If I Had My Own Blue Box:

I am preparing for two upcoming events, two very different upcoming events.

In two weekends, I will be discussing how dolls were used in Victorian Fancy Work. The day will be spent demonstrating how a broken doll can become a pen wipe or pin cushion. I will wrap up the day with a presentation “The Little Companions of Ladies: How Childhood Playthings Became Adulthood Helpmates.” This discussion looks at how dolls transformed from childhood playthings to adulthood helpmates as pin cushions, pen wipers, and other forms of fancy work. We will explore the workbasket pages of popular women’s literature and original pieces of fancy work.

The very following weekend, I will be doing my Women’s Employments interpretation. With the very quick turnaround and timing being while school is in session, I have a new twist. Instead of fully transforming the insurance office into a millinery shop, I plan to be unpacking the new millinery shop through the weekend while searching for a millinery assistant. The latter gives a chance to discuss the qualifications and role for the position. The former allows for stacks of bandboxes and not as many finished pieces.

I have two more events in the active thinking and preparing stages. 🤔 I will share information on those soon.

This weekend, I am hoping to have all the materials for the first event out and ready.

I also hope to sell three millinery pieces and ten copies of To Net, or Not to Net, which I put on sale for the end of the month. Fingers crossed.

This straw had a mind of its own. As I worked the vining around the brim. The brim curved into this pretty dome shape. I rather love it. I hope you do too.

The crown is 20.25″ around the inside, suitable for an average head.

It seems I was in a vining mood this week. Both, the hat and bonnet I ,are this week have straw vining around them. I picture these decorated with garlands of spring blossoms, maybe some apple blossoms or cherry blossoms.

Don’t miss last weekend’s Regency era bonnet:

Or one of the 1870s capotes:

Vining straw winds around the crown and brim of this Regency style bonnet. The crown rises with a taper, with vining around the sides and tip. The lower portion of the crown does not have vining as I picture ribbon there. The brim has a soft curve to it with two bands of vining, including the edge.

You may have noticed some missing images in posts. I apologize for this. I think it is either the new Jetpack app WordPress is using or trying to copy posts from the classic format to new format. Either way, any time I try to fix it from my phone, it gets worse. I will try to fix it asap. If you notice a glitchy photo/post, please let me know so I don’t miss one. Thank you for understanding.

Sunday morning, I did a short Reel about one aspect mass-produced 1850s-1860s style bonnets get wrong. Then, I quickly realized I have much more to say on the subject. I need to get my hands on one of the mass-produced bonnets to really show people what I am talking about. Until then, here is Sunday’s Reel (moved to YouTube. )

A couple weeks ago, I decided to try making informative mini videos with reels. Just this morning I realized I can download them and shared them on YouTube. (Again, time travel put me behind the times.) Here are the first three millinery reels. There will be more.

First Review – Thank You!

My newly re-written 1850s-1860s Straw Bonnet Workbook is ready!!!!!

My Straw Bonnet Workbook walks you through hand sewing a late 1850s to early 1860s straw bonnet from straw plait. Included are directions for a high brim bonnet, often referred to as a “Spoon Bonnet” and directions for a low brim bonnet, also known as a “Cottage Bonnet.”

This workbook starts with an introduction and a brief history of straw millinery in the mid-nineteenth century with a look at original straw bonnets and bonnet blocks in my collection. The core of the workbook gives step by step instructions with color photos of working from crown to brim, guiding you through making your own straw bonnet. The workbook wraps up with a discussion of finishing materials and bonnet care.

***Please know this workbook requires hand sewing straw plait/braid. This workbook does not include directions for machine sewing or pattern pieces.***

***This purchase includes 2 downloads – The 55-page Workbook had to be divided into 2 files to fit on Etsy. Be sure to download Both files.***

Here is a past post that should fit with “April showers.”

With this soak-you-to-the-bone weather leading up to and likely through the weekend event, I am thinking about ways to keep dry. As I think through my list, I realize most of them won’t happen because the bits and pieces needed are buried deep in storage. That doesn’t mean I can’t share them with you.
Reenacting events inevitably mean walking, likely through grass or even mud. With wool boots, I find my rubber over-shoes a must. They slip right over my boots covering up to about my ankle. Extant rubber over-shoes were found when the Steamboat Arabia was uncovered. Those made by Tingley seem to be the closest.
Just in case, still pack extra stockings or socks for everybody.
A wool coat can help keep the wet off of most of you. A long paletot gives you great flexibility in the arms while buttoning up the front to keep you dry.
If you don’t have a coat, consider the largest, plain or plaid wool shawl you have. Wrapping this around you will help keep you dry.
We talk a lot about parasols in reenacting but not much about umbrellas. Use an umbrella, a period umbrella of course.
Skip the fashion bonnet. Instead opt for a sunbonnet or for a hood. Water can cause a bonnet to soften, warp and even run.
If you carry a bag, make sure it is water-resistant. You may want to try a pocket instead. A pocket hidden under layers of skirts can usually stay dryer than a bag carried out in the open. If you must carry medicines or modern technology put them inside painted canvas bags or zip-lock bags just incase.
For larger bags, choose one with a heavy carpet and good closure. If it has a leather or painted canvas bottom, even better. Leave the bandbox at ‘home’.
You will be happier with your tent if you have sod-flaps and overlapping doors. Also put down a good water barrier under your flooring. I find a wool rug helps control the moisture better than other fibers.
Inside your tent let wool rule. Wool rugs on the ground help keep the area more comfortable. Put a wool blanket layer over your cot or ticking first. Be sure it drapes almost to the ground on each side. This keeps the moisture from coming up from underneath. Make you bed how you prefer. Then cover it all with a wool quilt or blanket. This will keep the moisture from getting in during the day. If you are sensitive to a moist pillow, wrap it with an extra wool shawl during the day to keep it dry.
Don’t hang your clothes. Put them in a trunk or box with a layer of wool covering them to help keep moisture down. You may consider a layer of wool on the bottom as well.
As you settle in for the evening, light a candle or two (safely). Whether the candles really do help cut the moisture or not, they help psychologically.
What do you do if you do get drenched?
If you can lay or drape your dress flat that will be best. Hanging it can cause it to stretch under the weight of being wet. If you have a trim that can run, be sure to lay the dress so the fabric does not lay back on itself particularly the trim.
If your bonnet get damp, set it up on a hat/bonnet stand. If you don’t have on make-d0 with something like the back of a chair. Do not lay it on its side because it will warp.
If your bonnet gets particularly wet, try to blot the trimmings so there is no running water. If your flowers are pinned in or on, consider removing them so they will not run on the bonnet itself.
If your boots get wet inside, stuff them with newsprint or fabric to absorb the water. Do Not put them near the fire as they can be damaged. (most warranties do not cover fire damage)
If your corset gets wet, layer it inside material to press out any excess moisture. Drape it over the back of a chair to dry.