Living with Jane

A Blog Vacation

2012-01-27T19:03:00.000-05:00

I would really like to be on vacation right now...somewhere new to me and relaxing. But, instead, I'm spending all of my time in my basement, and in a small costume closet behind stage. So, I'm going to have to take a short blog vacation. When things have calmed down (probably about a month from now), I will be back and share with all of you the results of my Seussical costuming adventure. Take care...see you soon.

Seussical: Sour Kangaroo and the Bird Girls

2012-01-22T12:22:00.000-05:00

I was dreading this weekend. I knew that there wouldn't be a moment to spare for anything other than sewing costumes for Seussical. Between Jane's birthday last weekend, and me having a very nasty stomach virus this week, I was desperately behind in my costuming schedule. However, I was pleasantly surprised. My good friend Laura came over to keep me company in my mad rush of sewing. I don't see Laura often enough to suit me. We holed ourselves up in my basement (also known to me as my studio/library...I have a good imagination), we popped in a movie, drank tea and coffee and nibbled on vegetarian black bean enchiladas. Laura knitted, Jane played, and I cut and stitched away. Somehow, the cosy closeness of friendship seemed to take the edge off of all the work.

In addition to several smaller mending and altering jobs, the main characters I worked on were Sour Kangaroo and the 5 Bird Girls. I do not have completed outfits pictured here, so use a little imagination where accessories are missing, and crazy hair is lacking. Every actor will also have face paint and/or make-up to enhance their animal qualities.

Jane is modeling Sour Kangaroo's (and Baby Kangaroo's..they wear the same outfit) turban. I cut the foot off of a pair of old stockings, stuffed it with bits of old cloth, and slipped it onto Jane's head. This created the cone shape I needed to wrap the fabric around. Jane's little neck was unfortunately not strong enough to hold the turban up (it should be angled up and not so horizontal), but I tried it on, and with the stocking part pinned to my hair there was very little shifting.

Both Kangaroos will be wearing brown leggings and shirts under their "fashion capes" or ponchos. The light was fading by the time I took this picture, so I apologize for the yellowish glow. The fabric is a brown suede-like material with silk and sequined rick-rack strips applied to it. The whole effect is very tribal. Ears will be made and attached to the outside of the turban, but I am wondering if tails are necessary...I mean, the urban jungle creatures (aka - the chorus) probably won't have tails, only ears...so should the main jungle animals (kangaroo, Horton, etc.) have them or not? Thoughts?

On to the Bird Girls...

*Disclaimer, all photos of dresses are mine, but birds are images found on Bing. I have no sources.*

You have already seen the costume I made for Gertrude McFuzz. Well, here's the bird image I had in mind for her. Adorable, but not a little goofy and awkward, right. In addition to Gertrude, there are other Birds in the cast, and these costumes were my primary focus this weekend.

*FYI, all Bird Girls will be decked out in color coordinating feather boas and will be wearing these lovely orange fishnet tights.*

Mayzie, for starters is the flashy one that Gertrude wishes she could be like, and the leader of the Bird Girls pack. No other bird would do, of course, except for the peacock. I don't have Mayzie's dress yet, but this is the one I'm thinking of. What do you think?

The Chorus of Bird Girls are in the following colors: red, green, purple, pink and yellow. I found all of their dresses at local vintage/thrift stores. A couple were perfect as is, but the rest I altered.

Let's start with red, shall we.

Sassy, strong, gorgeous...a real stand out in the crowd type. I didn't do any alterations to this dress....didn't think it needed it. You should see the shoulder pads on this 80's baby...a mile thick, if not two!

Next is green...my favorite color, and probably my favorite dress out of all of them.

Fun, frilly, and again, very 80's. I just adore the texture of the bodice, and frilly sleeves set this one apart from the rest. A very ruffled feathers kind of look. This dress was perfect as is, and didn't need any alterations either.

Purple's next in line. I loved these purple birds...so sleek, long, and elegant...

...as was this dress. I did alter it though.

I took up the length of the dress, because I wanted all of the dresses short enough to see the orange tights. But I still think the tailored sleekness (and yet still ruffled) look of this dress said "bird" to me.

Ok...so maybe pink wasn't the perfect choice for a bird, because the only pink bird I could find was a flamingo. Still, some may think of flamingo as gangly and awkward, but I don't. I think they are long and graceful, with a big puff of unusually pink frilly feathers to set them off.

Finding a pink dress wasn't hard, but finding one to fit the actress wearing it was. (This dress is actually a little more pink in real life than it appears in the photo.) I did find the one above, and at first glance it did not say "bird" to me...nor did it fit in with the other three dresses above. I knew that if I were going to make this one work, I would need to do some major alterations. But, should I cut up something so classically 70's prairie style...could I really do it...should I really do? There were more than a few agonizing moments about weather I could convince myself to cut up a dress like this. But, in the end I did. I decided to go ahead and alter it for two main reasons...first off, Laura said I should...and secondly, the lace and lining were shredded, torn and moth eaten in places anyway, so I figured I was putting it to better use than letting it hang around in a closet where it would slowly rot away.

And here was the result. Does it say "bird" to you now? Does it make you think a bit of a flamingo? I sure hope so, because it's never going to be what it was before.

Finally, there is yellow. I love this little bird...so fresh, cheerful, bright.

It was surprisingly hard to find a yellow formal dress that was not modern. I stumbled upon this one for only $5. Again, I agonized over cutting this one up, but if I was going to use it for the play, it had to fit in with the other Bird Girls styles. But in the end, for similar reasons as the pink one, I altered it too.

This the front altered view...

...but it's the back view that's my favorite, and really says "bird" to me. The really sweet girl who plays the role of the yellow bird wasn't too excited about getting assigned the color yellow. I do hope that this dress cheers her up a bit, as I think it's a very bright, and fun outfit.

I'll try to take a picture of all of the Bird Girls together with their dresses on when I get the chance. I hope they like them. I don't know why I always worry so much about the actors liking their costumes. As costume director, it's ultimately my vision and my choice, but I still like to think about the actors being happy with what they are wearing. It's very important to me that what they wear fits perfectly with their character's personality.

Well, I'm off to work on Horton's costume now. A little coffee and a good night's rest has geared me up for another day of sewing.

My Jane is Five!

2012-01-16T11:12:00.000-05:00

It is extremely hard for me to believe this, but my Jane is five years old! Five! How did she get to be such a grown up little girl?! Wasn't she a toddler just yesterday?

Officially, her birthday is January 17th, but we celebrated the occasion yesterday. We invited about a dozen friends to join us at a place called The Little Gym.

The Gym is a life saver, really. Last year's birthday party was fabulous, but more than a little crowded in our house, and I was cleaning up from the party for a week after.

The Little Gym was mess free (sort of), and a great place for the kids to let loose and get all of their energy out. Having a winter birthday is difficult, because most of the time (at least where I live) going outside isn't an option.

The kids played and ran and jumped and danced. Then it was time for the yummy cake.

A big slice of cake for a five year old girl!

Look at those happy faces!

Jane helped me make the cake. I got the recipe from the Glorious Treats blog. It's called an Ombre Cake, and we did ours in one of Jane's favorite colors, pink.

(pre-colorful icing...a.k.a....dirty iced)

It wasn't a difficult cake, but it was time consuming. So, if you are going to try something like this, then be sure to set aside at least a day before the party just to bake the cake.

I am not as skilled as the lady from Glorious Treats, so my icing didn't turn out quite as pretty. But I really enjoyed the multiple hues of pink on the inside of the cake.

Happy Birthday to my favorite Jane! Your giggles and smiles and sweet hugs bring joy to my life. I've been in love with you since the first time I looked into your bright eyes. May God grant you many more birthdays!

Giggles, giggles and more giggles!

Seussical: Gertrude and Vlad

2012-01-07T17:42:00.002-05:00

(front of Gertrude's costume)

Seussical is well on it's way to being a production. I've been sniffing around our local thrift and vintage stores for items, and have come up with quite a few jewels. I will save some of those treasures for a later post on the "vintage" inspired Whos and the "urban jungle" inspired jungle animals.

(back of Gertrude's outfit, pre-long-tail)

For now, you will have to satisfy yourself with the outfits of Gertrude McFuzz and Vlad the Vulture.

(and her tail grows...around 50 feet!)

Both Gertrude and Vlad abound in feathers, but like day and night, Gertrude is all innocence and bright colors, while Vlad is the epitome of darkness and evil.

(front of Vlad's coat)

Gertrude's...erm...bum holds nearly 50ft of tail feathers, and stretches all around the stage when pulled out.

(back of Vlad's coat)

Vlad's coat is one that I pulled out of the back of my closet. I actually wore this coat (minus the feathers) back in my college days when I went through a slightly goth/matrix phase. I brooded and stormed around campus wearing all black clothing, tall and clunky combat boots laced up tight, a black messenger bag covered in safety pins and band patches slung over my shoulder, and this coat flapping in the breeze. Ahhh, the memories....I've never been able to convince myself to get rid of it...I'm too sentimental. And I'm now glad that I didn't, because it's perfect for this costume.

(menacing shoulders)

He will be wearing a black turtleneck, and sleek black slacks with the coat, as well as a black leather cap that I found at a vintage store...it's from the 60's and looks a lot like this one except it comes to a really high point in the center, giving him a conical, vulture head effect.

The funny thing is, the boy who is playing Vlad isn't really a menacing, mean type...he's the opposite, really. So, I'm hoping that this coat inspires him to pull out his inner, brooding demons.

A little secret for you...I actually prefer Vlad's costume to Gertrude's...but don't tell anyone.

Another Regency Era Fan

2011-12-28T15:40:00.000-05:00

I haven't been able to do much sewing lately, what with all of the Holiday festivities and such. I just started on my sleeveless chemise, and then will be moving on to my sleeveless petticoat. Nothing too exciting, but when I'm finished with those, I will post pictures so that you can see the outcome.

High school musical season has started, and if I haven't mentioned this before, I'm the costume director. This year's musical is Seussical, which means that, thankfully, I won't have to do too much sewing, but I have been scouring thrift stores around town for wacky and colorful ensembles. We aren't taking a literal approach, so rather than big furry Sneetch suits, etc, we are going with things like, yellow, vintage inspired Whos and the jungle animals will be more "urban jungle" than anything. Big hair is unavoidable though. Expect pictures in a couple of months.

One thing I don't think I've mentioned yet is that I've been asked by JASNA Louisville to teach a fan painting workshop at next summer's Jane Austen Festival. I'm thrilled about this, and have been researching fans. If you have tons of extra time to waste, browse The British Museum's web site for late 18th century, early 19th century fans. You won't be disappointed.

A little over a year ago, I painted THIS FAN. I plan on using it as an example during the workshop, but was asked to create one that is more simply done up, in case someone might not feel up to such a challenge.

So, today I sat down and using examples from The British Museum I came up with this. Fun, colorful, simply done, but still very Regency-esq. I hope it isn't intimidating. What do you think? Could a novice make a fan like this, or is it still too complicated? It seemed easy to me.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! Enjoy this video of Jane singing with her classmates (she's the shortest one in front center). I hope your holidays are filled with peace and love.

Sea Glass Candy

2011-12-20T14:09:00.000-05:00

A couple of days ago, I stumbled upon this recipe for Sea Glass Candy, and it looked so pretty I had to give it a try. It really is gorgeous looking candy, and delicious too. I used peppermint oil to flavor one batch, and rose water to flavor another. I thought I would share the recipe with you, because...well...just because. Who wouldn't want to to give this a try? What a fun treat to cook up! And it's so easy to take with you when traveling to visit family this holiday season. Now...if only Jane and I can keep our hands out of it until we get there.

Nostalgic for Art

2011-12-18T18:34:00.004-05:00

As many of you know, I teach art to 4th - 6th graders. In the 10 years I've been teaching art, I've gradually produced less and less of my own art work. (I'm certain being a mom for the past 5 years hasn't helped either.) Sure, you could call costuming an art, and I've done plenty of that in the last 4 years (is it really 4 years??...almost) But...I've done very little, if any, fine art.

For some odd reason, being on Christmas break has made me nostalgic for the those days in college when I would get so wrapped up in the my studio work, that I would forget to eat. I would wonder into the photography dark room (yes, dark room...we were on the front edge of the digital age back then), the printmaking shop, or the drawing and painting studio, and spend hours submerged in my work...etching, sketching, painting, sculpting, studying models and still life set ups...I breathed light and shadow, texture and shape...I breathed the beauty of my subjects, and the clouds and hills around me when I would photograph outdoors. I would completely lose track of time, and have to race back to the dorm just in time for curfew (and yes, I went to a college that had a curfew.) I loved coming back to my room smelling of linseed oil or turpentine, permanently having charcoal under my fingernails, or having to peel off my jeans because they were saturated with clay.

