Her Heart In History

Planning the Lilac Striped Maternity Dress

2012-05-21T15:24:00.001-04:00

With my new-found motivation to sew again, I find myself ready to think about sewing my maternity dress out of the lovely FFC Hydrangea Striped Lawn (the same one that Sarah Meister made up into her lovely saque and petticoat).

I think Lilac Striped Lawn is a more appropriate name for color, though. ;) Whatever you want to call it, it's a LOVELY fabric!

I want to make an adjustable dress, like Elizabeth talks about in her most recent blog post, "Great Expectations".

Here is what I'm planning at this point:

A half-high lining
Slight v-neck
A drawstring waistband (as mentioned in "Great Expectations" and seen on this dress)
I should have plenty of fabric to do a horizontal self-fabric band (or two?) on the skirt plus other self-fabric trimming
Gauged skirt
These sleeves

I have a Sewing Academy post with questions and (hopefully, soon) feedback. I'd love to hear your thoughts, either here in the comments, on The Sewing Academy thread or any other way of contacting me ;)

Spring 2012 Sewing List

2012-05-16T10:22:00.000-04:00

Here is my current sewing list:

Completed from last list and from this Spring:
Finish Toile - I finished this in July 2011! Yay! :) I ended having my sister wrap me in saran wrap and then a layer of duct tape for a start--it worked WONDERS! I finally have a good base!
Wool bodice/dress - Done and I am SO happy with it! :)
Semi-sheer dress - Done and just in time to wear on Sunday for our July event!
N's Blue tunic - DONE!
Move buttons on N's pants - DONE!
Tucked Petticoat for E - DONE!
Corded underdress for E - DONE!
E's purple plaid dress - DONE!
E's pinafore - DONE!

Currently on the table/Upcoming:
Timely Tresses Eliza Coretta Bonnet from kit: Form is done and covered in the silk. Bavolet is attached. Needs to be decorated and lined.
N's orange plaid tunic - Skirt is done. Do bodice.
N's Hat - Red wool mechanic's cap with leather brim (hopefully!). Worked on up-sizing the old pattern.
E's pink dress - Skirt is done other than pleating/gathering. Do bodice.
E's corded sunbonnet - have to downsize my sunbonnet pattern.
Repair seam in E's tucked drawers
Put markings in kid's underclothes to differentiate sizes! - This will make it SO much easier!
Fix escaping bones on gestational corset - I've decided I really don't like using Joann's sateen for corsets for this very reason. VERY inconvenient and sometimes painful!
Hydrangea Lawn Semi-sheer Maternity Dress - Since I'm going to be pregnant most of the summer, I decided it would be nice not to HAVE to wear my wrapper--as comfy as it is, it does get boring after you've worn it ALL summer! Not to mention that it will be warmer than I'll want it to be. I'd really like to get this done before our next event, since I doubt I'll be as blessed as I was for our first event and still be able to fit in my blue semi-sheer! That uterus just keeps climbing up! ;)
Work on hair style with rats - I'd like to get some of the faux tortoiseshell pins, too. Maybe when I (hopefully) order Nathaniel's leather brim, I'll get some from Timely Tresses.

Before Baby #3 (Late August):
Cap for Baby #3

After Baby #3 (Late August):
Corset - I got pregnant, just to avoid this project! ;) ;) Just kidding! But I AM glad I don't have to face this for a while. It's just so stinking hard to fit yourself!!
Bone back point on wool dress
Tuck in cage waistband - with the combination of losing weight (not that I'm losing weight at this point ;)) and the muslin stretching, I need to take a tuck or two in the waistband to make it smaller.
Re-pleat Green cotton print dress skirt - Fortunately, this is the only dress that needs re-pleating after I made my cage! My mom may end up borrowing it for a while, anyway.

Someday:
New collars and other white accessories
Start saving for a parasol
Silk Cravat for Tim
Fancy petticoat - Because let's face it, I just need a fancy petticoat to go under my sheer dress and my wrapper! My inspiration image. Unfortunately, this has been put on hold since I ran out of fabric :P

A Rainy Day Equals a Long-Overdue Post!

