I indulged in purchasing myself some wardrobe essentials.
First…. I learned something recently. There are things I am good at. There are things other people are good at. I don’t have to be good at everything. It is okay for me to have others make the things I am not good at making.
Things I do not make for myself:
- Collars
- Stockings
- Shoes/boots
- Knit goods
Collars are the newest addition to this list. Going from the sewing need for straw to the fine sewing for a rolled hem just doesn’t work well. I end up with the wrong tension and a wonky collar.
I gave myself permission to let someone else make my collars. To my delight, and sanity, Marie makes the most lovely collars. These are beautifully sewn. The material choice is just lovely. And…. I am smitten with the lace! The plain collar is for my red plaid cotton dress. The lace edge collar is for my yet to be made pink silk dress.
Second….. You’ll have to follow me on this one. I started noticing last fall that my white side lacer boots were starting to wear along the lacing area. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the material binding the lacing opening was not leather. I was rather disappointed to find this because I find these boots to be very comfortable and enjoy wearing them. My concern is that if this sub-par material was used, what will happen with the rest of the boots? (Don’t worry, this is not a seller you can mistakenly buy from. While I don’t recall the name, I know I bought one of the last pairs before they closed their store.) While, I probably will just rebind this area with ribbon, I knew new boots would be needed.
Ideally, I could replace them with a well made side lacer. My dream wish boot has long been Robert Land’s green side lacers made many years ago. But, considering he has retired and those were coveted boots, there is next to no chance of finding them. Let alone finding them in size 7.5 for my crazy wide feet. I decide balmorals would be nice as well. After all, I do love the wool balmorals that Land made me years ago before my feet got wider. So, winter crawls on by. I see people posting sizes too small. I see people posting sizes too big. I see some pretty worn boots posted as well. I join another costume group that has lots of shoes. Oh. The. Prices.
No luck.
Then last week, a pair of nice, never worn Sekala balmorals in a size 8 pop up. These would be made by my friend Samantha. I’ve tried on her shoes. They fit. They are well made. They are correct. Horray!!!!! Mine!!!
And then….
Just a couple days later…. what pops up in a costume trading group?
You have got to be kidding me….
My dream wish boots in my size….
Green, side lacer never worn Robert Lands!!!
For a fabulously low price!
I actually hesitated.
Am I crazy? 2 pairs of boots in the same year? I can’t do that!
But, I did….
The reality is both of these pairs will last me years as I most often wear them in a building and to/from buildings. I have other boots reserved for wet or mud.
(Pardon the partial lacing)
Now, Clara would like you all to know she finds the box and packaging to be far more interesting than the boots…
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
How wonderful that you were able to get your dream boots! Perhaps it is a sign that things are finally on the upturn for you after everything you have been through.
(My cats are also determined to fit themselves into boxes, no matter their size 😉 … I think it’s part of their psyche)
Annie
Manchester, UK
Two pair? Oh yes, if they fit!!! In all my years of reenacting, I have had 2 pairs. Try finding size 11 AAAA! It is very hard next to impossible to find. Don’t feel guilty, feel blessed! ________________________________