Today I dug into some of my old portfolios, reminiscing. And I thought, in an effort to revive my fine arts muse, I would share some of my old work with you. Maybe it will inspire me to crack open some old paint and dust off my graphite pencils. I don't have access to a dark room, or a printmaking studio anymore...but I do have canvases, lines, color, light, hands, and most importantly my imagination. I'm not the best artist who ever lived, but I've always enjoyed creating, and I'm thankful for my gift.

Let's start with senior year of high school, shall we... (Feel free to laugh at this one! I threw it in to lighten up the mood...my mood.)

Circa 1998...and my obsession then, "Titanic," of course...and Leo DiCaprio.

Circa 1999...Off to college I went, where I learned to find beauty in the every day things, (celebrities not included). These are just some sketchbook drawings. Most of the stuff I did in my classes were life sized renderings.

Circa 2000...I also learned to loosen up, and draw from life, not just pictures.

Circa 2001...I went to Italy and gained an appreciation for the intricacies of the European masters.

Circa 2002...I dove head first into printmaking that year.(We were supposed to be illustrating a book here, and I chose "Lord of the Rings." Nerd alert...I know.)

That same year, I combined printmaking with my photography. Seriously, that year was the most fun I ever had making art. (So sorry I don't have a better representation of my photography. As I said before, nothing was digital, and I didn't really feel like pulling out all of my old negatives, and photography portfolios today...I'll save that for another day. "Oh, please, no! Don't!" you say...ok, I won't.)

Circa 2003/2004...post college...oil paint and collage piece inspired by mythology and the period of art known as Symbolism...this is really a horrible piece of art I think, but I thought I would include it, because it is so insane. I really went through an intense, almost grieving period after college, because a lot of my close friends had moved away, and I felt like I had lost part of my family. My artwork during that stage reflects this I suppose.

This one is my most recent artwork (not including random sketches not really worth showing.) It is a pastel work, completed about 3 and a half years ago...right around the time I started costuming...and, well, I've been at that ever since.

That's all I've got for now (there are bins and bins of stuff in my garage, and well, I don't want to bore you to death.) I really just posted all of this for myself, so I won't be offended if you think I stink as an artist. Truly I won't (just don't tell me, ha!) Costuming is grand, like sculpting with fabric, but there's just something missing from it that I can't quite put my finger on. I've been a bit emotional about all of this today(probably not the best time to post something...will I regret this?) Thinking back on things does that to you I guess. I suppose I'm missing the whole experience, not just the act of creating art. *sigh* ...good times...good friends...great memories.

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"One should be an enigma not just to others but to oneself too. I study myself. When I'm tired of that I light a cigar to pass the time, and think: God only knows what the good LORD really meant with me, or what He meant to make of me." ~ Soren Kierkegaard

A New Perspective

2011-12-11T16:42:00.001-05:00

Also titled...What happens when you give your camera to a 4 year old.

Personally, (and I might be partial here) I think her composition is pretty good.

A Modern Day Cravat

2011-12-08T12:46:00.001-05:00

I've been told that this video has been around for some time now, but recently a friend brought it to my attention. I adore it....such fun, and perfect for the current scarf wearing weather. It put me in mind though, of a modern day, female version of this cravat tying poster.

It's the Holiday Season

2011-12-03T19:29:00.001-05:00

Well...'tis the season of busy days and nights. I can barely spare a moment to write much on my blog, so I apologize for my absence. We are busy with Christmas programs and Christmas parties. I also made another capote bonnet recently, and was actually paid to make it. Ridiculous really, because it's so much fun to make.

Jane and I decorated the Christmas tree today. I know...a little 'late' in the game according to the new American tradition of putting up your Christmas decorations before Halloween is finished. One holiday at a time, people...please. We are "real" tree people, nothing fake for us. I love the smell of pine during the holidays.

Also, I think I've made my decision as far as what I'm going to do with my new blue fabric. It was a tough choice for me.

I reeeaaalllly loved the 1796 gown (first one on the list). And I was sorely tempted...but I've done late 1790's before, and am itching to try something a little different.

So, I've decided on a combination of things. First, I'm going to make a Habit Shirt (what I was calling a sleeved chemisette), like the one in the above picture from 1801.

Then, I'm going to make a sleeveless gown like the one from 1803. I think the Habit Shirt will look fantastic under it for a day dress. If I choose to, I can later attach on some fancy sleeves, and dress it up for a ball. Or, I could make a cute little spencer to wear over it. I'm just really attracted to the little lacy/frilly detail along the neck-line. And the veil is fun too...

In other news, I will soon be up to my ears with costumes for my school's high school musical. This year's musical is Seussical. So...lot's of color it will be. Thankfully, I'm not going to have to make everything, as most outfits can be bought at thrift shops, vintage stores, etc. But it does require a lot of planning. So, from January to March, I will be one busy woman. I will try my hardest not to neglect all of you. Thanks for caring enough to read my blog. I really do appreciate it more than I can say!

Jane Austen Quilt: Constructing the Border

2011-11-19T11:10:00.001-05:00

Here's a quick update on the Jane Austen Quilt I am supposed to be working on...

I cut all of the fabric I had collected into 1 1/2" wide strips (this includes 1/4" seam allowance.) The strips vary in length, depending on the original size of the fabric. But, most are around 24" long.

The border of the quilt is going to be 8" wide, and composed of 1" squares (the original quilt border was made of 1" diamonds...but I'm not that good...so squares will do for me.) So, I randomly select 8 strips at a time, and I sew them together. I will repeat this process until all of the strips are used. You can see 3 finished sections above.

Next, I cut these sections across the width into 1 1/2" strips (this also includes seam allowance.)

This is what they will look like when cut out.

Once I cut all of these strips, I sew them together, creating this mottled look. I'm obviously not that good, because the pieces don't line up very well. I'm not letting that bother me....

Eventually, I will have a border long enough to go all the way around the quilt. Here's a quick sample of what it will look like. It took me nearly an hour just to get this much done.

I'm going to be at this for quite some time...

*sigh*

My Next Project: Decisions...Decisions

2011-11-12T14:11:00.001-05:00

I'm brainstorming now...trying to decide what my next Regency era project will be. I've decided to start with a new shift. It will probably be a sleeveless one, because my current shift, when worn under my white gown, looks like I'm wearing a t-shirt underneath. I'm also planning on making a new petticoat. Both of these should be easy, quick and cheap projects.

The hard part is trying to decide what I want to do with my new, blue, sheer, cotton/linen blend fabric that I bought at the 18th c. market fair a couple of weeks ago. I have 5 yards. Here are my ideas. Will you help me decide?

Note: The source for all of these fashion plates is Dames a la Mode.

1796

I saw this plate, and while I'm sure the gown is probably made of some sort of silk or fine lawn/voile, the color is nearly spot on. 1796 is about as early as I would go for a new Regency era gown. Actually, I'm not even sure it qualifies as Regency...does it? Maybe Georgian? My knowledge of British Royal history is foggy right now. I'm on medicine for allergies...that's my excuse. Anyhow...I love the open robe feel, the v-neck, how it closes in the front(easy on/off), and the lace/embroidered trim is gorgeous. With the 3/4 length sleeves, my 5 yards would be stretched...but it can be done. This is the only gown in this list of ideas to have longer sleeves. I'm dreading the summer heat of next year already, and we aren't even through with Autumn yet.

1796

Another early one...also the perfect color, but no sleeves. I would wear this one over my white Tiden's Toj gown...which means another layer, even without sleeves. There are not a lot of details on this fashion plate, and I'm left to wonder where the seems are, how it's gathered and closed in the front, etc. But, it's pretty, none the less...so it's on my list.

1799

I don't really like the colors of the trim on this one, but I do like the idea of the trim. I can't really tell what's going on with the front of the dress, and have the feeling that it's quite boring. But, it's the right color, and has cute short sleeves.

1800

A later look that really caught my eye, especially because it's one of those rare moments when we get to see the back of a dress. It's not the right color, but my fabric would look equally as good, I think. I like that it's sleeveless. But, I'm thinking that I would have to make and wear a sleeved chemisette under it. I really like the look of the sleeves in this plate, and if the chemisette was made of a light and sheer material, it wouldn't be too hot.

1801

The last plate gave me a good idea for the back of a gown, and I kind of like the front on this one. Again, a sort of chemisette with sleeves would need to be made and worn underneath. The only question I have on this one... would my not so small bosom look right in a dress with such a narrow bodice? hhhmmm...

1803

Last, but certainly not least...this one is later, but I think it's rather elegant. I like how the sheer, white sleeves could possibly be attached to the blue gown. Also, the lace, or ruched detailing around the top of the bodice is so delicate and pretty. I kind of like the veil too.

Well, that's all I've got. Please chime in with suggestions, votes, vetos or ideas. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Swing Dress #2

2011-11-06T13:53:00.001-05:00

Ok...I just have to get this off my chest, even though it is totally unrelated to this post. Chlorine really makes your hair very brittle. Can you see the frizz? Anyone have any tips for a swimmer on how to keep my hair from getting extremely dry?

So, back to what this post is really supposed to be about...my second attempt at using the Sense and Sensibility swing dress pattern. I had some gorgeous William Morris style fabric in my stash that I purchased about three years ago. I love the arts and crafts movement, and this fabric is so beautiful, but I could never imagine what it should be used for. Pillows? Curtains? Skirt? Jacket? Dress?

I finally decided on a dress, and I love the cut of the S&S swing dress on me. I did alter the pattern a bit. I used the pattern for the front bodice just as it was, but cut the waist band straight instead of curved. I also shortened the back bodice, and added a similar waist band to that. I shorted the sleeves quite a bit. And finally, this is the most obvious alteration, I didn't use the skirt pattern at all. Instead, I took two full widths of the fabric, sewed them together along the side seams, and gathered the panels at the top before stewing the skirt into the waist band.

This was the best back shot of the dress that I could get. Sorry. I was worried that the Morris style print would look a bit busy on any article of clothing, but I rather like it here.

The pattern's intent was a 1940's style dress, but I wanted my dress to look a little more 1950's. Does it feel 50's to you? I'm quite pleased with it.

I tried modernizing, or embellishing, or what-have-you with a cardigan and belt. The dress accessorizes well, I think. I do believe that the S&S swing dress pattern is probably one of my favorite pattern purchases. I've loved using it both times, and the cut really flatters my figure without many (if any) sizing alterations needing to be done.

Well, one more stash busting project checked off the list.

Our Halloween Attire

2011-11-02T18:45:00.000-04:00

I hope you had a fun filled Halloween! Jane and I went with an underwater theme this year. She was a little mermaid, and I a jellyfish.

Halloween day was a long one at school for Jane and I, so we didn't actually go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween night. Instead, we stayed home and passed out candy...which, in my opinion is just as fun. Not to despair though, over the past week, we had been to two other local "trunk-or-treat", Fall festival type events. There was plenty of opportunity for candy and costume fun.

It's harder than you might think to catch a jellyfish in action! My costume was an easy one. I simply covered my paper parasol (the handle too) with sparkly, pink and white tool, and hung streamers of tool around the edges. The fun part about the costume was being able to open and shut the parasol, so it appeared that the jellyfish was moving up and down through water.

I made Jane's costume too. It's a simple halter top that Velcro's in the back, and I attached a strap to tie around the neck. Then I cut out fabric in the shape of shells, stuffed them with fluff and quilted them onto the halter bodice. Finally, I sewed on some fake pearls and painted on glitter. For Jane's hair embelishments, I used teal colored duck-tape to attach plastic water-lily leaves and flowers to a headband, then draped a string of pearls around that.

I used a little girl's capri pants pattern from Simplicity for the basic shape and size of Jane's "fins." But, a lot of improvising went on, and I added in different textures of aqua colored fabrics I had on hand, and a bit of sheer 'something' for the flippers at the bottom. A little elastic in the waist completed the pants.

I asked Jane to show me how a real mermaid would pose, and this is what she did...

A natural-born Mermaid, if you ask me.

18th Century Market Fair: 2011

2011-10-30T16:05:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was blissful! The weather was a perfect, crisp 65 degrees, with a breezy, and puffy cloud filled sky. It was also the annual 18th c. Market Fair at Locust Grove in Louisville, KY, which meant that I got to experience that beautiful weather in the context of the sights and sounds of an 18th c. market. Even better...I spent the day with my daughter Jane, my dear friend Laura, the lovely Natalie and her two adorable boys, Noah and Christopher.

Even though we ended the day watching the mock Revolutionary war battle, I will begin my pictorial journey with the skirmish. Here you see the (diminished) Kentucky frontiersmen (aka - the Rebels) holding their own against...du-du-dun...

...the dreaded British!! (and Scottish, and Germans, and...) Somehow, even though the British (and friends) outnumbered the Rebels 2 to 1 and owned a cannon (and bagpipes), the "Americans" triumphed. Of course.

Seriously though, it was all very educational, (and yet I can't remember the name of the battle being portrayed). It seems like such a "slow," and legalistic way to battle...nothing like today's wars. Jane loved it, but asked many questions, in a very concerned voice, about why they were shooting at each other, and why people were falling down. I explained to her that it was a pretend battle, and that they were just acting, which seemed to satisfy her. It didn't satisfy me...

