Working on – For Sale | If I Had My Own Blue Box:

Update on the Hood Pattern

2 New Updates!

I have just a bit more left to do with the images. Then I’ll be ready to take the pattern to the printer. Availability could be as early as next week. Look for a Pre-Order Announcement.

I also have the printer estimates which means a price estimate. Based on the printing costs it looks like the pattern will be $12.60 plus shipping. This price may adjust that again once the printer has the materials.

——

Thank you to the many of you who voiced an interest in having my hood pattern available.

I am focusing this week on getting the text, illustrations and pattern pieces in a publishable state. My goal is to have it available for those who will want to make a hood for this winter. Fingers crossed there since this is both a matter of preparation and funds for publication.

I would also like to pull together the hood workshop some of us discussed.

For the published pattern, here is what I have in mind:

Pattern pieces for an adult hood in two depths (I was going to include the child’s hood but am having difficulty fitting that.)
Directions that are short and easy to understand using a combination of illustations and photos, including information on quilting.
An explanation of this type of quilted hood along with observations of extant hoods.
Tips on a successful hood in terms of materials and techniques.
Passages from Godey’s, Peterson’s, etc regarding quilted hoods and bonnets.
Ideas for how to trim your hood based on originals and extant hoods.
I’m hoping for a price point between $10 and $15, which will be based on what my print shop can do for me. (they are great.)

If there is a video at the end of this post, it is an advertisement. My apologies for the inconvenience.

Published in:

on October 3, 2011 at 3:40 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Winter Millinery

Update on the Hood Pattern

Thank you to the many of you who voiced an interest in having my hood pattern available.

I would also like to pull together the hood workshop some of us discussed.

For the published pattern, here is what I have in mind:

Pattern pieces for an adult hood in two depths (I was going to include the child’s hood but am having difficulty fitting that.)
Directions that are short and easy to understand using a combination of illustations and photos, including information on quilting.
An explanation of this type of quilted hood along with observations of extant hoods.
Tips on a successful hood in terms of materials and techniques.
Passages from Godey’s, Peterson’s, etc regarding quilted hoods and bonnets.
Ideas for how to trim your hood based on originals and extant hoods.
I’m hoping for a price point between $10 and $15, which will be based on what my print shop can do for me. (they are great.)

Published in:

on September 26, 2011 at 1:55 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Anna's Millinery

A Bit of Velvet

This weekend’s hoods each got trimmed with some black velvet. Several period magazines suggest velvet trim for quilted hoods and bonnets in their fashion columns. This velvet seems to add a nice warming touch.

Published in:

on September 18, 2011 at 3:43 pm Leave a Comment

FFtF

Are you thinking about a millinery project for the fall or winter?

Do you want to know more about the lovely straw bonnet you wear?

Are you interested in cottage industries in the mid-century?

If yes is the answer any of these, check out From Field to Fashion: The Straw Bonnet, available through my Etsy store for just $10.

From Field to Fashion is a 46 page booklet with the following sections:
– Straw Bonnets and the Straw Bonnet Industry
– Straw, Harvest and Preparation
– Straw Plait
– Straw Cloth
– The Straw Bonnet Base
– Industry and Labor
– Finishing the Straw Bonnet
– Who Wore a Straw Bonnet When?
and an Appendix:
1 – Original Bonnets Online
2 – Bonnet Production in Massachusetts, 1855
3 – Millinery Establishments by State, 1860
4 – Straw Bonnet Shapes
5 – Fashion Quotes from Harper’s Monthly & Weekly
6 – Fashion Quotes from Godey’s Ladies Book
7 – Straw bonnet quotes from fiction
8 – Wheat and Rye produced, 1850 & 1860
9 – Straw Industry Statistics
10 – Straw and Bonnet Related US Patents

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Working on - For Sale

on September 12, 2011 at 9:01 am Leave a Comment

A Half Dozen Housewifes

I had fun putting these little pieces together. It can be fun playing with the fabrics, putting them together in ways I think the original cast might have.

Each of these are available for purchase on Etsy at a special limited time price .

I’m looking forward to doing some rolled pocket cases with each pocket a variation on one kind of fabric – Turkey reds, poison greens, Prussian blues and chrome yellows. I may even play with some all in plaids.

Published in:

on August 30, 2011 at 12:44 pm Comments (1)
Tags: Fanciful Utility

My Etsy Store!!!

I finally, after much persuasion, have my own active Etsy store!

I’ve spent the last week learning about the site, posting items and playing with features. It turns out they have favorites, circles, teams and treasuries. I’m not completely certian how each of these are supposed to work. I’m having fun marking favorite stores and favorite items. I’ve decided the treasuries are going to be quite fun. Not only can I call attention to certian items under different themes like dressing a bonnet or filling a sewing case, I can pick out items for a certain project someone is inquiring about. So, if you want to decorate a straw bonnet of your own but want some advice on materials, I can make you a treasury of recommendations. Isn’t that cool!?!

Published in:

Working on - For Sale

on July 20, 2011 at 1:59 pm Comments (4)

More Sewing Cases

Here are a couple more sewing cases.

I am particularly fond of this fold-over case style. It has lots of room to store needles, thread spools, thread winders, scissors or what have you. The exterior is a black felted wool. The interior is a silk with a cone motif on a damask weave. The pocket is a twill weave golden silk. The whole case is bound with black silk taffeta ribbon. The trio of wool pages will hold plenty of needles.

When I saw this fabric, I knew it had to be a sewing case. Or, in this instance a pair of sewing cases. I would love to see this pair say as a pair possibly for a husband and wife, a pair of brothers or a father and son. Each rolled case is handsewn. The pinked needle-pages are off white wool. The button placement with button loop allows the case to be filled and still closed.

Published in:

on May 26, 2011 at 9:40 am Comments (5)
Tags: Fanciful Utility

Give Away – From Field to Fashion

In celebration of July, I will be giving away 1 copy of From Field to Fashion: The Straw Bonnet.

Entries are open from now until July 15th at midnight NM time.

To enter….. Either…..

Post a comment here in the comments section below. Your comment can be about millinery, this blog or other publications of mine.

Post a comment about From Field to Fashion and link to this page on your Facebook account or Blog.

The winner will be chosen at random from all entries.

Thank you for participating.

Published in:

on June 25, 2010 at 2:10 pm Comments (22)

From Field to Fashion:The Straw Bonnet – Reprint!

For those waiting for From Field to Fashion to be reprinted….. It is Finally here!!!!

Cost: $10.00 plus $.78 shipping (If you are in NM, I need to add tax.)

Published in:

on April 8, 2010 at 5:32 pm Comments (10)

Book Reprint

For those waiting for From Field to Fashion to be reprinted….. I am finally reprinting it!

I am doing my best not to increase the price which was previously $10.00. If interested, please email me or add a comment (which gets to me via email). If all goes right, they should be ready in April.