If I Had My Own Blue Box:

I have the wonderful oppertunity to do a bodice draping for the local ladies. Now, when I say local, I actually mean from three different states. It was nice to get to meet some of the local reenacting ladies, each of whom were delightful. (I also got to meet several wonderful kitties.) Ann Dixon writes the Frontier Women’s Living History Assoc. blog. She posted some very kind words.

 Over the weekend I was struck with the want of a new carpet bag. In reality, I want one of my carpet bags. But, it may actually be easier to make a new one then to send mom on a hunt for one in storage.

Here is my red plush carpet bag which Cleo decided was her’s. This one really is an ideal size for travel. It isn’t to big, yet fits lots and lots.

I’ll have to look for a photo of my other one. It is bigger with a flat metal frame. It is good for carrying clothes into an event. But, it is a bit big to carry around all weekend.

 The other kind of travel bag I have is this one in Karen Augusta’s collection which looks like a duffle bag.  For a while Shooting Star had an online class for making this bag. It is so easy to make.  

Bevin ‘s Travel Bag http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/canardverte/?action=view&current=travelbag1.jpg

Inside http://s136.photobucket.com/albums/q178/canardverte/?action=view&current=travelbag2.jpg

So, now that I want a bag here, what kind do I want?

Dan’s reaction was that my wanting a bag means more work for him, since he would need to bend a frame. So, maybe I’ll make another duffle bag style bag. Maybe.

I do like the structure of a typical carpet bag:

If I wasn’t making my own bag, the go-to place would have to be the Carpet Bagger.  Another option would be leather satchels made by ______.

Then there are these little carpet bags:

http://www.vintagetextile.com/new_page_12.htm

Making a bag….

The bags at top were made with a pattern Bevin made. I have another idea for a bag with a stronger bottom. If you are looking to make a bag, there are a few resources. For a kit, I suggest seeing if Glenna Jo is still offering her kits. Here are directions from the 1880s.

Frames….. Have I mentioned I like Google’s Patent Search?

Here is one from 1840, one from 1863, and one from 1864. There are oodles after 1864.

Other tid-bits

This is a beautiful nameplate with a carpet bag theme.

I made mini versions of the dufflebag style for my doll, Mae and Civility. They were very cute. Mae needs a carpet bag too. Here are direction for a doll sized bag.

Now that the Conference has passed, I can put up some notes on my dress. Here is the fabric:

I was hoping for stripes or a plaid. When seeing the fabric, I just had to give the bias strips a try. This was my inspiration dress. 

Dan helped me with a new duct tape dummy. Then came the fun of draping.  

The bias strips were cut 3″ wide. (I did goof originally and cut them all the same direction.) At first the strips were laid straight. Then I tried to ease the strips in towards the center a bit. These then got tacked to the lining from the outside in. The center piece closes across to hook on the left side diagonally.

When thinking out the sleeve, I was tempted to pleat a solid piece. Then I realized I could use the bodice technique on the sleeve. The flat pieces were tacked to the lining first then the bias pieces, again from the outside in.

Here is some of the draping as I worked on that idea.

Although the sleeve idea came together after the bodice idea, the sleeves got done first. Here is one sleeve attached while I was working on the bodice bias strips. (sorry for it being blurry.)

Here the strips were getting attached to the lining with top stitching. The sleeve is pinned in place just at the top.

Here is the sleeve tacked in. This is before the shoulder seam was finished with the bias strips.

These are the last two pictures I took (sorry). The center front piecs is pinned on waiting to be stitched

I’ll try to remember to take some pictures of the finished dress and point out some of the details.

I can’t believe it is October. It is actually cooler here than I thought it would be. I have to admit I really am enjoying the cool mornings and nights. Who would have ever thought, me, the person who is so often cold enjoying the cool air?

Anyway… my current projects…. (I’ll fill in a few details in as I have time.)

– I am working on the Powerpoint and handouts for the millinery ribbon presentation for the Genteel Arts Conference. I spent most of the past weekend working on manufacturing information.

– I am slowly working on the sewing cases samples and book. I would really wanted to have this ready for spring. But, it looks like it will be longer than that. I have a list that grew a bit longer than originally planned of pieces for the book. I need to narrow it down as I do the samples.

– I have an additional idea with research that looks like it will also become a booklet based on the amount of information that will go with it. The credit for this idea goes to Dan though.

– I also have a couple non-19th century sewing projects underway.

This is less than what I normally would have going at one time because I’ve found I am down right exhausted after getting home from teaching preschool. I had no idea how tired I would be. I am waiting for a solid piece of inspiration for the next Citizen’s Companion article. I had an idea pop into my head a little while ago looking at the average woman’s participation in society because I’ve had so many museum visitors assume women stayed home all the time. We will see how long it takes for me to get that together.

I want to apologize for neglecting questions on the SA forum and my blog the past many weeks. I have discovered with how busy I am with work and home I have about enough mental energy at the end of the day for farming on Facebook and not much else. I will eventually catch up on things, some how.

Right now I am working on two main projects. First the Millinery Ribbon discussion for the March Conference. Second, a book on making sewing cases based on originals. The only bits I’ve been dabbling with is setting aside notes on veils for Bevin as I come back across them in my Ribbon notes.

There have been a couple local events that I’ve wanted to stop in at as a spectator. The timing just doesn’t seem to work out for us. Hopefully soon we will be able to check out the local happenings. I know Connie is interested on reenacting and mid-century life in this area for the magazine.