Regency Drawing – I’ll call her Agnes

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Regency Drawing, Regency skills

In an attempt to refine my Regency “lady skills,” last spring I purchased water color pencils. I had not picked them up for a year and yesterday and today I just enjoyed the solitude of drawing and painting. I love the soft lines of the fashion plates depicting Regency fashions so I found one with simple lines and copied it as best I could. The husband says he admires my lady-like skills.

 

 

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Jeanne Lanvin Robe de Style for Roaring Twenties Prom 2014

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1920s, Anti-flapper style, Jeanne Lanvin, Roaring Twenties, Robe de Style

I was asked to chaperone prom because apparently I am a “super fun person.” I had avoided dances in the past because well, when you get to be of a certain age, that type of dancing is just not appealing; it’s revolting. But the theme sucked me in. Who wouldn’t want to go to a prom with the theme of Roaring Twenties?! And then divine inspiration struck: I would have a new dress!!!!! Clearly none of the ten or so dresses in my closet safely stowed in garment bags were appropriate for this time period. I had two weeks. I could do this. And I did!!! I started looking online at options. I’m not one of the “boy look” of the twenties. I also prefer to use my big hips to my advantage – hence the 18th century styles really suit me (though I love Regency and that is an entirely different silhouette….oh well off topic). Anyway, I was inspired by the Robe de Style and Jeanne Lanvin. The lines were graceful, simple, and elegant.

I read this blog; we all know her work in the costuming world.

I loved this color:

 

 

But I loved this neckline and bodice line:

 

So I purchased my fabric (and one of my co-workers gave me a 50% off coupon so woohoo!)

 

I used one of my mom’s vintage patterns from the 70’s for the top. This picture was before I cut the neckline a little lower. The pattern was for a longer knee or floor length dress, but I just drew the line at my mid-hip for the dropped waist.

 

 

Because time was an issue, I needed something simple and fast. Also silk ravels easily so I decided to line the bodice the modern way. Once the two pieces were lined, overall there were two shoulder and one side seam to sew. The fabric was 44 inches wide and I wanted the skirt to be quite flowy/poofy so I sewed three panels together which equaled 132 inches around. I used the 18th century method of making a skirt which meant I kept three rectangles and joined the selvage edges and left the one side open. (I hate dresses that I have to struggle into, so I made the opening wide enough that I could step into it on the side and pull it over my head. Ha). That opening was then closed with snaps down the side. (FYI: sewing snaps on under time constraints is super annoying).

While the dress went together quickly, I had the caffeine shakes Sat morning as I was sewing for 5 hrs straight under pressure to get it done by 3 p.m. Everything worked out in the end, but there were some things I would have liked to have slowed down. I also want to sew on a sequin ribbon/trim. Again, because of time, I just tied it around my waist like a belt.

Here is the final:

 

I wore the same shoes I wore at my wedding and they were comfy; I also wore a little hair piece that I wore at my wedding reception!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a fun, flirty style. If/when I make this dress again, I will make the bodice a wee smaller width wise so it’s a bit more snug, but still falling straight from the shoulders.

Spring Break…..or as my students said: Winter Break Part 2

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Cove Point Lodge, Gooseberry Falls State Park, hiking, Spring break, Tettegouche State Park, traveling

Back in the second to last week of March, I trekked north to Minnesota while everyone else traversed south. Why? Because of my sister of course!!! We had booked a room at Cove Point Lodge in Minnesota. It’s right on Lake Superior in pristine northern country, 100 miles south of Canada. So we were at least south of somewhere. A marvelous three nights and four days were spent hiking on snowy paths through pine and birch studded forests, eating at local towny restaurants, lounging in the pool, hot tub, sauna, or in room hot tub, and sewing (well more like refitting and cutting out of bodices). The staff at the lodge and every state park we visited were extremely polite, friendly, and welcoming. I ate the best food I’ve eaten all winter (well besides some of the super tasty meals I cook myself). Here are some photos of our sojourn! 

 

The Lodge

 

Our room – complete with gas fireplace…

…and hot tub!

 

Tettegouche State Park

 

Summers growing up were spent one mile south of the Whitefish Point Lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My dad had a pen and ink and watercolor drawing of the Split Rock Lighthouse and the Western side of Lake Superior seemed so far away. I am a nerd. I’ll admit it. I love lighthouses. I love learning about the monotonous, tough lifestyle that the light keepers and their families endured. On a historical/romantic level – I would love to live that life. This lighthouse sits atop a 100 foot sheer rock cliff. It’s insane. The visitor center was open and had fascinating displays; however, touring the other buildings on the grounds was not possible because it was March and like most places, are only open from May to October. Still, my sister and I headed to the cliff and got our faces blown off. The wind chill was serious and deadly. No wonder shipping shuts down in the winter and the light keepers headed inland. 

Split Rock Lighthouse

 

 

Looking down the side/edge of the cliff from the top

 

 

Downstairs off the main lobby area, they had a nice sitting area where lots of people read the newspaper in front of a huge stone fireplace or played games or simply just watched the ice move on the lake. They also had free hot beverages all day long. Awesome. 

 

 

More hiking….

Gooseberry Falls State Park

 

This statue is a tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps who built this state park and many others like it in the 30’s and 40’s. Several handmade stone structures still stand throughout the park and they are wonderful pieces of architecture. 

 

 

Part of the “castle wall” of the wayside. If you climb up the stairs (not pictured), it leads you up to the road and they have many historic photos of the men at work.

 

 

Beautiful skies on our last day

 

 

If you have never ventured this far north, it’s well worth it.