Tag: sewing

Overall Objectives

On By kittycalashIn Events, Reenacting

When in doubt, hand sew: it’s good for the brain and the soul.

Thinking about reenacting in terms of mission worked in sorting out my Trouble with Ticonderoga.  The Fort’s Defiance and Independence event is meant to further their mission to “ensure that present and future generations learn from the struggles, sacrifices and victories that shaped the nations of North America,” and the BAR’s mission is to recreate the life of the common soldier of the AWI, and my family’s mission is to have fun while recreating the life of the common soldier of the AWI, if some part of an event doesn’t seem like fun, it doesn’t further our mission. And if it doesn’t seem like fun, don’t do it. It’s just that simple.

Another way of looking at this is to recognize that not every event is for every reenactor. Obviously you don’t take a Charleville to Gettysburg, but more importantly, if an event is primarily to recreate a military action, but you and your family are looking for a shared reenacting experience, you are likely to be disappointed.

I also thought about it all in terms of priorities: family first, then Regiment, and so on up the line. Better by far to hone what we have to interpret the Regiment’s history first, and to get ready for Redcoats & Rebels at Old Sturbridge Village.

This event has more tangled into it than you’d think. Last year was not so great. The Captain didn’t seem happy, Mr. S’s overalls did not pass muster in foot-related fit, the Young Mr. pouted for a half a day, and I was stuck in camp with a blowsy woman talking about babies while the public tramped across our blankets. This year, we’ll camp over and entertain Mr. S’s parents, who are determined to see one of the reenactments. OSV offers the most opportunities for them and for us. There’s the Village itself to entertain and feed them, and surrounding areas with antiques and sight-seeing. We will be “stuck” minding camp and won’t be free to entertain or feed them in the evenings, and if they stay for the twilight camp tours, there will be a curfew. There is much to like about this arrangement for us.

So in preparation, I’m making new overalls for Mr. S, who has lost enough weight that last year’s are just too big. For myself, I’m cruising bedgown images like The Provider. Chardin is a favorite painter, and while I can’t have a pinner apron, I have a blue and white striped petticoat. The white concerns me, though it would definitely get dirty fast, and there’s a lot to like about that, too.

No matter what we choose to do in the future, the sewing helps now.

Switching Centuries, with Strawberries

On By kittycalashIn Clothing, Food

It’s an early birthday treat, patterns and shoes, and all on sale! I’m fairly certain that if told these had been purchased while on sale, my mother would say they did not count as a treat. never mind, they do to me!

American Duchess “Georgiana” shoes sold as imperfect, but quite good enough for my impression. Getting closer to having to make my version of the striped silk polonaise at the V&A.  They’re super shiny and lots of fun.

The patterns include vintage patterns, unused, and shockingly enough, in my size, from Sandritocat on Etsy. I have vintage fabric in blue, just enough to make the dress with short sleeves. All in all, happy early birthday goodness.

Today, in addition to chores and sewing, I think I’ll try making (or starting) strawberry cordial. The recipe was in the Country Living (UK) magazine, and can be found online, too. 2.2 pounds of strawberries, just have to make the room in the fridge. This might work well for the opening, too.

Regrets Never Stopped Me

On By kittycalashIn Clothing, Events, Museums2 Comments

That moment of regret…promised work a cake and punch, promised myself a new dress, it’s going to be 99 today, and there’s still an exhibit to install. Once again, what was I thinking? Apparently I was thinking that all I have to do is want something enough and I can make it happen.

So the bodice muslin is cut out, I’ve asked someone else to find a punch receipt while I make cake and lemonade, and I’ve got labels underway. This is manageable, maybe.

The way I start with patterns, as you can see in the top image, is by tracing them. I use architectural trace, AKA onionskin or drafting paper, mostly because it is cheap and readily available, and because I got into the habit just because it was around. (I am a refugee from a graduate program in architecture, which explains a lot about why I have drafting tools, keep way too busy, and am comfortable working with construction projects.) I use the trace patterns to cut the muslin from, and after JennyLaFleur’s workshop at Dress U, I fit muslins and recut final patterns in Pellon pattern ease. Formerly I saved muslins, now I re-trace. So much smarter, much less space.

So tonight, I’ll stitch up the muslin and see where I am. Today, I work on labels. The lower image definitely illustrates the process. There’s a big whole where a uniform will go, and we’re still using the ladder. Why is there a doll in an exhibit about war? Because how else do you fit in a dress when the case is small?!

8 Days, a Pattern, and some Taffeta

On By kittycalashIn Clothing1 Comment

I did decide to make a dress, or perhaps more properly to try to make a dress in time for the opening. Since I really can’t wear the new Indian print cotton dress, I chose a 1945 Vogue pattern.

The red plaid taffeta from Jo Ann’s was 50% off, and normally I do eschew all fibers unnatural and rustling, but this is 1945 and heaven knows nylon and rayon were THE thing to have. It’s fancier than I normally trend, clothing-wise, but that’s the fun of making things.

I bought buttons, just in case, though I was pretty sure I had some in my stash–and I did! (Photo surely proof that I need to replace the camera, or at the least, get the D40 sensor cleaned, stat!) These are from my husband’s grandmother’s stash, if not his great-grandmother’s, so they are of the period. Flowers and plaid, pretty scary usually, but moderately apropos here. It will be something to do in the awful heat we expect, though I am tempted to cut this out at work tomorrow night in the chilly realm of the Library reading room. I did not make a muslin of the bodice last night, I lazily drank two beers, ate pad thai, and fell asleep.