would “get” my costume. Bless her for trying to protect me. I didn’t care at the time. I WANTED to be Addy. So mom and I cobbled together a blue skirt (which she sewed a black ribbon around the hem, just like Addy’s), we found a white blouse and added a little black ribbon bow tie, and then I think I had some type of bolero style jacket or shawl (similar to Addy’s). I really wanted her lunch pail because that’s what she took to school. But my mom was not keen on the idea of searching every antique store in the Detroit area just for a tin pail. Boo.

So the day of Halloween in  small Catholic school begins with every student in the 6th grade class going around the room and making each child “guess” that person’s costume. Most costume’s were easily guessed. Finally my turn came. I was really proud. I was Addy – an American girl – surely all the girls in my class knew Addy!!! I stared blankly back at everyone’s faces. No one could figure it out. Then my teacher, for the sake of further embarrassment and moving along to the next person (whose costume was, I’m sure, much more easily guessed), asked me to explain mine. I said I was Addy, though I did not sound as confident as I had once felt. Everyone just kind of looked at me and went “oh” and turned to look at the next person.

Since that time, I continued my obsession with historical clothing. Now I’m living the dream. Only not as Addy, but as Felicity!!! haha. Felicity was my sister’s favorite. But somehow since college, I fell in love with the Revolutionary time period and I now own a closet full of Felicity clothes that are historically accurate. Yay me!!!!

I had the most wonderful opportunity yet: to attend a huge reenactment in Gloucester, VA. I’ve never been out that way before and almost every/any person obsessed with the time period knows, it’s worth it. And it’s close to Williamsburg (another must and another post). There were 1500 registered participants. We were camped at the grounds of the Inn at Warner Hall.  The Brits were camped on one side and the Americans on the other side. The French troops were at the back corner of the house, right near the river.

Looking down the driveway at Warner Hall.

Standing in the French camp looking back to Warner Hall

Saturday was a bit overcast/drizzly. But my red wool cloak kept me very dry and very warm. Fighting a battle in the rain and a muddy cornfield must be less than stellar. I would not know though because I am not a soldier. The battlefield was huge, maybe two football fields long and two wide? Though I’m not good at judging distances so I really have no idea. All I know is that there were soldiers entering the field from every possible corner. Battles lasted almost a full hour. The British still march in wonderfully precise rows.

Saturday afternoon battle – Lauzun’s in blue coats with yellow facing.

British marching

Saturday morning the French participated in the boat landing. I would become a soldier just so I could ride in the boat. However, that means there is a possibility of falling out of the boat! I think the French/American forces won the battle.

Boats!

More boats!

Here are more battle photos because, well it’s fun to take photos with lots of smoke and ponies!

Conditions on Saturday were perfect for smoke rings!

Calvary makes any battle instantly better.

One thing I find very odd is that when I’m watching the battles going on, I’m constantly searching for “my men.” They are easy to spot because of their light blue coats with yellow facing. No matter how far away they are, if I catch just a glimpse, I think okay they are safe. I panic just a wee bit when I can’t find them. Then I think, wait, they are shooting blank rounds. No one is actually dying.

The big event of the weekend was burning down the house. A historically accurate house was built in just a few short weeks, so it could be burned to the ground by the British. We waited all weekend to see this happen. It was worth it. I wish we could burn something at every reenactment.

From afar – oooh black smoke makes for a dramatic battle

Close up view with a zoom lens – pine sap and creosote burn extremely well!

It kind of looks like the British are on fire, but it was because of my position in the crowd. The fire department was on hand and no one got hurt, which made for a very successful end to the Sunday battle.

In between battles and meeting new people, we went shopping. It is fun to visit the sutlers in person after just looking at their websites – such wonderful people and all very helpful! Thank you to The Silly Sisters and the Virginia Floor Cloth and Textile Company for displaying so many wonderful fichus!!! (When I started compiling my wardrobe four years ago, I had plain white fichus that were appropriate and just fine. However, one did not suffice. Two white ones did not suffice. Nope. I had to make myself an embroidered one. Then I had to go and buy four this weekend! Ha!).

Lastly, it isn’t a good weekend with friends if the men don’t cook.

Ian making rice pudding

Stan making bacon and eggs

Here are some more in camp shots. We can’t wait to experience it all again in five years. Vive le roi!

French camp with multiple cook fires going

Almost paying attention during morning role call

Sunday morning inspection

Although I ran around all weekend and took near 600 photos on my camera and a friend’s camera, these were the only photos of the female French camp women!

Anna and baby Violet

It was chilly both Saturday and Sunday mornings and in the evenings. About a month before the event, I asked my mother-in-law if she could knit me some full length arm mitts. And she did!!! I was the most excited about wearing these because they are the newest handmade addition to my wardrobe. They are 100% wool and super warm. By midday on Sunday, my arms were actually sweating.

Me wearing my awesome mitts knitted by my mother-in-law!

Not sure who the gallant soldier is, but I had to pose near a pony!

“Father” and I before he goes off to battle in the morning

Now we all must wait another five years and I must start sewing more clothing so my sister has clothing to wear when she comes with me!!

Bedgown and new dress form

Tags

18th century, bedgown

To go along with a previous post, here is another photo of my bedgown, but it is on the dress form my mother-in-law got me. This is most helpful and I don’t know how I’ve survived this long without one. 

This was a super easy project and I’m ready to make another one!!

