If I Had My Own Blue Box:

Ag Fair Entries 2021

A year ago, I thought I would have a lot of entries for the 2021 fair because we missed 2020 and I had the whole of the year to sew. Nope. It seems, despite the incredible amount of sewing I did this past year, I sewed very little that was enterable and I also managed to forget much of what I made. Go figure.

On the up side, each piece I entered this year had a story…..

**Chocolate Pocket –** In early July, the village held their annual Chocolate Weekend. My challenge for the weekend was to come up with something Chocolatey to share. I selected chocolate color fabric to make into a pocket. This gave me the opportunity to talk about pockets with visitors. This was a big success as we had many great conversations. The pocket itself was pieced together freehand as young visitors helped select the order and positioning.

**Straw Cone Hat –** I was able to talk about women earning money through sewing straw for two events this year: the Civil War Era and Novel Weekends. This often thriving cottage industry gave women the opportunity to support themselves and even their families for much of the nineteenth century.
While neither era I demonstrated would have made a conical hat we now attribute to being a witch hat, the skills are much the same. About a year ago, I started wondering if I could pull off making a good cone hat or witch hat. The shape itself wasn’t the challenge, it was the size and the consistency. This summer, I jumped in and gave it a try. I am quite pleased with the cone shape. It is consistent, the hardest challenge, and has a little attitude with its curve. The brim is a little narrow as I ran out of straw. Go figure. I may give it a little decorative edge in the future. The inside is lined with green silk and a little cotton batting, hand quilted of course.

**Corded Sunbonnet –** I suspect by now many of my friends knows I carry extra sunbonnets for particular events. If you’ve walked into the millinery shop during CW weekend, there is a row of pegs with sunbonnets hanging next to the door. If there aren’t, that means they are all in borrowed use. I love seeing those pegs go from full to empty.
This particular white sheer sunbonnet replaces one my little sister borrowed nearly a decade ago. That bonnet was one made from a leno weave white sheer. We aren’t quite sure what happened, but that bonnet went from white to polychrome. (I wish it had been kept so we could dye it.) For years, many years, I had replacing that bonnet on my list. This past year finally allowed for the time to do that. Actually, it took my a year and a half to cord this. I know, kinda silly. I can sew straw endlessly for hours for days. Plain sewing… on fabric…. um…..

The next few entries are Pandemic stress projects. I found small projects requiring short amounts of attention and nearly instant satisfaction were what I needed during 2020 and 2021.

**A Bowl of Balls**. – Yup. This bowl is truly filled with stress reducing balls. Each one of these are pin balls from the nineteenth century. Each one can be made in a day or in several days if sewing for a short time each evening. The corded ball, (center and 3pm) is they first project I introduced during my lockdown YouTube show. This became such a favorite with people, I offered it as a kit in 2021. These two are made with silk threads left over. The ball at the top is one of my pillow pin balls, the project that became my “recover project” after surgery a few years ago. This project has small amounts of sewing that is gentle on hands that have been injured or are otherwise weak. One pillow at a time keeps you from doing too much. As it turns out, one pillow is all the energy I had most days after school in September. My goal had been to make two or three for the bowl. The last three are my newest pin ball made from paper pieced triangles. This one gives me 5th grade flashbacks.

**Elephant Pen-Wiper** – I have developed a fascination with pen-wipers. I love how a utilitarian item can become such a playful item. When I saw the pattern for this elephant come up in my feed, I didn’t care that I had no idea what it said, I had to make it. After completing this elephant, which I think is way too adorable, I learned this is the design that started what became the Steif line of animals. Love that.

**“Duffle” Style Travel Bag.** – One July morning, I made a bag in a day. A conversation with a friend reminded me I had the materials of one of the duffle style bags. When I woke up in the morning, I decided to make a bag. This one is made from memory, having made one years ago with the Shooting Star directions, using a circle and a straight edge. I didn’t bother measuring a thing. It is entirely handsewn, first basted together, then back stitched. It is about 150% the size of my previous bag, which is closer to the “Plaid shawl cover” size from Godey’s 1871.