There was one area where the kids could learn about 18th century toys (without bringing out thoughts of war and death). They sincerely enjoyed this discovery time.

Jane met one little girl her age. They enjoyed playing Graces together.

Of course, since it was a market fair, there was a boucou amount of goods to see and buy (or, sadly, not to buy). Jane begged and pleaded for one of these adorable little wool sheep.

I mean, seriously...who wouldn't! Aren't they so cute!?

I saw the Crown Point Bread Co. pull up their horse and wagon, and almost before they could set up their shop of rustic bread and creamy white cheddar cheese...

I was begging and pleading for some. What is it about hearty bread and rich cheese that makes me go weak in the knees? Do they do that to you too?

I can't pass up this shop, the 96 District Storehouse.

One step inside, and I'm in 18th century fabric heaven.

At one point in the day, we sat down to drink some hot cider and watch a group of dancers learning a new 18th century dance. They called out to the audience, inviting anyone to join them who would like to learn the dance too. Guess who raised her hand? (Hint: It wasn't me.)

Yes...Jane wanted to join in the dancing. She stayed in the dance for a good 10 or 15 minutes, led around by the young lady in the striped skirt. I couldn't have been more proud.

I purchased a couple of bars of organic, scented soaps from Simple Soapworks. They are one of my favorite soap makers ever...seriously. If you don't get the chance to see them in person at a market fair, you can purchase their products on the web. If photographs and computer monitors had scent capability, you would know why I'm in love with this soap.

Another gorgeous, handmade item that I bought...a silk, hand-block-printed scarf.

From the 96 District Storehouse, I bought this salmon colored linen to make into a new dress for Jane. She's already outgrown the white one I made for her this past Spring. Jane picked the color out herself.

I also bought this sheer, linen/cotton blend for myself. The color is gorgeous, and the airy feel to it will be perfect for next year's summer festivals. Now, if only I could figure out the gown it wants to be...more on this later.

Jane's wool sheep...

It is the simple things in life that make us happy.

Here's a little clip of Jane dancing. Enjoy!

Snowshill Quilted Jacket: Construction, Completed

2011-10-22T14:26:00.000-04:00

Happy October, my friends. I do hope you are enjoying weather as mild and crisp as we are. It's fabulous. The trees have been turning colors for the past two to three weeks. I love this time of year.

Well...it's finally done...my interpretation of the Snowshill Jacket, that is. Last weekend I ventured out into this beautiful Autumn weather to a local historic landmark called McConnell Springs, wondering around the trails.

I thought the setting rather appropriate for taking photos of my new jacket, considering the Springs were discovered when our city was founded in the mid to late 18th century. The history of the Springs is rather fascinating, and you can read more about it on their site. I'm wearing my jacket, of course, with modern clothing...which was the goal.

I'm extremely happy with how the jacket turned out. I will say, though, that it isn't the most ideal for wearing over modern clothing. The bottom of the false front hits at the natural waist, and unless I'm wearing a skirt/shirt combo, or a dress that does the same, it looks a little silly (like in the these pictures of me wearing jeans and a t-shirt.) Also, (and this is my stupidity coming into play here) I didn't take into account how thick modern, winter clothing is, and didn't put enough ease into the jacket. It is extremely snug and hard to get on and off over my clothing.

I've put in a series of pictures of the jacket on my manikin, so that you can get a clearer look at the details from every angle.

I didn't place any boning in the jacket, and the false front, instead of being pinned like it would have been, is held together with very large hook and eyes.

One issue I'm having (and feel free to chime in here if you know of any solutions) is with the lapels. They stick out, like you see above, and no amount of ironing can get them to lay flat. This bothers me more than a little.

I didn't put any pleated ruffles on the cuffs of the sleeves. I love the way they look on the original Snowshill jacket, but in modern life, they look a little too theatrical for me. Besides, I was working with limited "recycled" wool, and didn't have enough for two cuffs.

The back of the jacket is most definitely my favorite part of the whole thing. From the billowing hood, to the trapunto quilted feathers, to the deep pleats...it is all such a striking combination.

Well, it's been a long uphill battle with this jacket, but in the end I think it was worth it. I could probably hand quilt in my sleep now.

Now...any ideas for what could be next? I think I've lost my Muse, because I can't think of anything.

Churp-Crick....Churp-Crick

2011-10-15T10:25:00.000-04:00

Does anyone else hear crickets around here?

I'm so sorry for the silence on my blog lately. I said it would slow down once school started back up again, but I didn't expect it to slow quite so much. I do have excuses though...of course. Let me count the ways.

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In the sewing arena, I'm nearly finished with my Snowshill Jacket. No, really, I am. The only thing left to do is to sew on the front closures, which I bought yesterday. I will finish this today, and weather permitting, try to get some pictures of me wearing it outside. The weather is beautiful around here right now, and the Autumn foliage is gorgeous. I'm hoping to have the pictures up and posted by the end of this coming week.

I've also been concocting some interesting Halloween outfits. I'm waiting until the big night to reveal what we will all be wearing though.

But to wet your appetite, here's a peak at Jane's "candy" bucket. (Thanks, Natalie, for the idea!)

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In other news...

For the past week and a half, Jane and I have both been battling head colds turned nightmare virus'. Jane's turned into croup, and mine (I'm suspecting) has become laryngitis. We sound like we are coughing up half a lung, we have gone through more tissue boxes than can be counted, and our throats feel like someone has them in a vice grip. My voice is barely coming out as a squeak...not good when ones profession is teaching. I'm trying not to talk today, hoping this will help. Easier said than done, right...

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A little bit of good news though...

I've always grumbled over working out and going to the gym. No time, injured back, too expensive, etc., etc., excuse after excuse. But, over the past year, I have put on a lot of weight, and while I'm all for being comfortable in your own skin, and totally believe beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, I wasn't feeling like myself. I'm a fairly healthy eater, but I haven't been very active. The older I get, the slower my metabolism seems to get. So, I knew it was time to make a change. About two months ago, our family joined the local YMCA. It was a complete blessing that we qualified for some financial aid there, and we were able to join for a discount.

Pretty much the ONLY "sport" (yuck...I don't like sports) I've always excelled in is swimming. My mom tells me I started swimming on my own at around 18 months old. Years ago I was on the swim team even. Thankfully, our YMCA has a fabulous lap pool and aquatics program. Since joining the Y I've been working out 4 to 5 times a week, for anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour each time. I've been alternating between swimming laps and participating in an Aqua Zumba class. Aqua Zumba is a blast. The Latin, African and Indian rhythms are so much fun to dance to. Returning to the water is like returning home for me. (Maybe I'm part nymph or mermaid! Ha!) There is just something so relaxing about being surrounded by the cool, tranquil water, with nothing but your thoughts to keep you company.

All that being said, I feel healthy, stronger, my thoughts are clearer, and I've lost 8lbs. Not bad, huh?!

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(The view of the sunset from our living room window...on my birthday.)

Last week, was my birthday. I didn't really do anything special. But I did buy myself a pair of boots similar to these. (Mine are lighter brown.) I bought mine from Target, but apparently they don't have the ones I bought on their web site anymore. I also picked up some tights and boot socks. Stocking up for colder weather.

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And the final update on Living with Jane...

My daughter's Transitional Kindergarten(TK) class went on a field trip this week to a local farm. The farm had pretty much everything you can think of, including a corn maize, hay ride, pumpkins, cider, goats, chickens, bunnies, llamas, peacocks, and many greenhouses full of Fall flora. Here are some images taken from that day. Jane had a lot of fun, as did I.

Reaping a harvest in quintessential Fall weather.

Perfect pumpkin.

Llamas.

Peacocks.

Soaring.

Best Friends.

Jane Austen Quilt: A work in progress

2011-09-29T08:05:00.000-04:00

Many moons ago...as in nearly three years ago...I came across this article about a quilt that Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra made. I fell in love with the quilt instantly. Seamstress...sewist...costumer...what-have-you....but quilter I am not. Thankfully, my mother-in-law, Margie, is a quilter, and an amazing one at that. She lives in California, and I live in Kentucky. So, we don't get the opportunity to see each other very often. I emailed her one day, and attached the said article, asking her if she might possibly make the quilt for me as a birthday or Christmas gift. I don't ask for much, now do I. I had no idea at the time just how hard of a task that request was. Like I said...I'm not a quilter. Margie was polite enough, and kind enough, to say she would look into it and see if it was something she could manage. (Bless you, Margie.)

About two years ago(I think?), my in-laws came to visit, and Margie and I went shopping for fabric together. Quilter or seamstress/costumer...it doesn't matter...one thing we both have in common is a love of fabric. But, being a lover of historical fashion/fabric, I immediately wanted to replicate the "exact" fabric, color, etc. Margie brought me out of my imaginary world and gently reminded me that I would probably have to work with what I could find. She also gave me a lesson in how to "clash" colors and patterns in fabric. The O.C.D. perfectionist in me wanted to stick with similar sizes of patterns and choose everything in the same hue. Apparently, this is bad for quilting. I'm learning.

(for the backing...)

I did end up ordering some fabric on-line, and managed to find several fabric that had the Regency "feel" to them. So, even though I was a little bummed that I couldn't have my completely historically correct Jane Austen quilt, all in all, I was happy with our fabric choices. Margie took the fabric home to California with her, and other than a few emails/phone calls clarifying some details about the quilt, I left her alone to do her quilting magic.

Last Christmas, upon visiting the in-laws, Margie revealed to me what she had accomplished. Wow...was I blown away. I knew she was good, but I didn't expect it to look nearly as close to the original as it did. It's not finished though....because, you see, Margie charged me with finishing the quilt. *gulp* She showed me what needed to be done to finish the border, and how to back the quilt...bought me a few basic quilting tools (ruler, cutters, etc) and set me loose to have at it. (I imagine she was getting tired of the wretched thing! I don't blame her.)

(Isn't it amazing!!)

It's been sitting in my sewing room, staring at me ominously since then. Soooo....I've decided to bring my quilting fears out into the open here, in hopes that you will hold me accountable. How can something so beautiful (a work of art, really) be hidden away like that. I absolutely HAVE to finish what she began. I'm sure it will take me at least another year to finish it. But now that this secret is out in the open, I have to work on...no excuses. Will you hold me accountable?

Snowshill Quilted Jacket: Construction, Part 1

2011-09-24T10:09:00.001-04:00

I thought you might like an update on the Snowshill Jacket. It SHOULD have been finished by now, but I'm not finding the time to work on it like I thought I would.

(The front reallly looks a mess right now...sorry. It is all part of the lining, and since that isn't attached yet to the shell, and since I don't have the front closures decided on, well...)

All of the quilting and trapunto is finished, and the majority of the construction stage is now complete. The outer shell is done, with the hood attached. The lining is also sewn together, and I'm sewing the sleeves on today.

(The lined hood.)

What's left then is what I always struggle with on projects...the finishing touches. I have to attach the lining to the shell (The Snowshill jacket description in Patterns of Fashion says "the lining is made up first and...the quilted jacket is then stitched together and mounted on top of the lining." I take this to mean it is similar to a bag lining.) I also have to prick-stitch around the collar/lapel, hem the bottom edge, finish off the sleeve cuffs, and figure out a "modern" closure system for the false front. Why do I detest finishing things? Starting a project is exciting and lovely...but...wrapping things up is torture to me.

(My favorite part of the jacket!)

I'm really pleased with the results thus far, and I'm very proud of all of the hand stitching I've done on it. (Confession: the major back/side seams are done by machine because I plan on wearing this as an every day, modern jacket, and I wanted the extra strength.) If only I could stop time for a few hours and finish up this baby...the Autumn chill is already starting to creep in.

Because...

2011-09-17T18:51:00.000-04:00

Because I've been an absentee blogger...

Because I have a lot on my brain that I would love to share with you, but no time to sit down and write it all out...

Because the Snowshill jacket is taking much, much longer than it should...

Enjoy this pic of what Jane was REALLY doing when she was supposed to be napping today.

Zimu's new favorite past-time is sleeping with Jane.

If only we could get Jane to actually sleep with her.

Snowshill Jacket: Diamond Quilting and Hood Construction

2011-09-03T18:44:00.001-04:00

Another Snowshill Jacket update for you. I've finished about half of the hand quilting on the jacket, and you can see in the picture to the right (which is of the hood) how the diamond design looks. I decided against the "scale" design for the hood. It just seemed a bit too snake-like or dragon-like, and I am not in the mood lately to stand out in a crowd. A little bit of scale motif on the false front will go a long way.

Also, Sabine asked if I would do a tutorial on how to pleat the hood. I'm not sure how good I will be at explaining it, but I will do my best. Putting the hood together will give me a much needed break from all of the hand quilting. The hood will be lined with silk, and even though I won't show that part, the construction of the lining will be done in the same way.

A sketch of the trapezoid shape...per Natalie's request...

