tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31988447120673544902023-12-27T22:40:48.787-06:00Gentle MusingsA 'little bit' German living and sewing in the French Illinois countryAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-34289021221808667732023-11-16T11:48:00.000-06:002023-11-16T11:48:05.823-06:00When life gets in the way<p> Going through my photos, it's been very clear I haven't accomplished nearly as much sewing this past year as I usually do. This has been the toughest health year for me yet, unfortunately, with a surgery for a fibroid that was bleeding me dry, a lot of joint pain from what I think is an undiagnosed autoimmune issue, and a lot of nerve pain in my extremities and headaches from spinal stenosis, which was an unpleasant surprise at the ripe old age of 38! I've been in and out of physical therapy quite a bit, and have a pain management doctor now... did not foresee any of this happening! On top of that, the rest of the year has been punctuated with smaller things like a mild bout of covid, a second degree chemical burn on my arm, and a second degree burn all the way around my ankle from a freakish bonfire accident (thanks to my husband who is still slightly in the doghouse). It has felt like every month brought a new health challenge!</p><p>Setting that aside though, I am really happy with the few things I have managed, including this beautiful cloak from Scroop Patterns: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGflnKUfv3ZPGepqYd_dFKmB-qqf3t8XnfGIZghnNPefnnSbX6FEBIFmKb_pFlZ15ZrYc_HeyYRLDIi2Gu-DkhXHc3msHHDItHQLRcqH7uVqeWG91b107hUFCAIcBvGK5LuvMp-UJ_MYOwMhHls_mmAgJa0jIJP-uE_FIpbo4toGlls3dLaogNodw5ko/s2660/48C53F00-A996-4406-8068-B4C2621C6521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2660" data-original-width="2660" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGflnKUfv3ZPGepqYd_dFKmB-qqf3t8XnfGIZghnNPefnnSbX6FEBIFmKb_pFlZ15ZrYc_HeyYRLDIi2Gu-DkhXHc3msHHDItHQLRcqH7uVqeWG91b107hUFCAIcBvGK5LuvMp-UJ_MYOwMhHls_mmAgJa0jIJP-uE_FIpbo4toGlls3dLaogNodw5ko/w400-h400/48C53F00-A996-4406-8068-B4C2621C6521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>This has been something I wanted to add to my wardrobe for a long time (more accessories in general, actually!) because I think the more layers of complexity there are to an ensemble, the more convincing it looks. This silk taffeta came cheap from FabricGuru a couple years ago and I have kept it in mind for this exact project ever since. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKluUTp-uq7xlG8Krn_pC5CTpRd8blCzjG29Zkxah0teOHd-tlneH_L_3B0mFaRe28Jk8sWmJPoJWg7YtkZbc3ZAko9GQd93N2_w62NbhkliVWdo2fZq9lUpy24wIVNYe0DXVfwDWSSHbZBHTHn84jj0MRsu1RswJ-vK7xWrS0AbR7whVlKhArKcS2dY/s2048/IMG_0392.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKluUTp-uq7xlG8Krn_pC5CTpRd8blCzjG29Zkxah0teOHd-tlneH_L_3B0mFaRe28Jk8sWmJPoJWg7YtkZbc3ZAko9GQd93N2_w62NbhkliVWdo2fZq9lUpy24wIVNYe0DXVfwDWSSHbZBHTHn84jj0MRsu1RswJ-vK7xWrS0AbR7whVlKhArKcS2dY/w300-h400/IMG_0392.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> Making the trim felt like it took an eternity (especially with hurting hands!) but it was also really soothing in the sheer repetition as I waited on hold on the phone with doctor's offices for hours 😒 <br /><p></p><p>I also finished a rose-red taffeta petticoat, and while I haven't worn it yet, I think it'd go really well with my black sacque for a touch of drama, or under my blue damask volante for a pop of surprising contrast color. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4Vpx-ybbv6AAakNVpkKxtAolFp1R8nJzfadPHdU-29xNM2en2NqoYcvlyVMZaTxz1zCt15Qmh-C8JseX1jny4XdJ4YLv0Jy-hW34QN-3IDGNg1Bv0Pskx8PJfnbC-Jl7ULmEE5HQlc7zabFHZABLF1T_OPslY1clCB-JzXuJmBLKFtMvioyzUBxtOIc/s2048/IMG_0320.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4Vpx-ybbv6AAakNVpkKxtAolFp1R8nJzfadPHdU-29xNM2en2NqoYcvlyVMZaTxz1zCt15Qmh-C8JseX1jny4XdJ4YLv0Jy-hW34QN-3IDGNg1Bv0Pskx8PJfnbC-Jl7ULmEE5HQlc7zabFHZABLF1T_OPslY1clCB-JzXuJmBLKFtMvioyzUBxtOIc/w300-h400/IMG_0320.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>One of the other things I accomplished at the end of the summer was to dump out ALL of my badly-organized fabric, measure it, re-fold it, and file it according to fiber content, because I find that tends to be the factor that holds the most importance for me when I need to find something quickly. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigba7iUMcgyMzHkW5SM4z3IodinnMQ3sS8dPR9WjZOlVAvqJEFa5A-l-39JlKknLqAoJtVD83YZwtOo40JfhqJJaBUZ4Rq6D3WO4GW0ZhPjIfVdAtAcsTzy_R8YklpstDlem07EHbYOv0cMJ6o93bHhsQRL_V3w-y5rox4vbhyV78S9-WbOP15fSGKVug/s2048/IMG_0037.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigba7iUMcgyMzHkW5SM4z3IodinnMQ3sS8dPR9WjZOlVAvqJEFa5A-l-39JlKknLqAoJtVD83YZwtOo40JfhqJJaBUZ4Rq6D3WO4GW0ZhPjIfVdAtAcsTzy_R8YklpstDlem07EHbYOv0cMJ6o93bHhsQRL_V3w-y5rox4vbhyV78S9-WbOP15fSGKVug/s320/IMG_0037.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>This bin of all-cotton will be quick and handy to reach for when I'm in need of lining for things (other than that chunk of burgundy with the yellow print, which is destined for a Regency day gown).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4jYm0LUwXlStfWHTAHco8i-oHao7spWp0rodMF8w4NdboDqwaOzJI6XUSXyzyXsM5cfN8yNfkFPJjbO05RwwLLJ4xl3Qoyn0CYTFzj5-CZGF7E8kwpSIIBks9gAdAbz-JbWsp9nfoma8XXu3t9pie-vdlQ832IjB-rBswErmkyYLD-Collh5wNVGapA/s2048/IMG_0129.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4jYm0LUwXlStfWHTAHco8i-oHao7spWp0rodMF8w4NdboDqwaOzJI6XUSXyzyXsM5cfN8yNfkFPJjbO05RwwLLJ4xl3Qoyn0CYTFzj5-CZGF7E8kwpSIIBks9gAdAbz-JbWsp9nfoma8XXu3t9pie-vdlQ832IjB-rBswErmkyYLD-Collh5wNVGapA/w400-h300/IMG_0129.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>My sewing room is nothing glamorous, just a basement room that sometimes gets water in the corner (hence everything sitting up on platforms or wheels!) but I feel very lucky to have a dedicated storage space at all! So now I have my synthetics, cottons, linens, silks, furs, and wool all consolidated, and even better is that now it's all CATALOGED. I say that with a thrill because my career is as a public library cataloger, so it gives me tremendous pleasure to have an accessible-from-anywhere catalog of my stash! I did it in Google Sheets so that I can look at it on my phone as well.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx3H71p723Em3FwV87v2hiSMAWOuNkrtv8VJRDyW3VK1tLNAax0RpxsEnRHQ-mOjn6-l_g2mz-w7LoxWtFC8cWMApjcO0n0ZNqJbTIw3jnjdAi7RMcpNthBMl8TQs4oMbnT1GLyIB20QDR2Nbim1jKxzqvywnE1uQlVvF1V2nlBFcEv3hBx6zF4nlVss/s1305/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1305" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimx3H71p723Em3FwV87v2hiSMAWOuNkrtv8VJRDyW3VK1tLNAax0RpxsEnRHQ-mOjn6-l_g2mz-w7LoxWtFC8cWMApjcO0n0ZNqJbTIw3jnjdAi7RMcpNthBMl8TQs4oMbnT1GLyIB20QDR2Nbim1jKxzqvywnE1uQlVvF1V2nlBFcEv3hBx6zF4nlVss/w640-h282/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So now I have a sortable record of everything in those bins; with one click on a column, I can look through my fibers, the colors, how much yardage I have, etc. A lot of things are already designated for projects I've had in mind for a very long time, but this should help me shop more wisely and hopefully less, now that I see just now many ideas I've already got the fabric for. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was quite the effort and took me several days to work through, but it's going to be such a good tool. I came across a meme recently that said "Did you know buying fabric and sewing are two different hobbies?" and the shriek of denial that exited me was tremendous... I need to do more sewing and less buying, no matter how much of a dopamine rush I get when I find a great deal 😅<br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-50257878041203987162023-09-06T18:40:00.001-05:002023-09-06T18:40:11.958-05:00Dancing our feet off<p>Much belated posting (but what else is new) of fun had at local dances! It's a delight to look back through photos again and relive the events several months later because they really were highlights of my year! This blog is ending up serving as the perfect scrapbook of memories.<br /></p><p>First up was a ball in February in Ste. Genevieve where we met up with our friends Ron and Justine and had just far too much fun. Displeased with the Marie Antoinette portrait trim of the last blog entry, I ripped off all the lace and self-trimmed the jacket -- now I like it so much that want to wear it all the time when the weather cools off again. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWAbhSBFJPDY66J6zrXOA5Olf11vFEF9mPWXyDzudW022cyavdS3LUXGn9JonwJ0UMvKmyo_d5onXsg90fEys9wRVxtrR-54Lvfr1iUFBSPeIEBqcuYWHoR7BwQA_99VK6czA31WorvrbOX42U7O8goEsy3I8wZPCBPv3M6h3vREFnc9-PJ1N0LDRUeA/s2048/IMG_7273.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWAbhSBFJPDY66J6zrXOA5Olf11vFEF9mPWXyDzudW022cyavdS3LUXGn9JonwJ0UMvKmyo_d5onXsg90fEys9wRVxtrR-54Lvfr1iUFBSPeIEBqcuYWHoR7BwQA_99VK6czA31WorvrbOX42U7O8goEsy3I8wZPCBPv3M6h3vREFnc9-PJ1N0LDRUeA/w300-h400/IMG_7273.jpeg" width="300" /></a> </p><p>My husband has been complaining for a while now about his lack of fancy
wardrobe, and while I love him, I don't love him enough to stumble
through a J.P. Ryan frock coat pattern, so I gave Butterick 3072 a try
for the coat and a new vest. The results were delightful! I could stand
to add more buttons at the coat's skirts and beneath the pocket flaps,
but it went together on the first try for the mockup and this was one of
the fastest men's makes I've ever done. There are a number of stash
taffetas set aside for more 18thc ensembles for my husband that will be
done with this pattern. I don't think the pattern called for a stiff
facing for the front edges but I knew even with the fairly hefty lining,
the buttons would go all twisty and the edges would droop, so I added
an interior strip of canvas. The breeches are Simplicity 4921 and while
it may be a tacky pirate pattern, the pants are actually really decent
for fall-front breeches. He was happy with it and comfortable in it
