Becky: A Recap of the Holidays

Like I said in my last entry, December was busier than November with the holidays.

I began the month sewing. I had bought insertion lace from Mrs. Lynch, which surprisingly matched the lace I had already sew on the gown. This was my first attempt at insertion lace. It was a learning experience and I suggest to use nothing less than 1" insertion lace if you plan to work with it by hand.

I had Jillian come over a few times that week to work on her corset. She is now embroidering her corset on her time. We have gotten so far working together that she may be able to wear her new corset by the beginning of this season!

Between December 13 and the 15th, I had help organizing the baby shower and creating the favors. Andy had volunteered to be Santa Clause for his church's pancake breakfast that morning. After the busy morning, family and friends who wanted to help, stayed later to help fill mason jars with coco mix and marshmallows. The procedure went very fast, we had many helpful hands and as a group, we also made clouds out of folded tissue paper. These will later be hung up from the ceiling with rain drop shapes made out of construction paper. Here is our centerpieces for my ducky themed baby shower:

That Tuesday I visited my father and sewed with a group of 21st members. It was a long time since I sewed at the party they hold every week. It was a fun and well needed time to reconnect with friends.

December 18th was the first heavy snow MI received. As a landscaper/ snow removal man, Andy had to work that night, but he made sure that some kids got to see Santa at their day care! I have to say, he is the cutest Santa Ive ever seen! He admits that he loves to act as Santa during the holidays and to hold the littl'ns.

Sometimes it sucks to have the night shift. The next day, I slept to prep for that night of work. Andy and his family had accidentally scheduled the trip to Greenfield Village's Holiday Nights on the same night I was to work. It turned out perfect though! The temperature was just around 40 degrees and there was no snow showing on the radar, but the snow from the night before made it a magical night!

I know Greenfield Village as if it is my home. To be frank, it practically is in my backyard! I have been going to the village since... well I dont know when! Here is a picture of my parental grandfather, me, and my mom at Cotswold Cottage, my favorite building/ house at the village:

I had showed this picture to my boyfriend, Andy, earlier. He said that he remembered the picture, but it wasnt his plan to propose to me at this spot specifically for the picture. Wait, what?! Propose? Like to get married? YUP!

Andy asked me that night to marry him! And of course I said yes!

It was a total surprise! I was too caught up looking for Jillian who might have worked that night, but I never saw her. Andy had jokingly pushed me to the cottage as we were walking towards it. I was a little confused when he forcefully made his way away from his parents, yet his brother was right on our heels. Then all of a sudden he got onto his knee, spoke my full name and asked me to marry him.... I think. He was so emotional, his first few words were strong, but as he continued to ask me, he got quieter and quieter... and maybe even a little tearful? In my mind it was a blur, I knew what was happening and I knew what he was asking that I dont think I let him finished before I said yes!

The next day Andy, my now fiance, and his brother hosted a Christmas business party at a local bowling alley where I got to show off my new ring!

Days before Christmas, Andy taught me how to make a Mushroom and spinach strudel. We bought a case, yes a case, of mushrooms and spinach to make the 12 strudels. Then we "sweated" the mushroom and spinach down with garlic and onions. As I am no cook, Andy had to show me how to "paint" on egg wash to keep the strudels together.

We had so many we gave one to each house we visited that week. I still have one or two left, but they are perfect for freezing. They are a yummy polish food and Im ecstatic to learn how to cook cultural food that my fiance loves to eat! 

Christmas Eve was spent at Andy's extended family and Christmas was spent with his parents, but this was the sight you would have seen:

The day after Christmas was spent with my side of the family. And at some point of all this commotion, I caught the cold. I also found time, somewhere, to finish the christening gown. Im so excited to be able to show everyone at the shower my hard work! It is so pretty!

The last days of December we confirmed 90 guests to attend at my shower! We underestimated our guests by 30 people!

Counting all the duckies

And the last seconds of the year Andy and I spent them with close family and friends! I hope you had a joyful holiday and a Happy New Year!

Becky's Sewing Sneak Peek!

Here is a little temptation for you until the next post. Of course this is all hand sewn!

Flip this! Work Tonight and Cant Sleep -Becky

Seriously. I work nights at the hospital down the block, from 11-7 am and I cant sleep. I have way too much on my mind. Aka fabric that I just bought!

I just bought this fabulous light weight 51% Linen/49% Cotton fabric at a great price!

I plan on making Folkwear's 228 Christening gown this winter.

However! I promised myself that I MUST finish all the UFO (un-finished objects) Ive started. And trust me, I have over 20! This week, I feel as if I did some major work and finished all the cloth sacks I started 2 years ago. Im now working on finishing some baby chemises, that I might give away to someone else who is having a baby around the same time as me. The next projects will be a pinner apron, finishing Sophia's bag (only have to put on the straps)! I also have 3 unfinished bonnets to put together. Kris' is one of them! Ahh I only picked up her bonnet in May! Its been that long?!

What has made me work so hard on cleaning up my immense supply of incomplete projects was not only the space that they were taking up, but because Prince George was christened this week!

Prince George of Cambridge's gown has some major history behind it. It may have history behind the gown, but in fact George is the first one to wear it! 

Prince George's gown is a replica of the same gown worn first by Queen Victoria's daughter in 1841, and has graced 60 royal babies since.

A spinster by the name of Miss Sutherland worked for Queen Victoria when she was 34 until her death at the age of 45. The seamstress' inspiration of the christening gown was of Victoria's wedding dress she wore in 1840.

It's amazing that a gown has been worn 60 times for 172 years, but with that said, it is now extremely fragile. The gown was worn by George's father, Prince William, his grandfather, Prince Charles, and his Great-Grandmother, the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth! It is now "retired" and is kept safe and sound, but now this replica, the tradition can go on!

I have also researched some gowns from the same age of Princess Vicky's on Pintress. Ive learned that the length of the skirt was somewhat of a social status in its own right. The longest skirt Ive seen is 20" long. It makes sense that the amount of fabric used would be the equivalent of how much the family could afford. I mean come on! This is an infant! They dont need THAT much fabric!

Most of these garments are made of "off white" cotton. I feel as if the description of "off white" is the description of the garment at the current state, and I personally feel that the garment has turned color with age. The patterns of fabric very from solid white to check- windowpane and even sheer Swiss. The gowns also vary in design. Some are simple as this picture; sleeves and gathered skirt sewn to a neckline.

This one is more elaborate with a waist band and a "V" bodice. I also think the skirt looks longer than the one above.

The most elaborate design that is pinned on my broad is of this fashion plate. I wish to have a larger picture to see some detail, but the skirt is split down two sides and is separated by lace in between.

Im too excited about this! I think from tonight until I get the fabric, I will have accomplished much more and will be so much closer to making this gown!