(updated: Picture.)

The hood is shaped like a trapezoid, with two short sides, and two long sides...one being longer than the other. The longest side is the top, or front, of the hood. The next longest side, which appears to be the bottom, is actually the back of the hood. The two short sides are really the bottom of the hood. Am I making any sense?

I will begin with the pleats that form the back of the hood. I marked where the pleats will go on the bottom edge (which is really the back) of the trapezoid using the scaled pattern from Patterns of Fashion.

Working from the center out on the bottom edge of the trapezoid, fold over the first pleat so that the two solid lines meet.

Continue across, in the same fashion until you have all of the pleats stacked on top of one another.

Baste through all of the pleats, and they will look like the above image.

Do the same thing across both sides of the bottom edge.

Fold the hood in half, right sides together, matching up all edges.

Pin across the bottom edge of the trapezoid (where you just made your pleats), and then stitch through all layers. I've marked where I stitched with a blue pen.

It wasn't easy to stitch through two layers of wool, and two layers of cotton batting. The hardest part though, was going through all layers of pleats. Just go slowly, and back stitch every time. It looks a mess, but it didn't turn out too badly.

Here it is, stitched up the back. Turn it right side out.

It should look like this. You can see that I've also marked where I will be pleating the bottom (originally the sides of the strange trapezoid shape) edge of the hood.

These pleats aren't so difficult. Just pleat and pin one at a time, working toward the back center, along both sides of the hood.

Baste all pleats.

Here's a look at the finished hood from the outside.

And from the inside (minus the lining).

And a view of it on someone's head...

...not mine, of course. Poor fellow.

Snowshill Quilted Jacket: Cutting, Trapunto and Quilting

2011-08-26T21:13:00.000-04:00

An update on the Snowshill Jacket. It's coming along...just. My hand is hurting from all of the hand stitching I've been doing. Everything is is to be quilted...and from the look of the pile above, I will be at this for quite some time.

All of the Trapunto and Cording are done now. You can see here the "feather" design I'm putting on the back panels is outlined and ready to be stuffed. The Snowshill jacket doesn't have this design on it, but this was a common motif on other 18th century quilted items. I love it...so I'm using it.

Here it is in all of its stuffed glory.

And this is my interpretation of the floral design found on the Snowshill jacket. It will be found on both sleeves and the hood.

Here's a snippet of what some of the quilting will look like. This "scale" design (as I'm calling it), will be on the false front (and possibly on the hood...haven't decided yet.) The rest of the jacket will be quilted with a diamond design.

I have a sneaking suspicion that by the time I get around to seam construction, I will want to use a machine...

Living on the Edge

2011-08-21T11:36:00.000-04:00

Yet another Danny MacAskill short film. This guy really does make me feel adventurous.

Snowshill Quilted Jacket: Muslin Stage

2011-08-20T11:10:00.000-04:00

I've been alluding to a special project I have in the works. Anyone with even a hint of historical costuming love in their bones could probably figure out what it is. I've mentioned mid-18th century, outer wear, trapunto, cording and quilting. So, it's not hard to deduce that I'm making a quilted jacket. Specifically, I'm making the c.1745-1755 Snowshill Manor jacket found in both Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1, and Nancy Bradfield's Costume in Detail. What I love about this jacket, (other than the quilting, trapunto and over-all look...ha!) is that it was made for a more stout woman...like me. So, it's not hard to adapt to my size.

Here's a view of the jacket in Pattern's of Fashion. This drawing gives great structural views, and of course the book gives a graphed pattern. I didn't use the graphed pattern for anything other than a visual reference. I used bits and pieces of other patterns I've drafted in the past and combined those with draping to create this jacket.

This is an image of the jacket from Costume in Detail. What I love about this book is that it documents what the interior of the garment looks like, how the seam construction is done (somewhat) and it has great sketches of what the quilting on the jacket looks like.

Remember this "Marianne" Pelisse that I spent so much time on? Well, it was almost a year ago that I started on this Pelisse....and....well...it's been hanging in my closet that whole time, unworn, and very much unloved. I'm REALLY very dissatisfied with the way it turned out. It looks frumpy on me, not graceful like the one Marianne wears. The collar is a mess, and no matter what I did to try to fix it, it still curled up around the edges. The sleeves are too short, and the pleats looked ugly to me. In general, I'm sick of it, can't imagine ever wearing it, and don't have the desire to redo it. So, I've decided to recycle the gorgeous blue-gray wool and use it for the Snowshill jacket. The original Snowshill jacket is made of white silk and cream colored satin, but I don't want to pay for good quality silk right now, nor would I wear a white jacket...think of how fast it would get dirty. So, I'm more than happy to use the Pelisse wool for the jacket.

The muslin stage is complete at this time. I have to mention that I'm not completely following the Snowshill jacket down to every detail. What I've changed is minimal though. First of all, I'm planning on wearing this jacket for modern life, even though I will be hand sewing it, and constructing it using 18th century techniques. This means, of course, I will not be wearing stays under the jacket, nor will I be wearing hoops and a gigantic petticoat.

I've shortened the back peplum ever so slightly, since I won't be wearing a petticoat and hoops. I've lengthened the sleeve just a bit, so that I can wear more modern garments underneath and it won't look so proportionally strange to the length of my shirt sleeves. I've also adapted the false front, to fit a curvy, or natural silhouette, since I won't be wearing stays.

If I ever decide to wear the jacket as a "real" 18th century jacket with stays, petticoat and all, I can always re-work the false front to lay flat over the stays, and I can shorten the sleeves. Nothing major or life threatening to the jacket's integrity that can't be fixed.

The hood has got to be one of my favorite parts of this jacket. The pleats are gorgeous, and I love how the hood drapes. I've wanted a hooded jacket for a very long time, but I've never found one that didn't look like a big snow-ski parka.

I've already cut out all of the fashion fabric, and the lining. The fashion fabric, which is the blue-gray wool from the pelisse, will have trapunto worked into it, then it will be backed with a thin layer of cotton batting and quilted in a diamond pattern. After that, I will construct the seams similar to the seam construction here, lining the jacket with scraps of silk from the "Marianne" Pelisse. Most of the trapunto is finished and I am now moving on to the quilting stage of the jacket. It is taking longer than I thought, now that I'm back at work. But, I'm doing a little bit here and there, and hopefully I will be able to finish the jacket before October and cooler weather comes around.

Kid's Crafternoon...me...a winner?

2011-08-17T20:05:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago, I entered a give away over at A Field Journal. Check out Olivia's Blog if you haven't before. She's an amazing artist, crafts person, graphic designer and photographer. I've entered countless give aways since I started traveling through the blog world, always hoping, but never really believing I would ever win anything. I've only ever won anything twice in my life. The first time was when I was about 10 years old. I won a children's, illustrated "New Testament Stories" book at my local 4H fair. The second time was when I was in 8th grade. My Jr. High School had some sort of "good behavior/no tardies" contest (my class was not particularly known for being a very respectful or obedient class), and the prize was a brand new CD walkman (yes...this dates me a bit...) At the time, I was ecstatic, because CD's were the cutting edge in music technology, and very few people I knew owned a CD player. I was infinitely more thrilled about the second prize than I was the first. What's that say about me? Anyway...I digress. What I'm trying to say is, I AM A WINNER! AGAIN! Can you believe it?! And the prize is awesome! It's a Kid's Crafternoon; Papercraft book. It's filled with tons of fascinating paper crafts (hence the name) that will give Jane and I hours of fun, I'm sure. Hey, and I might even try a few of them out with my students at school, who knows. Fun. Fun. Fun.

All this blog-give-away-winner joy kind of makes me want to have a small give away of my own. Maybe when I reach 100 followers...what do you think?

Costume Society of America Event

2011-08-13T10:39:00.001-04:00

Last evening, the Jane Austen Sewing Society (or the Bluegrass Regency Society, we aren't sure which one of these groups we were representing...as we sort of morph together at times) met at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, for the Costume Society of America event.

There were only 4 of us available for the event, but we actually have about 8 or 9 ladies that are a part of our sewing society.

Three of us dressed out, myself, Natalie, and Polly, and Jeannie was our unofficial photographer, dress help, comic relief and over-all moral support.

This was an outdoor event, but it was also in the evening. So, we opted for evening attire. I wore my Tiden's Toj gown, and V&A open robe. I also wore my hair up as I did for the Jane Austen Festival Ball. With school starting up, I simply don't have the energy right now to think up a new look, nor the time to make one.

Inside the Gardener's Cottage, we became re-acquainted with a fellow Jane Austen Festival friend, Reva. I had no idea she lived in the Lexington area, and was very pleased to hear she is interested in joining our Bluegrass Regency Society. The more the merrier I say.

As I said in my previous post, I was demonstrating the art of Trapunto, a stuffed quilting method. Polly, an amazing milliner, demonstrated how to curl feathers for hats, bandeaux, etc., and Natalie showed off her amazing gold-working skills.

We set ourselves up at a small table just outside of the main tent, and prepared for a deluge of questions.

This regional CSA wasn't a very large group...maybe 40 members.

I have to say how utterly delightful each and every person was that we talked to.

I'm not sure why I was initially so intimidated by them (maybe it's their amazing intellect and talent...hmm...perhaps), but I was pleasantly surprised to find them ALL to be so warm, friendly, and genuinely interested in what we were doing.

Not only did we explain what we were doing to them, but many of them talked to us about what they do. We met professors of costuming and design, textile artists, and even a couple of lovely ladies who have the privilege of working at Colonial Williamsburg. We learned so much, and I have an urge to join the the CSA....this probably won't happen anytime soon, wanting to do something does not equate getting to do it.

The weather was gorgeous, as were the grounds. It was a lovely, inspirational evening, and I do hope it can be repeated again soon.

Trapunto and Italian Cording

2011-08-09T13:28:00.000-04:00

This Friday, the Bluegrass Regency Society will be participating in an event at Ashland, the home of Henry Clay. The event is put on by the Costume Society of America. I am not a member (and neither are the others in the BGRS), but we have been invited to participate. I am extremely excited, and not a little nervous. I mean...these people are the real thing! Actors, professors, professional costumers, art and historical preservationists, etc, etc....all very academic types.

When I say we've been asked to participate, I don't mean standing up to make a speech or anything like that. (Thank goodness, because if that were the case, I would pack up and run for the hills!) We basically just have to get all dolled up in our 1790's attire, and look pretty. We are glorified eye-candy strolling the grounds of the estate. But, we are also supposed to be doing a little something that is specific to what our group's interests are, in order to have something fascinating to talk about when approached by all of these uber-intelligentsia. For example, we might demonstrate a certain kind of stitch, or seam construction technique of the time, or fan games, or jewelry making, or, or, or.

I mentioned in my last post that I have a little something in the works. And without spilling the beans yet, I will just say that I'm going to be quilting (hand quilting) part of it. I wanted to make sure the quilting I will be doing is accurate to the time period of the garment (mid to late 18th century.) So, I've been researching Trapunto and Italian Cording. You can see both modern and historic examples of these methods here (cording), here, (trapunto), and here, (both)

Trapunto and cording seems to have originated in Italy some time during the 16th century. It was heavily used in European fashion during the next couple hundred years. You can see examples of 18th century petticoats and jackets completely covered in the stuff on the Tiden's Toj site, Here, Here, and Here. It would seem though, that during the Regency era, Trapunto wasn't as heavily used as it was during the previous generation. But it didn't all together disappear. You can see a lovely green Regency era spencer here (scroll down about 6 or 7 images). The whitework quilt I posted in the previous paragraph is also from around 1800. And don't forget the stays/corsets that were fully corded during the regency era.

Trapunto and Cording came back into high fashion for a while during the 1820's, but then died down again in the 1830's. It's gone in and out of high fashion ever since then, but never fully left our households. Think of all of the whiteworked quilts and pillows people have in their homes today. (A very special thanks to Dawn Luckham and Suzi Clarke for their invaluable expertise, wisdom, and for helping me find some of these resources. I certainly didn't do it all on my own.)

Front, design outlined.

Back, design outlined.

Trapunto is a fascinating technique to say the least. Basically, you baste a thin piece of muslin to the back of your fashion fabric, and then use a running stitch to outline the design you are making.

I used 100% raw, top wool yarn for the stuffing and cording.

Stuffing the "pouch".

Stitched up, after stuffing.

On the back, you work a small hole into the individual "pouches" of the design, and carefully stuff with bits of wool. After this, you sew up the hole, and you are done.

Yarn pulled through the channels.

Cording starts out the same, but instead of stuffing a "pouch" with wool, you pull a piece of yarn/string/cord through the channel.

Front, finished Trapunto and Cording. Imagine an entire garment covered in this.

The result is a puffed up design on the front of your fashion fabric. When finished with all of the Trapunto and Cording, you back your fashion fabric with cotton or wool batting, do more regular quilting if you like, then construct your seams and line it.