Withdrawal

Tags

18th century clothing, hemmed petticoat, linen petticoat, project finished, reenacting

I’m addicted. It’s terrible. I can’t think of anything else. I can barely eat, sleep, socialize….it’s been only 2 weeks since my last reenactment!!! Since June 16th, when I started working at OWW, I’ve spent every Sat in period clothing – either 1870’s or 18th century – and now I’ve gone two weekends with no period clothing! My torso longs for a solid fully boned corset or stays. My abs/insides are turning to jello without one on!

I finished hemming my linen petticoat this afternoon and I put it on and skipped around my yard in it, just to make sure the hem looked good…..not because I’m experiencing significant withdrawals from not being in period clothing for way too long. This year by far, since I’ve started reenacting, has been the best yet. I don’t know what I’m going to do this winter with all the waiting! I guess that new petticoat and jacket will really actually be sewn so I’ll have some new clothes!! 

Trying a new recipe

Tags

fall time meals, food, new recipes, squash

I love pinterest. I may or may not spend some Saturday mornings browsing pinterest and spamming my sister’s fb message area with fun pins I find that I know she would enjoy. Well, I came across a recipe for spaghetti squash au gratin. I love anything with cheese. I thought I would try this since my husband loves squash all through the fall/winter seasons. He may or may not demand that I cook squash. It’s adorable. So I found this recipe and thought, why not? I really like trying new recipes I find online because I set up my laptop on the counter, turn on pandora, and rock out. (This is of course after a marathon sewing day).

As I write, I’m waiting for the second half of the squash to get a little cooked in microwave; our microwave, much to my husband’s dismay, is super tiny. But our kitchen is small. There is not a lot of counter space. We need a small microwave. The one I have used to belong to my grandma when my parents got it for her after my grandpa died. I can’t get rid of a microwave with sentimental value!!! haha. Because this little oven is sooo tiny, it takes twice as long for anything to cook. Ha. I don’t mind though because you just get used to it after a while.

Once this squash is done, into the oven the whole concoction goes!!!!

 

This recipe was amazing!!!!! It was so easy too! The only thing I did differently was after the entire thing baked for 24 min, I put it under the broiler. I really like my casserole-y type dishes to be crispy/crunchy brown on top. I may bake it for a bit longer next time too. The squash was cooked, but it could have been more so. Overall, a fabulous dish. I’m so glad there are leftovers!!

Petticoat Re-working

Tags

18th century petticoats, hem bindings, sewing projects

If you don’t do it right the first time, you’ll have to do it over. I swear this was my mother’s favorite saying while I was growing up (and still is). But like, all mom’s, she was/is right. However, I don’t believe I sewed my petticoats “wrong” the first time, I just sewed them and hemmed them quickly in a pinch, with the intention to fix them later. Well, later has arrived. As I journey more into the “hardcore” side of living history, I strive (as anyone who makes historical clothing should) for accuracy – in all aspects. Unless I’m really pinched for time, I hand sew with linen thread. (I love linen thread now). I don’t measure my pleats on my petticoats because women in the 18th century did not measure. (But I’m also ridiculously good at having them come out equal – similar to my weird ability to hang pictures perfectly straight). And now I will admit that I “ghetto hemmed” two of my petticoats. I didn’t want to cut off a bunch of extra fabric the night before I needed to wear them, so I quickly whip stitched the hem. My weekend was dedicated to cutting off fabric and re-hemming. The brown wool petticoat was finished first because it just got an official 1/2 inch rolled hem. After almost tripping up the stairs while carrying heavy things, clearly the wool petticoat was too long. Now it’s a lovely length of 34 inches.

The second petticoat to get reworked was the brown linen one. This one has a lovely drape to it. As a result, I wear it on top all the time now and have the striped ones underneath. (That way, when people ask me how many petticoats I have on, I can show them my fun stripes! It’s a cute surprise). So anyway, the linen one got the same treatment: cut off a bunch, rolled hem, but it also got linen binding tape. Eventually I think I want all my petticoats bound because I would like the edges to last. I also think it is a nice way to finish the edges.

Bedgown Complete

Tags

18th century clothing, bedgown, sewing

As I’m sure most seamstresses and/or costumers can attest, putting a project on a “to do” list and then finishing and wearing said project is incredible. Sense of accomplishment – right here. Back in the spring/early summer, I had the pieces cut out for the bedgown. I wasn’t sure how I would fix the “collar problem” as noted in the directions/comments of another sewer who posted the original pattern with directions. Therefore, I focused on sewing the side seams and hemming the front edges. Then I had to pleat the sides from the hip down. Luckily, because of the gown workshop and sewing more petticoats, I now understood what type of pleats I needed. At an event in September, I looked at someone’s bedgown and realized I had sewn down the pleats the proper way as well! Yay. Then, a few weeks ago, I had a dream about sewing and instantly popped out of bed with a ton of motivation. I sewed all morning. Finally, I was ready to sew the collar together. Thanks to my mother-in-law, I now own a dress form. I don’t think I could have figured out the collar without the dress form. I pinned an extra insert of fabric at the gap where it would cover my neck and then I sewed it in to place. Magically, the pieces fit, and a beautifully curved collar appeared. Hemming was last and the most tedious. For the first quarter, I think I made my stitches too small. Saturday morning, at an event, I finished hemming my garment so I could actually, finally wear it!! And I did just that. After wearing a jacket or gown all day that pulls my arms back in a way that my 21st century body is not used to, my new bedgown was delightful. Even though I’m sitting in this picture, I think it does the garment justice. I’m wearing the striped garment – my newest addition to my 18th century wardrobe.

In this photo, we are vigorously sewing sleeves for a regimental.

Of course, at the time of this writing, I cannot locate the original blog I had read the directions on. When I find, I will provide credit.