If I Had My Own Blue Box:

I am very excited to announce I started a new series on Patreon:

Beyond Silk & Straw.

This storytelling series will explore a variety of topics from information about me and how I do things to memories about research, collecting, and events.

I currently have several posts live and scheduled into April, including:

• Where did Fanciful Utility start?
• My First Antique
• Making Something from Nothing – Working from Scraps
• Antiqing with Dad was often taken to a new level
• In the Wild
• Favorite Finds: A Little Box of Joy
• Favorite Finds: My Coffee Table is Not a Table
• Favorite Finds: Don’t Tell A Book By It’s Cover

Alongside this series, I also have a From My Collection series scheduled. Both series are available to all paid Patreon subscribers.

Did you know there are ways to save in my Etsy shop?

Save yourself 10% by using coupon code MYWHIMSEY10

Help me save 6% in shop fees by using the Share & Save link where my shop name comes before Etsy: https://amillinerswhimsy.etsy.com

If you are looking for a way to encourage me as I try to write more while I need to sew less, consider supporting me through Patreon.

Kind of an absurd notion, isn’t it?

I should be 100% angry that Google led me to a popular platform where my Straw Bonnet Workbook was available for anyone to download for free.

But, I’m not.

Or, at least the researcher side, the educator side, the social-historian side is not.

Isn’t the goal afer all the digging, piecing together, exploring, trial & error, examining and reexamining….. to share the discoveries?

Isn’t the ideal to be able to share knowledge freely?

Part of me is happy to know someone found my work interesting enough to think, “other people need to read this.” Someone thought my work useful enough to think.”Other people need to read this.”

Shouldn’t I be happy that someone thought my work should be shared with others?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were as simple as that?

I wish I lived a life where I could freely share all of my work; where I could research to my heart content and share what I write freely, each of my research books, each of my workbooks, each of my patterns. How great would it be to send off a free pattern to every historic site interpreter who needed to make a warm winter hood for themselves? Imagine what it would be like if I could send an accurate straw bonnet to each reennactor wanting to improve their impression. Ask any of my past event assistants whose job it was to stop me from giving too much away at events.

I truly wish I lived a life where I could freely share my work.

But, I don’t.

My work is my livelihood.

My millinery work, including my publications, is a significant portion of my income. It pays for my rent, my utlities, my food. I don’t live an extravagant life. If you ask my friends and colleagues, they will likely tell you I don’t even live an average life in terms of expenses. When I cut expenses because I don’t meet my sales goals, I am cutting my groceries, allergen free soap or moisturizer, or other things many would consider essential needs.

So, while part of me is elated someone wanted to share my work for free with the world. Another part of me is sad that I can not.

Instead, I speed sew through the weekends despite my hands hurting and needing to rest. I put aside my personal goals to make another hat for the shop. I push off going for a much needed walk so I can sew just a few more hours. I have bedtime panics about paying bills and spending hours trying to think about how I can write faster, sew faster, and promote my work more.

So, while part of me is elated, someone wanted to share my work for free. Another part of me is angry that I have to work so hard just to keep my head above water.

Thanks for listening.

(Not bad for typing in the dark.)

I am rather upset as I write this. Please bare with me. I just found one of my publications uploaded to a public site, available for free without my consent.

All of my publications—print and digital—are copyrighted.

Any versions of my e-books, e-workbooks, or e-patterns offered for free or for sale on platforms other than my Etsy shop or my Patreon are not authorized and did not come from me.

These unauthorized copies violate my intellectual property rights, undermine my work, and take income directly from a small, independent maker. I put years of research, labor, and care into what I create, and this work is how I support myself.

If you want to support my work, please purchase or access it only through my official channels. I’m grateful to those of you who already do.

If you come across my work being shared or sold elsewhere, please know that it is unethical and unlawful. The only legitimate ways to purchase or access my digital publications are through my official shops.

Thank you to everyone who supports original work and helps ensure artists and researchers can continue creating.

Today is the first shop drop of the month. At 6pm, Eastern Time,  I will be adding a beautiful assortment of Bergère hats. Each is handsewn and blocked using lovely 6mm straw plait. 

This is also my birthday month! I wanted to do something fun. So, I’ve marked all patterns & e-books 25% off.

With the deep freeze and blanket ingredients snow many of us are facing in the coming days, I propose a fun distraction with a Snow Sewing Challenge:

Fleece Blanket Challenge

Step 1 – Grab an inexpensive blanket while you are out sticking up on milk & batteries.

Step 2 – Pick a period pattern from any era in history.