All that being said... I've been practicing this method, because this is my social-instigating-"drug" of choice for this Friday's event (in other words, this is what I will be demonstrating.) Wish me luck. I'm almost certain to say or do something stupid.

Stash Project: Wrap-Front Blouse

2011-08-06T13:33:00.000-04:00

With only 3 days left until I go back to work, my blog might be slowing down a bit. The same goes for my sewing projects. Oh, don't worry...I still have enough stash fabric left to keep me going for a while, but my sewing times will mostly be limited to the weekends. I also realize that it has been a while since I've sewn anything Regency. I think I got burned out after all of the sewing I did for the Jane Austen Festival, and then I decided to get my Fall, teaching wardrobe ready...so...late 18th or early 19th century costuming took a back seat. But, I do have something in the works (actually in the planning stages), and I will post on that as soon as I have something to show for it. I'll just say this about it... it's mid to late 18th century and it's outer wear.

Now, for my final summer stash project.

I had some semi-sheer Autumnal colored plaid cotton in my stash, and I know that plaid was a very casual print worn quite often in the 30's, so I set out to drape this blouse. I was inspired by this 1930's wrap front blouse, and this 1930's butterfly blouse.

A part of me feels very 'cowgirl country' in this blouse....which, if you know me at all, is almost exactly opposite from my personality. Since I live in Kentucky, I'm a bit sheepish about wearing this blouse out and about...I wouldn't want to give the wrong impression of who I am, now would I. What do you think? Too country? Or does the design of the blouse take away from the 'country-ness' of the plaid?

There are two ways I can wear this blouse. I can simply wrap it across my front and tie it, wearing it with a deep, lose v-neck.

Or....I can button it up at the top, closing the neckline. Either way, I think it still has a very 30's feel to it. (Except for the lil' bit a country, right y'all?) I think I prefer the buttoned look.

Cincinnati Zoo Trip

2011-08-04T11:34:00.000-04:00

Jane feeds a Giraffe.

As a last Summer hurrah, Carson, Jane and I accompanied Nana (my Mom) to the Cincinnati Zoo yesterday. I've always loved going to the zoo (seriously considered studying zoology before I decided on getting an art degree, and to this day I wonder if I might have been better suited to take care of animals than teach art to kids...), and the Cincinnati Zoo is really fabulous. Not only do they have an amazing selection of animals, but their conservation programs and their desire to educate the public, especially children, is outstanding. They are also, technically a "botanical gardens", and the flora throughout the zoo is breathtaking...with everything from tropical flowers to bamboo forests, you really do feel transported to the ends of the earth.

The Zoo is so large, and with so much to see, it took us 8 hours to explore the entire park...that's a lot of walking. When we left, Jane fell asleep in the car not 3 minutes after we fastened her seat belt. The exhaustion was worth it. She fed a cracker to a Giraffe, got to brush the goats, feed Lorakeets, rode a train, learned about endangered and threatened species, explored habitats, etc., etc., etc. I'm going to now bombard you with a gazillion photos of our trip. I might make a few comments here and there, but other than that, it's just going to be a visual display of our day. You've been warned...there are many. But, I do hope that you will be inspired to locate a zoo or wildlife preserve near you. They are doing so much to help preserve our beautiful earth, and they deserve to be patronized.

Austrailian penguins.

I loved the 'old' look on this tiny little goat's face.

Jane had to brush every goat before we could leave...she didn't want any to feel left out.

Feeding the Lorakeets.

I loved feeding the lorakeets...and they loved me. One special little sweety liked my hair...or rather the bobby-pins in my hair.

The sea lions were adorable.

It was fun to watch the polar bears eat....they were inches away, with only a thick sheet of glass between.

A train ride around the zoo.

Jane called this the 'bird with the funny hair.'

There's something so beautifully graceful and yet awkward about giraffes...

The elephant house was built in 1907 and is a national historic landmark.

We actually got dangerously close to being in the middle of a peacock fight...it was rather scary.

The beautiful bamboo forest.

Jane meets a dragon.

They have several rather impressive indoor exhibits at the Cincinnati Zoo. The nocturnal exhibits, inparticular, were stunning. Of course, they were difficult to capture on film, but none-the-less, they were cool. Yes...this is a REAL owl.

And yes...these are REAL birds.

Stunning.

Seriously felt like I was in India here...

The manitees were rescued from nearly tragic accidents involving boats in Florida. They've come here to recover. You can see the white scars on their bellies and tails.

The penguins were nesting.

Thank you for joining us on this zoo journey!

American Duchess Shoes: Open for pre-sale

2011-08-03T20:27:00.001-04:00

The American Duchess finally has her leather, Devonshire shoes up for sale! Go order them now!

*The paragraphs below were copied from the American Duchess blog.*

The Devonshires are a leather 18th century shoe based on museum examples from the 1760s through 1780s. They're made of top-grade dyable leather, with a beautiful, smooth Italian leather sole for dancing, and are hard-wearing, water- and mud-proof, for even the toughest of outdoor re-enactments.

Pre-Order the Devonshires through August 10, and get the special $100 price. We're only making 200 of these shoes, so don't miss the chance to own one of only a couple hundred pair on the planet! Visit www.american-duchess.com to order.

Another Stash Project: Simple 30's Inspired Blouse

2011-07-31T21:01:00.000-04:00

I only had about 1 1/2 yards of this cream colored rayon in my stash, so I knew it had to be made into something simple.

I found the image of this 1930's blouse (the polka dotted one in the upper corner), and because it was so adorable, I had to try and copy it. Yet another stash project completed.

Oh, and a little teaser for the next project I'm working on...think sheer cotton in a golden toned (with a bit of blue) plaid.

Another Stash Project: Wool Skirt

2011-07-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

Well, it's another stash project down. I made a wool skirt yesterday. I don't have much to say about it, other than it's pretty modern, was very easy to make, and was inspired by a skirt from H&M.

And even though you can't see them in the picture above, I have on some really cute vintage navy blue heels that I got on eBay. They give off a sort of 40's vibe to me, but they are in such good condition, that I can't imagine they are really that old. Can anyone take a guess at their age?

Early 80's Blouse??

2011-07-29T10:27:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I set about to use up some extra white rayon from my stash. I knew it would be perfect for a blouse, but what kind of blouse I wanted it to be, I hadn't a clue. So, I decided to drape it, rather than use an existing pattern or draft one. This was definitely a spontaneous, let the inner artist come out, kind of project.

At the beginning, I was feeling like it needed to be some kind of loose tunic, with maybe a boat-neck, or cowl neck, but as I sculpted it on my dress form, I started to sense a bit of a nautical kind of feeling coming from it as well.

Then, I remembered some vintage, metal buttons I had (with cute little coat of arms reliefs punched into them)....and it all sort of came together.

In the end, I would describe it as a sailor/school uniform inspired blouse, but it has a bit of an early 80's feel to it as well (probably because of the gathered waist). I'm not sure if that's kosher in the fashion world right now...but I like it.

Romantic Lacy Blouse

2011-07-27T07:00:00.003-04:00

I've been admiring the sort of Neo-Romantic wave in fashion lately. Unfortunately my pocket-book doesn't admire the cost. So, of course, I decided to make my own. I was looking on-line for inspiration, and I found a shirt from the British store Topshop that I adored. Here it is.

Fortunately, I had some creamy rayon in my stash that was perfect for the lining, or shell of the blouse. I also had bits of silk voile left over from past projects, and I found some inexpensive lace at Hancocks, bought a yard for nearly nothing, and voila! I was set to go.

I don't particularly like the way it look on me when it's hanging loose and free like it is in the Topshop image. But belted, or tucked in...and I'm a happy camper.

It's really quite dreamy and soft to wear.

It puts me in mind of Anne of Green Gables, or A Room with a View.

While I like to wear clothing that fits my style, and is evocative of vintage or antique outfits, I am not an outgoing, extroverted person. I don't like being the center of attention, nor would I ever seek it. But, I'm fully aware that if I choose to wear things out of the norm, I will get "looks." I'm always battling my shyness, and constantly trying to get over my self consciousness when I dress vintage or "artsy" (as some people would call it.) And because of this, I am soooo glad to see that Romantic and Vintage styles are coming back into the fashion scene. Now I can wear them without fear of being stared at. I took my daughter to swimming lessons this morning, and one of the female, college aged, life guards smiled at me and said, "I love your outfit!" A positive compliment....

Another stash project completed.

Sweater Revamp

2011-07-25T07:30:00.001-04:00

Ok, ok...I know it's like 100 degrees outside, and no one in their right mind would even want to think about wearing a sweater right now. But... my thought is this... every year, when Fall comes around, I'm left wishing I had had the forethought to spruce up my cold-weather wardrobe. But, by the time I get around to wishing this, school has started, my schedule is insane, and there isn't any end in site to the busy-ness of my life until some time after New Years. Is that how your life is?

So, this year, I decided I would try to plan ahead a bit. I went through my closet and dresser. Things that didn't fit, or that I hadn't worn in more than a year, I put aside. ( I might use these items later for various reworked projects, or I might just give them away to charity.) After that, I made a list of "gaps" in my wardrobe. What was I lacking for the cold weather months? Are there any items that don't have a mate (meaning they don't match anything else.) Surprisingly, almost everything I own has a mate. What I am lacking is a couple of nice blouses, a couple of A-line or pencil skirts, and a good pair of slacks...all staples, really. I'm using fabric from my stash to take care of the blouses and skirts...and I don't think I'm ready to tackle making slacks yet (maybe some day), so it looks like I'll be buying those. The only other items that I am sorely missing from my closet are sweaters. I have ONE good sweater. That's it. So, rather than pay a gazillion bucks for a high end sweater that I most likely will get paint, or pastel, or charcoal on (I'm an art teacher), I went to Good Will.

Admittedly, I am a horrible thrift store shopper. I have expensive tastes (without the expensive budget) and I kind of get grossed out by touching other people's used clothing. I know, it's a hang-up. I'm working on it. (And I'm also very inspired by so many of you lovely bloggers out there that are the queens of thrift store shopping!) So, I'm very proud of myself for doing what I did today (did I say I went to Good Will?) I went looking for used sweaters. And found some. Your first reaction to these sweaters might be eeww...gross...how ugly...or something along those lines. But trust me...I bought them over-sized for a reason. I'm revamping them!

Sweater A: Before Image.

Cons: Too long and too wide.

Pros: Great color and it's soft.

Sweater B: Before Image.

Cons: Too wide through torso and arms, and sporting a hideous 90's zip-up turtleneck.

Pros: I love the lacy diamond pattern and chunky cotton texture of this one, making me think of 30's sweaters.

Sweater C: Before Image.

Cons: GINORMOUS! And it has an ugly collar.

Pros: There's a lot to work with. And it's a loose weave, creating a flow-y and lacy texture.

Sweater A: I cut off part of the sides to fit my width (forgot to show this in the picture), hacked off the extra fabric at the bottom, and re-attached the ribbed waistband. After I sewed the sides back up, I used the left over fabric to create a feminine and floral applique around the collar.

Sweater B: I cut off the extra width through the torso and and arms, and removed the zipper and turtleneck. I stitched the sides and arms back up, used the extra fabric from the sides to create a fun, 30's style collar, and added a loop and button to keep the v-neck shape closed.

Sweater C: Major reconstructive surgery here... Because of the ephemeral texture of this sweater, I really wanted something floaty and feminine to come out of it. It ended up being more of a decorative cardi than anything. I really hacked away at the length and width through the torso and arms, removed the ugly collar, and cut vertically up the center front. I re-attached the ribbed waistband, sewed the side/arm seams back up, and used the left over fabric to create a sort of scarf-collar combo.

I will let you be the judge of the results.

Sweater A: After Image.

It certainly isn't my favorite of the three, but it is functional now, and not terribly bad looking.

Sweater B: After Image.

This one is probably my favorite because it has a sort of vintage feel to it, which was my intent.

Sweater C: After Image.

Floaty and Romantic...perfect.

More sweater alterations might be in my future...it was fun. Maybe all this thrift store stuff isn't half bad after all. However, I do NOT think I will be doing another sweater photo shoot in 100 degree weather...THAT was not fun.

If you've done any sort of revamping, or altering of non-wearable clothing, I would love to know about it. Please leave a comment and link to anything you've done. Let's share!

1930's Dress: A Herringbone Linen Skirt

2011-07-24T11:56:00.000-04:00

With only two weeks left of Summer break, I am frantically trying to build up my Fall and Winter wardrobe. I have a large amount of stash fabric that needs used up, and I've made a list of items that I would really like to make with all of it.

First on the list was a functional 1930's style skirt. (I'm really enamored by the styles of the 30's lately...can you tell?) I drafted this one, and used some herringbone linen fabric (cool for the summer, but with a slip it will be perfect for the colder months.) The buttons are vintage too, from my stash. One stash project down...about 3000 more to go. At this rate, I won't have to buy anymore fabric for a very long time (at least that's what I tell myself).

