Becky: Rolled Hems

I always try to learn something new each project I do. This time I have a few "challenges".

1. The many flounces on the skirt
2. The double pagoda sleeve
3. Creating an attached undersleeve
4. Rushing at the armhole (armscye)

I am currently working on rolling the hems. The Sewing Academy and Elizabeth Stewart Clark's book shows a decent job of rolling hems, but I, for some reason, couldn't get it. 

So, onto Youtube!

This is the clip I found most helpful. The video is a little long, but that is what I need to understand the technique. 

I'm chugging along on the flounces. Mind you I have both sides of the fabric I must hem and there are 5 flounces on the dress. Along with that the flounces are GATHERED! Which means there are more than the width of the skirt! My skirts circumference is already 180 inches. Therefore, ONE flounce length is 240 inches... then multiply that by 5! Oh boy! Heaven help me!

A Tea Party?!

I want to do a historic tea party!!!

Please please please????!!!!!

Can we? Can we? Can we?

Ive always wanted to do a tea party, and in the past Ive hosted small groups (4-6) friends at my house. But thats not what Im talking about!

I want a BIG fancy tea party!

I have three places in the Southeast area of Michigan I was thinking of hosting one:

Google

The first one is The Henry Ford Estate, Dearborn, MI

I know the building itself is closed for repair, but the grounds is always open for the public! 

Flikr

The second is my personal favorite. Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI

There are no words to describe how much I love this place. Im just so happy that it's right around the corner!

Google

The third choice (but not the only choice), is Mill Race Village, Northville, MI

Its like a mini Greenfield Village, but more personal!

Wouldn't it be grand to have men and women in fancy historical clothes of any era walking about enjoying tea, playing games on the green, and just having a grand ol' time!

Google

Google

If you're in the area and are interested for a summer tea party in MI let me know!

"Becky! You need to post something!" "Okay, Okay!"

Umm, so I havent posted in... forever.

So what have I been doing? 

I have been "behind scenes" working on the blog section " Get The Look" as well as keeping busy with sewing and researching. I have also been busy finding a house to move out with the boyfriend.

Im sorry that I failed to post anything.

This weekend I attended the Kalamazoo History Living Show and what an event! The atmosphere was almost as existing as a reenactment, if not more! There were eras from Early American to late Civil War. Ive been attending this event for a few years, but this year was different.

Not only did I bring my boyfriend, hoping to convince him that dressing up is fun, but I purchased nothing for my Civil War persona! 

Thats right! Im moving up! Well....maybe moving backwards. Im now working on Colonial wardrobe and my hopes are to one day work in an environment surrounded by its history; such as Fort Michilimackinac or maybe even Williamsburg, VA!

I had purchased all my patterns, looked at shoes, and bought my first silk fabric! Im not quite sure what to use the silk for, but it is the prettiest magenta/ olive green Ive ever seen!

The picture is inadequate to what it is in real life! 

Im not sure where or when my interest peaked for the colonial era, but looking at the fabulous Samantha Bullat and visiting Fort Michilimackinac in 2011 were defiantly influential!  

Kristen: Parasol Covering Workshop

I am very hungry for education. As much as I might complain about my academic studies, I am thrilled to spend any time on my "learnings" of the 19th century. Luckily I live in Michigan, home to quite a few wonderful reenactors willing to show their knowledge. Recently I was able to attend a parasol covering workshop at the Plymouth Historical Society Museum. I spent all week looking forward to it!

I found my parasol on ebay last year for about $50. The paint was chipped, and the silk was completely destroyed. I still took it out to a few events, but I knew it was time to get it recovered...

The before-ripping-it-to-shreds pic

A close-up of the round handle. So lovely!

The beautiful but tattered silk parasol

The silk lining needed to be replaced too

Let me just say now that this class was advertised for intermediate seamstresses...and never have I felt so much like a beginner! I was surrounded by many ladies I have met before in my reenacting adventures, a few even in the 21st Michigan. It was a relaxing environment!