anyway, so that's what matters to me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu13RLB9J1XlUAF4QHqdaBJrn2drfelJyLnVSZ7-OAmdC4YUfCME5RHDTl0xwPh8BW0LEgkQW0WZ7MzVs-quaw2qjtzMPP6j9KdWZbhXmvFDcA-2NIIV8yw_q_TbiOcXY35YaOztXk9oPjKkMR4mqOBWwTit5Phiu0IuYmmE8azbMq6oVgJ-WAuYu_NU0/s2048/IMG_7278.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu13RLB9J1XlUAF4QHqdaBJrn2drfelJyLnVSZ7-OAmdC4YUfCME5RHDTl0xwPh8BW0LEgkQW0WZ7MzVs-quaw2qjtzMPP6j9KdWZbhXmvFDcA-2NIIV8yw_q_TbiOcXY35YaOztXk9oPjKkMR4mqOBWwTit5Phiu0IuYmmE8azbMq6oVgJ-WAuYu_NU0/w300-h400/IMG_7278.jpeg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> We ended up matching Justine's brother, and then their friend Michael was wearing red, so we joked that it looked like the "Christmas War" between red and green. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfSOS1Gx_XJo646YM9LvlUPU3hr3GLlxDnE0S418Qff1dqR-A6jgaMyfHQ2meYAkYc1F6Ccc-I2IE34F0HDldJcSDvRl8AgeEO1kpOPU1NHyV7jMznXfLKuj7w2-aRfPA0Qg2TI35pgo8FIYFH5PgAt4KPh5LIiE2_xIOM0a8IIxUVu5pHlIjnWQvLxg/s1440/9F3D69D4-4D0E-4D7B-904B-5AF0D5F8A36F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfSOS1Gx_XJo646YM9LvlUPU3hr3GLlxDnE0S418Qff1dqR-A6jgaMyfHQ2meYAkYc1F6Ccc-I2IE34F0HDldJcSDvRl8AgeEO1kpOPU1NHyV7jMznXfLKuj7w2-aRfPA0Qg2TI35pgo8FIYFH5PgAt4KPh5LIiE2_xIOM0a8IIxUVu5pHlIjnWQvLxg/w400-h400/9F3D69D4-4D0E-4D7B-904B-5AF0D5F8A36F.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Somehow we're just not made for the solemn and serious life... any time the four of us get together we can be sure there will be goofing off.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFKvalGtDT1bsQAHo_AF4FFuI0SQlzT-6kyEKhneuV6UDUGrn6TLIQq5vOeaFAtJdifBFCXBUkKe7lyyGovzF0PJRbnNwh_sShwcRIzlEi9ZFZPZYjYt-fXfh5tlqdtDzV5EVtncni8a8MPbrsWuKTEu2MneZVBeI-ULW50lOkjvjAbvZsTL8ejLMwok/s2048/IMG_7311.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFKvalGtDT1bsQAHo_AF4FFuI0SQlzT-6kyEKhneuV6UDUGrn6TLIQq5vOeaFAtJdifBFCXBUkKe7lyyGovzF0PJRbnNwh_sShwcRIzlEi9ZFZPZYjYt-fXfh5tlqdtDzV5EVtncni8a8MPbrsWuKTEu2MneZVBeI-ULW50lOkjvjAbvZsTL8ejLMwok/w300-h400/IMG_7311.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxfhe6PIV1HkNN8LjbwUv1H-ers7KHMqvUEtDYgbBW-gTgzla60j039OF90JQEufhDp3OB-ThBHxMhJWFYX375EVPOEJr63_Ps8BQnqzsd8x2Ma5w51bchtvX-Xz-TXUvu7NbEXRBSfPzy64v8Ksk4JRS6KvTfNilP91MpRTkRUJpjf9Lk2hbSN-Bvkg/s2048/IMG_7298.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxfhe6PIV1HkNN8LjbwUv1H-ers7KHMqvUEtDYgbBW-gTgzla60j039OF90JQEufhDp3OB-ThBHxMhJWFYX375EVPOEJr63_Ps8BQnqzsd8x2Ma5w51bchtvX-Xz-TXUvu7NbEXRBSfPzy64v8Ksk4JRS6KvTfNilP91MpRTkRUJpjf9Lk2hbSN-Bvkg/w300-h400/IMG_7298.jpeg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The BostonTea Boys were getting ready to drop a hot new album, I mean, crate of goods into the harbor...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_l2QJzeUxnKzPtzJVCKDvY0RhwB7sh8xvF52vjb5RiCaDfBf4fbs3HsJHf702tFX2wY4mKkv3YWMkpAMfFr9au-l2H_VF3E7RhpNSmK_C4iUQFtcuwQ8ABk8h7CkhyCR9fQ4qZaIa5Z1tHWzag9oQKqud8VRMYevEBLcH9SXsVSMAyuhKrQjGp5p3Qw/s2048/IMG_7352.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_l2QJzeUxnKzPtzJVCKDvY0RhwB7sh8xvF52vjb5RiCaDfBf4fbs3HsJHf702tFX2wY4mKkv3YWMkpAMfFr9au-l2H_VF3E7RhpNSmK_C4iUQFtcuwQ8ABk8h7CkhyCR9fQ4qZaIa5Z1tHWzag9oQKqud8VRMYevEBLcH9SXsVSMAyuhKrQjGp5p3Qw/w300-h400/IMG_7352.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><p>These shenanigans were followed up by a late night Taco Bell run so I can't say it was the most historical of events but one of the most enjoyable 😂<br /></p><p>Not long after, on my birthday weekend, a small public dance event was held under the St. Louis Arch, and I finished up long corduroy Regency pants for my husband from Laughing Moon pattern 131 (which have since been very much taken in because we both were not happy about how baggy they ended up being but that was entirely my fault over-estimating how much room his legs would take up, lol, not the pattern at all), Laughing Moon 125 for a vest, and then there was a half-finished Regency tailcoat passed on to me that had been sitting in a bin for years, so out that came and was duly finished... I thought he looked quite handsome in the whole ensemble!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQRh-ZzFg7t5NEzwW8iJzhnByNqg57jJEji1ZvJOQCH2HpZW9gPptG8FNtob18If4VV_BYeWg084jfgx-uBByCB64inP-CYdXZkB87oMUofCZ2JcFPaJeUTMwktK1UeoyaMJMgGu9nQ99EirrlZRQrWRMvhvndDfHV8s15BCX6AgG_in7QuGb_0bwdNo/s2993/IMG_7515.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2993" data-original-width="1627" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQRh-ZzFg7t5NEzwW8iJzhnByNqg57jJEji1ZvJOQCH2HpZW9gPptG8FNtob18If4VV_BYeWg084jfgx-uBByCB64inP-CYdXZkB87oMUofCZ2JcFPaJeUTMwktK1UeoyaMJMgGu9nQ99EirrlZRQrWRMvhvndDfHV8s15BCX6AgG_in7QuGb_0bwdNo/w217-h400/IMG_7515.jpeg" width="217" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...even though the pants clearly didn't fit right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyXWOHn7XZqrEzoMoDalqL8hGctpPEOyxLeeeAZ0t0veJyQfM79CEVZQGT8VvS1IjH_-hJfOQrFu1Rf77xUHTpNZWnKz0CWmwY_XdwH8A8yo078er8H-OoUqwYg94L5Wj7wTAaLdPQDmQs1oAaoU2JkX_q5rOUzdGX7NgQH06oahQmpYJaYRKTPnFuy8/s2838/IMG_7517.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyXWOHn7XZqrEzoMoDalqL8hGctpPEOyxLeeeAZ0t0veJyQfM79CEVZQGT8VvS1IjH_-hJfOQrFu1Rf77xUHTpNZWnKz0CWmwY_XdwH8A8yo078er8H-OoUqwYg94L5Wj7wTAaLdPQDmQs1oAaoU2JkX_q5rOUzdGX7NgQH06oahQmpYJaYRKTPnFuy8/w326-h400/IMG_7517.jpeg" width="326" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAb2w7fBPFcOXlmrof2bD-wJjk08sYxLPOjVWFs385A2NqA9p7q0KFSBXrK_U5PlTLM1snLj7g-Bk-N0hcu9L9lFd-v4ysxOo7vSVpv6IbTSLQ-YzKguTKJH92ZvIknLI4owNILhf80-mzF_hQMXTou6_TjZ2dOE9KBoeYerKD33KdrO5ypeIqR-Lf8o/s4032/IMG_7525.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAb2w7fBPFcOXlmrof2bD-wJjk08sYxLPOjVWFs385A2NqA9p7q0KFSBXrK_U5PlTLM1snLj7g-Bk-N0hcu9L9lFd-v4ysxOo7vSVpv6IbTSLQ-YzKguTKJH92ZvIknLI4owNILhf80-mzF_hQMXTou6_TjZ2dOE9KBoeYerKD33KdrO5ypeIqR-Lf8o/w300-h400/IMG_7525.jpeg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I feel very lucky he's willing to play dress-up with me, so all the tailoring for these events didn't feel like much of a chore. Usually I hate sewing for other people and avoid it like the plague, but for a well-dressed escort it's worth it! He is very much a Mr. Bingley... very amiable, good-natured, and ready to please.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDxZgp9yhergQUP-N57l8zNoceiyIhhPlUS8_XIh_g5M_alWzf70L9Z_cmMauRwAia1N_FBvgQ0fWEtrZV71AuYDA_ysUnJXFVghnWiK610H7T57EVXeSfybC7bJUvWBRWfcie6XMhaCRuSr1RsGQ9zFs_PC02Zta_UKvq5KaAKXo8pIMAxPJkGY2-3o/s2048/IMG_7546.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDxZgp9yhergQUP-N57l8zNoceiyIhhPlUS8_XIh_g5M_alWzf70L9Z_cmMauRwAia1N_FBvgQ0fWEtrZV71AuYDA_ysUnJXFVghnWiK610H7T57EVXeSfybC7bJUvWBRWfcie6XMhaCRuSr1RsGQ9zFs_PC02Zta_UKvq5KaAKXo8pIMAxPJkGY2-3o/w300-h400/IMG_7546.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>After the dance (which we weren't at for very long, I was running out of steam that day and working on a headache) I persuaded him to stop at a local mausoleum in our county that I'd heard of but never actually seen in person. It's extremely impressive, built into the side of a bluff overlooking the Mississippi flood plain. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XzajiewAYOxbHDssG0S_P_viSJj9YE71SL3AQpGPvwoHN115-TqQO5Ng8EzHQm8vIBS4Exx93a-iN2u4b_hLWOGBmeN-2kB9W37tNrqrmI21fOS526Tj1A3JXHUno7aj6ZbNdxeYdNwvlRTh8chTKnt_tCKVmBbcePAXQTuk_h42Jm81FbJdXWKSBDc/s1800/1128B0E9-B50A-4343-B0D2-FD25FD7BD12A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XzajiewAYOxbHDssG0S_P_viSJj9YE71SL3AQpGPvwoHN115-TqQO5Ng8EzHQm8vIBS4Exx93a-iN2u4b_hLWOGBmeN-2kB9W37tNrqrmI21fOS526Tj1A3JXHUno7aj6ZbNdxeYdNwvlRTh8chTKnt_tCKVmBbcePAXQTuk_h42Jm81FbJdXWKSBDc/w512-h640/1128B0E9-B50A-4343-B0D2-FD25FD7BD12A.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />The honey-colored limestone looked warm and inviting next to my gold dress (silk is from my friend's shop at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EnsemblesOfThePast" target="_blank">Ensembles of the Past</a>) and I almost felt like I was stepping forth from some ancient Venetian doorway -- at least, so said my wishful thinking and FOMO over all the folks who were at that time attending Carnevale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>And to wrap up the dancing sessions, just this past month we met up with Ron and Justine again for the first (and definitely not last!) dance in many a year held at the Peterstown House in my hometown. The president of the historic house's association estimated that probably no dancing had been done there in a hundred years, but it used to be a very well-trod floor according to local documents!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtPmhwHiRoSFgi9X42JnUEswXghSzEc4cSbaMbGe-7Nil9FCUDBUTN7dEQj4AWeSTpsDaBdWa_stRAiTfC70A9evqmpfhyhL_7Unsr8VzMoy_dHU3pR2G1_dFy3RPrrujvVDSvU8k5TqPmSTtMTEN-8tjmO-phoKbzZb3cPeg3ZWlQzMQn-rYMJwc82A/s2048/IMG_9889.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtPmhwHiRoSFgi9X42JnUEswXghSzEc4cSbaMbGe-7Nil9FCUDBUTN7dEQj4AWeSTpsDaBdWa_stRAiTfC70A9evqmpfhyhL_7Unsr8VzMoy_dHU3pR2G1_dFy3RPrrujvVDSvU8k5TqPmSTtMTEN-8tjmO-phoKbzZb3cPeg3ZWlQzMQn-rYMJwc82A/w300-h400/IMG_9889.jpeg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course historic house air conditioning is never going to be up to snuff and we knew it would be a toasty evening, so the men went very rural-casual in their shirtsleeves and vests, and I wore an older cotton gown (from my favorite Regency pattern, Laughing Moon #126) rather than sweat to death in silk! You can see E's pants are considerably less baggy here than last time after some hasty downsizing, haha.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgh2pmPAumA59SN4DuT-6wVfTHSshcgifGJaA5qH3weuiriIDuHuxMY4I9JL-y4ZiTdwizqqugrVK3bOpULgN7SECXGDuin9FPjGYVEpZX5akqbXuKWPxuNSS7LYDOxUXP2_DQyMShSLe8_-CXRrTF9LKiLv1U0FdKii5hI5gInHSa5T7Q8ezgDKFebI/s2048/IMG_9896.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgh2pmPAumA59SN4DuT-6wVfTHSshcgifGJaA5qH3weuiriIDuHuxMY4I9JL-y4ZiTdwizqqugrVK3bOpULgN7SECXGDuin9FPjGYVEpZX5akqbXuKWPxuNSS7LYDOxUXP2_DQyMShSLe8_-CXRrTF9LKiLv1U0FdKii5hI5gInHSa5T7Q8ezgDKFebI/w300-h400/IMG_9896.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">...I won't show you the more ridiculous selfies we took; good thing we are both wife'd-up, because no respectable man would have spoken to us after our nonsense.