1930's Dress: Finished Grey Gown

2011-07-22T15:47:00.001-04:00

I don't have much to say about the finished gunmetal-grey 1930's dress. So, I will primarily let the pictures speak for themselves.

One thing I did differently from the muslin mock-up that I originally designed, was to eliminate the series of pleats along the waistline of the skirt. My reasons for doing this were two fold: one, they made the over-all appearance of the dress too busy...and two, they drew unnecessary attention to my middle (not a place I want the focus to be.) One thing I didn't count on, was that the bias cut fabric tends to twist around me...but that's just the nature of the beast, I suppose. Also, I'm pretty disappointed in the hem line...I'm just not very good with hemming, machine or hand stitched. I'm hoping that the more I sew, the better I will get at hemming. But it's been 3 years now, and...well...maybe no one will look too closely at my hem. However, the dress is uber-soft, and feminine. I love wearing it, and am so glad I decided to tackle the design, as I think it's a pretty flattering one.

More Jane Austen Fest 2011: Photos

2011-07-21T21:24:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note here to say that more, and truly lovely, photos of the Jane Austen Festival 2011 can be found on the Graphic Enterprises Website. Scout around a bit, and you might even see someone you know!

Jane Learns to Read

2011-07-19T14:03:00.000-04:00

At the beginning of summer break, I started teaching Jane to read. There were a few tears of frustration involved during the first couple of weeks...but there came a point where everything clicked, and suddenly she couldn't get enough! Everyday she reminds me when it's time to do her reading lessons, and looks forward to it with joy.

Raised Garden: Reaping a Harvest

2011-07-19T09:46:00.000-04:00

We are, at last, enjoying the fruits (or should I say vegetables) of our labor. We have been swimming in lettuce these past 4 or 5 weeks, and it's only now starting to go to seed.

Our pole beans are coming in, and thick too. Every time I think of green beans fresh from the garden, memories surface of me and my mom sitting in my grandma's kitchen snapping beans. The chore itself wasn't all that fun as a child, but I secretly relished the time spent with the ladies in the family.

Our tomato plants, that we've had such a hard time raising, are finally showing some strength and tiny little green tomatoes are popping up everywhere. But, I still fear they might not be the greatest, because a couple of the baby tomatoes are already starting to split. I guess this just wasn't the year for tomatoes...sad, because I LOVE them so much in salads, sauces, and salsas.

A few of our banana pepper and bell pepper plants survived the extra long rainy season. I was planning on using the peppers in salsa...but with the tomatoes not coming out right...we will have to find another use.

Other crops that are flourishing at the moment are basil, carrots and cucumbers (my favorite cooling summer treat besides strawberries!) I 've already made a batch of refrigerator pickles...yum. Our garlic and onions will be ready in the fall.

I would highly recommend raised garden beds. There have been very few weeds creep in, and keeping the beds tidy has been easy. For those of you with small plots of land, or no land at all, contained gardens are the way to go. Also, if you don't raise your own vegetables at home, you should think about it purely on the basis of saving money. Our produce bill has gone down considerably this summer, and the quality and taste of home grown, freshly picked vegetables is incredible. Sustainable living at it's best people.

1930's Dress: Gunmetal-Grey

2011-07-14T16:51:00.000-04:00

(Image Source: Bing?)

I've been in the mood for the past couple of months to make another 1930's inspired dress. But, with school ending, and desperately trying to wrap up with all of the J.A. Festival projects, I haven't had the opportunity until now to follow through on my mood.

The last 30's dress I made came out well, but I think it had a more tailored, or severe shape to it. So, this time, I've opted for a slightly more feminine flare. In my search, it seemed that nearly every dress I came across that I liked, was from the early to mid 30's...later 30's didn't appeal to me so much. I'm ok with that. There are so many cute styles from the 30's it was hard to narrow it down to one design. But, after much debating, I think I've finally come up with a plan. In the end, I wanted something that I could wear during the school year.

(Image Source: Costumer's Manifesto. )

I'm in love with the bell shaped sleeves on the orange gown in the picture above. So, sleeve idea....done...and check.

(Image Source: FIDM Museum and Galleries. )

I had a difficult time choosing the style of skirt I wanted, and bounce back and fort between a couple before I landed on the v-shaped insert like the one above. Skirt inspiration...found...check.

(Image source: Woodland Farms Antiques, click for different views of the dress.)

I nearly passed out when I found the above dress. Gorgeous! It's definitely the style of bodice that I'm most attracted to. I even like the over-all color of the dress. Gunmetal-grey. Bodice...check.

Fortunately for me, I have some silky soft, poly-rayon blend deliciousness (in gunmetal-grey of all things!) that will work perfectly for this dress.

I drafted the bodice using my sloper, and instructions from an on-line source called Vintage Sewing Info (that unfortunately doesn't exist anymore...I printed directions off a few years ago. You can still, for the time being, acess the site via web archive.) Making the reversed t-shape, and gathered under bodice was fascinating and not a little fun. (On a side note, I actually fill out the bodice a little more than my dress form does...poor thing.) Have I ever mentioned how much I love to draft and drape? Seriously, what did I do with my life before I learned to sew?

I'm only in the mock-up stage right now, of course. ALWAYS make a mock-up first people! It's best to fit a toile to you before you cut and sew into the real thing.

BIG BOW! Can I handle that? I mean, in the grey fabric, it won't be so stiff...but still...

Skirt mock-up....The Y-shaped insert inspiration dress didn't have pleats at the top of the skirt, but the grey dress did...and I like pleats...so I added them to mine.

Total affect...minus sleeves. The bow doesn't bother me so much here.

But when the sleeve is added...the bow just seems so BIG and in your face placed in the center of the bodice like that.

If I move the bow to the side, it doesn't seem so bad. What's your opinion on the bow? I mean, it's classic 30's, but I think it goes better with a short sleeved gown. Keep in mind the grey fabric will drape better.

Next up...cutting the gunmetal-grey fabric!

Zimu Lovin'

2011-07-13T18:23:00.000-04:00

For those who have met my cat Zimu Paka...and think she is Satan's Spawn...you may now eat your words. Her latest past-time involves curling up in Jane's lap, any time Jane sits still long enough that is. Proof that she's a loving, sweet, and (not so little) furry creature. (At least with us.)

Jane Austen Festival 2011

2011-07-12T11:14:00.001-04:00

I've finally recovered enough to write a little something about this past weekend's Jane Austen Festival at Locust Grove of Louisville, KY. I've been putting off this blog post for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I suffered from what I believe to be heat exhaustion this weekend. and quite possibly dehydration. The 90+ degree heat, plus every ounce of moisture from the Ohio River deciding to float up into the air and drench us with smothering humidity, made the weekend oppressive. At the time of the festival, I stubbornly refused to acknowledge any of that, but once home, it all caved in on me, and I've been recovering ever since. Secondly, I've read (and you can too) Sarah Jane's post on Romantic History and Natalie's post on A Frolic Through Time, and honestly, I can't think of anything I could say to rival their incredibly talented writing. They've said it best.

However, aside from the oppressive heat, Locust Grove was beautiful as always, and my husband and I had a marvelous time. I didn't get quite as many pictures of this year's Festival as last year's Festival. Hopefully, mine, combined with the photo's from others who went will be enough to satisfy your vicarious appetite.

Carson walked the grounds, following paths under the shade of the trees in the local forest, and discovered a fawn nestled down under a bush. I strolled though the green, taking in the sites of a couple having a picnic by a beautiful Phaeton. I would have loved a chance to ride in the carriage...maybe next year JASNA? I browsed though shops in "Meriton", limiting my purchase to a couple of stockings and some leather garters (Carson's stockings refused to stay above his knee without them.) I was sorely tempted to buy a gorgeous pair of green, leather shoes from Spencer's Mercantile , but left without them. I convinced myself that Spencer's Mercantile would be at the Fair at New Boston this Autumn, and that perhaps by then I would be able to afford them as a birthday gift to myself.

Most people at the festival wisely lingered in the shade. Even sitting under tents and trees, it was hot. Once again, I was able to see the Regency Fashion show presented by the incredibly talented seamstress Betsy Bashore. Due to insurance reasons, the side saddle riding display, the gentleman's dual, and the archery contest were canceled. I was desperately disappointed by this. I do hope, that in the future, the insurance issues will be resolved. These events will bring not only fabulous entertainment, but wonderful educational opportunities for the public.

In the spirit of Elizabeth Bennet, I took a short walk around the grounds. The garden's were in full (bee buzzing) bloom, and the small, but cool stone outbuildings were a refreshing reprieve. I was glad to have my parasol.

For me, the best part of the weekend was getting to meet (and see again) so many lovely on-line or historical events only (those people that I see only once or twice a year) friends. Sarah Jane, of Romantic History, and part of her sweet family were there. She is a sewing hero of mine, and I can't say enough about how kind, gentle and incredibly talented she is. Of course, I spent some time with the Bluegrass Regency Society Folks, Natalie, Polly, Sharon, and Caroline. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, and The Doctor and Miss Waterman were in attendance, It was wonderful to meet Maria Clemmons, as well as Kathy Chopra and Mr. and Mrs. Heink. Oh, and Deanna, Hannah, Stephanie, etc, etc, (so many, that I'm really sorry if I forget to mention you!) I only wish I lived closer to all of these dear people. Seeing them so rarely isn't enough for me.

Carson and I took tea on Saturday morning, and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised this year at the quality of this tea. Last year, I complained a bit (sorry, JASNA Louisville), but this year they really outdid themselves. What a lovely brunch it was for us! We ate mini quiche, scones, benedictine sandwiches, and lavender rum cake....yum! I had a black tea named after Marianne from Sense and Sensibility (can't quite remember the name), but Carson had a decaffeinated blend called "Compassion for Mrs. Bennet's nerves." Clever...

We made it to the ball that evening without too much of a hitch. Being slightly familiar with Louisville helped me to navigate the streets fairly easily. The Ball was held in Spalding University's Grand Ball Room. It was a gorgeous open space, with wooden floors, balconies, high arched windows, and neo-classical inspired architectural decor. It put me in mind of Bath, England.

My camera batteries died after only a few minutes into the ball, so I don't have many pictures of the evening. There are some of me dancing on Sarah Jane's and Natalie's blogs.

But, suffice it to say that the dances were delightful, and the dancers were everything you could imagine them to be...graceful, jolly and light on their feet. Well turned calves and billowing gowns were abundant.

Carson and I stood up for 4 dances each. Maybe it's just that our confidence is growing, but I believe we are getting better at English Country Dancing.

I forgot the pins I was going to use to polonaise my train, but draping the robe over my arm worked just as well. And despite the heat and humidity, my hair held up rather well...much better than last year's ball where it drooped and wilted.

On Sunday of the Festival, we volunteered in the Hospitality room, making sure the vendors and volunteers were supplied with ample amounts of refreshments. This was not only an easy job, but a rewarding one as well. We were able to meet and converse with numerous reenactors

Now that the weekend is over, I face life "post Jane Austen festival." I always feel a slight let down when these events are over...kind of like the day after your birthday. I have an entire year to wait for the next event. But this also means that I can start a whole new planning process for outfits, accessories, etc., and I can relax a bit knowing that there is plenty of time to get everything done. No rushing anymore. Besides, now I can look forward to the Fair at New Boston and possibly Mississinewa in the Fall!

Madame Grès

2011-07-08T08:45:00.000-04:00

Source: Met Museum View more from the Met here.

A quick blurb before I head to the Jane Austen Festival. I was floored this morning when I read Carys' POST at La Ville Inconnue. She recently visited the Madame Grès exhibit in Paris. This is the first time I've ever heard of the fashion designer, but...wow...am I in love with her designs. Incredibly sculptural and inspirational. Had I been around when she was, I would have been begging to work for her. Head on over to Carys' blog to see some outstanding photos of Madame Grès' work.

Preparing for the Jane Austen Festival: Final accessories!

2011-07-06T14:22:00.001-04:00

With the Jane Austen Festival approaching this weekend, I've finally been able to wrap things up. My gowns are done, Carson's outfit is finished, and most of our accessories are ready to go as well. After contemplating what sort of style I was going for, and looking at countless fashion plates of the era, I actually decided that the simpler it was, the better it looked on me. Here's what I've come up with:

The Cap.

I've been hesitant to wear caps up to this point....they just seem so matronly to me. But (having finally ...I think... come to terms with my age and marital status), I've finally given in to what would have been in fashion for a 32 (umm...lost my mind there for a second) 31 year old married woman of the day. And you know what... I'm kind of fond of this little cap. I think it's sweet, and endearing. It was a relatively painless transition after all.

The Hat.

I've decided to wear a bergere on Saturday, tied simply with a bit of silk organza. I wanted something that would shade my face well, and keep me cool. This will certainly do the trick. I just hope it isn't too windy, or I might lose my hat. (I do have a hat pin.)

( Source )

One of many fashion plates of inspiration for my bergere hat.