2012-05-15T14:01:00.000-04:00

Good Afternoon!

I realize that I have not posted in a (very LONG) while. There have been a few reasons for that. The main one being that until just recently, it was all I could do to even face sewing!! I was just NOT interested in sewing--a TRUE rarity for the spring months for me! I think a LOT of it had to do with discouragement with our current events that we do. ALL of our usual events are either brand new (i.e. small and just getting off the ground), have totally changed hands (no idea what to really expect), or are significantly changing (not usually for the better, in my opinion). The authenticity of the events we do leave MUCH to be desired in a progressive reenactor like myself and I was just plain frustrated and discouraged. Fortunately, and providentially ('cause BOY did I need motivation!!), a fellow Sewing Academy member and her family ended up camping next to our units camp!! It amazes me how if they (or us) had been camped anywhere else we might never have met! Anyway, her presence at this newly-changed (for the better, fortunately!) event encouraged me to persevere and even brought back the Sewing Bug! :) It's so encouraging to see children dressed appropriately! And when they're nice children that my children can play with, it's even better! Unfortunately, that will probably be the only event that we get to see them at this year, but I will just have to look forward to next year! ;)

Pre-event sewing projects included pretty much totally revamping my two kids' wardrobes (BOY did they grow!). I was hoping to get another year out of Elsa's Pink Yoked Dress, but alas, her torso grew WAY too much to even limp it through a few events! She still weighs the same (last I checked) as she did last October, but she is MUCH taller! So a new dress (two, eventually) was an order. She also needed a new petticoat and stayed underdress (drawers were okay!). I made a pinafore for her, as well, since she only has one dress completed. She desperately needs a corded bonnet, too. Nathaniel needed new tunics (I won't complain since he got 2 years out of the old ones) and a hat. Fortunately, I was able to extend his pants one more season (so that will be 3 years with those!!!) by moving the buttons! :) His hat and second tunic are still "in process".

Unfortunately, I don't have too many pictures of their completed stuff, but I do have a couple I can share from the event:

Poor guy lost a battle with a toy truck in modern times!

I'll be posting an updated sewing needs list and I'll hopefully get some pictures of Elsa's underthings to share, as well. :)

Blue Semi-Sheer

2011-10-25T18:51:00.000-04:00

I realized that I never did a post solely for my blue semi-sheer dress. So without further ado, here it is!

In the design process, the dress went through many changes! I finally settled on an open coat sleeve and a plan gathered front bodice with waistband.

Before any trim

I used this dress as inspiration for the trimming. The trim is just a small frill down the center front around the neck and then on the sleeve edges. The neck started out as a jewel neck and then ended up being a V-neck that is basted back to form the V.

For the first event, I wore a regular rounded collar with it, but I didn't like the way it looked (I don't think it was long enough), so for the next event I made a white lawn frill to go inside the neckline. I ended up just using the selvedge edge and sewing it to a muslin bias band.

The fabric is super light and floaty! Truly dreamy! Sadly, it is now late fall and I won't have another opportunity to wear it until at least March (more likely May-July), but, I can't wait to wear this again!

Chemise and A Big Project...

2011-10-17T12:55:00.000-04:00

I finished my chemise that I started back when the power went out for 5 1/2 days! I used 100% cotton muslin and it's sewn 100% by hand. I used Kay Gnagey's Simplicity pattern 2890. It went together really well and I'm very pleased with how it came out.

I am currently working on what's-turning-into-a-big project: an article/pamphlet/book for new lady reenactors. I will be posting it on here as a free resource that you all will be able to print and hand out or read online. It's turning out to be a lengthy piece of literature, so hang in there, I think it will be worth it ;)

Brown Plaid Wool Dress

2011-10-04T17:46:00.002-04:00

Well! It is finally finished (almost ;)--still have to baste the bodice and skirt together and add some boning to the back point)!! I wore it to an event this past weekend (boy was I glad I had it done, because it was COLDDDD!! I was very thankful for my paletote, too).