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on October 2, 2021 at 3:01 pm Comments (1)

Self Care – aka Ag Fair Day 1

This week, several people mentioned “time for self care” to me as I was physically & emotionally dragging, and everything was getting to me. Each time I heard it, I thought “I don’t know how.” What I did know is I was on my way to an epic physical crash. I think that was Thursday and Friday. Friday, when I got home I did crash. I on and off slept on the couch, crawled to bed where I slept some more. In the morning Clara woke me up for breakfast. After I fed her, I slept again. Yup.

I did finally get up and get myself together to go to my favorite day of the year: Ag Fair!

This is my attempt at self care.

The weather is beautiful. Absolutely not the norm for Ag Fair that often is accompanied by a dip in temperature and wet. Not this year. It is sunny. 70s or so.

As I drove into Mumford and approached the light to turn left, I saw a row of cars approaching from the north-ish. Each one turned on its signal to turn. Oh, this was nice to see. They might be going to the museum. Indeed they were. Each car turned into the parking lot and slowed. Wow. The parking lot was packed. It was somewhere around 10:40 and the parking was filled to the road. We were being directed to the back of the front lot. I can’t recall the last time I parked this far out. It put a huge smile on my face. (By the time I left mid-day, the parking lot was completely filled and the CEO was at the front gate directing traffic to the south lot. It was great to see. )

I was completely unaware of the amount of wool lint on my black shirt. I had been pulling hats out of the millinery room. Opps. I headed for Thompson Tavern. More on that story in a future post.

I spent the rest of the morning wandering here and there aimlessly. Aimlessly was nice. So nice. I watched a little of the herding demo. I watched a little of the circus demo. I browsed the tent of vendors.

Then I headed to the carriage barn for the “Blue Ribbon Competition.” I had a little surprise for a friend there. It is all about the smiles.

(Sadly many of my photos came out too blurry to share. The light is too low and I get a little too excited to stay still.)

This year’s contest definitely goes to the non-textile arts in my opinion. There were some wonderful entries:

These two cat pieces particularly caught my heart. The hooked rug is just so alive and playful. The child’s painting has an expression that tugs at heart strings.

As with tradition, I will put my entries in a separa te post.

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on October 2, 2021 at 2:07 pm Leave a Comment

Sewing a Miniature Straw Whimsy Witch Hat

Find your new Whimsy Witch Hat in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AnnaWordenBauersmith
I also offer my Whimsy Witch Hat pattern so you can make your hat yourself. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1056713708/whimsy-witch-hat-pattern-electronic

This is where to find me:
Consider Patreon for special content: http://www.patreon.com/AMillinersWhimsy
A Milliner’s Whimsy – If I Had My Own Blue Box (History Blog):www.amillinerswhimsy.com
Don’t Paint the Cat (Crafty Blog): https://dontpaintthecat.wordpress.com
Instagram for If I Had My Own Blue Box: http://www.instagram.com/if.i.had.my.own.blue.box
Instagram for Don’t Paint the Cat: http://www.instagram.com/dont.paint.the.cat

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on September 27, 2021 at 5:05 pm Leave a Comment

Whimsy Witch Hats

I will be sharing new Whimsy Witch Hats over on my Don’t Paint the Cat blog. Be sure to follow there for the latest pieces and new additions to the line.

https://dontpaintthecat.wordpress.com/2021/09/11/a-mornings-whimsy-witch-hat-work/

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on September 11, 2021 at 1:24 pm Leave a Comment

Sampling of Decorated Bonnets

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on September 8, 2021 at 6:45 pm Leave a Comment

Whimsy Wednesday: Minis & an Unboxing from a Sleepy Me

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on September 8, 2021 at 1:00 am Leave a Comment

August Reflections

August has felt like an odd month. I had bursts of creativity and productivity buncing with boughts of burnout.

The highlight of the month was my little sister visiting. I simply don’t see my siblings enough. We failed to get photos of us.

Time travel was supposed to fill the rest of the month, but life got in the way. I did get to do a Regency millinery demo for the Emma portion of Novel Weekend.