I'm planning on wearing the capote that I made last year, but will be wearing it on Sunday, when I will be volunteering at the festival. So, after doing it up, and then re-doing it about a million times, I finally just decided on something really simple. I don't want to have to worry about flopping feathers, excess ribbons whipping around, or flowers sprouting off the top of my hat while I'm trying to serve the people at the festival.

Here's a back shot...it's vintage ribbon layered to look like a simple bow. I might add another ribbon to tie under my chin, or use a small hat pin to hold it onto my head, but other than that...It's good to go.

The Bandeau.

Please forgive my hair in this shot. I know it's a mess, and well, the silk ribbon isn't all that carefully placed in their either. I really just mussed it up for the picture to give you a simple impression of what I plan to do with my hair for the grand ball. Originally I was going to wear a turban, but it just looked to fussy and exotic on me. I wasn't please with the look. So, instead, I'm going for the ever popular Grecian or Roman inspired look, with a few feathers stuck in for fun. Simple, but elegant. It will be styled better on the day of the ball...promise.

One of the neo-classical inspirations for my bandeau.

The Reticule.

I'm taking a reticule to carry all of my valuables in. I used a bit of scrap silk, left over from my robe, to make it. It's not very fancy, and I have to say that my embroidery hand work isn't the greatest, but at least the reticule is functional. I got the design for the embroidery off of THIS V&A page.

The Gloves.

These fingerless gloves were made by me last year, and will be reused this year for daytime wear. They are made of cool, light weight linen. Love that.

I also will be bringing these... they are hand sewn, cotton, 3/4 length gloves that I recently found at a local antique store. Only $8. They are perfect for the ball. I was thinking about making a pair of elbow length kid leather gloves, but ran out of time and money....maybe next year.

The Fan.

Here's the fan I painted this past winter. It will definitely be in great need with the hot, humid weather we have around here during this time of year. Maybe I should practice some fan sign language?

The Parasol??? (Maybe?)

I was thinking about bringing this parasol to keep the sun off of my face. It's a bamboo and paper, oriental style parasol that I found for $3.00 at Hobby Lobby. The issue is, I know that pagoda style parasols were popular during the Georgian/Regency era, and the orient was definitely a huge inspiration to fashion at the time. I've even seen 'reenactors' holding paper parasols at past events, and I've seen ones just like it that were being sold at a Federal period market fair last year. But, were paper style parasols really 'in' during the Regency period? That's the question. I've not been able to locate any in fashion plates that have them...at least, to my untrained eye they seem to all be silk, pagoda types. There is this one from the Met collections that dates from 1800 to 1930, which basically means they have no idea yet how to date it. But also makes me think that there is a possibility that the style existed in 1800.

( Source )

I also found the above print, and while I don't think the central figure (sporting a capote like mine!) is carrying a paper parasol, I am sort of suspecting that the lady on the left IS. So, my question for all of you lovely readers out there that know a bit about the Regency period... Should I, or should I not, take the paper parasol with me?

V&A Open Robe: Finished

2011-07-05T12:30:00.000-04:00

My silk V&A Open Robe from Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1 is finished and ready for the Grand Ball at next weekend's Jane Austen Festival of Louisville, KY.

As I said before, I used scraps of silk to create a trim of ruching. The gown is entirely hand sewn. It wasn't as bad as you might think. I would do bits and pieces here and there while watching movies. The texture of the silk was fabulous and very sculptural. I loved working with it. The one downside to the silk is that it wrinkles terribly.

There are things about the robe that I would of course change. There always is, isn't there? Like I would try to make the back a bit more tight and smooth if I could. On my manikin it was fine, but on me, it wrinkles a bit....even with stays on. I omitted the original pattern's sleeves. I can always go back and add some on later if I want. I still have a bit of silk left over, but for this ensemble, I wanted to have a sleeveless robe.

I apologize for the uneven pinning in the front, I didn't realize the flap underneath was sticking out until I took the pictures. It won't happen again...promise.

I didn't follow the original robe's pleating pattern exactly, but instead, I pleated it to fit the contours of MY body shape...a process that worked great for me.

I love the contrast between the tailored crispness of the V&A robe and the white, ethereal softness of the Tidens Toj gown.

The silhouette is possibly my favorite part of the whole ensemble.

The silk of the robe rustles when I move. A sound that I imagine will be fabulous while dancing at the grand ball of the festival.

For the ball I think I will Polonaise the back of the robe. I don't trust myself to dance in such a long train. Bad (and rather embarrassing) things surely will come of that.

Happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T07:36:00.000-04:00

I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day!

Green 1920's Gown: And A Photoshop Experiment

2011-06-30T20:03:00.001-04:00

Last week, I was browsing a lovely vintage and antique clothing site called Woodland Farms Vintage and I came across the above green frock. The site says it's 1930's, but if it is, then it's VERY EARLY 30's, because it still has the low waist of the 1920's. I've always been fascinated by the 20's and 30's, but my figure has always been a little too feminine and curvy to successfully pull off the styles of the 20's. So, until now, I hadn't even considered making anything from that decade. But, the lovely green color of the dress above changed my mind. At the end of the school year, I was given a gift card from one of my students to a local fabric store. So, I thought it was about time I use the card. I couldn't afford silk (I also thought it would be too dressy for every day wear), and I don't like synthetic silks, so, instead, I bought some linen/rayon blend fabric that was on sale. It's a gorgeous color!

My dress doesn't drape as nicely as the silk one above, and I didn't copy it exactly...it's more of an inspiration dress. I'm still not convinced I look all that fabulous in 20's dress...to put it bluntly, I'm not flat chested enough. But it was a fun project to try anyway.

I used what I had on hand to trim my dress....no gorgeous lace, or sequin applique, but I did have a deco belt buckle in my stash. (The color of the fabric is a bit distorted in this image. It's not this teal in real life.)

The funny thing is, after I started making this dress, Lauren, over at American Duchess put up a couple of posts about 1920's photography. So, being in the 20's mood already, I decided to experiment with some pictures of me in my deco garb. Here they are...some look more deco than others...but oh well...enjoy anyway!

This one's my favorite...it looks the most like Hollywood 20's to me, with the high contrast, and big, dark eyes. All it's missing is the black backdrop.

My Experience with Cordwaining (a.k.a. - cobbling or shoemaking): A Failed Attempt

2011-06-28T18:09:00.000-04:00

Last year, for the Jane Austen Festival of Louisville, I "made" my husband a pair of Regency Inspired Boots. They are passable from a distance, but slightly obvious up-close. They also are a bit clunky, and he couldn't dance well in them at the ball (at least he SAYS the boots were the reason for his bad dancing). This year, Carson asked me if he could have a different pair of shoes, at least for the ball. We priced reproduction slippers, but can't afford them. Then I saw, and was inspired by, Sarah Jane's, and Sabine's lovely shoe making skills. So, of course, I dove into trying to make a pair of my own. I used some other sources for inspiration as well. A few of them are here, here, and here.

I traced very close to Carson's foot, then smoothed it out a bit into the shape of a sole.

I made the sides and sole out of scrap fabric, and made them into a mock-up. I DID try the cloth shoe on Carson at this point, and it fit well. I only made a few minor adjustments because he thought it felt loose.

I'm sorry I didn't take step by step photos of the process, but this shows you that the sides (and sole) are made of three layers; leather (or faux leather in this case), cotton duck, and a silk lining.

You can see the shoe taking shape in this image.

I did most of the stitching on the machine, but I hand sewed the little side seams.

When sewing the upper part of the shoe to the sole, I matched up the bottom of the sole to the right side of the the shoe upper. Keeping the lining out of the way, I stitched around the sole...

...and turned the shoe right side out.

The last step was to hand stitch the sole lining into the shoe.

And here it is (please excuse my husbands hairy legs and modern day socks). What's wrong with it, you say? How was it a failure? Well, even though it's an adorable little shoe, I should NOT have made any minor adjustments, nor taken it in any. The mock-up was made of a slightly stretchy cotton, but the shoe, being made of leather and other stiff materials, does not give. So the original mock-up was correct. The shoe slips off Carson's foot ever time he picks his foot up, because it's too small. The heel doesn't fit. Other than being a bit too small now, I suspect that the side and back of the upper part of the shoe need to be taller. I'm really bummed about the outcome. I mean, yes, it was a learning experience and all, and I know what to do now if I ever decide to make another slipper, but... Maybe I should stick to sewing clothing...

V&A Open Robe: Decorative Work

2011-06-23T12:55:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking the past couple of weeks about how to embellish my silk Open Robe. The original V&A robe is outlined in some sort of gold, braided rope. Even though I think gold, braided rope would look lovely against the gold-shot silk I used for my gown, I am not about to pay the price for a notion like that. Another option is fur...umm, that's out too. And then there's embroidery...not for me, I'm too heavy handed. I looked for fringe, but everything I found reminded me too much of upholstery. I thought about trimming my robe with ribbon in a contrasting color. That would be one way ladies of the day decorated their open robes. But, that would also cost a pretty penny if I were to purchase the silk, or velvet ribbon that is correct for an evening gown of the mid to late 1790's. After all, I would need at least 4 yards, maybe 5 yard of trim to complete my robe.

(An example of a mid 18th century gown with ruching. From the Kyoto Costume Institute )

In the end, I chose a "free," and I think delicately beautiful way of trimming my robe. Ruching. I say it's "free" because I used the scraps from my robe fabric. Obviously, I initially bought the fabric, I know...but, I used scraps that were either too small, or strangely shaped and couldn't be used for any kind of garment piece. I would have just thrown them away, so this was a way of recycling these bit of fabric. During most of the 18th century, ruching was a very common 18th century technique. Strips of fabric were cut into varying widths, pinked along the edges, pleated or gathered length ways and applied to the bodices and skirts of day and evening wear alike.

( I think that's ruching trim on the robe on the left. This image was found on Dames a la Mode. )

However, when the simplified, classical inspired fashions of the late Georgian or Regency era came along, heavy ruching went out of style. But there are examples of extant garments, and fashion plates of gowns (mostly evening wear or full dress) with delicately gathered, thin strips of fabric applied as trim.

Last Saturday, while enjoying a Harry Potter movie watching marathon with my dear friend Laura, I pinked tiny 1 inch wide strips of scrap fabric, and hand gathered them into bits of ruched trim. After a 9 hour movie watching marathon, I only had enough to trim about half of my gown. Not to despair, I have more scrap fabric. There is going to be a LOT of piecing involved. Thankfully, I have two weeks left until the Jane Austen Festival Ball where I will be wearing this robe. I'm going to be gathering bits of fabric every spare moment I have. I know my pinking shears aren't exactly the correct shape...they cut little triangles, rather than small scalloped shapes.... but they will have to do. I doubt the average person would be able to tell, right.

Anyway, besides the ruching, the robe is finished. Here's a small hint of what it looks like.

What Jane's been up to...

2011-06-20T15:25:00.000-04:00

Bottle Green Pelisse

2011-06-17T10:22:00.001-04:00

While searching for images of Regency era hats and parasols, I came across this GORGEOUS fashion plate. I haven't a clue where I got it from, as I was busy chasing images down various rabbit holes and lost track of the source. I'm guessing it's from around 1799 - 1801. This particular fashion plate really stands out to me for several reason. First of all, I love that the model isn't just standing around in her clothes, but rather she is putting on the pelisse. Secondly, I really can't stop staring at the vivid color over-all and the scalloped hem at the bottom. The asymmetrical bodice design intrigues me, as does that amazing collar.

All this being said, I wanted to share this lovely fashion plate with you, and hint at a possible future project. Remember how I said in this post that I would love to make something in an olive or bottle green color? Well.....I think I've found it. Of course, I'm trying not to spend any unnecessary amount of money on myself this year. So, this will probably be put on the back shelf for awhile. But, next year will be here before I know it.

I absolutely love having a dream project in mind. This year was the white Tidens Toj gown. Next year...the bottle green pelisse! Do you, or have you ever, had a sort of piece de resistance type of project that inspires you?

V&A Open Robe: Piecing Together the Silk

2011-06-14T14:24:00.001-04:00

(Please excuse the messy sewing area, what can I say.... and the wrinkles in the silk. I promise I ironed every inch of this silk before I started...but with all of the cutting, pinning, sewing, etc, it doesn't look like it. I have a feeling this one is going to be a wrinkly mess at all times.)

An update on my V&A Open Robe...

All of my silk is cut, and I've pieced it together on my manikin. I've tried to place pins only in seam allowances, or in places that I will be stitching, as pins leave holes in silk.

The silk isn't terribly hard to work with, but it is a bit stiff. That means it drapes differently than my cotton muslin mock-up did. The only real issue with this was the side-front bodice pleats. They were fiddly and I had to redo them 3 or 4 times before I got them to stay where I wanted them to stay. Even so, I'm still not completely happy with the top edge of the pleat closest to the arm. It buckles a bit. But, being that it's only pinned down, I'm hoping that stitching the pleat down to the lining (like I'm doing with all of the pleats) will tame the wild parts.

