What I’m Working On | If I Had My Own Blue Box:

“Two Heads…..”

How much fluff can there be in one person’s head?
I now know the answer….. A full bag.

With my recent revival in millinery fascination, it is time for new model heads. (Okay, the part where I can’t get to my bonnet stands from Dad, nudged this along.)

Tonight, I made a pair of red and blue striped heads to hold my bonnets. The pattern I used by Lynn McMasters (here) was easy to follow. I used a heavier canvas weight fabric I picked up at Bits & Pieces. Good choice. Inside each is a full back of poly-fill. Really. The base is a thick piece of wood my tech friends cut for me.

These will be nice for working on my bonnets. I can pin right through the bonnet. (I do have a third cut & pieced, awaiting fill and a base.)
A few numbers to add – Just under 1 yard of 44″ fabric made 3 heads. I only paid $.60 at Bits & Pieces. Regularly, figure $5-8 with a Joann’s coupon. The wood was cut for me at no cost. The fiber-fill I also had on hand. I think it was $4.99 a bag. If bought from scratch with one of Joann’s sales and coupons, 3 heads would cost about $12.50 to $23. Not bad.

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on March 6, 2013 at 5:43 pm Comments (4)
Tags: Millinery

Netherfield Ball!

The event I’ve been planning and sewing for is none other than GCVM’s Netherfield Ball! The museum is recognizing the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice by throwing this ball to be held in their beautiful Grand Gallery. Part of newly renovated Wehle Gallery, the grand gallery is a stunning location with its glowing hardwood floors and gorgeous red walls. What an ideal location for a ball!

I’m just a bit excited. Okay, I’m more than a bit excited.

I’ve added a Pinterest board to collect my thoughts on.

Here is a sketch of where I am going with my dress. I’ll be draping that once I have the corset and unders finished.

As soon as books arrive, I can start drafting Dan’s clothes. I ordered a blue on white stripe for his waistcoat. Fingers crossed everything looks good together. If not…. um, different pants may be in order.

A Huge “Thank You!” to those of you who have been helping and pointing pieces out to me.

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on March 6, 2013 at 11:05 am Comments (4)
Tags: Dress journalling, Netherfield Ball, Regency

A Whole New Sewing Plan

In light of a uber-awesome event, which I will not name until I have our tickets purchased due to the limited number, all sewing has been rearranged. There is now a new sewing list with fabric being rededicated. All of this must be sewn, change that, must be researched, draped and sewn in the next 3 months.

For Dan –

Regency pants (plaid with some blue wool)
Regency waistcoat (Ummmm????)
Regency frock coat or formal coat – must find out which is which, and what is what on this (Dark blue wool )
Regency shirt? (white cotton)
Figure out what to do about headwear and footwear.

For Me –

Regency corset (which was draped and patterned for me a year ago. Talk about a kick in the bottom to get working on it.)
Regency under-everything: chemise, petticoat….
Regency dress – to be made out of the vintage sari I was going to use for the court dress.
Dance slippers…
Hair… um… something….
do I need new gloves???

Here are the fabrics I’m planning on. The sari has a large empty area as well as a wide panel of the gold design. The gold is very stiff. The plaid wool has a bit of texture to it. I think it will be comfy for him.

Here is a better look at the wool.

This all said, I am very, very new to the Regency era of clothing. I’ve worn poor examples of the dresses and have one sad mock-up from a decade ago. So, I’m starting from scratch here. I am open, very open, to a reading list whether it be articles, books, tutorials, what have you. Send them my way!!!

My biggest learning hurdles are the different shape in sleeve for my dress along with the whole construction and shaping of Dan’s coat plus his pants. Honestly, with his coat and waistcoat if someone were to specifically say ” make this”, it would help narrow my focus down while aiding my learning curve.

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on March 4, 2013 at 2:36 pm Comments (20)
Tags: Dress journalling, Netherfield Ball, Regency

Mid-Winter Millinery

I should say this is millinery worked on in the midst of winter looking forward to spring.
Here are the two other of the four bonnets I started last week during recess. Both of these are made from bits and pieces in my sewing case pile. It was such a fun challenge to try to piece the fabric together to make a bonnet. While working on these, I thought about when an original cast milliner may have tried to piece together what she had in her supply drawers to make inventory to sell, whether she was low on funds or had a delay in the delivery of materials. I also thought about the techniques a woman might have used to remake her existing bonnet(s) for the next season when she couldn’t get a new bonnet. Sadly, such remakes are likely not the ones to survive over a hundred and fifty years for us curious sorts to examine extensively.
This is the seafoam green that will be my little sister’s. I love this color. The gathering on the cane brings out the color in my opinion.

The seafoam green calls for pink, a pretty pale pink. Here are some of the flowers it will get. There needs to some additional green and maybe some white accents. I also need to get the wider ribbon either in a satin weave or a moire.

This is the fourth bonnet. I was going to do a shot brown & blue, but there wasn’t enough. So, this pearl color it was. I’m convinced the color changed as I worked, adding this silvery tone.