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYi369UqeDv3jy6ctUEgZ3ZVV-bZUEvo0ad921YLnWYvo_n1EAq35o0gTL-ovD2PPbPBEZ8UAl8DjnvqWcLnwIRo5WV1Dt51wd5RwdfRX_lEHfYwcKobY8zbKeuoJtrovCYrru9-6uWnbk0dvPvuYvzlyBvuVE4b1IG0PqsXixSTmXyZ5uzQHA29NNpE/s2016/IMG_9922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1134" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYi369UqeDv3jy6ctUEgZ3ZVV-bZUEvo0ad921YLnWYvo_n1EAq35o0gTL-ovD2PPbPBEZ8UAl8DjnvqWcLnwIRo5WV1Dt51wd5RwdfRX_lEHfYwcKobY8zbKeuoJtrovCYrru9-6uWnbk0dvPvuYvzlyBvuVE4b1IG0PqsXixSTmXyZ5uzQHA29NNpE/w360-h640/IMG_9922.JPG" width="360" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(the very picture of gentility, for a couple seconds anyway)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubhoqVC_ThllAvtykq2MyXWGzuad3REp7hMcwhIZjV4QEef0KQOKPq-ZwnlTGOavhJPuy1G1M01doJSmhC1dQKUh5Neb00bXQXs3fNpPi5tHr03MKo8DwOXZJ4ll5sV1yZNFGdOLw3Bgho8O4aykypbCHXOHcmaYt_jrmU-n63lEcAVK-ZgW6-fcsPzs/s2000/IMG_9923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubhoqVC_ThllAvtykq2MyXWGzuad3REp7hMcwhIZjV4QEef0KQOKPq-ZwnlTGOavhJPuy1G1M01doJSmhC1dQKUh5Neb00bXQXs3fNpPi5tHr03MKo8DwOXZJ4ll5sV1yZNFGdOLw3Bgho8O4aykypbCHXOHcmaYt_jrmU-n63lEcAVK-ZgW6-fcsPzs/w480-h640/IMG_9923.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And we can't seem to be together without needing to get food at some point, so of course we opted for yet another historically-accurate food source on this evening: strip-mall sushi!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihQbWQh-kB87J053deJR5oE0SWUt6D8MuRMLk28E0QSAb8-HApW1B5y1FZ1Dbj-eZqF4kBGuuvOWLlVDm6rLBRxFgO_JZqUL3pZjbc0vSJMI-RET8C1VQQCUhRPfcoZ_08SGHRB-HdA3XjJWcm5uJezzEzqSCVI7xCnWTj51jW8pzHYA8mTt3k6qH-vA/s3088/IMG_9913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihQbWQh-kB87J053deJR5oE0SWUt6D8MuRMLk28E0QSAb8-HApW1B5y1FZ1Dbj-eZqF4kBGuuvOWLlVDm6rLBRxFgO_JZqUL3pZjbc0vSJMI-RET8C1VQQCUhRPfcoZ_08SGHRB-HdA3XjJWcm5uJezzEzqSCVI7xCnWTj51jW8pzHYA8mTt3k6qH-vA/w300-h400/IMG_9913.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time! <br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-57596181388493816132023-02-03T12:54:00.001-06:002023-02-03T12:54:15.411-06:00Holiday Historic House trips (photo-heavy!)<p> Oops behind again, this seems to be a perpetual theme... I had wanted to post this in December yet! It was an extremely happy month of exposure to historical homes looking their very best in all their holiday trappings, so I'm taking the time to fully document it for myself to look back on.</p><p><br /></p><p>My sweet friend Justine of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/EarlyAmerican" target="_blank">Early American</a> persuaded me to go down to Ste. Genevieve to do a couple of house tours and hang out for the day, and then in turn, she came across the river to tour the Pierre Menard home, the last true remnant of French Kaskaskia (because the rest got washed away by the Mississippi by the mid 1800s). It's been a true delight visiting, and it turns out our significant others get along very well -- in fact we are going to a dance this weekend!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZMuxqyHDQG72bDHW4vP0EkAGGvLfJfJ5hhAJBdg1TWLuEE0PUYy5fI87k0ikyZV6rsTcyd-SHlwoopoc2UvTTxlLm2SBLsHk6qm3cqjNo0QHzase4W_p1K4zMHPQ4qQY206I5lccveF9jRwMD-M7Zpg5jP8m6poPCwaUiOpWCOqD0t3JOAFo-cmW/s2048/IMG_6523.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZMuxqyHDQG72bDHW4vP0EkAGGvLfJfJ5hhAJBdg1TWLuEE0PUYy5fI87k0ikyZV6rsTcyd-SHlwoopoc2UvTTxlLm2SBLsHk6qm3cqjNo0QHzase4W_p1K4zMHPQ4qQY206I5lccveF9jRwMD-M7Zpg5jP8m6poPCwaUiOpWCOqD0t3JOAFo-cmW/w480-h640/IMG_6523.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>We started at her friend's store in a historic house, full of adorable Early American and primitive-style home decor (and tinned tea, and Christmas ornaments... with enough money I would have bought out the whole store). After a quick mosey to the town's adorable small post office and a stop at Quintessential Rivertown Tea for a delightful hot cup, we headed over to the Centre for French Colonial Life and looked at the many French artifacts in the museum before we were taken just down the street to the house tours, with the Bolduc House (c. 1788) being the first. I know from descriptions of the historic French homes on the Illinois side of the river that they were often little 1 or 2 room shingled/thatched plastered and whitewashed homes that have semi-medieval French roots, but it's delightful to see them with period furnishings like the one below. Families were generally crammed into one room at night, so beds with curtains you could pull shut were essential for privacy. A second larger room was then added to the house later<br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOZYspZ3vsLFFJV200uqhWVfpa67N3e2N3bN6sQCC1Niyx50Nfmj1k5gUTy7PJ4aJGkz4q7kdxuDhhyGlUaTOKiSEOIuKzIBF_EHxP-xqVPLqeTWZ9zQbDo9E1fxi5A9T3gYSWGGdvO1AnMxy4Yf2ljbPLMKeBcZxD9omH-Zeb0xICbxz4-cB8GhI/s2048/IMG_6526.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOZYspZ3vsLFFJV200uqhWVfpa67N3e2N3bN6sQCC1Niyx50Nfmj1k5gUTy7PJ4aJGkz4q7kdxuDhhyGlUaTOKiSEOIuKzIBF_EHxP-xqVPLqeTWZ9zQbDo9E1fxi5A9T3gYSWGGdvO1AnMxy4Yf2ljbPLMKeBcZxD9omH-Zeb0xICbxz4-cB8GhI/w480-h640/IMG_6526.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">A second larger room was then added to the house later, with more room for socializing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2J_7WP3D6bni47IqfpdTGMbM42pXCId91AFx_dC2w6ITzVO1Ohmxjt7KsXo8cDhEAyWI0ku6Mi3jXVXSlhFugnvaZ7b7PGZqTE6e6cbyKfOK0HT9HLcmdzcgO4GCEg0kDmO65aezXR63kZLNdbX8BnXv60ZAkd7UE5Nn9swv5xdqCB9AdDvY36Pd/w480-h640/IMG_6529.JPEG" width="480" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zWKibqPnte0BqfCbVxecpRJ7VlfnbqizVXlgEoyFwX9dJyt9lLz83LLLyFTfGBbeYEI8SR3A6ygFjAspbBsqP9Gm7GYt-ADkVFt2q4KXvANFgr7xezZP601nbW8RvfG9Ku5XSyfXpRoU4U_JNBpoXIAwc4dd0atcoGU-FbXRIc4vafz2lNN7N8cS/s2048/IMG_6532.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zWKibqPnte0BqfCbVxecpRJ7VlfnbqizVXlgEoyFwX9dJyt9lLz83LLLyFTfGBbeYEI8SR3A6ygFjAspbBsqP9Gm7GYt-ADkVFt2q4KXvANFgr7xezZP601nbW8RvfG9Ku5XSyfXpRoU4U_JNBpoXIAwc4dd0atcoGU-FbXRIc4vafz2lNN7N8cS/w480-h640/IMG_6532.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47CA9IHWFVfpDody156UKv7kXFgKvegiwzprbvkbSIt89M-KXYy4t2gCxOm3SbPuqIVxgBA-fRBZNgY77aQc1gsfxGlZPuL4r9Fc1sMzMMSjLA90W19PCOKfQhFvz_7tBlrX5ZwfT4OP1UWbLOwT65MPaKi2cRwWxiXGwy0qAxzK8pGCl2hKI4hUW/s2048/IMG_6533.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47CA9IHWFVfpDody156UKv7kXFgKvegiwzprbvkbSIt89M-KXYy4t2gCxOm3SbPuqIVxgBA-fRBZNgY77aQc1gsfxGlZPuL4r9Fc1sMzMMSjLA90W19PCOKfQhFvz_7tBlrX5ZwfT4OP1UWbLOwT65MPaKi2cRwWxiXGwy0qAxzK8pGCl2hKI4hUW/w480-h640/IMG_6533.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This beautiful armoire, stained by flood water at the bottom (always a threat in this riverine area) is a locally crafted piece of 18thc furniture, and the guide was explaining the stylistic differences between it and Canadian-made or French-made pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdh0F5AMOGm2lyqCcF0XNBF7cKEMhorgqZzxVgiChCCn5Qmzk0YLbmGgfLoD8THLzTEQCKkkFm_B5N5Kmi-u6XR_T-BW57lDL-Yh_vqZ5E1uvxdIs1OsXbKPkXJgJJEtw9UAa5lcM71etoZY0kl0id9VGWW1k_ts80nTFuVD8MLadBtQfSHWV9NUm/s1008/992D5F4C-1D2F-4478-AE07-B60573F5EBA7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdh0F5AMOGm2lyqCcF0XNBF7cKEMhorgqZzxVgiChCCn5Qmzk0YLbmGgfLoD8THLzTEQCKkkFm_B5N5Kmi-u6XR_T-BW57lDL-Yh_vqZ5E1uvxdIs1OsXbKPkXJgJJEtw9UAa5lcM71etoZY0kl0id9VGWW1k_ts80nTFuVD8MLadBtQfSHWV9NUm/w480-h640/992D5F4C-1D2F-4478-AE07-B60573F5EBA7.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I certainly would have liked to take it home with me! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qpoGo08_6yFjifYR_WexKDKDdSStVPhdD2pkwsTxvmz27eCwtqlJv0fSX9a4B6i8UkaFa9gqM0XpDFSGJgSJ4wmS7CKwx1p3gzKlm0XniOKORFk-wRXOPYubQJ5KGUJGm5cUXJRkQWrGMj1IwmJH2ou7S13loPb6P7a-Phigc-wV3lLoTXYjt5Ae/s1008/716B8E81-F094-430E-A194-3787D581A2AA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qpoGo08_6yFjifYR_WexKDKDdSStVPhdD2pkwsTxvmz27eCwtqlJv0fSX9a4B6i8UkaFa9gqM0XpDFSGJgSJ4wmS7CKwx1p3gzKlm0XniOKORFk-wRXOPYubQJ5KGUJGm5cUXJRkQWrGMj1IwmJH2ou7S13loPb6P7a-Phigc-wV3lLoTXYjt5Ae/w480-h640/716B8E81-F094-430E-A194-3787D581A2AA.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This middle room, barely larger than a wide hallway, was the owner's "office" from which he conducted most of his business dealings. The bench on the far right folds down to reveal a bed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tour moved immediately next door to the Bolduc-LeMeilleur House (c.1820) and Justine and I loved the color scheme... soft ivory and a light greyish-green. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqpVXsDN-ycrzm7x60Shc6oJcQ1HgSGQMDqYVP57bf_WsRUiQ5V3cpMs1ZUQ8ui3-FI05dJcmY9fWOJnEq0tOz3yAqZmDV8cDtYsRGeqgcqL-vLXchriCuulBvmjrTUvtsnVhDLmZ7UhZ6tngMDwHSg8GcDnniK79LUDXWdv2pRUAPbEGUlV-b0qr/s2048/IMG_6542.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqpVXsDN-ycrzm7x60Shc6oJcQ1HgSGQMDqYVP57bf_WsRUiQ5V3cpMs1ZUQ8ui3-FI05dJcmY9fWOJnEq0tOz3yAqZmDV8cDtYsRGeqgcqL-vLXchriCuulBvmjrTUvtsnVhDLmZ7UhZ6tngMDwHSg8GcDnniK79LUDXWdv2pRUAPbEGUlV-b0qr/w480-h640/IMG_6542.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVop1v9yL8l0g0s4ZdN5nY425cN5aRQu-aEGbZvnTmZrYho-HP0szt52c9z6pcMw9eFe4mb1z_Di6QfcJTeqqj9qTAtC84Wrydx2745kTWtg6jVNaL8F3Bx6nqnfVEY5icJNpykvbVh3oESofQh3aQGGaxBx_aOFvbJIfVpIEhzngyRGSqjJ3wexH/s2048/IMG_6546.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVop1v9yL8l0g0s4ZdN5nY425cN5aRQu-aEGbZvnTmZrYho-HP0szt52c9z6pcMw9eFe4mb1z_Di6QfcJTeqqj9qTAtC84Wrydx2745kTWtg6jVNaL8F3Bx6nqnfVEY5icJNpykvbVh3oESofQh3aQGGaxBx_aOFvbJIfVpIEhzngyRGSqjJ3wexH/w480-h640/IMG_6546.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYE03u_WKAzB4EkBwwX9YWVX8KlZSAkCLF-wOizFWfdtnpQpJSZf7dt_V0QLoDv0pGTuLrGvWNUlKHRJBOaq9DGpUKof3QSg9WQdkqpc9olp2H-MaZGWSaKpGtbLo8z4oAK69VM-LkCOCq4KYj4PJ4Ji_jC-8bEOrlLwX4-oSHnXCNX3570QLtujO/s2048/IMG_6547.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYE03u_WKAzB4EkBwwX9YWVX8KlZSAkCLF-wOizFWfdtnpQpJSZf7dt_V0QLoDv0pGTuLrGvWNUlKHRJBOaq9DGpUKof3QSg9WQdkqpc9olp2H-MaZGWSaKpGtbLo8z4oAK69VM-LkCOCq4KYj4PJ4Ji_jC-8bEOrlLwX4-oSHnXCNX3570QLtujO/w480-h640/IMG_6547.