The other part that buckled and wrinkled a bit on the muslin was the side bodice area. I think I've solved what I can of this issue by inserting a pleat where a normal side seam would be. Other than that, I think it will be what it wants to be.

I've started to construct/sew the seams together (all hand sewn, of course), and let me tell you, I sat around for a good while scratching my head and wrinkling my brow in thought before I puzzled out the order of construction. I had a good idea of what KIND of stitching I would use for each seam. But the problem is, it's a bit like a domino affect, one seam leads to another, and if you don't sew them in the correct order, all of the dominoes won't fall. I really don't like redoing things...so lets hope I got the order right.

I wanted to put this picture in here, because I'm loving the huge box pleats and double box pleats (is that even a term?) used in the skirt. The pleats aren't sewn into place yet, only pinned, but aren't they gorgeous!

I'm not finished sewing; I only have about 1/3 of it done. I'm confident that it will be finished before the Jane Austen Festival in July. My only other quandary is...should I make this garment with sleeves, as the original V&A gown has? or Should I make it sleeveless? I've seen fashion plates showing open robes worn both ways. It will, of course be worn over my white gown, which makes me think that making sleeves isn't necessary. I have just enough fabric left to make two sleeves that are short in comparison to my white gown's sleeves. They would be narrow, semi-tight sleeves, ending about mid-way between my shoulder and elbow, with the white gown sleeves showing underneath. What say you? Sleeves or no?

Regency Gentleman's Accessories

2011-06-13T07:00:00.001-04:00

During Jane Austen's time, for a man to go outside the house without a hat, well, it was very nearly the modern day equivalent to walking outside in your underwear. It was, at the very least, disrespectful and uncouth. A couple of months ago, after one year of reenacting without one (shame-shame), Carson finally found himself a hat. We ordered it through Hat Crafters. It's the #7 Empire, it's 8" tall, and it tapers in slightly at the top. This style of topper is more specifically made for early Regency, later ones flare out at the top, but we will be using it for any Regency reenacting we do. We can't afford two hats. The topper fits him well. The people at Hat Crafters were lovely to work with. It is slightly wide on him, but that's only because he has a narrow head. We will be putting strips of wool along the inside to fill in that space for now, but the hat should mould to his head after he wears it for a while.

Another accessory that was even more of a necessity than the hat was a pair of period appropriate spectacles. His plastic, black-rimmed modern ones weren't cutting it. We looked around on e-bay for a truly vintage pair, but they were priced a bit high for us. In the end, we went with a reproduction pair from Jas. Townsend. Thankfully, Carson works for an eye glass company and can get prescription lenses put in them for next to nothing.

My husband can finally call himself a gentleman....well, in the Regency sense anyway.

V&A Open Robe: Muslin Stage

2011-06-09T18:18:00.000-04:00

I had the opportunity to work today on my V&A Open Robe from Pattern's of Fashion by Janet Arnold.

The focus today was on my mock-up. There isn't any chance I'm cutting into my gorgeous silk until I've made a muslin first. I studied the graphed pattern in Pattern's of Fashion, but I'm not the best at scaling up graphed patterns. I guess I should say, I can do it, but I don't like to. Too much math for my me.

So, once again, I pulled out the trusty Swedish Tracing Paper...I'm in love with the stuff. I placed existing patterns that I own, like the back bodice pattern from my recently made 1798 gown, and the front lining pattern from my Sense and Sensibility Crossover Gown, underneath the tracing paper, looked again at the graphed pattern, and eye-balled it. I thank God every day for my artistic abilities...I would be lost without them!

(*On a side note, I did use my tape measure...so a LITTLE bit of math was done, but only the very minimal amount possible.*)

I then cut out all of my hand made patterns and pinned them to my manikin. (Since I'm wearing the open robe over my Regency Gown, I first 'dressed-up' my manikin, so that it was padded with the correct amount of under layers.) You can see my slightly insane process in the above pictures. I scribble ALL OVER the pattern pieces, marking where seam allowances are needed, where I need to cut out pieces, where I need to add more fabric, etc, etc.

Then, I remove the paper from my manikin and transfer all of my graffiti into a working muslin mock-up. This is, by the way, my muslin for the lining only...I'll get to the outer part of the robe in a second.

You can see here how the pattern pieces match up for the lining. This robe is an interesting one to me, because there isn't a side seam.

Here's the lining pinned onto my manikin.

I really like the tailored look of this design.

The side-back seams are just SLIGHTLY curved.

Since I'm making a mock-up first, I'm using spare scraps of fabric, which means the front and back parts of the gown are in different colors.

This is the 'flap' part of the front bodice of the gown.

Here's the second part of the front bodice. These pleats are a bit tricky, because they aren't straight. They curve with the arm scythe. They will eventually be sewn down to the lining underneath.

Here's a side view of the pleats. Again, there isn't a side seam....I'm a bit perplexed by this. I THINK it gets stitched down to the lining underneath the arm. The original graphed pattern doesn't show any side pleat, or side seam, but the drawing looks like it might have another pleat there. If it does, I think that would solve the loose, wrinkly look. As it is, I'm not liking that look...it seams like it should be more of a tailored fit along the side. I've looked at several images of this gown reproduced by different people, and they all look very similar to mine at the side...so maybe there ISN'T a seam or pleat. I don't know...I'm confused. Anyone out there who has made this before? Any tips?

(By the way, the real robe will be floor length...I'm saving fabric by not making my mock-up floor length too.)

I'm really diggin' this olive green. Maybe a future project in this color? What do you think?

Sorry about the mottled look of the back. Like I said, I'm using up scraps. The back pieces go all the way from neck to floor, with extremely deep pleats from the waist down. I'm a little perplexed on how to construct the seams at the waist point. No instructions to go by, of course. I know from reading up on others who have done this project, that the outer fabric is stitched down to the lining. I guess I will just have to play around with it a bit. I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out.

Strawberry Shortcake: A Summer Treat

2011-06-08T20:10:00.001-04:00

It's strawberry season!

I think strawberries have got be one of my favorite foods. I will eat them here or there, in a box, with a fox, in a tree, so let me be (alone to eat strawberries)! (Sorry, I have Dr. Seuss on the brain right now.) Seriously though...they're grand, and Jane thinks so too. We spent some time together a couple of days ago making strawberry shortcake. The home-made kind mind you. Not the sponge-like stuff, covered in runny jello that you buy pre-made in the store.

We started everything off with slicing the strawberries and sprinkling a bit of sugar over them. I'm always hesitant to add sugar to strawberries. I think they are perfectly fine and sweet without it...but a little bit really does help to bring out the juices in the berries...so I do it for strawberry shortcake.

We used this recipe from Allrecipes as a guide for the shortcake. The difference is, I used butter instead of shortening. That is just a personal preference, I suppose. I think butter has more flavor, and the shortcake turned out delicious.

If you are going to make shortcakes with your 4 year old daughter, make sure she wears a black leotard, so that the mess she makes with the flour/baking powder mixture shows up really easy in the photo...just my opinion. Oh, and be sure that she isn't the one to cut in the butter. Grown-ups only please.

Stirring in the egg...

...and the milk.

This was Jane's favorite part of the process. Shortcakes are sooooo easy to make, and a lot of fun for kids.

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man...roll-em-up, roll-em-up, throw-em-in-a-pan.... Ok, I know, I'm cheesy. This is what comes from spending the hole week with my daughter.

Anyway, I added a little bit of sour cream to my whipped cream, just to give it a little tang. Cream cheese would be a nice add-in too.

20 minutes was enough time in my oven. The shortcake came out very moist and crumbly, and just slightly sweet.

This is what I had while Jane was taking a nap. The grown-up version...

...and the after-nap-snack child version.

mmm....good stuff!

Regency Breeches: A Transformation

2011-06-06T19:52:00.000-04:00

Last year at this time, just before the Jane Austen Festival of Louisville, I was in a pinch to get TWO gentleman's outfits done in one month's time. When I say outfits, I mean it....everything from undershirt, to waistcoat, to cravat, to trousers, to frock coat....TWO SETS. Life was a little insane that month, and I was frantically finishing the last bits only a couple of days before the festival. This year, I've decided not to make life so crazy. The white waistcoat my husband is wearing in the above picture will be used at the Grand Ball, and then for the day time, he is using the blue, striped waistcoat that I recently made for the tutorial. I wasn't originally going to use it, but it turned out nicely, and looks great with his existing frock coat and trousers.

But...speaking of trousers...I wasn't completely satisfied with how they turned out. They were slightly baggie, and the bottom of the trousers bunched up in Carson's boots. I actually prefer the look of knee breeches, like the ones above, to trousers.

This outfit is very similar to what my husband's outfit looks like. Same color and similar cut frock coat...the breeches are nearly spot on in regards to color...and the fit is exactly what I wanted in my husband's breeches.

I used these breeches as a reference as well. They provided a wonderful close-up look at the button detailing at the knee band.

And here are the results.

I still have to add in the final button hole on the knee band, and attach a tie to that. As is, they slide up and over part of his knee when he sits down. We don't want that, now do we! The buttons are from Jas. Townsend. They are horn buttons. (And, no, I didn't hand sew the button holes...but I did hand sew the flap, the seams, and the hem.)

I'm extremely pleased with the over-all look....and the look of my husband's "well turned calf."

(Check out those clocked stockings!)

Another Regency Accessory: Accidentally found

2011-06-03T18:26:00.000-04:00

I was recently given by one of my students, a gift card for $10 to a local shop that typically sells a lot of yuppie housewares and accessories. You know the type...really loud (read gaudy) jewelry, brightly colored purses (key chains, hair bows, towels, door mats, dinner ware, etc, etc) with initials embroidered(or painted) on them, candles in every 'scent' that could be thought of, cheese cutting boards in the shape of wine bottles...and on and on I could go. While the gift card was a very sweet thought, the shop, well, isn't really my type of thing.

So, when I went in the other day, I wasn't expecting to find anything I would actually like. I wondered around the store a bit, hoping to find at least something that maybe I could purchase and re-gift later. Just when I was about to give up hope, I spotted a wicker basket full of scarves. Most were square silk scarves with nautical or equestrian themes on them, but at the very bottom of the basket was a surprise....a Turkish red, paisley printed, long, rectangle, silk scarf. It screamed "Regency" to me! AND guess what...it was $10!!! I paid about 36 cents for tax, and that was it. I think it was waiting for me.

(Looking at this picture makes me realize how easily I freckle...not a good type of complexion to have during the regency era....I've hardly been out in the sun at all. "She is such a nasty, freckled little thing." Where's that from? Anyone?)

It is long enough that I can definitely wear it as a shawl if I want to, and I might do that occasionally. But, just for fun, I tried it out as a turban. I'm really pleased with the look.

Sorry this picture is so unfocused...as I said before, my camera isn't working properly. But, I wanted to include this picture, because you can see how I tied it in the back.

I dressed it up with one of my 1920's shoe clips that I originally thought I would use for a belt clasp. I could probably also throw in a couple of feathers, or dress it up with a faux laurel leaf. I think this will be a lovely option for the Jane Austen Grand Ball.

*By the way...I'm still not able to respond to comments. I'm so, so sorry. I really appreciate any and all comments, and I look forward to them. Please continue to write them. I can post comments if you write one, I just can't respond right now. I really hope blogger fixes this issue soon.*

Summer Time

2011-06-02T13:00:00.001-04:00

Life has been pretty hectic lately here at the end of the school year. Summer break officially started today around Noon for me. I get two whole months of student free bliss....well, nearly. I'm teaching a sewing class to a group of about 14 girls....but this is something I'm looking forward to with much anticipation. I find that, now that school is over, all of the reserve energy I was using to scrape by on those last few weeks is drying up, and my body is finally throwing in the towel. Enough, it says...and I feel like sleeping for at least a month.

But between teaching a sewing class, taking my daughter to swim lessons, ballet lessons, and acting lessons, I barely have a free day on my calender. Not to mention the doctors, dentist, and eye exam appointments that I have to get in, because there's no way to fit them in during the school year. And of course, I have my sewing goals, and exercises goals (ha!)...we shall see how much of that actually gets done.

But....all that being said...now that I'm home, spending time with my daughter and doing things on my own time, there is a HUGE burden of responsibility that's been lifted off of my shoulders. I feel free...calm...peaceful. I feel like me.

I love what I do...truly I do. I am passionate about art, and I think it is imperative for kids to be exposed to art, and offered the opportunity to explore it in their own creative way. I'll never stop feeling that way. But, after 9 years of teaching, I truly understand the importance of a summer break. If not for the summer break, the world would be full of insane ex-teachers with drool hanging out of the side of their mouths and a blank stare on their faces. (Minus the drool, and I'm already there.) By the end of the school year, I feel less like Professor Dumbledore, and more like Professor Snape.

(That's in honor of the last Harry Potter film coming out, by the way. Excited, but sentimentally sad, all the same.)

Summer...here I am.

(Images courtesy of Bing search...if they are yours, and you want me to remove them, please say so.)