I’ve not yet decided what this one will get decorated with. I still need to find the rest of my ribbons.

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on March 3, 2013 at 5:27 pm Comments (3)
Tags: Millinery

A Millinery Mood

If you recall my Planning for Recess post, I started the week off thinking I would tackle a few pieces on my travel impression list. Well, as the week rolled on… it seems I as much more in a millinery mood.
Monday and Tuesday were all about getting the sewing room together. (Check out my Updates blog for before and after photos.) While there is still a long way to go, the space finally has space to move in. Yeah! Rather excited finally to have some personal decorative items out including Grandma’s “Tip-Toeing Through the Tulips” and the quilt from my NM friends. Soon, new shelves will be purchased & in place, and my trunks, okay some of my trunks, will be moved in.
Now on to the sewing ….
After the lifting & moving, a nice simple, calming project was a must. A nice piece of silk gauze had been waiting almost a year to become a veil. This was just the relaxing, quick project I needed. (I do still have to find either the narrow silk ribbon or cord to attach it to a bonnet with.)

underneath the veil is what held my attention next. I had been thinking about bonnets the week prior. So, I was happy to find some straw to work with. This is the first straw bonnet I’ve made in years. Too many years.

I had also been thinking about a drawn bonnet. But, I had no buckram. It was time to appease a curiosity. I sized a fabric I bought while in NM. I was quite happy with how it stiffened up. It was an incredibly light weight frame. Since the silk I was going to use is too soft to give the volume I wanted, I peeked at my sewing case pieces. I happened to have enough of this slate grey silk.

I rather like how it came out. This week, it will get trimmed with this ribbon & flowers.

I have two other frames to finish up tonight. On will be a sea foam green drawn silk for Lily. The other will either be a chocolate silk or a shot brown silk or a bright sunset orange shot…. Not sure which.

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on February 24, 2013 at 3:08 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Millinery

How to Pick February Recess Projects

With a week off from work coming up, I want to put a dent in my sewing projects. The challenge? There are just so many sewing projects to do (with a good many house projects also calling for my attention.)

With this in mind, how do I go about deciding? One train of thought is choosing something new to me along with something that I know well. Another option is to choose something that must be done along with something frivolous and fun. A third option is to pick something big and something small.

Regardless of which direction I go, there are still quite a few options to choose from. If you flipped through my dress project list from earlier this week, you’ll see just how how many dresses I have on the drawing board. Toss into the mix that I have an itch for millinery lately and a list of tiny items to do. I’ve narrowed down the “I could”s to….

My Regency corset. After all, I need to get this done before doing any of the Regency dresses on the list. (This would count as something new to me.)
If I was to pick a dress from the project list to work on, I would go for the peach sheer, I think. Though, this green would really like to be made up. Or, my travel ensemble would be good to work on as well.
A drawn bonnet. I have some lovely silk lengths to play with. Lily needs a bonnet and I could always use more. I would really like to work with some straw, but I don’t have a clue where mine is and didn’t order any in time. (This would count as something medium-ish, and something fun.) (I happen love, love this bonnet. If I happen to discover a piece of velvet at home… )
A piece of winter millinery. I have a silly amount of goods for winter hoods waiting around to be made up. (A, B, C) This is something that could end up on Etsy. On the other hand, I do have a traveling hood on my list of items for the travel impression…. hmmm, this may be moving up the list.
A fancy headpiece – Another use for bits of silk. This could be a fun, yet calming fiddly little project.
A veil. I’ve had the piece of black silk gauze sitting around for quite a while waiting to be made for the travel impression.
Also from the travel impression, is this bonnet bag that I’ve wanted to make for years. I think the cane I picked up will work nicely.

Of course, I do have a modern sewing project to get done before the second weekend. That will hopefully go smoothly.

Now, what is your vote?

EDIT: It looks like our anniversary get-away to Gettysburg at the end of recess isn’t going to happen. *great sadness* This means I will have a couple extra sewing days and may or may not be doing that modern sewing project. As of this morning, I am leaning towards a combination of travel impresssion items – travel bonnet/hood with veil, bonnet bag and a start on the linen travel combination.

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on February 13, 2013 at 3:13 pm Leave a Comment

Project List

I wanted to have this list of projects with a survey of fabric done in the beginning of January. A month or so past due… Here it is.

You will notice some gaps in the fabric photos. These are fabrics I know I have but haven’t been able to take photos of yet. I should really do something similar to this for the smaller pieces of fabric, those used for hoods, bonnets, husband shirts, fichus, Mae dresses, etc, so I can pin down those projects as well. So many ideas floating in my mind.

This is a PDF to flip through: Project Index

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Working on - Projects

on February 11, 2013 at 4:32 pm Comments (2)

Lovely Blog Award

As with Quinn, I too am fond of the word “Lovely.” I am quite flattered Quinn of The Quintessential Clothes Pen has nominated me for the One Lovely Blog Award. Thank you , Quinn!!! (If you haven’t had a chance to read her blog, hop over to see her stunning projects as well as their inspiration.)