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This house was considerably less cramped than the older, previous one, so yes I think I could settle in here quite well, haha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTbqBaPD0ahJMOnciCBqJ5gOUcmHDw2gO0yXE72uI0LrGCVZnj7j8D-3y84y_sOHALSzesyALCk5ONseVEubyzVQp88uGiSfteqQ3qtAR62pX_cMjlABTmdEiJNXdyq1kXSNkYMpRyx-uVNY_B8tSZdVUvB3lNwmVrGNI6eswsqlOqbEQ5CDP_q2u/s2048/IMG_6553.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTbqBaPD0ahJMOnciCBqJ5gOUcmHDw2gO0yXE72uI0LrGCVZnj7j8D-3y84y_sOHALSzesyALCk5ONseVEubyzVQp88uGiSfteqQ3qtAR62pX_cMjlABTmdEiJNXdyq1kXSNkYMpRyx-uVNY_B8tSZdVUvB3lNwmVrGNI6eswsqlOqbEQ5CDP_q2u/w480-h640/IMG_6553.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think Justine said her fiance Ron actually made the replica table in the dining room. He does early furniture-making and painting. While this house and its rooms aren't lavish, they're plenty comfortable, and it's easy to imagine living in them even today, as opposed to the much earlier-style home we first visited. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioozDXHzOkeiLpgrnkLEAh1DEouhgxt0KsN8LWGWRk5Um2R4MkBeVcH4hZEOKgiD-_z1nERYMja3m8Nuz2FbPNYbxpQ7x9UJBXBMXnGT9JV98AemUDs3ba-YjMCeK5hvsQw5n1R4GJmxxRfEv-P916DTZ0WxhxCgGls1LefqNVcOjcLIqmWdq2oFs8/s2048/IMG_6555.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioozDXHzOkeiLpgrnkLEAh1DEouhgxt0KsN8LWGWRk5Um2R4MkBeVcH4hZEOKgiD-_z1nERYMja3m8Nuz2FbPNYbxpQ7x9UJBXBMXnGT9JV98AemUDs3ba-YjMCeK5hvsQw5n1R4GJmxxRfEv-P916DTZ0WxhxCgGls1LefqNVcOjcLIqmWdq2oFs8/w480-h640/IMG_6555.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wrapping up this tour, we then headed a couple blocks over to the Felix Vallé house, which is run by the State of Missouri. It was built roughly 1818 and they keep it furnished in the style of the 1830s. It has a small general store out of which they did business at the front, and then several rooms much more ornate than the first couple houses we saw:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcovLVSjkDslLFmOrV1IswlZFleCLNuBY-IyKsG2Yg4DZiqped9UK0nN0i7UHcnzaRENFtrwTYOWj7Ywy-g9iElhvmsybxzpCh2cnV0islvdPOXpcmcul49T2R9usaL2cStXIQChXTZ2I6sgIbGK41wsauC3qMEK2Kr_NDc3iReg0kzp0BV0UvJOs/s2048/IMG_6559.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcovLVSjkDslLFmOrV1IswlZFleCLNuBY-IyKsG2Yg4DZiqped9UK0nN0i7UHcnzaRENFtrwTYOWj7Ywy-g9iElhvmsybxzpCh2cnV0islvdPOXpcmcul49T2R9usaL2cStXIQChXTZ2I6sgIbGK41wsauC3qMEK2Kr_NDc3iReg0kzp0BV0UvJOs/w480-h640/IMG_6559.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3eXUN7XheVPS1DE8VLTbe4GMAt8iyqs36-mzQq6ZKEQ6DdO3J-199ag8yi8nDIeBXxdmXbz_Np2L-gGy44PvEOX5JVXUDR2n5-R0xM6zNmtbZ_INy4fZ7Hu-ja9FTxwMyRuSvU4qjqNDr_qpqv6M848Pxo-22gvoK3Y3inyU-oPSInlIs_S6ESS9/s2048/IMG_6561.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn3eXUN7XheVPS1DE8VLTbe4GMAt8iyqs36-mzQq6ZKEQ6DdO3J-199ag8yi8nDIeBXxdmXbz_Np2L-gGy44PvEOX5JVXUDR2n5-R0xM6zNmtbZ_INy4fZ7Hu-ja9FTxwMyRuSvU4qjqNDr_qpqv6M848Pxo-22gvoK3Y3inyU-oPSInlIs_S6ESS9/w480-h640/IMG_6561.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtHBGUqJvY6EKncQJThtqznN4uOgKOH1VH2i7lIING-Hvf6DZOJ20OOw_lfJbTMIKq3nWOQX1vw01x26nRi_a5VRCtI7O6V-fAYy2HXXApteln9Y7hAM5oPKy37osvYgb-V9R5pq2KrSnKwuryqn-l6I-LuNigePUH7dLs0cnNheQ--SMGgiWXmGj/s2048/IMG_6564.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtHBGUqJvY6EKncQJThtqznN4uOgKOH1VH2i7lIING-Hvf6DZOJ20OOw_lfJbTMIKq3nWOQX1vw01x26nRi_a5VRCtI7O6V-fAYy2HXXApteln9Y7hAM5oPKy37osvYgb-V9R5pq2KrSnKwuryqn-l6I-LuNigePUH7dLs0cnNheQ--SMGgiWXmGj/w480-h640/IMG_6564.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q-pFYATIpEbcTood2iDpGof67z12s1Orp6oYd7uzikRCcvv2SwF6r18ym0_veCDUGAJsZgiFDjoUx7PlqFJRK5w7T-8eEe-FH-hEVSEOdJheTWRFPdCkc3VC0YegvQjY94GVaaj8W-ML9fVPezHIxnE13mrlKi3BpLIw_8NIee-RfK4KEliBIym-/s2048/IMG_6569.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q-pFYATIpEbcTood2iDpGof67z12s1Orp6oYd7uzikRCcvv2SwF6r18ym0_veCDUGAJsZgiFDjoUx7PlqFJRK5w7T-8eEe-FH-hEVSEOdJheTWRFPdCkc3VC0YegvQjY94GVaaj8W-ML9fVPezHIxnE13mrlKi3BpLIw_8NIee-RfK4KEliBIym-/w480-h640/IMG_6569.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The small outbuilding to the back was used as a laundry room and bathing room, and I found the rusticity of its colors very charming:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv-I9BybhL9fIJEyTUl5JjwRUCb6CkUBdB3cBxqNAd_TaCEDIsQPDgH1zOZLDUgkSP_3-AWu3CvoxrItU3dSOTq0zOIXxg6B0B4ONvC069OPql5gDL-9on4ZG0IW8GfWuSuW39jkAw4M-cyt2bzDAYqrcke-k_vbjQIR8C06dh_8VoljzMxWcsphk/s2048/IMG_6570.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv-I9BybhL9fIJEyTUl5JjwRUCb6CkUBdB3cBxqNAd_TaCEDIsQPDgH1zOZLDUgkSP_3-AWu3CvoxrItU3dSOTq0zOIXxg6B0B4ONvC069OPql5gDL-9on4ZG0IW8GfWuSuW39jkAw4M-cyt2bzDAYqrcke-k_vbjQIR8C06dh_8VoljzMxWcsphk/w480-h640/IMG_6570.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I feel it's vital to note that French Colonial prosperity, though bolstered by the independent fur traders, craftsmen, and farmers, owed a chunk of its success to enslaved labor. Ste. Genevieve (and other French colonial sites) are only getting started on the necessary research for bringing to light the historically ignored contingent of Africans (roughly a third of the population in the area) who were brought in for work in the houses, the gardens, and the fields. Most of their cabins have been pushed over on the historic properties, and not yet excavated or reconstructed, so I'm looking forward to seeing the progress that appears to be in the works to show a sliver of their lives. There were also a few free people of color who owned houses in town in the early 19thc, some of which are still standing, a great educational opportunity that I hope will be expanded on.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the back courtyard of another set of historic buildings, we took advantage of a perfect little entryway:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsU-rp79Oslg7N9B2OM9srRwGz7E2Pm0DRxsHDvDCVePJ8QRj-5jg57iZchsWlyFDIeZqrdbYn5aCmmjcNK3zLTpR_SdcoXqCQYoIyx1C4fKASzSGJKXENbI_jQQqGdkD7szEgt0ApgZ2CKqg9_8oI7N_yfeQjSY0CJ_foj3Tgf7SWpzvgH1NiDsn/s2048/IMG_6574.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsU-rp79Oslg7N9B2OM9srRwGz7E2Pm0DRxsHDvDCVePJ8QRj-5jg57iZchsWlyFDIeZqrdbYn5aCmmjcNK3zLTpR_SdcoXqCQYoIyx1C4fKASzSGJKXENbI_jQQqGdkD7szEgt0ApgZ2CKqg9_8oI7N_yfeQjSY0CJ_foj3Tgf7SWpzvgH1NiDsn/w480-h640/IMG_6574.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsL2oz7vcoeELe5TfgLAKWe-rdQzfrXSN4DMzx8CLVDdUGiYijqC-EJWo_XdZmcv6mR1-H_yzGOY9EjW1QLf7lskH2rSrvP8LQBnFQbWxWye4ruR1Uio7zZOSaeIYVeQij78MU7Goo0kPJ3bn8kBTlo-49pW5MdSLdhg2ucK_4LQxeG3-P1mk-Bxe_/s2048/IMG_6575.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsL2oz7vcoeELe5TfgLAKWe-rdQzfrXSN4DMzx8CLVDdUGiYijqC-EJWo_XdZmcv6mR1-H_yzGOY9EjW1QLf7lskH2rSrvP8LQBnFQbWxWye4ruR1Uio7zZOSaeIYVeQij78MU7Goo0kPJ3bn8kBTlo-49pW5MdSLdhg2ucK_4LQxeG3-P1mk-Bxe_/w480-h640/IMG_6575.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsQNfLZtSBPsgOJjcOt0kmd3PRcTJKT2Q32rNidrM-0kIxIji5G_rlgfr-o5Oor1PkGprDU_rJDxfZDlXtH66a7Edv7HZSruZXKcl-d2mJByVPc5BTg_bHV8ecR-QScy3nBU_sjFxxd2NJxtqOdAqxGkvpdR-ak2-R0OARs-4han6lNaCCC068Npv/s2048/IMG_6577.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsQNfLZtSBPsgOJjcOt0kmd3PRcTJKT2Q32rNidrM-0kIxIji5G_rlgfr-o5Oor1PkGprDU_rJDxfZDlXtH66a7Edv7HZSruZXKcl-d2mJByVPc5BTg_bHV8ecR-QScy3nBU_sjFxxd2NJxtqOdAqxGkvpdR-ak2-R0OARs-4han6lNaCCC068Npv/w480-h640/IMG_6577.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...visited the local pewter shop where I lost my cap feathers to a VERY curious and very large kitty (so handsome)... <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHyGO-_MitKf55TYuJprXN8wJ3IGoXbD-Y8ZXQ4uZpfXhvAPuLZIhpS-d4QFlXmep2z3RHYEMwsBIi2SYU-Bg4_ic0qmW6sX_dslaX3ng8LI6ZVji4tcvjrAXrcfAD3NNU6BWgpWMsiYt0B4wO7W2VMVsq2GA7ym8PuV8tFGzQ7I9dAPEfNGc7hf6/s2048/IMG_6582.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHyGO-_MitKf55TYuJprXN8wJ3IGoXbD-Y8ZXQ4uZpfXhvAPuLZIhpS-d4QFlXmep2z3RHYEMwsBIi2SYU-Bg4_ic0qmW6sX_dslaX3ng8LI6ZVji4tcvjrAXrcfAD3NNU6BWgpWMsiYt0B4wO7W2VMVsq2GA7ym8PuV8tFGzQ7I9dAPEfNGc7hf6/w480-h640/IMG_6582.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and peeked inside the imposing brick Catholic church, built in 1880. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdIgS5VjQidwVsZOzyuBNLv8H5325jk_To357dTeZKT1XC4LsBv3FBmvOLXZX-Yg2r1bN1EimveIvABI6ELKT81qIeeKP5LhZTp2bq8Y-jNBI7VUZaKgS0MBS51zAr89K8wceH11xeRQolmbfB7j1dtQMuf1c1Rr-HcgYtvvm48_-pcqY9QkOGWSx/s2048/IMG_6583.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdIgS5VjQidwVsZOzyuBNLv8H5325jk_To357dTeZKT1XC4LsBv3FBmvOLXZX-Yg2r1bN1EimveIvABI6ELKT81qIeeKP5LhZTp2bq8Y-jNBI7VUZaKgS0MBS51zAr89K8wceH11xeRQolmbfB7j1dtQMuf1c1Rr-HcgYtvvm48_-pcqY9QkOGWSx/w480-h640/IMG_6583.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p>We wrapped up our visit with lunch at "The Old Brick House," a restaurant that claims to be the oldest brick building west of the Mississippi River, built in 1780.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireEvedJUnudMw4nIir8UK7L4Hsd5flnNXH6LY3jp-HSef3qNz4SIQqcFI6OzV0rBy7mdWSEw6XJ1ylZ0x4eFJV9cpVl_eIR83Hc-hj8liZ2qt6eum3PhaDt_w-oGZ9rPFthKZUCBQh8W1aXtRhN2sYc0HhaiEl1oG78xZYkx1BDSYvMMkZkvkucIB/s337/327154631_587709552689846_3335331111302749884_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="337" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireEvedJUnudMw4nIir8UK7L4Hsd5flnNXH6LY3jp-HSef3qNz4SIQqcFI6OzV0rBy7mdWSEw6XJ1ylZ0x4eFJV9cpVl_eIR83Hc-hj8liZ2qt6eum3PhaDt_w-oGZ9rPFthKZUCBQh8W1aXtRhN2sYc0HhaiEl1oG78xZYkx1BDSYvMMkZkvkucIB/s320/327154631_587709552689846_3335331111302749884_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The very next day volunteered down at Fort de Chartres together in the store for a Colonial Christmas market! The store was frequently packed with people and the artisans were pleased with their sales. I picked up candles, ornaments, evergreen arrangements, heirloom seed packets, and more for Christmas gifts that turned out to be very appreciated by the recipients.