Today I offer Victorian Plain & Fancy Work Bingo.
In lieu of monthly challenges, I thought a year long game that could be played independently would be fun.
Hello 2022
I step into this new year as one would step barefoot into freshly dewed grass.
With gentle caution and anticipation. The dew will be frosty cold and wet, yet the grass will be so soft underfoot, with hope and connection.
Just me?
Not knowing what to expect from this year, I do not have the expected list of garments and accessories I hope to sew. Instead, I have framework and a plan.
One of the biggest things I need to keep on top of this year is my budget. As you know, the cost of just about everything has gone up. Meanwhile, contractual increases from my main job does not cover it. I need to push myself to make up the difference with my millinery business going forward.
Patreon Shift
I will be moving more content to Patreon as exclusive Patreon access. This is to thank my current generous Patrons and to encourage new Patrons. The majority of new In Detail publications will be moving Patreon. I will also be exploring additional Patreon exclusive content such as project insights and video content.
Millinery
Knowing most are entering this year with a combination of hope and uncertainty, I want to assure you my millinery will focus on quality and sound research. I want you to be confident when you purchase a bonnet or hat from me, knowing it is well made, with period techniques, and will last many years when cared for.
As I write this in mid-December, my plan is to start sewing shop pieces during recess for January. I am toying with some special straw ideas. A friend actually asked me about something similar, not knowing I planned to explore the idea. I am taking that as a sign.
Interpretation
I plan to continue my focus on women’s employment this year. There is so much of this history to be found and shared, some of it good, some of it bad. I hope to find individual stories from or about these women to accompany the numbers and accounts.
I also want to further explore the connection between fancy work items and the people who created them, the stories the items can tell, and how visitors connect with them. I am continually amazed with how individual visitors connect with particular items, be it a sentimental childhood memory, a deep sensory recollection, or some detail that weaves into something else they know. I feel there is something deeper here to explore, though I am not quite certain what that something is yet.
Clara’s Friends
I will be making an announcement regarding Clara’s Friends soon.
YouTube Channel
I am going to continue the YouTube channel, but I will need to cut back the amount of time I put into it. While I loved making videos over the past two years, I found I was putting more time into them than I realized. Since YouTube will not be an income source, I have to cut back on the amount if time I put in each week. I currently plan to do videos from programs/events, when I have something useful to share, and if I have a project for you. This may change a bit as seasons change or as the year progresses.
Me?
Well. I am still working on some life things. Aren’t we all?
Balance and stability are my personal foci for the year. I bought myself some hiking boots. I miss nature and the woods. A big personal goal this year is to spend more time with Mother Nature. Walking. Sitting. Listening. Feeling.
For personal sewing…. I find I like my plait 1830s dress so much, I am going to make another. I also find I want another cooler weather dress or at least basque. I need to go through my wools to see what I have. I may have a light green plaid with enough yardage to do a basque and skirt set.
Will You Become a Patreon Patron for the New Year
This past year, with the funds from Patreon I have paid for my WordPress platform and domains, WeVideo video editing, and a new document camera.
In the coming year, I hope to continue researching, developing presentations and interpretations, writing, and offering videos. Your support through Patreon will continue to pay for both written and video content, as well as research endeavours.
I would love to double my Patreon supporters to 20 in 2022. Doing so would reduce my regular financial anxieties and allow me to give more focused attention to my work.
If you are able, please consider supporting me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AMillinersWhimsy
Reflecting on 2021
It goes without say, yet I am saying it, 2021 was difficult for many people, as was 2020. This year was hard; it tore some people apart in many ways. My heart goes out to those who lost their own this year, who were hit hard, and who tried their alk to keep their head and families above water.
I struggled on my own ways, both financially and in trying to find myself after a stretch of difficult. At times, I was all over the place.
Somehow, I managed to pull off some pretty nifty things. Honestly, goign back through the year, I’ve had several moments of “I did that this year?” This is a photo review of the year.
A Few Finallies
Small Projects
Interpretation
I put a lot of time into videos for YouTube this year. I started the year with the vision of weekly videos discussing a balance of millinery, Interpretation, and period craft work topics. Well, the year has been a challenge.
Millinery
Lappet Style Winter Hoods
A lappet style winter hood is distinguished by its elongated cheektabs reflecting the look of a lace lappet. These extended cheektabs align with a deep brim that comes forward of the face. Lappet style hoods are batted thinner than many other hoods. This makes it easy to fold back the brim. Laid flat, this deep brim and long lappets can protect the face. Folded back it allows for ease of vision.