I released two mini publications this month: my first modern pattern and a fun In Detail. There will be an announcement following one of these soon!

August’s millinery was an assortment of eras:

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on August 30, 2021 at 12:35 pm Leave a Comment

Mad for Plaid Challenge!

As summer wraps up, it is time for our fall challenge:

Mad for Plaid Challenge!

This September and October, I challenge you to make something Plaid. This can be a plaid garment, plaid accessory, or plaid item of material culture from any era and any region. You can make your challenge item as simple or as complex as you wish.

How to Participate:
Join the Facebook Group: 2021 Mad for Plaid Challenge. There will be questions to answer so I know you are a real person.
We will begin discussion officially September 1st. (I am in the midst of back to school. I will try not to be too distracted.)

What to do:

Make a historically researched item that is plaid. This can be a plaid garment, plaid accessory, or plaid item of material culture from any era and any region. You can make your challenge item as simple or as complex as you wish.

Rules:

This challenge is for fun. Each person will choose their own goals for this project. I ask that we support each other in those goals. Participants may choose any era or region to work in.

Coming challenges….

Holidays (plural)
Pretty, pretty Paisley

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on August 27, 2021 at 12:37 pm Comments (1)

The Details of In Detail

What is the In Detail series?

My In Detail series is an electronic publication that takes an up-close, or in detail, look at original pieces of material culture, usually useful, handmade pieces with a whimsical or fanciful side. Each publication is packed full of photographs and information about the object, how it was made, what was used, how it has weathered time. Most editions of In Detail include a section showing you how to recreate the item for yourself. I try to write 3 or 4 editions of In Detail each year, depending on how frequently I find an item of interest. In Detail is available in my Etsy shop. Patreon Patrons at the “Straw Sewer” level and above, receive In Detail as well as additional Patreon exclusive versions of In Detail.

Current Editions of In Detail:

This edition of In Detail explores a paper pieced pin ball made of silks. The directions section provides information on creating a pin ball or an ornament.

This edition of In Detail is a little different as it has a surprise twist and more of a story before it explores Earl’s ball. This e-publication starts off exploring this corded ball and concludes with directions for making your own ball. Look for this e-publication in my Etsy shop.

This edition of In Detail brings back the project I offered while recovering from surgeries years ago. This pin ball is created from little pillows.

This edition of In Detail is a sweet velvet needle-book with red embroidery on the cover.

This is a Patreon Exclusive In Detail looking at one of my favorite pin cushions from a nineteenth century publication.

I fell in love with this velvet slipper pincushion and was excited to offer it as the second edition of In Detail.

This Blue Ribbon Sewing Case was my very first edition of In Detail. This is an amazing sewing case made from a blue ribbon. Note: this is the edition that does not include directions for making the subject.

Published in:

What I'm Working On

on August 23, 2021 at 10:59 am Leave a Comment

Whimsy “Wednesday”: Announcing Two Mini-Publications!

Yes, I know. It is Friday, not Wednesday.

This week’s video announces not one, but two publications!

In Detail: Paper Pieced Pin Ball is the latest in my In Detail series, which takes a close look at small original 19th century pieces, often pieces of whimsy or fancy with function. This edition takes a close, in detail, look at an original paper pieced pin ball and gives directions on how to make your own pin ball as well as ornament.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1054467352/in-detail-paper-piece-pin-ball-by-anna?
The Whimsy Witch Hat Pattern is my first “modern” pattern. It was requested after I started making a series of witch hats to wear last year. My goal is to offer a pattern that is easy to follow and fun to make. If this is received well, I will add future project patterns.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1056713708/whimsy-witch-hat-pattern-electronic?

I mentioned the spoon project in the video. This is the Spoon Memorial by Made on the Moors, a collaborative art project honoring the women persecuted as witches during the witch hunt in England. Find more information here: https://www.madeonthemoors.co.uk/medicine-spoon-memorial-1

Favor request: If you normally watch my videos here on my WordPress blog, could you take a moment and subscribe to my YouTube channel? This will help me have a better idea of how may people are watching. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbVZo_2AOLN7E9lKVOOi28g

Published in: