This is my first straw bonnet of the summer. Right now I’m with a fantastic narrow whole straw plait. I love the golden colors it has. I also love the sweet smell of the straw.
This bonnet has already found its new owner. It is an average size high brim spoon bonnet popular in the early 1860s. The rows of straw plait are hand sewn, with the brim and cheektabs wired.
Please visit my Etsy Store to see each of my bonnets as they become available.
I’ve had a few people ask for photos. So, I want to get the few I have up asap. I’ll add some text later.
As a summary – Had a lovely time. I slid all over the place. Finally got to waltz with my husband for the first time since Fort Stanton. Barb’s shawl to the rescue.
Dan
Me
Okay, folks…. help.
I understand the quilting the layers together part. What I don’t get is how these 4 pieces are sewn together. I figure the top two are sewn together and the bottom two are sewn together at the centers. After that, I’m just puzzled
If I had 4 of the top pieces, that would make more sense to me. But, the directions said to cut 2 and 2. (I should mention there are only little scraps left.)
Help?
I am awful about taking project photos. Between forgetting, not liking the unfinished look and low batteries, photos rarely happen.
I was able to snap two photos of areas I like on Dan’s frockcoat:
I like how these areas are laying. This is a leap forward from the clunkiness in the same area on my first paletot. Now, the “puckering” shows more then I would like. But…. that’s okay. Lots of pressing ahead.
I feel I should have much, much more to report. But, instead I simply have come to a conclusion – I need more time! I either need 1 additional week between now and June 21st, 1 additional day with nothing but sewing to do each week, or school to be finished one week earlier so I can sit home and sew.
That said, I do have some updates.
I wrapped up a tremendously enjoyable custom bonnet today. The recipient is truly one of those fun customers that you jump to work for. Together we picked out the flowers and ribbons for this 50s bonnet. The amazing striped ribbon is a vintage piece from Italy. The flowers are a combination of vintage and current done in luscious velvet including the strawberries.
Thank You, B, for asking me to make this bonnet for you. I hope you enjoy wearing it as much as I enjoyed making it.
Today was such a lovely day. This was the first time I’ve dressed in mid-19th century clothes for the whole day in almost a year. It felt great.
This is where I spent the day:
This cute pink building is the Dressmaker’s Shop. It has two rooms and a half story above. With the front & back doors open, the breeze was wonderful and made the day quite comfortable. This is where I sewed for the day as I talked with visitors. This green chair is almost the right height for me.
Here is me trying to get a nice photo with the mirror. It doesn’t work so well by myself with a camera phone.
Today was the first of a series of book signings the museum will have this year. (I’ll get a list to share.) The author of Stitches in Time, Elizabeth Davis signed 3 books for me. As this was the quilting project Grandma was involved with, I wanted Mom & Lily to have one. (This is the dress I was working on this week. I am thinking of adding red or pink to the inside of the self fabric trim that goes around the neck, around the sleeves, and will eventually be in circles on the skirt.)
Next time, I need to bring more sewing. I thought this pair of sewing cases would take the whole day. They were done, sans wool pages forgotten at home, by 11:30.
I have to say, after getting so sick the last few times I dressed, I was very worried about whether or not I could make it through the whole day. I think it went just fine and I felt good. The only time I felt a little funky was after back from the gallery in the afternoon sun without a parasol. So, I just have to stay out of the sun. Considering the car said it was 86 degrees at 4:30, I think this was a pretty good me test.
I am really looking forward to spending the day in the shop again. I am kicking myself for not doing it sooner. (A certain someone knew it was just what I needed.) I made myself a list of things to bring next time to show and talk about with visitors.
Now, hopefully Dan and dinner will arrive soon.
Finally, my Netherfield Ball dress is just about finished. It needs closures and some tweeks. But, here it is, today’s work:
The tweeks include this pucker, wrinkle or what ever you want to call it. Basically, a half inch needs to come out of the length.
A Quick question for my Regency friends online today.
I have this striped section of my sari. Should. Try to use it for my sleeves?
I have the skirt to put toegether and the bodice to do a few things with. I anticipate in the next 2 hours I need to decide on the sleeves. (It is 12:06 Eastern time)
Thoughts???
Just a quick post to empty my brain. I managed to get home and proceed to:
– Find all of Dan’s gear for the weekend. It is all, not so neatly piled in the kitchen
– Take apart one of his carpet bags and remake into something more functional. Fyi – Long, wide, shallow framed carpet bags are not very functional.
– Find in above process, the fans I plan to remake, my neckerchiefs and a few other must haves.
– Not find my undersleeves. Where in the world did I pack those?
– Box pleat enough bias for the neckline of the dress. Attached. I’m deciding about a second row.
– Try on said dress finally only to decide the shoulder gathers need to move a half inch in and the waist ones may as well.
– put theribbons & flowers on one bonnet and the ribbon on another. Flowers are assembled for the second, but now I think I may go with the blue instead. (That also means I may want to switch the pink satin for the pink moire. But the rose flowers won’t work with the plaid ribbon the blue flowers were going to go on. I’ll think about that tomorrow. Who knows the other plaid ribbon make change everything.)
Photos are lacking because it is too late.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 