If I Had My Own Blue Box:

One of my favorite blog series from over the years also happens to be one of the most under read. Maybe it is because it is just that: lots to read.

When I first came across the digitized Moore’s Rural New Yorker at the Rochester Public Library, I was was delighted to find the publication to be well rounded with sections for farmers alongside gardeners, and the whole family. As I continued to read, I was captivated by a column of letters and responses, often from an Aunt Betsey. These volleys primarily dealt with the domestic life of women, what work was like, what was best to wear while working, how to raise daughters, etc.. I was eager to share what I was reading, quite convinced others would be just as captivated.

Well, not so much according to my stats.

Here we are, some years later. I will link here the tag I had given these transcriptions:

Their Life, Their Words

It is 5 weeks to Opening & Mother’s Day Weekend…. Aka my first event of the season.

This means Things Must Get Done!

Normally, this is smooth sailing. But, this year I feel about a month behind. Between school/work and life and weather and a germy 5 day sleep, I am definitely feeling behind.

Here is the list:

• 4 fully decorated millinery pieces. (12-16 hours)
• The kerchief doll needs a body and a name. I also need to order a second kerchief. Then I need to drape her bodice and plan out cutting the kerchief. (?5 hours?)
• I need to finish my wool dress, which means I need to start my wool dress. (?12 hours)
• Prep “Tools of the Trade” for the second event of the season later in May. (no idea)
• I must get some pieces made for the shop. This is an absolute budget must. (10×10 hours)
• A new collaborative project with a local friend that isn’t technically 19th century, though it is 19th century inspired and on the same time line of to-do. (5ish hours)

A certain feline must have known I need to get a move on. She woke me up far earlier than I wanted to wake up. Since then, I have fed her (the feline priority) and cut & pressed 4 linings, 4 bavolet nets, 4 facings, and 4 frills. That stack of bonnets is ready to get dressed.

Is it super weird that I’ve been keeping the extra hat/bonnet stands in the car because I ran out of room? I only have the antique ones plus one pink inside.

I think I am going to work on this black bonnet to the point where it needs to be blocked. Then on to linings. I may cut out a doll body first.

In like a lion, out like a lamb? Well, maybe. That is if in with a roar of plans and out with a sigh counts. While I planned for the month to be packed full of Mousquetaire hat, miniature millinery, and some other goodies, much of the month was full of math.

I managed to get about half the March millinery done that I had in mind.

I enjoyed participating in the “History in Her Hands” challange by sharing an original item in my collection (nearly) each day of the month. I fizzled put at the end of the month when I caught a germ and basically slept for four and a half days.

Looking ahead, April will be a dash to finish a several pieces and get them to their homes. Then it is one to events in May.

In comfort we find connection.

In connection we find comfort.

On this 30th day of #historyinherhands , I offer this thought. When I first brought strawberry emeries make, I did not expect the stong connection visitors had with the strawberries. They shared their stories, their memories, of these fabric fruits, each filled with a tone of comfort.

This leaves the question: How to develop connection with discomfort.

For this 29th day of #historyinherhands , I offer this heart pin cushion in purple silk. This useful heart is made from a pair of triangles under the guidance of the children’s book An American Girl’s Book, by Eliza Leslie. Like many young girl’s projects, pin cushions such as these could be made of materials from the scrap bag and embellished to show the maker’s skill.

For this 28th day of #historyinherhands , I offer these images of fiber.

Common hat shapes during the American Civil War era.

There are 2 main componants to a hat from this era: the crown and the brim. Both thd crown and brim were particularly shaped to reflect the styles of the time.

When selecting hat for an 1860-1865 impression, please keep in mind the situation you are in as well as your impression. In many cases hats had specific purposes and places. These include those for the seaside, watercures, the garden*, and recreation. There are seperate posts for these. I welcome you to explore these. There are also hats appropriate to those of poorer situations, institutionalized or previously so situations, and blockaded situations. (*note: a garden hat is different than one for gardening.)

This next style is called a “Mousquetaire” hat or a “Postilion” hat.
Mousquetaire hats have tapered crowns that rise about four to five inches, not quite double the height of other fashion hats of the early 1860s. The brim is shaped, with a curve dipping front and back. This brim is narrow, only a few inches wide. The decorations are primarily at the center front, reaching the height of the crown. A ribbon may or may not circle the crown with a bow or arrangement in the back.

Additional variations (I have yet to make graphics for):

• Smaller hats including Torque and porkpie

For this day of #historyinherhands , I offer this sewing bird. This charming bird currently holds its history in it’s mouth. 150+ years ago, it held the work of its owner as an anchor while she worked. Items of utility such as this made daily tasks easier.

For this 23rd day of #historyinherhands , I offer this sad iron in miniature.

As the calendar has officially turned over to spring, I am in full planning mode. Usually,  I am planning as the new year begins. But, this year is what is is, has been what it has been, and will be what shall be. Onward.

As you have likely seen, I put out two surveys for planning. One looks at long term writing projects while the other looks at workshop possibilities.  Your responses to these surveys are a huge help in planning for those two areas. Thank you.

Events

I plan to be at the following events at GCVM:

• Opening Day of the 2022 Season (May 7) and/or Mother’s Day (May 8 ) I will either bring a new pockets interpretation or the kerchief doll dress, tbd.
• Antique Show Sale (May 28) Tools of the Trade
• Independence Day Celebration (July 4) Picnicking
• Celebrating Chocolate Weekend (July 16 & 17) Bonbon dolls
• Civil War Living History Weekend (July 23 & 24) Women’s Employments – Millinery
• A Novel Weekend (August 6 & 7) tbd
• Agricultural Fair (October 1 & 2) Visiting
• Domestic Skills Symposium (November 5 & 6) Workshop
• Preparing for Winter (November 19 & 20) 19th century winter attire or winter hoods
• Holiday Open House (December 18) Victorian Fancy Work Gifts.

Additional events are to be determined.  I did have another museum ask me about doing programs for them. I will let you know if that comes together.

Projects

With events comes projects. Here is what I have in mind right now:

• A special group of bonnets
• Kerchief dress for new doll
• Pocket story project
• The Eva’s Book project
• My pink silk organza dress 1810s
• My sheer wool dress 1850s
• My sheer rose dress 1850s