Step 3 – Make the garment or accessory using the fleece blanket.

This challenge is meant to be a bit of fun in the depths of winter. This can also be a way of making a functional garment to stay warm.

Of course, I would love to see some fleece versions of my winter hoods. Other ideas could include: a fleece waist, fleece petticoat, fleece mantle, fleece drawers.

I finished it!

This doll hood is absolutely adorable!

Theo is modeling this darling 1870s hood. Theo is a 16ish inch porcelain doll.

But, don’t worry. This pattern has pieces for a 16″ doll and an 18″ doll.

Link to Pattern in Etsy.

I am excited to announce my newest pattern for 2026 is now available in my Etsy shop!

This 1870s Light Wool Hood Pattern has been a long time coming. This beautiful hood has been in my collection for years patiently waiting its turn.

While my previous hood patterns focused on function, hoods that could keep you warm and/or dry, this hood is more about form.

The person who made this original hood from which I pulled this pattern, was skilled creating a simply beautiful hood. The easy two-piece construction has lovely lines with a flare into the bavolet along with finishing details that are just darling.

With this pattern, you can follow closely to the original wool hood or opt to make a couple variations for a lasting, accurate hood to wear with your 1870s impression.

PS – I plan to have the doll version of this pattern available ASAP

PPS – A couple Saturday morning reflections and thoughts:

I made a couple of variations, including one inch instead of half inch quilted diamonds plus enlarging & flipping the trim design.

The main construction of this hood is pretty quick. It is the quilted lining, hand binding, and bow that take a little time. This could easily be a single week or weekend project. If ordering or looking through your stash, you will want a half yard of the exterior fabric and lining fabric.

The hood is lighter weight compared to hoods I’ve previously patterned. This makes it appropriate for milder winter days as well as fall and spring. To increase the warmth, a double layer of wool batting and a second layer of silk lining could be used.

It is only 8 days into the new year, yet I’ve been busy, busy.

Somehow, I managed to pull off a week’s catch-up work in 2 days for another department while technically on recess.  I’ve been working at double, maybe triple speed this week as we dive into our January crunch time for exams. I’ve still been determined to get this pattern done.

And

It is nearly ready!

If you are on Patreon,  you have access to my proof copy.

Once I am happy with it, and sure I didn’t miss something from staring at a computer screen for 12 hours, I will upload it to Etsy for everyone.

I still need to create the doll version. I have 2 doll sizes drafted. I think I am still on track to have those ready by the end of January for you.

Happy 2026!!!!

This new year is especially significant to me. I am starting the year as Anna Worden rather than by my married name, and I am also nearing a landmark birthday. I’ve never been good at setting traditional New Year’s Resolutions or such. I do find value in focusing on a theme and arcing intention this year.

For this year, my theme is to embrace and celebrate myself. My broader aim is to move beyond survival mode and into a period of growth.

Connections – Which of my readers are authors?

As I think about this year and what I hope to grow, I find myself reflecting on how much I value connection. This is particularly true of my many readers who have followed along for years. This year, I want to grow these connections. Starting off:

Over time, I’ve learned that a good number of my readers are also writers. Many of you have reached out to me with thoughtful questions about history, clothing, and millinery while working on your own projects, and I’ve always been glad to help where I could. What I’ve realized, looking back, is that I didn’t always take the next step and ask about the books themselves.

That’s something I’d like to change.

If you are an author, I would love to hear about your work. If you’re comfortable sharing, please leave the title of your book (or books) in the comments. I find myself in a place where I want to read more of what others have written. I’d like to fill my 2026 reading list with authors I know, supporting your work as you have mine.

Edit: I am starting a Good Reads “shelf” of writers I know.

What’s ahead in 2026:

Coming in January – Many have been asking for 1870s and 1880’s hood patterns. I am listening! I am currently working on an 1870s Light Wool Hood Pattern. Initially, I wanted to have this pattern ready for New Year’s Day. I’ve really pushed myself through recess to get it done for you. But, this hood is just too darling to rush. It will be available sometime this month with 2 sizes and a doll size. Of course, paid Patrons will have access to this pattern here.

Coming in February – I have my first program of the year scheduled at the Wehle Gallery at the Genesee Country Village & Museum. I am looking forward to sharing often overlooked or mis-identified Pen Wipes with visitors, including a make-n-take option.

Bergère Hats – I will begin sewing Bergère hats as soon as I finish the pattern mentioned above. I want to do my best to make a hat for everyone who wants one for this 250th year.

I do have additional plans that I am not quite ready to share. I will as soon as I have them more firmly in place.