I bought the wool when it was on sale back when Fabric.com had their big fabric sale. I found out I was pregnant right after I got the fabric, so it was set aside to marinate until I resumed "normal" measurements. ;)

I completed the skirt probably a year ago, and didn't touch it for a long time because of more relevant projects. Let's face it, a wool dress (even if it is tropical weight) compared to a nice semi-sheer lawn will lose when it's 90 degrees and sunny out ;) However, the beginning of September rolled around (and along with it, cooler and rainy weather) and I got thinking that I would need to get going on my wool bodice if I was going to have it done by our next event (October 1 & 2). So I started researching and planning on what I wanted to do. I searched off and on for 3 weeks for inspiration by looking at CDV's, pictures of original dresses and fashion plates from the 1860s. I just could NOT find anything that jumped out at me. Good sleeves are very important to me and I really just wanted a sleeve that popped out at me. I also wanted a sleeve cap, since I'd never done one before and I like the way they look.

Inspiration Image

The bodice is lined in premium bleached muslin and the sleeves and caps are lined in brown Egyptian cotton. I didn't have enough of either to do both.

In my original planning, I was thinking of doing a yoked dress, but during the process of looking for a sleeve and mulling it all over, I decided that I wanted to go with a pointed bodice. I searched for pointed bodice threads on The Sewing Academy and as I was reading through, I came to a picture that another member had posted. Ironically, it was from a site that I had already been poring over! I don't know how I missed it, but I did! Because I'm always second-guessing myself, I put it to a vote on FB whether I should do one point or two--and it got unanimously voted for two (I was leaning towards two, anyway). I also decided to do a back point.

I need to bone the back point, apparently ;)

I really am so pleased with how it came out! I probably will evenutally trim it like the inspiration image, but I have to ruminate on what color to trim it with ;)

Now a good, well deserved rest and then on to my Winter Sewing Projects (list forthcoming).

Weather Change

2011-09-14T15:46:00.004-04:00

Well, apparently, with Fall-ish weather my desire to blog comes back :) I, of course, have a lot that I can blog about since we've done a few events since my last post plus all of my little sewing projects! :).

We did an event at the end of July. It was the first time that we'd done this event and it turned out to be a nice little event. The grounds have a lot of potential and the organizers seem to be very open to suggestion and change for the better. It's on a nice big farm with a mill and water wheel.

The Mill (with blue-belly infantry inside)

Buck came out again!

Elsa helped me work on my blue semi-sheer dress ;)

I was able to wear my semi-sheer dress for the first time on Sunday. Since then, I've put trim on the bodice and made a frill for inside the collar (post coming soon).

Elsa slept through the battle on Sunday!

More pictures from this event on Facebook

Upcoming post topics will be an updated sewing list, another event post, details of new semi-sheer, new chemise, and whatever else I can think up and remember!

First Event of the 2011 Season

2011-06-04T18:10:00.000-04:00

Cannon-fire on Saturday

Well, we have officially kicked off the 2011 season! We had our first event last weekend. 6 years ago it was my very first event. I bought my first dress there--pretty farby, but not bad for a beginning (at least it was a one piece dress!). Unfortunately, this past weekend marked it as the last event at this location :( Sad. It was originally run by an individual person and then it got to be too much and he gave it up. The chamber of commerce then picked it up with a grant for three years and this was the last of the three years. So hopefully someone in the area will start a new event somewhere else. It was only 30 minutes from our house, so that was really nice! :-/ Oh well! It is what it is!

Elsa loved our friend's dulcimer! She just loves any kind of music!

The weather was pretty darn good! Especially, considering how wet this Spring has been! It only rained a little bit on Saturday and Saturday night. It was pretty hot on Sunday, but as long as you stayed in the shade it was fine! Saturday I wore my red plaid dress and Sunday I wore my sheer dress.