The class was taught by Sandy Root, who I have to say is one of the most kind and patient people I've met. I had so many questions, and she was able to answer all of them! There are many sewing techniques that I've never encountered before, and she was gracious enough to help. The process took many hours, but I'm happy with my results. She even served a delicious lunch, including chili, veggies, and soda bread. I ate far more than a "proper" lady ought to, especially when they brought out the chocolate!

I laid out my skeleton

My work station was more messy than this, I promise

Sewed it right up

By the end of the day, I was able to attach the outer covering and construct the lining. There were a few bumps here and there, so I had to make plans to continue working at home. Which I did, and have now added to this post.

I did a simple gather for the trim

The silk lining was more difficult to attach

 Ta-da! It is finished and ready for its debut at Greenfield Village in May

 I feel so accomplished!

 If you ever get a chance, take a class with Sandy Root! I loved every second, especially hanging out with ladies who know their stuff. This hobby gives so many opportunities to talk to people with different experiences. In my most holy opinion, it is most fulfilling to educate others to pass on these traditions! It is also refreshing to have time to relax and create!

My next post will include my visit to a day cap workshop. Hopefully I'll have time to attach that lone sleeve to my mourning dress. Maybe even more hair gimping! Thanks for reading!

~Kristen

Kristen: Practice Gimping and Hair Decoupage

I can't keep myself away from the hairwork for too long. Every time I try to make myself sew, the hair beckons from across the room...Kristen...braid me...Okay. The hair isn't actually talking to me, but I'm still getting used to the idea that I am keeping what was once part of a living human being. Before I play with the hair, I wanted to practice gimping again:

This time I had an easier time of pulling the thread off the needle. I also tried a leaf with the blue thread.  The yellow turned out better as well. Most of the twirls were more even compared to my first try. I even added a little pearl bead, but it still looks rather sad. I shall have to keep practicing! Next, I decided to play with the (haunted) hair.

 I pulled out my tools

 I carefully globbed on my gum arabic

I then cut it in two

Now a little more gum to press it together

A basic braid!

A very quick attempt at weaving

For next time, I will remember to make the pieces even smaller, since they are easier to manage that way. Overall I would say this practice has been very educational. At this point I am just playing, getting a feel for the materials and the process. I have so many books, but now it's time to actually just try it!

I am also excited to see that others in my area are starting to research hairwork. This is a slow process, though I am working on several projects at the same time. I already have at least one interest in a brooch order, so I must keep practicing! In the meantime, here are my goals for this week:

1.   Finish covering my parasol.

2.   Attach the other sleeve to the mourning dress.

3.   Practice 1 round of hair gimping. 

~Kristen

Kristen: Waistbands and Mistakes

I had another sewing day with Becky! These snow days just keep coming...Unfortunately I became well acquainted with the theory that something can go wrong if it is at all even remotely somewhat a little itsy bitsy teeny weeny bit possible.

 ***Gasp***

In my most reckless haste, I did not monitor my gauges while applying my waistband. The phrase "haste makes waste" comes to mind, and instead of moving forward to finish my sleeves, I spent most of the time fixing my mistakes.

I'm sure if they had a camera, 19th c. ladies would have made the same face

Here is my advice to you, my delicate reader: DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. Seriously, save yourself the time and the effort. Also, don't be too upset if you make a mistake or two, as I often do. Based on the originals I have studied, our victorian counterparts were not perfect either. Embrace your mistakes, even the silly ones. They might be telling you to try a new technique, or even to take a break!

I feel better now

I was lucky that I did have a little time to start gathering my sleeves. I was able to finish one before I had to run home to make dinner. If I am to be quite honest, I should have been working on a paper for my linguistics class. *Sigh* Wouldn't it be nice if I could apply my "go get 'em" attitude to my studies right now?

~Kristen

***Editor's Note: I actually have finished 3 drafts of my paper, met with the professor, and plan on having at least 2 people edit before I turn it in. If you are reading this, you should totally disregard my negative attitude towards my studies; I am a good student who simply needs a little break...

Becky: Yellow Sheer Dress

I FINALLY finished my wrapper. Its amazing what you can do with 15 mins a day!

SO on to my next dress!

There's so much going on here!

I made the pic extra large for you to see the details. Imagine the dress in an all pale yellow, extra sheer cotton and that's what Ill get! I cant wait to start on it!