If I Had My Own Blue Box:

Warning, this may be the love me or hate me post.

This past weekend, my husband got to go to an event while I could not. This is new to me. As some of you know, I’ve been having issues with the sun and heat, more so the sun. (see the sucks post from July.) Thursday evening, I pulled out some of the things he would need from the sewing room. I sat on the floor pulling his whites out of the dresser. I sulked as I refolded my drawers and chemises back into the drawer and his drawers and shirts into little piles. Friday morning, I took a bit of an emotional whammy at work regarding not being able to go out for the students’ Homecoming Pep-Rally, something I think is important for the kids and something I enjoy. When I pulled in the driveway to see husband packing, the next wave of whammy hit. While he continued to pack, I pretty much ended up laying on the bed trying not to cry, with the occasional saber retrieval from the depths of the closet. After the nice “good-bye, have fun” kiss, I sulked and fell asleep on the couch. When I moved myself to sleep in bed, I was stuck on the “now what?” realization that I Have to figure out what I Am going to be able to do at events.

Shade and Sewing Circles – Shade is the absolute must.  Shade  I need to sit in the shade. I need to look into the shade.Venturing to scenarios, social gatherings, activities in the sun is pretty much out, even if fully veiled and with parasol in hand. I need to not have to venture far in the sun to the outhouse.(Please, don’t even go there with “what if you….”. Please.) Next season, when I give functionality a go again, I’ve decided at events I will do one of two things – Millinery or a sewing circle. That is it. (Actual indoor presentations are another story.) Sewing circles may be Soldiers’ Aide related, domestic sewing related, or even item specific – the ladies, sewing, shade stays the same.  Luckily, I have historic sites nearby with buildings. If I happen to brave a tent, I will be sitting, facing away from the sunny areas. (It is quite possible that by late winter/spring, I will have decided to completely switch eras for the lighter weight of the Regency.) I may still find I need to get my joy from the background stuff, ie gatherings, workshops and such.

Now, with that said…. What I really wanted to talk about….

I caught a discussion thread in one of the FB groups about young women in camp with colorfully dyed hair, one with purple, another with pink and blue. Given that later in the initial post the writer mentions children staying home, I get the impression these young women were teens. The threaded discussion rolls along with comments on inappropriateness, parent shaming and teen shaming. It also has comments on event coordinator standards and unit standards. (yes, I am skipping over how ever they were dressed.)

Something pushed a button.

For years, I’ve emphasized the importance of event standards and written civilian standards for groups. I have a set outlined in the PDF section that I know several, no many, groups have asked to be able to use. I enjoy helping women improve their impressions. I’ll nudge if they like. Yes, I have made women eat their nail polish off on Friday nights.

But, these are teenage girls. These are 21st century teenage girls. They have complex lives. Yes, actually, I do think their lives are far more complex then ours were at their age.

Hearing that they should “stay home” really pisses me off.

There. I said it.

What in the world does that accomplish??????????

Nothing.

You don’t know the situation. You don’t know if she grew up in a reenacting family, but really has other interests. You don’t know if she has a budding interest in history. You don’t know if she wants to learn new skills but didn’t know where to start. You just don’t know.

You won’t know by looking from a distance and getting all huffy about something you don’t like.

Guess what, the teen with the colorful hair may be the prequel to some amazing research.

But, you will never know.

Teens need guidance, information, mentors. Sometimes, they just need someone to talk with.

So, here it is.

You know how I mentioned that I will be doing sewing circles, sticking to the shade? You are welcome to come sit with me, even if you have brightly colored hair. You are Welcome. Come. Sit. Sew. Chat. Learn. Share. At times, we will talk in soft first person. At times, we’ll share our research. If you want help pinning up your hair, just ask.

No, this does not mean I happy to see inaccurate clothing, material culture, behaviour at events. This means, I believe we should take our time with each other, especially with teens, as we learn and grow. I believe we shouldn’t be mean to each other. I believe my research and my work is solid, but that does not put me above anyone else.

Oh, and by the way….. when I started doing living history, my hair was 13 shades of red and purple.

For a few days now, the on going theme seems to be “A Little Bit Short”. I was one small piece short on a project. I was an inch short on batting. I was a teeny bit short in backing. I was just a tad shy of enough fabric for another project. At which point, I had to laugh. Then I nearly lost my mind when I was just two inches short of straw. Even Monday morning I found I was a little short on gas. (really, who wants to stop for gas on a Monday morning when you aren’t quite awake???)

The upside of being a tad short is it makes me think about when folks in the nineteenth century were a tad short. We all know it a happened. Lucky for us, there are still some examples that show us what they did when they were a little bit short.

I have two winter bonnets that show creative make-do. One uses the salvages. Both are beautifully pieced together. In each case, the piecing is in the lower back corners of the crown. This is the area between your ear and the nape of your neck. In many ways this makes sense because it is one of the areas with less wear daily.

{oops, I really meant to get some photos and examples for this post. But, I just hit the ‘publish’ button.}

Now, as far as my projects go when I found I was a little bit short…. I did a little make-do on one, I went and bought new for two and I switched fabric plans for another. The straw? Well, there are certain parts of millinery pieces that make me crazy to have a change in the plait. I’ll deal. But, it will drive me crazy.

This week I spent the days in a sweltering hot school and the evenings working on cold weather millinery. Weird. I know.

But, I know if I don’t get started now, there will be some chilly heads this winter.

I just finished the berry and tan check silk on the right. It is densely wadded and corded with a leafy print inside. Last week I finished the frosty blue gray silk that is lightly batted and trimmed in a self fabric ruche that was cut with my antique pinking machine.

As the seasons change, a list is needed……

• 2 Fanciful Utility workshops at GCV’s Domestic Skill Symposium 
• Ag. Fair Projects (shhhh)
• Re-paper my sewing chest with the really great blue marbleized paper.
• Figure out how to repair the lining in the cool other chest. Figure out what it  really was.
• Make an assortment of Winter bonnets
• Get some Major writing done.
• Clean the sewing room like I was supposed to over the summer.
• Make Cali a body and clothing. Make Jo a dress.
• Make a second shelf for the pottery.
• Learn to use my new Dremel tool

Okay, so maybe my “fall” list will actually be a “fall and winter” list. 

By The Numbers…..

• 58 pieces of millinery (so far for the year.)
• Somewhere around 14,000 yards of straw plait
• 170ish yards of ribbon
• 600+ hours of sewing, trimming, photographing, corresponding and packaging.
• ???? trips to the Post Office
• A dozen sewing boxes
• 3 secret projects
• Assorted acquisitions for Fall projects

I’ll talk about the Fall projects soon, with photos.

This week’s shift in weather is telling me it is not too early to start thinking about those cold weather events. They will be here sooner than we thing. After all, doesn’t the fall just fly by way too fast?

Since I frost bit my ears when I was in my teens, making sure people protect their face, head and ears in the cold is important to me. If you have any of these events on your calendar, please make sure you are well prepared for the cold and/or the wind:

• Remembrance Day
• Yuletide
• Christmas Past
• Dickens Festival

I am ending the summer with offering these few winter bonnets at $100 each. Take a look at my Etsy store for these special deals.

You can also make your own Quilted Winter Bonnet with my E-Pattern. Click below.