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fyvZAtlMTYw6jUkHjoDDhmVrBNddIrbFo7uJ2qP6WTBdQooc2zoYS5Zl3qdX2a78P44cNQgvObLwYNAeYQv0GGH6K1F9mlePXsyKz4w4-YlEfdRlXh5ay7UVYEFnkBYTfgW37jo10QPOI90YV1Atf3ryYtHtcOeVDGO83mEYY_te9N8Im_E7RamH/s1080/ED52F36E-5C9B-4E8D-879E-15C31399E353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fyvZAtlMTYw6jUkHjoDDhmVrBNddIrbFo7uJ2qP6WTBdQooc2zoYS5Zl3qdX2a78P44cNQgvObLwYNAeYQv0GGH6K1F9mlePXsyKz4w4-YlEfdRlXh5ay7UVYEFnkBYTfgW37jo10QPOI90YV1Atf3ryYtHtcOeVDGO83mEYY_te9N8Im_E7RamH/w400-h400/ED52F36E-5C9B-4E8D-879E-15C31399E353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLkkVC6JK_P5mav5GNVoxy3SzMBN2ppTiKeKezNt3d6-3lA-GSO0sMRBVNKAzbe124Iu7tjIeMynDaSK77YsVmQfxqm2uG_G0Ms1lacEj5noGWuSg69MGY2y6Vq_zf22yWMNX9vXkPp6a-lS3BRsgyCvurSXlM0sdwlxgRhRSGnu1YXV8awE-UJmH/s2048/IMG_6594.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLkkVC6JK_P5mav5GNVoxy3SzMBN2ppTiKeKezNt3d6-3lA-GSO0sMRBVNKAzbe124Iu7tjIeMynDaSK77YsVmQfxqm2uG_G0Ms1lacEj5noGWuSg69MGY2y6Vq_zf22yWMNX9vXkPp6a-lS3BRsgyCvurSXlM0sdwlxgRhRSGnu1YXV8awE-UJmH/w400-h300/IMG_6594.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPewuyaOCczeY5vx2UZyV_YZCeTYIE-M16REYH_KvlG4sR9EJ5wLFEo4gC8JtKZMqtox7EvjkAcq5_e4R32v1yY-RAm3-8tPoDD83F7iKlycCgJisR9dLJaErbDjRNhijb3prvi6CYHKQ5jlWr8C7k01rgrsRBIR5faikNDR2P5o7IS3rTQe9Aq5A/s1104/IMG_6600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPewuyaOCczeY5vx2UZyV_YZCeTYIE-M16REYH_KvlG4sR9EJ5wLFEo4gC8JtKZMqtox7EvjkAcq5_e4R32v1yY-RAm3-8tPoDD83F7iKlycCgJisR9dLJaErbDjRNhijb3prvi6CYHKQ5jlWr8C7k01rgrsRBIR5faikNDR2P5o7IS3rTQe9Aq5A/w300-h400/IMG_6600.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>A couple weekends later (I think?) we met up again down at the Pierre Menard home -- this house is such a historically important building for the area, and yet the state of Illinois has been, as usual, neglecting it. Fortunately, it FINALLY has a much-needed new roof, so I'm hopeful other repairs will be done soon to keep it standing and in good shape. I didn't take an outside photo so I'm using an old one:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj23Sug7VxfVIrGYe9BgR5XS3FErX-52_k3tSb0-hu2ldhUs0vBbD_aj6Ndf5wXv6MdvM4bvtCcN1vDCKOzeVnANoO8EXAzos-wwtz-SA0IH_fYqWJM1AOQCO9ntBs2X1u8bIcP2snz1T6zOqhJssR77KEWwi_I3OFKTXzlBTVZghUCXaNezHMJ5WS/s800/Photo553735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj23Sug7VxfVIrGYe9BgR5XS3FErX-52_k3tSb0-hu2ldhUs0vBbD_aj6Ndf5wXv6MdvM4bvtCcN1vDCKOzeVnANoO8EXAzos-wwtz-SA0IH_fYqWJM1AOQCO9ntBs2X1u8bIcP2snz1T6zOqhJssR77KEWwi_I3OFKTXzlBTVZghUCXaNezHMJ5WS/s320/Photo553735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We started in the detached kitchen (built that way so it was less easy for fire to spread to the main house, to which it was connected by a breezeway) where Michell had it nice and cozy, with cider and cake for visitors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISUXOTh_LV8U5flpf66CwXOS1z0bGtFbq8fzwi7Ywbrg8OQoadaBDiYEtoVdBk5cjZluxnikc3FQ4CgI-gsph5KYlHIw3oRAhZ3kEdvW-zpLo2UeyY2dsNCFZezNHszVjY3FjqnM5eJHsrljIk8EHkkiOUd5toDmknMUTB1V8LeJ1n0VM86DSov6d/s1024/643A1C2A-5713-4D3B-B1A0-C7D9FB10768D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISUXOTh_LV8U5flpf66CwXOS1z0bGtFbq8fzwi7Ywbrg8OQoadaBDiYEtoVdBk5cjZluxnikc3FQ4CgI-gsph5KYlHIw3oRAhZ3kEdvW-zpLo2UeyY2dsNCFZezNHszVjY3FjqnM5eJHsrljIk8EHkkiOUd5toDmknMUTB1V8LeJ1n0VM86DSov6d/w640-h360/643A1C2A-5713-4D3B-B1A0-C7D9FB10768D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGC889hVMU-MdsHH9mKfjmZx9d_4GduTLN21moaaHmmB4k3wH6VCmSLAsoO1IajX8jfneZAlU1LSgTRO_wrw0weKIeIdSN_xJv_EwWTxB4joaprw3TlIPcW-s4Bo6ocZhf1QFf2iohWKMbraGS2ggg9G3wGyPr517i-A8yXPrUQvIpOst8hzjXNCJ/s2048/IMG_6702.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGC889hVMU-MdsHH9mKfjmZx9d_4GduTLN21moaaHmmB4k3wH6VCmSLAsoO1IajX8jfneZAlU1LSgTRO_wrw0weKIeIdSN_xJv_EwWTxB4joaprw3TlIPcW-s4Bo6ocZhf1QFf2iohWKMbraGS2ggg9G3wGyPr517i-A8yXPrUQvIpOst8hzjXNCJ/w480-h640/IMG_6702.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They also had the old smokehouse open, so we admired the hand-hewn beams going up forever.</div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbFmSVBYAYn8QIt0_F_ICAIEcWwC7s2ljpKK5fDDvasIq066xcL8RxD6XNqICPTtIwtqiOxQnkGiTNjp0hljN93_-k-VeGaE16SWYh1q1z36_NFgNXlSRa80Ijvyzv47gD-8bFHkReZ4BXNgult5gCxQrwHYQiP-p7umEmubecjDapEBd8bzg6e77/s2048/IMG_6704.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbFmSVBYAYn8QIt0_F_ICAIEcWwC7s2ljpKK5fDDvasIq066xcL8RxD6XNqICPTtIwtqiOxQnkGiTNjp0hljN93_-k-VeGaE16SWYh1q1z36_NFgNXlSRa80Ijvyzv47gD-8bFHkReZ4BXNgult5gCxQrwHYQiP-p7umEmubecjDapEBd8bzg6e77/w480-h640/IMG_6704.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside the home, Justine and I lost our minds over the silk Regency-era gown in the dresser, worn by one of the Menard girls for her wedding and an occasion where she danced with Lafayette. Sadly it's in need of serious restoration and the silk is quite shattered. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXDIlU75nNoPk15GpRtF8c3PNxAT96CvKe-nJ0BMLMDisdOUYxlyFI53gt7z-bOiLvO4PqCFc7a7IPMOVp5wIB9hjDh1Y9OclLgkulVhFwpDQOv0gYMPusltlVWM30SNI8l8VJEgg3zMOYIqT8vGAptZkJ21EZAWatPNfWpTCqR9XGOVjIJNAMn_S/s2048/IMG_6705.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXDIlU75nNoPk15GpRtF8c3PNxAT96CvKe-nJ0BMLMDisdOUYxlyFI53gt7z-bOiLvO4PqCFc7a7IPMOVp5wIB9hjDh1Y9OclLgkulVhFwpDQOv0gYMPusltlVWM30SNI8l8VJEgg3zMOYIqT8vGAptZkJ21EZAWatPNfWpTCqR9XGOVjIJNAMn_S/w480-h640/IMG_6705.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9UP3OSc_xvEOI9y5d5gkRt5cTtxOwl-SQDrJLqve61FRfHibwM2DV2S69JUBkp9PdxEBxczgkUcoHwUVsddDP8KrehPsBm6uq166kwCEc6LfsnD_7i2drW1WO-WAZSrIjPyOGax-falfq2S0bfRQ30gp8u3HOIy8SYDtt_e2VJvMGqhNTHevtbvX/s2048/IMG_6706.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9UP3OSc_xvEOI9y5d5gkRt5cTtxOwl-SQDrJLqve61FRfHibwM2DV2S69JUBkp9PdxEBxczgkUcoHwUVsddDP8KrehPsBm6uq166kwCEc6LfsnD_7i2drW1WO-WAZSrIjPyOGax-falfq2S0bfRQ30gp8u3HOIy8SYDtt_e2VJvMGqhNTHevtbvX/w480-h640/IMG_6706.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEsijiGLlmuX5b58PBdgmteDTjvMnQrVU9CONjouKXUNlWj4UBTEJ0z7SIDdE1vOBNbpTfJdo0HN0YS4SgaPM7WQ0Uby7IPRAXXABroqs6irLEnIgnw1Yk4I9CEavEX12V4znhR8beEREkCTHqb1vHJqHkm0pAYYMTd6Ik2TxXkNRFOiyMmN1Y_3Y/s2048/IMG_6707.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEsijiGLlmuX5b58PBdgmteDTjvMnQrVU9CONjouKXUNlWj4UBTEJ0z7SIDdE1vOBNbpTfJdo0HN0YS4SgaPM7WQ0Uby7IPRAXXABroqs6irLEnIgnw1Yk4I9CEavEX12V4znhR8beEREkCTHqb1vHJqHkm0pAYYMTd6Ik2TxXkNRFOiyMmN1Y_3Y/w640-h480/IMG_6707.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV5Dkh-5R3B1EkV--qykJnsO5oBtZQk9VTuBQWrsn6P0h7aJegxoAHWAxMdGxLsnfTr5MwGp_qPq1ELTTYAqLpHJmkeaVYffc6H3PZJKJCEHYOJ9VhuYpPKhVfwG5VrqYxCH0PUx15q1SCFV83SVoUb3Vp-fRoATnt31Pw58G9h322xb58L7I37W-/s2048/IMG_6708.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV5Dkh-5R3B1EkV--qykJnsO5oBtZQk9VTuBQWrsn6P0h7aJegxoAHWAxMdGxLsnfTr5MwGp_qPq1ELTTYAqLpHJmkeaVYffc6H3PZJKJCEHYOJ9VhuYpPKhVfwG5VrqYxCH0PUx15q1SCFV83SVoUb3Vp-fRoATnt31Pw58G9h322xb58L7I37W-/w480-h640/IMG_6708.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-xJM7NJaCK7pZR81zskl8ASdWjU7259aC4RL1IChyYch4fgQa6xsFEfNetF_fQzGYc2CCgsuSF2H8AP0nJYCYvoyT5745KKpGj3-GzzKKxILKM4U-qfPFipVfUDFRvHHAP_b7wtTgnYAKPLzU6OirlQ2knqC74_h8Yenwh-500ZS3VuPI4N0GxI2/s2048/IMG_6710.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-xJM7NJaCK7pZR81zskl8ASdWjU7259aC4RL1IChyYch4fgQa6xsFEfNetF_fQzGYc2CCgsuSF2H8AP0nJYCYvoyT5745KKpGj3-GzzKKxILKM4U-qfPFipVfUDFRvHHAP_b7wtTgnYAKPLzU6OirlQ2knqC74_h8Yenwh-500ZS3VuPI4N0GxI2/w480-h640/IMG_6710.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3H8lmg4eXP87uKa4ZkJA_i7guKxt_fx0nmDjBbpvPdLHGEse8IlUkQgZExNruvGUeIF36Ct_SbPVW_W7lfLsOoI3voxat5GvzSFuNhM0iZ1jWc-GmEz30Y2ysOd7YSmdvPPMP6kAR_dYZsrWgCQGVA-MZHpoc64rVxqA-fMof8x22m8UE3grJZOzL/s2048/IMG_6719.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3H8lmg4eXP87uKa4ZkJA_i7guKxt_fx0nmDjBbpvPdLHGEse8IlUkQgZExNruvGUeIF36Ct_SbPVW_W7lfLsOoI3voxat5GvzSFuNhM0iZ1jWc-GmEz30Y2ysOd7YSmdvPPMP6kAR_dYZsrWgCQGVA-MZHpoc64rVxqA-fMof8x22m8UE3grJZOzL/w480-h640/IMG_6719.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT6s9HzIc_m6bFuSJO7Q9kkeE3ifDe7tSaRpX4qFyv3egm0JVR8otdyuatIBIkcvwOAEXz7JnHd06M3q9bRoI9l96Ak0cPxdqzNDWMYnlfvBVJhLYksBbDavN-6HNIHeBVkD4szMkWt7QIhAxLAAqnuXj-ooCy7tiNZOD6W62oeBSrK1Tz52a5iAR/s2048/IMG_6726.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT6s9HzIc_m6bFuSJO7Q9kkeE3ifDe7tSaRpX4qFyv3egm0JVR8otdyuatIBIkcvwOAEXz7JnHd06M3q9bRoI9l96Ak0cPxdqzNDWMYnlfvBVJhLYksBbDavN-6HNIHeBVkD4szMkWt7QIhAxLAAqnuXj-ooCy7tiNZOD6W62oeBSrK1Tz52a5iAR/w480-h640/IMG_6726.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This house is quite a treasure of French colonial architecture (built in 1802-3), and hopefully will be standing for a long time. Its signage and basement museum also need some major updating to include the rest of the site's occupants - up to 22 enslaved workers by 1830, and further archaeological work to locate their lodgings (probably on the south-east side of the house, from previous exploratory digs).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I parted ways with Justine for the day, and went from here to the Peterstown House up north, in my hometown, where they were having candlelight holiday tours. Despite living in the town for most of my life, I'd never been in... probably because until recently the place has been kind of a dump-site for everyone's 'oldey-timey' junk in the most disorganized, Cracker Barrel fashion, but it has some younger, more passionate historical society members now who are doing their best to restore the house to its original state, little by little. It was built somewhere between 1800 and 1830 (the left half of the house most definitely older, so it was added onto by 1830) and became a tavern, general store, and stagecoach stop with a large upstairs that was slept in, en masse, by unfussy travelers, until they picked up the next leg of their journey by coach. Eventually it was chopped up into different rooms for use as a boarding house around 1900, and once it was rescued from demolition in 1973, they've been trying to restore it ever since.