My mom and E (Mom's hair got whipped around by the wind, hence the bangs ;))

One of the most exciting parts of the weekend was getting to wear my new Timely Tresses bonnet that Tim got me for Christmas!! I've had it since March so I've been burning to wear it since then! I am SO thrilled with it! It makes me want to attempt making one....maybe someday :)

The 26th TX is now a dismounted AND mounted cavalry unit! :) This was "Buck's" first event and he did GREAT!

Better picture of Tim's new shirt :)

Our Wonderful Little Family <3 God is so good to me!

Spring 2011 Sewing List - Update #2

2011-05-18T14:42:00.005-04:00

Here's my currently updated Spring 2011 Sewing To-Do list (original list posted on 3/29) with newest updates in creamy burnt orange (red is from Update #1):

~~Mend N's hat~~ Finished 3/26
~~Pocket in wool dress skirt~~ Finished 3/26
Corset - I've got the "first draft" (mockup stage) almost ready to go.
Finish Toile - I really can't finish this until I do the corset...
Wool bodice - I really can't do this until I finish the toile! (This fabric)
Semi-sheer dress - See "wool bodice" ^^. I ripped the skirt panels today (5/18). This fabric
Fancy petticoat - Because let's face it, I just need a fancy petticoat to go under my sheer dress and my wrapper! My inspiration image.

Re-pleat Green cotton print dress skirt - Fortunately, this is the only dress that needs re-pleating after I made my cage!

Shirt for Tim - Finished 5/11
Cage - Finished 4/11
Kid's clothes:
~~Underclothes~~ - I originally thought it'd be okay, but I actually ended up having to take one of the petticoats up because Miss E is a tiny thing :)
E's Dress - Finished 5/11

~~Short sleeves in N's tunics~~

Pink Yoked Dress

2011-05-16T19:14:00.000-04:00

I finished DD's dress a few days ago and finally got around to dressing her up and taking pictures--taking pictures of a fully mobile 10 month old is a feat in and of itself. :P

Yep. She's a ham.

I got the fabric from Joann's for 3.99 a yard. It's a really nice quality cotton. I used Liz's infant dress pattern (and yes I did a mock-up--or rather three. Miss-E doesn't seem to be average, but of course, I knew that already :D). I have always wanted to do a yoked style, and this was the perfect chance! The sleeves are the loose style sleeves. It closes with hooks and eyes in the back. It's sewn 100% by hand (I seem to be doing things by hand more and more :)).

I am SO very pleased with how it came out!

Tim's Shirt and a Sneak-Peek

2011-05-11T10:29:00.005-04:00

I finished Tim's shirt a while back, but I had to wash it after all the handling, grubby children fingers, and muddy dogs rubbing up against it while I was sewing. :P (good thing they're cute). The pattern (Laughing Moon #107) worked up really nicely! The directions and illustrations were very clear and the pieces all fit together really well.

I made the changes that are suggested in this SA thread to make the shirt more appropriate than a square-cut shirt for 1860s. These changes include:

Squaring off the bottom (rather than the round shape the pattern has)
Omitting the sleeve placket piece and slit and simply hemming the edges of the slit in the seam
Gathering the yoke all the way across instead of in two distinct spots
Moving the cuff buttonholes up near the sleeve/cuff seam, per Mrs. Schmitt's suggestion

I would change a few things next time around.

Center the buttonholes in the front placket rather than keep it 1/2" from the fold.
Be more careful when putting in the collar (I somehow got it flipped upside down so the interfaced side is on the bottom...>-/)
Make the collar smaller for DH's small neck ;)

All in all, those are very minor things and I'm very pleased with how it came out! The fabric was REALLY nice to work with!