This style hood is distinct among its quilted and wadded counterparts, yet lacked a name. The distinct long, wide cheektabs so similarly reflect a lappet’s shape and position of wear, the name lappet became obviously appropriate.
Lappet style hoods are found with three piece construction and two piece construction.
Lappet style hoods in other collections:
This pink lappet style hood is currently on display at the Genesee Country Village and Museum. It is shown with the brim turned back. You can see how the neck edge of the crown can be drawn up inside for comfort and fit.
18th century example at the Boston Museum of Fine Art
Pattern:
To make your own lappet style winter hood
Ornaments for the 19th Century Inspired Tree
Are you looking for ornaments to make this weekend?
My blog stats suggest several people are looking for 19th century ornament ideas.
Over the last couple weekends, many guests commented on how several of 19th century gifts I had displayed
would make nice ornaments. How right they are!
Check out this short video for a look at some of the items:
Several of these projects are available in my Etsy Shop or on my Blogs for Free:
The Pillow Pin Ball can be made up in pretty silks and velvets or holiday cottons for a tree ornament. Put bows, bells, beads, or tassels on the corners. In my Etsy Shop
The Paper Pieced Pin Ball looks great in silk or cotton. Bead the edges or corners instead of using pins. The directions in my Etsy Shop include other combinations for ornaments.
The Slipper Pin Cushion (not in video) in my Etsy shop can make a very pretty ornament. If hung from the heel,
the toe can hold a small gift.
The Parasol Pen Wiper makes a particularly pretty ornament when beaded with clear glass beads that
catch the lights. – Directions are available in this blog post and video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDCY1dmGZ8w
https://annaworden.com/2020/05/06/community-cast-video-day-54/
The Balloon Bag can be made with pretty silks or holiday cottons. As an ornament, the Balloon Bag can hold gifts as well. Directions are available in this post and a two part video:
https://annaworden.com/2020/04/23/community-cast-video-day-41/
The large stocking needle-book has a great shape that can work as a large stocking ornament. It can be made as a single layer, or made to open like a book with photos or a special message inside. The template is available in this project post: https://annaworden.com/2019/11/01/2019-fanu-holiday-project/
I happen to be a big fan of putting hearts on a tree. So, of course I think the heart pin cushions from An American Girls Book make great ornaments. I included directions in this hearts post:
Last Minute Gift Idea: A Hair Kit
Did December get away from you? Do you need to get a last minute, 19th century appropriate gift before next weekend?
I recommend:
A Hair Kit!
Check out this quick video that looks at what can go into a basic hair kit:
You can pick up the items for a nice hair kit in two stops: Your local craft store like Joann’s or Micheals and your local pharmacy or Sally’s beauty supply.
From you craft store, pick up a paper mache box, small wood box, or period appropriate paper covered box.
From you local pharmacy, pick up the following:
- A packet of plain hair nets
- A couple packs of faux tortoise hair pins
- A pack of hair elastics in black
- A pack of faux tortoise hair combs
- A gift bag and tissue paper to wrap everything in.
Open the packages (except the hair elastics) and put them in the box. You can wrap each item in tissue paper to make unwrapping even more special. Wrap the box in tissue paper, or reproduction fabroc, and place in the gift bag. You can also add a gift certificate for a pomade or a reproduction hair comb to the kits.
Holiday Open House, second weekend
Tired just hit me and hit hard…..
Today, I sat in a stream of sunshine as I worked on a hat for the Bonbon Boy and a garland of candies for him to hold.
Peppermint candies circle his silk conical hat as a series of wrapped bonbons radiate upwards. I was quite pleased with the fit of the hat that slides onto his head without the need for ties.
His garland is a simple string of gold, silver, and copper wrapped bonbons. I had pictured a second garland of peppermints, but found such a garland needed a silver bead to seperate the candies. This may happen next week.
His lack of hands and feet was a concern to several young visitors this week. I am picturing a pair of mittens to solve part of this worry. His feet may need a pair of boots, which are a bigger challenge.
Other than his second garland plus hands and feet, which may need to wait until the right mittens and boots are found, Bennie the Bonbon Boy is nearly finished. I will finish up the last current detail next Sunday.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 