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFpGT9Xh4MdFUyyPodpTctnp3wFZrd0RvGJCdQ-iXmO5RANVyrHFnVk2eIsb-K82znL338P-oUJUFdP3vC6zzHjuVTnP1I46VqUY6Y6aADKRiLCBNqFEkL-AQCYVn3S6DaXm0m_XbkP1V79Y15qbeRvRxMkEVs0CBu1inf_mWdBhXmQWGxF4KEjny/s2048/316425074_804802034281642_872952837195526709_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="2048" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFpGT9Xh4MdFUyyPodpTctnp3wFZrd0RvGJCdQ-iXmO5RANVyrHFnVk2eIsb-K82znL338P-oUJUFdP3vC6zzHjuVTnP1I46VqUY6Y6aADKRiLCBNqFEkL-AQCYVn3S6DaXm0m_XbkP1V79Y15qbeRvRxMkEVs0CBu1inf_mWdBhXmQWGxF4KEjny/w640-h482/316425074_804802034281642_872952837195526709_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yOHRT-bmh4Qo6DkWvuCMyVZstNZE3VsxbpojXe923u7QpggjRgJpXnNNjlcfHvPo0bsRhoyr5PW8oLZFeWeqTWQZMfF-LpxiVNAOGNrzzduGABmmesl9wYvcUvRrLAkNnSBMMPyLhWAw2qs4MeMfM5juejksGIRabKROHQXFBekSDuO9gTdS573h/s960/312092592_774652293963283_7033983539705272420_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yOHRT-bmh4Qo6DkWvuCMyVZstNZE3VsxbpojXe923u7QpggjRgJpXnNNjlcfHvPo0bsRhoyr5PW8oLZFeWeqTWQZMfF-LpxiVNAOGNrzzduGABmmesl9wYvcUvRrLAkNnSBMMPyLhWAw2qs4MeMfM5juejksGIRabKROHQXFBekSDuO9gTdS573h/w308-h400/312092592_774652293963283_7033983539705272420_n.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jpgN-Vx0BlaTbefr6fCc4WoxHHAmeCciqNJL1htw0KdwPbo2HHeplSw0S1PJXNygxVwz81zkSFq_tuk3aW61x1_2xJAwbybYUg87TYIlo2AsqAbyJQugWccve8P6Ix4OrfdBqMieWN54_mlIj_xeycRXZeNXf-Ges9PwpdnTlTDwABfLSsQbOa83/s2048/313432213_784091449686034_2213612019418843643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jpgN-Vx0BlaTbefr6fCc4WoxHHAmeCciqNJL1htw0KdwPbo2HHeplSw0S1PJXNygxVwz81zkSFq_tuk3aW61x1_2xJAwbybYUg87TYIlo2AsqAbyJQugWccve8P6Ix4OrfdBqMieWN54_mlIj_xeycRXZeNXf-Ges9PwpdnTlTDwABfLSsQbOa83/w480-h640/313432213_784091449686034_2213612019418843643_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>(That mannequin HAS to go)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5rRKDJJHrV1pRnftxqBYDyejDCdH9rCPef_ba1WGnoKRiCNx2pZTytYA03yKdg53AS8AhGfd7yUDzjQI5lBJkEJuQa12iPBLHiUBXJqNKuE3r9I1xUVI5EE7x4SyB4gvtmEK2dK_MLEOGFF-LLNCHty5Nrb5jKdO_rgc_8kxkhv2sQ3rx5pbgiBV/s2048/318227665_815334346561744_8706490902945201092_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5rRKDJJHrV1pRnftxqBYDyejDCdH9rCPef_ba1WGnoKRiCNx2pZTytYA03yKdg53AS8AhGfd7yUDzjQI5lBJkEJuQa12iPBLHiUBXJqNKuE3r9I1xUVI5EE7x4SyB4gvtmEK2dK_MLEOGFF-LLNCHty5Nrb5jKdO_rgc_8kxkhv2sQ3rx5pbgiBV/w640-h480/318227665_815334346561744_8706490902945201092_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This is probably the oldest part of the building -- the society president said they are hoping to have some dendrochronology done on the exposed wood and it's possible this room was erected even pre-1800. <br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8el8QFhyRWfEwT4VcOX_BCqctkPFISURGJhahRm0iHFHc87csqfGKZJ-B4GSrKzEnwaR0lZgbehWBVDnJpun0fpolAjO0a3Yph8gK2xUk6wVFI__OZ8iVI8D3P3YEQ2XW2ZORANx9vRLfiMLh38Z1qdHWTYxddKhuAfke0IdyqhSX5p5xGw12fWK/s2048/IMG_6745.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8el8QFhyRWfEwT4VcOX_BCqctkPFISURGJhahRm0iHFHc87csqfGKZJ-B4GSrKzEnwaR0lZgbehWBVDnJpun0fpolAjO0a3Yph8gK2xUk6wVFI__OZ8iVI8D3P3YEQ2XW2ZORANx9vRLfiMLh38Z1qdHWTYxddKhuAfke0IdyqhSX5p5xGw12fWK/w480-h640/IMG_6745.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>There's still quite a bit of random county memorabilia in here -- some of it very cool, some of it not particularly historically pertinent (read: old junk handed down by relatives probably not even from this town), but I had such an enjoyable chat with the house's society president, Andrew, that he urged me to join to be a part of volunteering here. They're also working with master gardeners to transform the yard outside to a historically-accurate garden to the early 1800s, so I'm looking forward to seeing that. I will probably end up doing some weekend volunteering once they re-open in the spring; between staffing the Fort store and hopefully being at the Peterstown house, I anticipate needing to sew more historical clothes!</p><p>Hope you enjoyed this little sliver of historical holiday homes -- it was a very happy time for me to spend immersed in some delightful architecture, walking where so many have lived before.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-66711490349067082442022-12-12T11:18:00.001-06:002022-12-12T11:18:14.837-06:00Catching up with Fall makes<p> Oh yikes, the year continues to get away from me! Here's a few projects I managed from late summer to fall... I know only a few people are still reading this (and I love you for it) but I think blogging is really valuable for cataloging one's own projects and for self-reflection... I use it very differently from the (increasingly undesirable) Instagram.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P9y41jlAnzSZxZa8COEwJ6mSV4j2NpTOTi0Zyy6elBekiXXrG8B8bERUYbw74G3ZxG4GlrGifF1KFN2zP5fBf7Av1i46cgyyNX7PKuJi2flo5pKiVGCZslfR9RkhJYfmsxjhCPEOKWzZrZ7M6DDT3JsPjcmLG6Hg7aW1_WggCbqCF14cxVHnGw-u/s1800/D1D71643-CEB5-4B24-9791-B121D324CA97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P9y41jlAnzSZxZa8COEwJ6mSV4j2NpTOTi0Zyy6elBekiXXrG8B8bERUYbw74G3ZxG4GlrGifF1KFN2zP5fBf7Av1i46cgyyNX7PKuJi2flo5pKiVGCZslfR9RkhJYfmsxjhCPEOKWzZrZ7M6DDT3JsPjcmLG6Hg7aW1_WggCbqCF14cxVHnGw-u/w320-h400/D1D71643-CEB5-4B24-9791-B121D324CA97.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The release of the Burnley & Trowbridge wrapping gown pattern was exciting to me, so around the 4th of July I pulled out a firecracker red taffeta from my stash and cut into it.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmyrubpMUxLXetATMJq58AVSBNsTsAdQntKCzME5MmlapZ4ayb0vC3xxL6TEzCu4SihOzoa9ZfUHzARfilu1OoQ-gUSI9r6F2NsWdwQs09Hb6K2wK2l890ReoEhWDmAbn3PZPyGoX317XwvdvJ6s0l90yD_4wtuwjaV45vpTZvQ7J4d7x-zypU-RF/s1800/9B4505D6-C725-4966-8264-18143308F44D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmyrubpMUxLXetATMJq58AVSBNsTsAdQntKCzME5MmlapZ4ayb0vC3xxL6TEzCu4SihOzoa9ZfUHzARfilu1OoQ-gUSI9r6F2NsWdwQs09Hb6K2wK2l890ReoEhWDmAbn3PZPyGoX317XwvdvJ6s0l90yD_4wtuwjaV45vpTZvQ7J4d7x-zypU-RF/w320-h400/9B4505D6-C725-4966-8264-18143308F44D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Very proud of how my stitching has changed over the past 10 years... When I first started, I'd have never managed to make teeny tiny nearly-invisible stitches like this.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFmI3HHzY1x1s0-iUVvUa-BYDEU9tezuHzpHq7bNrUuhbQVU7qUddO9T2pv7eKF6fPK8e1oX-Oaf7L0qaBkt8BM0vwvhhybS-JkhjkPaIco5-mA0t_yn84WO4YK-nDDRoSXdyHm8K8LwyzeTNYB6x9CqANN6dUeaD0kEMFKVjax1m6cBqABrUmMF1/s1406/7957297D-5141-40FA-9119-59CBB1CE1835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFmI3HHzY1x1s0-iUVvUa-BYDEU9tezuHzpHq7bNrUuhbQVU7qUddO9T2pv7eKF6fPK8e1oX-Oaf7L0qaBkt8BM0vwvhhybS-JkhjkPaIco5-mA0t_yn84WO4YK-nDDRoSXdyHm8K8LwyzeTNYB6x9CqANN6dUeaD0kEMFKVjax1m6cBqABrUmMF1/w320-h400/7957297D-5141-40FA-9119-59CBB1CE1835.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITNWgZr4fdtzZcAqhmekk60b36ng4RVlO4XgjlhiJZQGiroEubejA9Ng262jU6qtWFlwQjz3jmak0jZnGIxruNNvYPV6q3rKpstMm_DpJHM_bZFCkoAbXw2-lhexdyHP_9_axp-4XaTzYNoKyvpefHwQR4iphn9mRT5NzQxnSUN25Ju7wfQersM9X/s1989/IMG_5411.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="1124" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITNWgZr4fdtzZcAqhmekk60b36ng4RVlO4XgjlhiJZQGiroEubejA9Ng262jU6qtWFlwQjz3jmak0jZnGIxruNNvYPV6q3rKpstMm_DpJHM_bZFCkoAbXw2-lhexdyHP_9_axp-4XaTzYNoKyvpefHwQR4iphn9mRT5NzQxnSUN25Ju7wfQersM9X/w362-h640/IMG_5411.PNG" width="362" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_r0KSs_53o10d2XofK4Up570nPIxvyVjqWehYvL1hGj9t8Q_XVJRacelD9vawgQ9vdYJemyXDBzk7Ynx9yA91kOpt3DDXKvfl_oCt9o4hpu_W6VKFTnbECvrOmaUcAbPslqSSmptUqvvdFNXQZItBkZamvD3Cf4yIW_gaq5RjRl-EQuPJ1y6T01a/s2048/IMG_5542.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_r0KSs_53o10d2XofK4Up570nPIxvyVjqWehYvL1hGj9t8Q_XVJRacelD9vawgQ9vdYJemyXDBzk7Ynx9yA91kOpt3DDXKvfl_oCt9o4hpu_W6VKFTnbECvrOmaUcAbPslqSSmptUqvvdFNXQZItBkZamvD3Cf4yIW_gaq5RjRl-EQuPJ1y6T01a/w300-h400/IMG_5542.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While I'll probably never end up at a 'Banyan Party' in some remote French chateau (one can dream) at least I'd be prepared! It may come in handy some day for a dressing demonstration or a historic sleepover. Very simple project, and it came together gratifyingly quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div>Since I'm spending a LOT more time down at Fort de Chartres, manning their Trading Post some weekends, I was getting tired of my usual rotation of just a couple different caps, so I pulled together a new one from the Virgil's Fine Goods "Bess" pattern. I think it's so cute and flattering (and great for hiding uncooperative hair).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eiXOu8V4Z0J8UeWLfkh7GhhwWDAVH-KCTNHip_4G37NSUSTIqeJ9gVS_Kc7WjCULJ8j5cyTcjsjJy5708eoXiysIXzGan3_326LSMWU_vuURcCz5vTVxuY0_sdNIdf4g4shpx4F2hUjKYBHP7RqEV1PxmD-8uC44WtkLbY-2brarImdoq73UoKYK/s4032/IMG_5256.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eiXOu8V4Z0J8UeWLfkh7GhhwWDAVH-KCTNHip_4G37NSUSTIqeJ9gVS_Kc7WjCULJ8j5cyTcjsjJy5708eoXiysIXzGan3_326LSMWU_vuURcCz5vTVxuY0_sdNIdf4g4shpx4F2hUjKYBHP7RqEV1PxmD-8uC44WtkLbY-2brarImdoq73UoKYK/w300-h400/IMG_5256.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHM2MaejhcetyrdW2YW3VufbyHcV4q5wlt9IgbbQYv3ykgz6CS2vVwV1JoDpprvuRBL6_sVzoBmb7-iK2iEoxQ_7pfh9hESEGo9lq6ezlHm10suL0UUPquHnKmbBaUa3GFAd2qDScENsZFUeIUhVux-ItDEAiFz2-xViWyRF-nx7RBQNqXTFO_srhN/s2048/IMG_5269.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHM2MaejhcetyrdW2YW3VufbyHcV4q5wlt9IgbbQYv3ykgz6CS2vVwV1JoDpprvuRBL6_sVzoBmb7-iK2iEoxQ_7pfh9hESEGo9lq6ezlHm10suL0UUPquHnKmbBaUa3GFAd2qDScENsZFUeIUhVux-ItDEAiFz2-xViWyRF-nx7RBQNqXTFO_srhN/w300-h400/IMG_5269.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVQ6Zj0iIj-ICFQejVh1TBLFIZ2oUc3ksV-7CVnRI1jGMIKJ0CFgJM0Bb_S3BMFJGXAFGqE86WLnglS7Q6EVXAbkdXSlsUwEsgDn5Z-rPRLOZU4GrL2ODq27cvG4Hrp6RlgW4Tc3EFDCSrAkJ5Dey-3zrlciyDEAC_YJWm2xCVLfOWQ8rQgcBWSxO/s3088/IMG_5282.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVQ6Zj0iIj-ICFQejVh1TBLFIZ2oUc3ksV-7CVnRI1jGMIKJ0CFgJM0Bb_S3BMFJGXAFGqE86WLnglS7Q6EVXAbkdXSlsUwEsgDn5Z-rPRLOZU4GrL2ODq27cvG4Hrp6RlgW4Tc3EFDCSrAkJ5Dey-3zrlciyDEAC_YJWm2xCVLfOWQ8rQgcBWSxO/w300-h400/IMG_5282.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a lot of ways I'm still a sewing amateur, completely self-taught, so this was my first time doing gathered whip-stitches and I must say, once I wrapped my head around it, the technique was a game changer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I had a bit of a fail when it came to a long-desired project... it ended up being one of those dream projects that you just sit and mull over for too long, are bored while doing it, and then dissatisfied with the end result, haha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've always liked this portrait of Marie Antoinette; you almost never see her in green (and come to think of it, there's not a lot of 18thc portraits of women in dark green gowns, I'm not sure why). But I had spotted the perfect taffeta for it, a very changeable shot silk of dark green with a pink undertone. Perfect, I thought, I even have the lace! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNHXaKUS6N9chmew2U8P5Ai9lkme8Wj01K9sRb3bWcVDXocBGXvgxV8FN2v3NENIkAjhr5lMz1Jg3H3AZghiJAbe8CqribHFjh4ykHkxh-8gEP_CmSXwZmQ8jVwOPERsU19RHf2vx_waqWoSg7sU52cTziQmEu914VNjcuowHL-cO7hH4YzgWDgT3/s829/IMG_5498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNHXaKUS6N9chmew2U8P5Ai9lkme8Wj01K9sRb3bWcVDXocBGXvgxV8FN2v3NENIkAjhr5lMz1Jg3H3AZghiJAbe8CqribHFjh4ykHkxh-8gEP_CmSXwZmQ8jVwOPERsU19RHf2vx_waqWoSg7sU52cTziQmEu914VNjcuowHL-cO7hH4YzgWDgT3/s320/IMG_5498.JPG" width="290" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But by time I got it assembled (I turned it into a jacket/petticoat ensemble for more versatility, since you can't see below the waist in the portrait) I was just kind of over it. Probably photographing late at night, with hair I was already annoyed with, didn't help.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwxtNpJ6CLyLhnuc2qrF27eVdtFtZE-3HyENvuFDS2Ep-pLNURtv9Ofy14tOuRaEJHTFOgAZVDe_WzBRb-DG3kFjThdaU5CvtmOdW_0AkqIqNwqXdqT4yhToLY7jE_40EDWWyfwj6X_o1jVHgP2XxsxGLCt4gZN5Mx1SKXiLAH9IsRfhyYhRMTUuf/s3921/IMG_5515.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3921" data-original-width="2981" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwxtNpJ6CLyLhnuc2qrF27eVdtFtZE-3HyENvuFDS2Ep-pLNURtv9Ofy14tOuRaEJHTFOgAZVDe_WzBRb-DG3kFjThdaU5CvtmOdW_0AkqIqNwqXdqT4yhToLY7jE_40EDWWyfwj6X_o1jVHgP2XxsxGLCt4gZN5Mx1SKXiLAH9IsRfhyYhRMTUuf/w304-h400/IMG_5515.JPEG" width="304" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">When I ran it through a 'painting' app I could see there were ways I could have edited it to make it more similar, like adding more paper flowers in a more uniform, closely-spaced pattern, but it all just felt too frilly and annoying at this point. So far I've taken all the lace and flowers off, and I'll be doing a nice self-trim with my leftover fabric. I'm still in love with the taffeta, probably one of the prettiest I've ever seen in person, so it won't go to waste. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGIdWKxTnTgK1hHcKpb5hWdt5XDD140LfNBPCKAJ-jUbRsq1GLQEEcR5Iba65gATz3Shvw3QiDteba_9a8o_YE5aq1jnfLl9REpiKpLxa9r9Jc3wahaS4Z3NamGFUCyqjB3uEXsLC51CRaA-cgfMhzOk0mV7Ile0LQr65N0jFfdCVXk9l3YltLkQ_/s2048/73324F2A-E23C-4DD5-BCB2-F137C3EC2BFC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGIdWKxTnTgK1hHcKpb5hWdt5XDD140LfNBPCKAJ-jUbRsq1GLQEEcR5Iba65gATz3Shvw3QiDteba_9a8o_YE5aq1jnfLl9REpiKpLxa9r9Jc3wahaS4Z3NamGFUCyqjB3uEXsLC51CRaA-cgfMhzOk0mV7Ile0LQr65N0jFfdCVXk9l3YltLkQ_/s320/73324F2A-E23C-4DD5-BCB2-F137C3EC2BFC.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up in the project list was editing a very poorly-made shortgown from years ago. For one thing, I can't document any shortgowns in this part of New France... I keep reading that they were a predominantly New England garment. Jackets, on the other hand, are quite believable. So I picked apart the shortgown, scrounged up whatever scraps I had of the fabric (from the infamous 'Waverly Felicite curtain-along' projects of blogging yesteryear), ironed it all, and my helpful patternweight assisted me in playing grownup pattern Tetris. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKzp-zSTFEmLar3K06usNF5s_Tn4ZVxFnAblEyvcm25mfxW641c2kBwbnHil7KFjZtXfhWmJeDmT7UWp3RMnsNNxc5EFfQcsCYX32I9EYTLHtw6h6ib3h0wJ3myxzWkzEpxdoCQQDd88VZ5quIedVjKwNWrVDxOlmpUE2f68vbKv8w2CyhsOQgHLQ/s2048/IMG_5560.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKzp-zSTFEmLar3K06usNF5s_Tn4ZVxFnAblEyvcm25mfxW641c2kBwbnHil7KFjZtXfhWmJeDmT7UWp3RMnsNNxc5EFfQcsCYX32I9EYTLHtw6h6ib3h0wJ3myxzWkzEpxdoCQQDd88VZ5quIedVjKwNWrVDxOlmpUE2f68vbKv8w2CyhsOQgHLQ/s320/IMG_5560.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Do we have enough, or don't we? Always a worrying moment)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHX32uTB9MsTgkH73V1XYCErdam0Xed0OURTTzqENTpX82lOMHQ8u_fZOrv43xA4-GTnparbqU9kqxZK1YiqUl5keYbW9W56mKNYLXpmDtmZU7my4euGYwu1bh1Die9vH-eupICk-e64B-OJ6YBqyNFOFdiQo3CSazxKe8UDadSIC2AKhl4QfV8QK/s2048/IMG_5563.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHX32uTB9MsTgkH73V1XYCErdam0Xed0OURTTzqENTpX82lOMHQ8u_fZOrv43xA4-GTnparbqU9kqxZK1YiqUl5keYbW9W56mKNYLXpmDtmZU7my4euGYwu1bh1Die9vH-eupICk-e64B-OJ6YBqyNFOFdiQo3CSazxKe8UDadSIC2AKhl4QfV8QK/w300-h400/IMG_5563.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also quickly discovered that there are still panels of this available on Amazon for $20 so I picked one up, but lo and behold, it's a slightly less beige, more ivory colorway! I wasn't about to waste the opportunity though, so the panel became a petticoat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40b4bd-8tmvPiPaEeP-97VhMT1X4g2jkQkXYKpIZGXqNqb6_ZSsiMsEwgnGvtZdng_ic967efHPwDLA-qTDfvQTK5KXpsetuL_PKzYHFrRA1KSBi5-QSEHfI9lRz98Br5TNLjKYXpTAresCbGkyRh0fiHuLZHqkAio7BdufDvNh-jQJCzdem7b3qv/s2048/IMG_5665.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40b4bd-8tmvPiPaEeP-97VhMT1X4g2jkQkXYKpIZGXqNqb6_ZSsiMsEwgnGvtZdng_ic967efHPwDLA-qTDfvQTK5KXpsetuL_PKzYHFrRA1KSBi5-QSEHfI9lRz98Br5TNLjKYXpTAresCbGkyRh0fiHuLZHqkAio7BdufDvNh-jQJCzdem7b3qv/s320/IMG_5665.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had enough left from the panel leftovers to make robings and cuffs for the little jacket, but there is a definite color difference that you can spot if you know about it....I kind of like it, since piecing and reuse was so prevalent in the Georgian era. I'm betting with successive washings, the color difference will end up being less noticeable with fabric fade.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9xENKXYtGA-K8_mpcLt7zct-A2sVe8Gq0eTFGw7DLEb9Hpo0bcwUBQGvCxqdCMgMOSDL43iLG2PLfgrxj4Hwe5OTFxzSs5EndnHKObqWVfNvaCOsc5aPMxwVra_dJQXSInDcWpbwE6V5VVnaQObR6HO9vguhNwz1X-1XBnMsTtuM3fFCtddr7pAm/s4032/IMG_5923.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9xENKXYtGA-K8_mpcLt7zct-A2sVe8Gq0eTFGw7DLEb9Hpo0bcwUBQGvCxqdCMgMOSDL43iLG2PLfgrxj4Hwe5OTFxzSs5EndnHKObqWVfNvaCOsc5aPMxwVra_dJQXSInDcWpbwE6V5VVnaQObR6HO9vguhNwz1X-1XBnMsTtuM3fFCtddr7pAm/w300-h400/IMG_5923.JPEG" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclNW4QKZ8Xkb4k-euhLXwfacTW3GLqwYSIYhR46OH_LiTPc1UvDmFy5NL2jw1lA3UCMFGerB8t0AmPHYCEyiRf_PWBEw7DeM_Ry4qxYJL2ccA80nxolCGqnAMeXpdJhKp5-3ma-Gly1Bnm4FIFtCP3Az9GD-mXGJ_QMuh43v0S63KQ65luzwf2G7a/s4032/IMG_5921.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclNW4QKZ8Xkb4k-euhLXwfacTW3GLqwYSIYhR46OH_LiTPc1UvDmFy5NL2jw1lA3UCMFGerB8t0AmPHYCEyiRf_PWBEw7DeM_Ry4qxYJL2ccA80nxolCGqnAMeXpdJhKp5-3ma-Gly1Bnm4FIFtCP3Az9GD-mXGJ_QMuh43v0S63KQ65luzwf2G7a/w300-h400/IMG_5921.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(quite obvious from the back, for sure)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpVQpm2hKfI1gnffc8U09WzGXbl0IIQnffCUjHiPseLXEjJb2yh2hV-IN7zEUxsxftmId-bsy6Iurwlz4OG1M9yGGMi1DuMXXnC6s1Nz-XaWIPSp58jKKYUE03GJS-NaVGTkYSYAy3XJMctsJZOOhJCQ2RWnV7hjb845X4VPmLSSik_lNtZf1eV1e/s1800/07F30B49-86DD-43C4-8A40-C5BA5F482F4C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpVQpm2hKfI1gnffc8U09WzGXbl0IIQnffCUjHiPseLXEjJb2yh2hV-IN7zEUxsxftmId-bsy6Iurwlz4OG1M9yGGMi1DuMXXnC6s1Nz-XaWIPSp58jKKYUE03GJS-NaVGTkYSYAy3XJMctsJZOOhJCQ2RWnV7hjb845X4VPmLSSik_lNtZf1eV1e/w320-h400/07F30B49-86DD-43C4-8A40-C5BA5F482F4C.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Less obvious with the distraction of accessories like my new black silk apron and satin mitts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEa5H4bBQwB05ej8LSIRQ1fuc-1JdrbZCLroM_sw7OGHUwxnSLIGDq5SpIY_PzGHQNzIFWrKU9NnlC-4ZMlg5ZI44efwkn6eRo42ocdElThakOJ13UmirLV_4-ecedIsr7kYqwXq_YSjDVbPC076es9punOyrO7TUFSzZ__MVc8iAep-g0IBFt5KF/s2048/IMG_5914.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEa5H4bBQwB05ej8LSIRQ1fuc-1JdrbZCLroM_sw7OGHUwxnSLIGDq5SpIY_PzGHQNzIFWrKU9NnlC-4ZMlg5ZI44efwkn6eRo42ocdElThakOJ13UmirLV_4-ecedIsr7kYqwXq_YSjDVbPC076es9punOyrO7TUFSzZ__MVc8iAep-g0IBFt5KF/w300-h400/IMG_5914.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC5FJVsTJyhFf-1_tdDzVPr29AtuMpe5m_IXeLZ2Secooqz_A5o94UPd0xsa95OCe7lPS8a8ho8PiVuTmkwGw0o5v3tulMsToUHLyNMeFdluzp92HyjIZA8RFQrRTCjZDaQK_Iun4Swc_MnS0PhU3-vbj390Glc_O2BqP88hoSGo_d9onRUPEvWaQ/s2048/IMG_5898.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC5FJVsTJyhFf-1_tdDzVPr29AtuMpe5m_IXeLZ2Secooqz_A5o94UPd0xsa95OCe7lPS8a8ho8PiVuTmkwGw0o5v3tulMsToUHLyNMeFdluzp92HyjIZA8RFQrRTCjZDaQK_Iun4Swc_MnS0PhU3-vbj390Glc_O2BqP88hoSGo_d9onRUPEvWaQ/w300-h400/IMG_5898.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall I think it'll be a very serviceable addition to my rotation of outfits for the Fort. Printed 'Indienne' cottons were frequently listed in our 18thc inventories, so I love celebrating that local bit of riotous color. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There, now I think I'm caught up with most of my recent projects, but I have two more posts to make before the end of the year: one on the 18thc textiles and garments from a recent museum exhibition specifically featuring stunning printed fabrics from India, and some local historical holiday excursions with a new friend!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you stuck with it this far, thanks for reading :)<br /></div></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div></div><br /> <br /></div><br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-52331762445148039422022-07-20T17:18:00.003-05:002022-07-20T17:18:33.160-05:00Volunteering at an 18th century French fort!<p> So as crummy as the first half of my year was with losing two beloved pets, a delightful new opportunity has opened up for me and I'm enjoying it tremendously. Fort de Chartres, the big French stone fort about half an hour from me, has been looking for volunteers so that it can open its little trading post at regular times when the talented and incredibly knowledgeable Fort gardener Carol (see the <a href="https://www.fdcjardin.com/" target="_blank">Jardin Potager site</a> for her well-researched work) is around, or the Les Amis du Fort de Chartres is having a meeting, and/or the gun club is having a shoot in back of the fort. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yhhea-xA2w2sXR84c6HqPqeLOjZ2QQfsp_yu3jtFIaro-rVbRKF0Kz2srUPfBQQhzxjdPZHfnUSsRtvQ-6tTyTFPNHubeCNSUYyRVs2Mxgx7YIl8GlbgW0qgTQL_7euw9X-bo9mqJ4sG1dPrOzjETyZKyXL_XB0l8zDjTRKZTOZO4vCMRmH7T_lG/s2895/E2E7AD6D-24C3-4D99-ACB7-F89367D4D46C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yhhea-xA2w2sXR84c6HqPqeLOjZ2QQfsp_yu3jtFIaro-rVbRKF0Kz2srUPfBQQhzxjdPZHfnUSsRtvQ-6tTyTFPNHubeCNSUYyRVs2Mxgx7YIl8GlbgW0qgTQL_7euw9X-bo9mqJ4sG1dPrOzjETyZKyXL_XB0l8zDjTRKZTOZO4vCMRmH7T_lG/w320-h400/E2E7AD6D-24C3-4D99-ACB7-F89367D4D46C.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Me with my basket of sewing... I got most of my Burnley &
