Kristen: Sewing under pressure

Hello dear reader, I have returned to the blogosphere! I am currently writing a few papers for my master's classes, and they have sucked any creativity and happiness from myself. Seriously, I often wonder the use of such pressure on students, as it can have an ill effect on their work...

In any case the Greenfield Village reenactment is coming up May 25-27. This is perhaps the busiest time for a reenactor, as there are dresses to finish, camp equipment to purchase, and presentations to practice. I consider April and May the mad dash to the finish line. I have looked back at my goals when we first started the blog in January.

Big projects

1. Finish sheer mourning dress completely by hand

I still need to attach a collar for this dress.

2. Finish blue floral dress

I am mostly done, just work to the waistband and hem. Also a collar.

Small Projects:

1.   Rosette belt, similar to many I have seen already
Haven't started this yet, though I want one for the floral dress.

2.   Paper flowers for my bonnet. My Dad bought me a book with so many ideas!
Another project I've yet to start! Though I will be going to a bonnet decorating workshop soon.

3.   Silk sewing case from the same book. I haven't yet decided on the shape.

I've made a few of these. There's one in my etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123079191/civil-war-cotton-sewing-case?ref=shop_home_active

I also had the opportunity to recover another parasol. I was proud to finish it!

I was starting to feel bad, that I had not been doing enough sewing. In reality, I've completed at least 3 projects in the past month, lost 5 pounds, and have almost finished the final papers for both my master's classes. This past Friday I played 2 indoor soccer games, spraining my ankle in the process.

I think I deserved the break!

Once I turn in my papers next week I'll have more time to finish projects. Hopefully I'll get through everything with enough time to prepare properly for Greenfield Village. The countdown begins!

~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...

Kristen: Gauging a Skirt

I really have tried lately to continue working on the dress. It wasn't until a sewing party that I held at my house...that I actually really got to work! I think it is important to use these sewing times for polite conversation, modeling for the younger girls, and the exchange of sewing skills.

 And food. Healthy food! And pizza bread...

Ladies have come together to sew forever! The six ladies who sewed with me were just that-ladies. And we didn't all just work on Civil War projects! One woman creates miniatures, Carrie started a t-shirt quilt blanket, and the younger girls worked on a braided/cut up shirt that I've seen all over pinterest. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, one that I hope to have again in the future!

Carrie did an excellent job! This is a quick shot of my sewing room!

I've been working on many side projects including my hair jewelry. However, I need a dress to wear it with! I still want to complete one more before Greenfield Village this year, so hopefully I can get that done soon. As for gauging my skirt, that took longer than I expected. The process was eerily similar to doing the gathers on my bodice, with a few slight adjustments. First, you need to do two running stitches after turning down a 1 inch hem. Make sure the outside stitches are longer than the inside.

It will look bigger than your waist at first!

Then you push the gathers together, trying to make them and even 32 inches (GASP! MY WAIST SIZE!). It helps to mark the fabric at the half and quarter points to make sure the gathers are even. Here is a better picture, if it helps.

If you are looking for another tutorial, check out The Sewing Academy's compendium page, which is helpful for many different projects (http://www.thesewingacademy.com/the-compendium/). These ladies really know what they're talking about, and their dedication to historical accuracy is astounding. One day I hope to meet a few of them...*exaggerated sigh* In the meantime I will have to stay surrounded by my ribbons and fabric.

 I set out a few of my books in case we needed a reference

I took out my ribbons/silk, as well as my stash of 100% silk satin ribbon from Habermans!

The girls thought it would be clever to give Rambo a scarf; he didn't like it!

 It helps if I create a list that I can check off, so here is my list before I post again!

1. Finish attaching the waistband of mourning dress.
2. Start the hem.
3. Gather the sleeves.
4. Attach the sleeves.
5. Begin the cuff.
6. Do 3 practice rounds of hairwork gimping.

Until next time! Thank you for reading!

~Kristen

Sew Along: Carrie, Kristen, and Becky

Another week we could all get together! I look forward to these days when we can all sit and focus on our individual projects. Fortunately, I have my camera on hand to document our progress...

 Becky finishing the hem on a dress

Carrie researching for her next project

 It can be very difficult to keep sewing during these long winter months. Since it is considered the "planning" season for reenactors, it is essential to start any projects that need to be completed by summer. The problem is usually motivation!

Seeing it come together makes it all worth it!

 Carrie working on the last of her chemise

It is interesting to watch three different levels of sewing all in the same room! Becky is making a dress for a friend's Civil War presentation, a lovely blue dress! I am working on my mourning dress, completely handmade. Meanwhile, Carrie finished up her chemise.

This next weekend is our group meeting, and we are excited to see everyone! Every day is one step closer to the reenacting season!

A sneak peek before my piping tutorial!

The First Post: Kristen, Carrie, and Becky Sew

For out first post, we have decided to meet and start with a few different projects. Here, Carrie is finishing up a chemise...

 

 Don't thread your finger!

Carrie, who is at the beginner level of sewing, today accomplished the following:

1. Learned how to thread a bobbin

2. Sewed together yoke

3. Felled a seam

4. Made gathers on the yoke of the chemise

 

 Carrie's accomplished gathers

Carrie's quote of the day? "I'm confused." Luckily, Becky is a talented seamstress (and Kristen is talented at not being a good helper...)

I don't get it!

Much of Becky's work included helping Carrie and I with smaller projects, but she did manage to work on a pair of braces for her father. They have been a two year project, but will look amazing at the next Civil War reenactment!

  I wish I had daughters to sew for me!

Becky has made it very clear that Carrie MUST finish the chemise before she leaves, even if it takes until the wee hours of the morning! Unfortunately I am not as dedicated to my sewing, and Becky does complete beautiful work!

 Becky modeling the latest design from Paris...

As for myself, I started working on an embroidered cross design. A fellow English teacher at the school I work at asked me to create a communion stole and banner for his son. I had planned on using a basic felt design, but found it to be lacking in...something. So I jumped on board the embroidery bandwagon!

 I look more tired than I feel!

Crosses seem fairly easy, but I found it difficult to focus on keeping lines straight. I suppose that will come with experience!

 Note the Celtic design; they're Irish!

Our next meeting is planned for February 16th, which will take place at my house with the 21st Michigan. I have not planned a group sewing event before, but based on my experience, it has been quite fun! 

In the meantime, Carrie, Becky, and I plan on contributing to the blog at least once a week. Since we are all working on our own projects, you will see a beginner, novice, and experienced seamstress' perspective of things!