If I Had My Own Blue Box:

I don’t know about where you are, but here this April has been the month of all seasons. We’ve had record warmth, record cold, and record snow.

This month wraps up out March/April Pocket Challenge.  I have been stitching away on my red/green pocket in hope of actually getting it done. For a while, I didn’t think I would.

I made my 1830s stays using Redthreaded’s pattern.  I was pleased with the pattern and how well it fit my me.

I started my first 1830s dress. Finally. Or should that be Finally.  With two weeks until I need it, the skirt is together and the bodice slipped & drafted.

This month’s millinery was done in groups. There were also a couple that you didn’t get to see.

Coming Ahead:

• The May/June Cap to Crowns Challenge
• Finishing my 1830s dress
• Many opening days: Sonnenberg Gardens, Genesee Country Village & Museum,  Linwood Gardens. I hope to get in a good walk at each of these this month.
• Pinking Demonstration at GCVM during the Antique Show. (This should keep me from shopping.)
• Fabric and Swatch Book Zoom discussion for a local group.
• Working on the extant straw bonnets: Special content available on Patreon.

Why shouldn’t you wear polyester dresses in a history setting?

• Polyester and other synthetic fibers melt when in contact with, or in close proximity to, fire. If your dress or under cloths catch fire, they can melt and stick to your skin.
• Polyester does not allow the body to breathe like wool or cotton will. If your body can not breathe during hot days or while doing period activities, you can overheat, get heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. (In the case of a polyester covered bonnet, the heat can become trapped inside.)
• The vast majority of polyester fabrics will not work up the way wool or silk or cotton will. They require modern sewing techniques that defeat the purpose of period sewing for most.
• Oddly enough, mice like polyester. I don’t know why. Apparently, they think it is a yummy snack.

The cost: Yes, silk can be expensive. Yes, wool can be expensive. But, both can be had for less with patience and flexibility. I do not pay full price for my personal silks and wools. I can’t.

I took a quick look at what poly satin costs at the popular fabric/craft store. $9.99 to $14.99 a yard. Sure, that is less than $30/silk. But…. there are many other options out there. Here is a quick comparison of a couple. Currently, The Button Baron is offering limited runs of Family Heirloom Weavers fabric for $10/yard. Honestly, I would prize this type of dress over most nice silk dresses. Over on the discount fabric outlet sites, silk can be had for $10/yard or even as low as $6/yard. In each of these cases, the fabric is 55 to 60 inches wide, meaning a dress, even an 1850s dress, could be made with 5 yards. If you join some of the fabric resell groups, you can pick up dress lengths of silk and wool for $35 to $100 for longer lengths.

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

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

“Millinery 2021” covers much of what I talk about in my video, including how to measure for a hat.

Please follow and support me….

Consider Patreon for special content. Currently, I am sharing the progress with my original straw bonnets in need of TLC: 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

Let’s face it: This past year has been incredibly difficult. We all deserve a treat.

With this in mind, our next
challenge is: The Caps to Crowns Challenge!

This May and June, I challenge you to make something for your head, from a Cap to a Crown, and anything in between. As with all my challenges, your Cap or Crown can be from any era, to meet the needs of your impression or region. But, this time around, I encourage you to have a little fun with this. This is a perfect time to treat yourself to something or to think out of the box to make something a bit more whimsical.
I will be making both a much procrastinated frilly cap and something more whimsical, yet to be determined.

How to Participate:
Join the Facebook Group: 2021 Caps to Crowns Challenge. There will be questions to answer so I know you are a real person.
We will begin discussion officially May 1st.

What to do:
Make a cap or a crown (or a tiara…. or dinner cap …. or a headdress ….. or what fanciful headwear you need/want) and share your progress in the FB group. Tell us your goals, your inspiration, your materials, etc..

Rules:
This 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 to do any era, region, and size pocket. I also welcome those who wish to make doll scale.

Nearly a fanchon bonnet

My phone is not adequate for taking good photos of these. Apologies.

Her hat has a shallow crown, while the brim rolls back. Lacw appears to fall on one side while feathers or a combination cascades from the other.

Please follow and support me….
Patreon: 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