More Sewing Academy reading on Men's shirts:
My questions about this pattern and what collar views to use, etc.
Men's Dress Shirt
Style's of Men's Shirts
Adventure in Man's Shirt

And just a little sneak-peek into my current project, Elsa's Dress:

Open Undersleeves

2011-04-13T16:24:00.008-04:00

I've been thinking of doing some open undersleeves for my semi-sheer dress (which is still in the planning stages--Sewing Academy planning thread) so I hopped on some museum sites with collections and this is what I found:

MFA, Shaped, embroidered cuff and band
MFA, straight, embroidered cuff
MFA, straight, embroidered band and large cuff
MFA, open coat, two lace tiers
MET, funnel, two embroidered tiers
MET, straight, embroidered cuff and band
MET, straight, very sheer, embroidered band and larger cuff
MET, shaped with a yoke top, broderie anglaise embroidered
MET, straight, fuller top, two embroidered and scalloped tiers (one over a cuff?)
MET, straight, van dyke edge on tier, cuff
MET, slightly shaped, figured fabric, embroidered band, scalloped cuff edge
MET, shaped, very open sleeve, embroidered edge
MET, slightly shaped, very open, two embroidered tiers

I'm thinking that I'll go with either two tiers of gathered fabric with a slightly shaped...shape? OR I'll go with a gathered-into-band-with-cuff style...

Spring 2011 Sewing List - Update #1

2011-04-12T15:50:00.004-04:00

Here's my updated Spring 2011 Sewing To-Do list (original list posted on 3/29) with new updates in red:

~~Mend N's hat~~ Finished 3/26
~~Pocket in wool dress skirt~~ Finished 3/26
Corset - I think I've decided to have my sister do Liz's duct tape pattern draft method.
Finish Toile - I really can't finish this until I do the corset...
Wool bodice - I really can't do this until I finish the toile! (This fabric)
Sheer dress - See "wool bodice" ^^. Though, I COULD do the skirt. (This fabric)
Fancy petticoat - Because let's face it, I just need a fancy petticoat to go under my sheer dress and my wrapper! My inspiration image.
Shirt for Tim - He's requested a white shirt. Have pattern, now also have fabric.
Cage - Finished 4/11
E's clothes:
~~Underclothes?~~ ~~- I think she'll be set with N's old ones~~ Yes. They'll be good.
Dress - I found a double pink at Joann's!!! For $3.99 a yard! YAY! :) So now I have to design it. I think I'm going to do a yoked bodice with bishop sleeves for the long and loose sleeves for the short!
~~Trim N's old red plaid dress~~ ~~- Maybe ruching?~~ Decided to not do this.

Cage - Finished!

2011-04-09T12:42:00.003-04:00

I started my cage project a couple of days ago. I decided that the best and cheapest way for me to get a cage was disassemble my old 120"+ (read TOO BIG) 6 bone bridal hoop and use the plastic covered steels out of it. Of course, I wasn't going to have the plastic covered steel showing, so I bought a 72 yard of heavyweight cotton twill tape. I then hand-whipped the twill tape over the hooping.

I used Elizabeth Stewart-Clark's The Dressmaker's Guide as a guide, but I also used acquired knowledge from Sewing Academy posts from other forum member's who have made their own cages. The major things I changed from Liz's directions was to add a center back tape and to secure the steels in the tapes rather than let them "float" in the tapes. I also had to space the steels closer together than she suggests because I'm only 5'2" and I was using 6 steels instead of her suggested 4-5. Another thing I changed was not to use boning connectors, I just overlapped the steels and sewed through the tapes covering them. I spaced the bottom rungs 3" apart (7/8" channels) and the rest 5". The bottom two rungs are about the same circumference--100", the rest decrease in a very scientific and mathematically "lean" method: "as was pleasing to the eye". :P SOOO, without further ado, pictures!

Cage - In Progress

2011-04-09T12:27:00.005-04:00

These pictures were taken yesterday morning. I've still got some steels to secure in the tapes and then finish balancing it on a waistband.

More when I'm finished. :)

Spring 2011 Sewing List

2011-03-29T18:11:00.003-04:00

Well, I sat down and compiled my Spring 2011 Sewing To-Do list today so I thought I'd share that here. Here is what I came up with:

Mend N's hat
Pocket in wool dress skirt
Corset - I really need to do something with The Corset. I know I've been wearing it too high, so it might just be that, but I suspect that it's too long in the first place. I'm trying to decide whether to just make a new one (having my sister do Liz's duct tape pattern draft method) or just keep fiddling with this one.
Finish Toile - I really can't finish this until I figure out what to do about the corset...
Wool bodice - I really can't do this until I finish the toile! (This fabric)
Sheer dress - See "wool bodice" ^^. Though, I COULD do the skirt. But I haven't even gotten the fabric yet (I bought it, just not arrived).
Fancy petticoat - Because let's face it, I just need a fancy petticoat to go under my sheer dress (soon to be "dresses", plural) and my wrapper! My inspiration image.
Shirt for Tim - He's requested a white shirt. Have pattern, need fabric.
Cage - I took apart my old 6 bone hoop (Read: GWTW huge). I'm going to cover the plastic covered steel boning in twill tape and then make a cage per Liz's instructions.
E's clothes:
Underclothes? - I think she'll be set with N's old ones
Dress - I am just DYING to make her a double pink/cinnamon pink dress for her....we shall see. I haven't found any for less than $8 a yard.
Trim N's old red plaid dress - Maybe ruching?

Collars 101

2011-02-28T11:15:00.001-05:00

A fresh white collar is one of the fastest ways to spruce up your impression. In my opinion, not wearing a collar for a "better" impression should be done with thought and education. It is common (and a nice touch) to wear a neckerchief for working impressions, but not nice enough for a better impression. 1860s collars are almost exclusively white (not off-white, cream or ecru)--the main exception being black for mourning. Collars are not merely decorative (though nothing sets off a nice ensemble like a crisp white collar) but are highly functional. The purpose being that you detach the collar to wash it instead of washing your whole dress. Period laundry practices are harsh and lengthy. It is just much easier and cheaper to wash a small piece of cotton or linen rather than a whole dress--especially if that dress is silk or wool. Collars should be easily detachable, NOT permanently sewn to the dress. When I sew my collars on, I use about 1" basting stitches. It takes about 5 minutes and it's just one of the things you have to do before an event.

Most collars that you see at a reenactment are more bulky than they should be. They should be somewhat fine accessories (really fine for upper class impressions). Lawn, organdy, batiste and other fine cottons (or even linens) are excellent choices. If you only have muslin on hand and can't make it to the store, a one layer (bleached) muslin collar will work in a pinch. Just use Elizabeth Clark's narrow-rolled hem directions and you'll have a lovely collar that you can wear in good health. Double layer collars are way over-represented at reenactments, so I like to use single layer construction for my collars.

What do you like to use for collars? Single or double-layer? Do you even wear a collar? If not, why not? Do you wear anything at your neck?

Further reading (Sewing Academy threads):
"What Options Do I Have For Collars?"
"Collar Tricks"

First Post

2011-02-21T20:30:00.000-05:00

Well, I've decided to have a separate blog for reenacting topics so my fellow reenactors don't have to weed through my natural living posts if they don't want to read that sort of thing. If you do want to, please follow my Her Heart At Home blog. I'll be coming up with some posts shortly :)

2011 Anti-Winter Dreariness Sewing List

2011-01-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

Since we have entered the post-Christmas/New Year winter dreariness, I thought I should have some 'Anti-Winter Dreariness' sewing projects so after I finish some modern sewing, I will attack this.

Finish toile - this will require some help (oh Mumsy....?)as the shoulder is bunching pretty badly and I need someone to smooth it up.
Put pocket in side seam and hooks or button on wool skirt
Wool bodice - can't finish or even start this until I have my toile done
Velvet belt
More Collars
Remake collar that's shown in picture above -- I forgot to chop the seam allowance off of it.
Fancy over-hoop petticoat based on this petti from the MET. (click for bigger picture)

Mom, Em, and Stasia need:

Corded bonnet for each of them
Corded stays for Em
Wool dress for Mom
Re-fit Mom's work dress
De-farb Mom's straw bonnet
2 drawers for Mom
2 chemises for Mom
Petticoats for Mom
Probably drawers and chemise(s) for Em

Updated sewing list!