This award is a way of recognizing fellow blogs and blogger. There’s a list of things to do:

1. Thank the person who nominated you.

2. Add the ‘One Lovely Blog Award’ image to your post.

3. Share seven things about you.

4. Pass the award on to seven nominees.

5. Include this set of rules.

6. Inform your nominees by posting a comment on their blogs.

The easier part first. My nominees are….

The Sewing Academy – An excellent resource for mid-19th century clothing.

Anna In Technicolor – A fun blog looking at historical and vintage clothing.

The Pragmatic Costumer – An eye-catching blog that connects pieces of costuming and culture brilliantly.

CW Civilian Living History – An informative blog looking at LH in Texas.

Romantic History – A beautiful blog exploring many eras.

Miss MacRae’s Blog – Tid-bits of history.

A Graceful Lady – An all around beautiful look at the world.

The harder part, seven things about me. Um??? How about seven things I love?

1 – My husband, Dan. (WordPress seems to think we should be sideways.)

2 – My family

3. My favorite feline. (Fluffy, long-haired ginger cats are fabulous!)

4. Relaxing lakeside. Whether it is Plattsburg or Canandaigua, there is something about the beauty and tranquility of these lakes.

5. Shady days with friends.

6. Spicy Asian Food. The veggie kind.

7 – Chocolate, no, silk, no, chocolate, no, silk, no, chocolate, no, silk……… um……

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on January 16, 2013 at 11:02 am Comments (1)

Happy 2013!!!

I hope everyone enjoyed the past couple weeks. I know I enjoyed my week and a half off from work during which I managed not to turn on my laptop, spent some well needed time with family, relaxed with my husband in our new home, hand-sewed some curtains, and just dwelled. It was lovely.

I am rather excited for the new year. Dan and I are in our own place. We have space to organize (which I find to be a fun challenge.) I will have a new sewing room to play in. All around goodness.

This year’s looking forward list is a hodge-podge of activity rather than the traditional beginning of the year to-do list. Let me see if I can group this nicely….

For Fanciful Utility fans:

In February, I have an upcoming FanU workshop at the Genesee Country Village & Museum. We will spend a Saturday afternoon learning techniques from the book as we make one of my favorite needle-books.
In March, the Mumford library will be hosting a book signing tea. Stop in to my favorite small town library to get your book signed or pick up a copy to have signed. The exact date is to be determined based on the library’s renovation schedule. (This great library is getting a long needed renovation that will give the library more space while preserving the historic building.)
Throughout the year, look forward to new templates to accompany Fanciful Utility as well as creative ways to use the techniques from the book.

For Shawl fans:

I’m hoping to move forward on the new shawl book……

My general looking forward list:

Compile an annotated photo index of my fabric stash as it is organized into the cabinet. Among this stash will be found future sewing projects to include…. a V neck, gathered bodice, flounce skirt sheer 1850s dress… new sleeves for my 1840s dress…. potentially another 1840s dress…. a traveling wardrobe…. a new cotton wrapper…. a long waiting green tropical wool early 1860s dress…. a Regency blue sari dress…. a sheer early 1860s dress …. a new dress or two for Lily as the season needs…. oh, and the court dress.
I want to get together a full civilian outfit for my husband. The decade is still to be determined as I think it might be easier to convince him to wear it if it is from the 1840s or 50s.
For my relaxation and pure fun of it, I want to do several dresses and accessories for Mae.
Finish my red embroidered shawl as well as the ribbon/shawl idea.
Pull off a certain secret project by October. shhhhhhh!
Keep a regular schedule on both of my blogs. On my personal blog, look forward to stories of getting the apartment organized which will likely reveal some of my obsessions. On the living history blog, my main goal is to finish any series I start. I apologize for the various series I started over the past year and a half but haven’t had the focus to finish.
In terms of event to-do, I would like a nice living history event with my husband, a nice civilian event alone, a social event with my husband (after all he still owes me a dance), some time in the village, a nice event to take my sister to and something educational some place small. (vague, I know)

This 2013 list is far less lofty than previous years’ lists. It is also less specific. My main goals for 2013 is to be happy, healthy and patient.

I hope everyone has a beautiful year.

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on January 2, 2013 at 3:05 pm Leave a Comment

Up-coming Needle-Book Workshop

Join me on Saturday, February 16th for a Fanciful Utlity workshop at the Genesee Country Village as we make a needle-book.

“Spend the afternoon making one of the popular shaped needle-books from the Victorian era.

You will create a seashell-shaped needle-book with beautiful silk and embroidery. This needle-book is excellent for the novice sewer while giving the experienced needle-worker a place to display her or his skill. Please bring your sewing basket with you, including scissors, needles and thimble. Age 16 to adults. Registration deadline February 7.”

Full program details and registration information is here. All registration goes through the Museum itself. Simply click on the “Reservation Form” on the Museum’s adult education page; fill it out and mail it in. Reservation questions – 585-538-6822.

Keep reading for information on an up-coming book signing tea for Fanciful Utility: Victorian Sewing Cases and Needle-books at the Mumford Library.

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on December 18, 2012 at 10:29 am Leave a Comment