2009-09-29T17:57:00.001-04:00

DONE! ~~Finish Hood~~
Finish N's saque coat - The saque is all done except for the tabs (closures). Silk is here, just have to do it! ;)
DONE! Wash red plaid dress
DONE! Repair closure on RP Dress
Put pocket in RPD
DONE! Put long sleeves in N's dress - if its not too faded. It shouldn't be, he only wore it to two or three events this year.
Finish green dress for myself - I pulled this out finally and this is what I've done on it since then: Pocket pattern made. Pocket then cut out of fabric and sewn in skirt. Waistband made. Pleat the bodice front. Bind neck and waist with piping (had to make the piping for the waist). Hem skirt with facing (by hand). Balance skirt. Pleat skirt.
Left to do: Attach skirt to waist band. Finish hooks and eyes for closure.
Make collars for red plaid and new green
Finish N's strapped petticoat - needs a button but the straps are sewn down.
DONE! Move hook on underpetti
See if I can squeeze a hood out of the wool I have left for N - doubt that will be happenin'
Pair of drawers for myself - not happenin' before this event.
New Chemise - not happenin' before this event.
Add two hooks to sheer dress - this does not have to be done by our October event, it will be much too cold to wear it then, so I have all winter to finish it :P

Finished Hood

2009-09-10T13:33:00.001-04:00

I finally finished my winter hood! The outer is wool remnants left over from "the boys" shell jackets. The lining and ties are silk twill from FFC (Fashion Fabrics Club). I sewed it 100% by hand! Its the first thing I've done completely by hand and I must admit, I'm quite proud of it! :) I used Sarah Jane Meister's (Her Blog) hood pattern and it went together great! Thanks Sarah for sharing your pattern! If you want to see the pattern go to the list of her other blogs and click on the Historical Clothing Pattern Blog. So here's the pictures! :D

A Sewing List

2009-09-09T10:06:00.001-04:00

Last night I sat down and made a list of the things I'd like to get sewn before our next event. So here it is:

Finish Hood - All that's left to do on it is finish one tie and sew both the ties on.
Finish N's saque coat - Its all cut out and the lining and outer pieces are sewn. The lining and the outer pieces are pinned together ready to sew. One sleeve is done.
See if I can squeeze a hood out of the wool I have left for N
Wash red plaid dress
Repair closure on RP Dress
Put pocket in RPD
Put long sleeves in N's dress - if its not too faded. It shouldn't be, he only wore it to two or three events this year.
Finish green dress for myself - I'm not really sure what is left to do on that...quite a bit. I have to pull it out today and look at it.
Finish N's strapped petticoat - needs a button or two and the straps need to be sewn down.
Move hook on underpetti
Pair of drawers for myself
New Chemise
Add two hooks to sheer dress - this does not have to be done by our October event, it will be much too cold to wear it then, so I have all winter to finish it :P

It's a good thing I've got my sewing energy back! :D I was so burnt out from the last sewing marathon I did!

A Hood and a Saque

2009-08-29T11:07:00.001-04:00

I've decided what materials that I'm going to use for Nathaniel's saque and my hood! For my hood, I'm using remnant pieces of wool left over from when I made "the guys" shell jackets! Its a beautiful blue/gray wool. I'm lining it with some burgundy silk twill I got from Fashion Fabrics Club online. I'm also sewing it 100% by hand! It's turning out lovely so far! :) Nathaniel's saque will be done out of my old cape. I'll use the wool and the polished cotton that it was lined with for the outer and lining for his coat. It should be really cute. I did the muslin (like I said in the previous post) and decided to lengthen it, since he's slim and tall and doesn't seem to be putting on any width but lots of height. I'd like for him to be able to wear it next spring since we only have ONE more event this year!