Trowbridge wrapping gown sewn on that day! You can see the bake oven
under the canopy in back.</i> <br /></div><p></p><p>I first got to volunteer in the Trading Post during the summer Rendezvous, and I jumped at the chance, because as much as I like setting up camp and sitting under the fly watching the passers-by watching us, it's not the best opportunity for talking history to people. Most visitors are a bit wary of interrupting people in the camps and it's more of a tourist viewing experience than a history-learning opportunity (...plus uh some of the 18thc 'history' being portrayed is a bit dubious in some camps... I see you, flour sack 'blouses' and cabbage-rose Victorian skirts 😂). </p><p> I've read a LOT about the local French colonial history, and understand some of the nuance and complex interplay between the French colonists, the local Native tribes (the more settled tribes were the Metchigamea with a village very close by, the Tamaroa, the Kaskaskia, and the Cahokia peoples, but there were others who would sweep in to war with and raid the settled tribes), and the enslaved Africans brought by the French. But I'm <i>not</i> comfortable calling myself a full-fledged interpreter just yet, and am still learning from people who have been doing it for a while. I don't want to cultivate a single persona at the moment -- although I hope to pursue something along the lines of one of the few women who made it here from France -- most of the women married by the male French settlers were either Native or were hardy French-Canadian women who had a generation or two of the New World underneath them.</p><p>So in that regard, staffing the Trading Post is ideal for me, because I can share some of what I know, but being in a building that sells modern coffee mugs and t-shirts with pictures of the Fort on it, nobody's going to mistake me for some kind of expert, haha! The Trading Post is also not an original historic building -- the buying and selling would have been done out of one of the governmental structures on the property: large, long stone buildings that also housed offices, soldiers' barracks, grain and goods storage, and more. <br /></p><p>But I so enjoy having the chance to dress up and go down with a purpose. It doesn't hurt that the Trading Post has air-conditioning because it is extreeemely muggy down at the Fort when hot, since it's in the rich 'American Bottom' area, near the Mississippi River, bounded by tall bluffs on either side (and no breeze, like, ever).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePEJl_TDR6Dk1KnExGnbzT_3pYy7p5jCHxpfeF3_wk0ag2fVNRYc0p6ix-rYwhjwcpMBX2kiHPFOPvkfViFjjZ5vCmNZ0rGVvW_Djqy9K18yPoIWT46MXErFZkSiN4yCu_JfhptdLHDZaUrd_hjnXXmuB-vsVyMXM1TZeac19vVD_fL-fMPN-ilPw/s3088/IMG_4269.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePEJl_TDR6Dk1KnExGnbzT_3pYy7p5jCHxpfeF3_wk0ag2fVNRYc0p6ix-rYwhjwcpMBX2kiHPFOPvkfViFjjZ5vCmNZ0rGVvW_Djqy9K18yPoIWT46MXErFZkSiN4yCu_JfhptdLHDZaUrd_hjnXXmuB-vsVyMXM1TZeac19vVD_fL-fMPN-ilPw/w300-h400/IMG_4269.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Always excited to get in the car and drive down the hill to the Fort</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5dk4aXi8hl2K7RxwTgDqrkV9Ca1Q9b5FoonMkij766pNrd-4-wdYw630FZkrysEjBh-lXIVWyIBWt-llTIRd6kqnLQWRNUs5M_CBNYUWamqM7kE7pKNKpSJl2cdTMsDP3nmFpsYNspErFoPqWuLjdqFt7IkTsUU0lvD9jp4LLnZlMsG8bnT_Odx6/s2048/IMG_4507.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5dk4aXi8hl2K7RxwTgDqrkV9Ca1Q9b5FoonMkij766pNrd-4-wdYw630FZkrysEjBh-lXIVWyIBWt-llTIRd6kqnLQWRNUs5M_CBNYUWamqM7kE7pKNKpSJl2cdTMsDP3nmFpsYNspErFoPqWuLjdqFt7IkTsUU0lvD9jp4LLnZlMsG8bnT_Odx6/w300-h400/IMG_4507.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><i>Kinda looks like I'm outside an 18thc tavern, but no such luck, just my workplace for the day, haha.</i><p></p><p><i> </i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-bgj8AehqO19MPrjY-D9hUNMCLU8geccQ3WPRqRAPNUl4rnPoSqi83hQ6hXdrTwLEv_IzBd1L8BUfdO2wwSyiIJ6txGQoCO8mD0kcKYeZGAq0kCtYBS4JsTumRIoq0VqWCPmO83pmNLkHbNfWQwiCzylt0ycK_OgjdBbNJRXzaQ4vijAsEJdw8WK/s2048/IMG_4116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-bgj8AehqO19MPrjY-D9hUNMCLU8geccQ3WPRqRAPNUl4rnPoSqi83hQ6hXdrTwLEv_IzBd1L8BUfdO2wwSyiIJ6txGQoCO8mD0kcKYeZGAq0kCtYBS4JsTumRIoq0VqWCPmO83pmNLkHbNfWQwiCzylt0ycK_OgjdBbNJRXzaQ4vijAsEJdw8WK/w400-h300/IMG_4116.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Volunteering with Keni, a sweet lady with Friends of the Fort</i><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPwHKOGTeXL1Nbrna-255BNsCvqNDF_Tl_NJJlUSm-soBcYaRz6QzOxgAaSMOUB_LO1qeRqpHJjaKU7LTHGVbScE54y26dVG2QrQfFmmG8GuqnvaEHBHfA8Bx3PminT87OdI1nnTwBzw5ogGtnujXzjTz2ctZ7x8brhd-r6xsZE73IvW7vH0FnSee/s2048/IMG_4056.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPwHKOGTeXL1Nbrna-255BNsCvqNDF_Tl_NJJlUSm-soBcYaRz6QzOxgAaSMOUB_LO1qeRqpHJjaKU7LTHGVbScE54y26dVG2QrQfFmmG8GuqnvaEHBHfA8Bx3PminT87OdI1nnTwBzw5ogGtnujXzjTz2ctZ7x8brhd-r6xsZE73IvW7vH0FnSee/s320/IMG_4056.JPEG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMXYuLK85LjFJpwQnfgnFJCsfAa7ye48kxxqf6B6SQ9LadNutzzkV6IbkMaAmJK7SUa6PwsfIjrFA7LhVgEWB12EM-E4OTIZXgmVjJup2bDsZ5w3BluxuTBEpx5Y-liXowUA0pvmwysoS4ItS3UkaNKoc6XFiUwpdsOZ9dQYxzsKgX7XyrrDks1mK/s2048/IMG_4063.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMXYuLK85LjFJpwQnfgnFJCsfAa7ye48kxxqf6B6SQ9LadNutzzkV6IbkMaAmJK7SUa6PwsfIjrFA7LhVgEWB12EM-E4OTIZXgmVjJup2bDsZ5w3BluxuTBEpx5Y-liXowUA0pvmwysoS4ItS3UkaNKoc6XFiUwpdsOZ9dQYxzsKgX7XyrrDks1mK/s320/IMG_4063.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div></div><br />I've been kind of wearing stuff I already had, but I wanted a cuter cap, so I made the JP Ryan Dormeuse in cotton (I have a fancy sheer one in silk) and it's been serving me well.<p></p><p></p><p>For Rendezvous, I did bust out the cotton sacque for the first time in a couple of years, and it was so sunshiney-looking that people loved it!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviTjuMp4-2qzqUKYYzTl5pjhqlqzxxPdtTXhZyBKXLZwdZ6-oKexqC0Jyg_KPDsuMZinfMW1ZS9D3tT-TWorSvYGeXNbrfdAAZ2xmVGsIwC-G7YOvtNVHgl2h47-66Bi0RWFT-OJS4lpRKGP9uNfDSdQ8u6QCODA5QETAOwMf9xrJjVLIf4SDKUlM/s2048/IMG_4103.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviTjuMp4-2qzqUKYYzTl5pjhqlqzxxPdtTXhZyBKXLZwdZ6-oKexqC0Jyg_KPDsuMZinfMW1ZS9D3tT-TWorSvYGeXNbrfdAAZ2xmVGsIwC-G7YOvtNVHgl2h47-66Bi0RWFT-OJS4lpRKGP9uNfDSdQ8u6QCODA5QETAOwMf9xrJjVLIf4SDKUlM/w480-h640/IMG_4103.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mIw25BFVpbp2bPhc61TxPx7dPWM6B9V7fftsgBUEtfFM_t9FV1neAb1MTNutVyZCm5A9yhFvt98FNbPdASNsR7eeAAL3elkjqMQ6UoiWEySGULzrHKF-xK1YJlZOMR0Kvz3t3zPTNzg6DP6IdNmRQvSqBTks4aENhJLkloiLFEk9QZ7-N-f7-UdV/s1800/34C6073E-3DFD-45F4-AF9D-FF4F321DCBE6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mIw25BFVpbp2bPhc61TxPx7dPWM6B9V7fftsgBUEtfFM_t9FV1neAb1MTNutVyZCm5A9yhFvt98FNbPdASNsR7eeAAL3elkjqMQ6UoiWEySGULzrHKF-xK1YJlZOMR0Kvz3t3zPTNzg6DP6IdNmRQvSqBTks4aENhJLkloiLFEk9QZ7-N-f7-UdV/w512-h640/34C6073E-3DFD-45F4-AF9D-FF4F321DCBE6.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWHVUKD5nDwVQXUSyqpzXgsAuNaTg7JRzDJuSG2RL4ci8qebXcoCcs_fN4ev88rrLTYOPgIHiu-zTizJNswpDRd7yzmjB-dyj8tnxfjCCITnlHhejBO7Za2Zla0tLaMjzS5cke1CH2j8e7EGk2m-1dnejoxf_cslAEZhJlbilCm24Zz2b48qaXH53/s1109/9B3AEA25-66A1-41D9-9257-298A415A01FC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWHVUKD5nDwVQXUSyqpzXgsAuNaTg7JRzDJuSG2RL4ci8qebXcoCcs_fN4ev88rrLTYOPgIHiu-zTizJNswpDRd7yzmjB-dyj8tnxfjCCITnlHhejBO7Za2Zla0tLaMjzS5cke1CH2j8e7EGk2m-1dnejoxf_cslAEZhJlbilCm24Zz2b48qaXH53/w520-h640/9B3AEA25-66A1-41D9-9257-298A415A01FC.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Never quite ready to go home at the end of the day... these are the times I wish I could just stay in 18thc clothing for the whole week.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JJKszqCy45MwymkQ3nekwiyrFYAkp88-Vfs4oFoY-76L3bclx0MVeZTF0smgdPGmdM8EuQX46PBIORur52EmuWl0RYIvB0uh82ErTtFYrds2eQJlbhpghg1gvVdtx20US7SMceQEHJRDivyNyV1cBUW5zFQupBPW-g8jgD9s3nlLZ7whdHAPRMY-/s1794/4EDA6FB1-12B3-44CB-AC16-7CF7B9CAA56A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JJKszqCy45MwymkQ3nekwiyrFYAkp88-Vfs4oFoY-76L3bclx0MVeZTF0smgdPGmdM8EuQX46PBIORur52EmuWl0RYIvB0uh82ErTtFYrds2eQJlbhpghg1gvVdtx20US7SMceQEHJRDivyNyV1cBUW5zFQupBPW-g8jgD9s3nlLZ7whdHAPRMY-/w514-h640/4EDA6FB1-12B3-44CB-AC16-7CF7B9CAA56A.jpg" width="514" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh! I forgot! I did make the shoes above. Knowing I might need to be on my feet all day, and having a bad ankle and bad knees, I wanted some super flat, super comfy, 18thc-passing shoes. All I had to do was cut out uppers (from black velvet, in this case) with latchets that would work with shoe buckles, and I sewed them onto the all-fabric-upper of some Target memory-foam flats. They have been great so far and I wish I'd bought a couple more pairs so I could make more cloth shoes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The original shoe: <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XB2rwCYtZvPhxwrRF-prkjW_EumymfHkdfEvpsz8etFJ-HmtOP0vFwI7_iDqlsQlwGdEV376o0kBPOcWaX8AlMLQBlRyemZVzdQ_CuawxHvM62Bpbc_V0RgiStrCy8jqDNCGVcxEVtS8MxKWk3RGYunKrBFBVTtirzcp0Euv2uJkrrBtHH3or15J/s1794/07967D0B-77D4-4F52-A82C-F7DB72E7BD31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XB2rwCYtZvPhxwrRF-prkjW_EumymfHkdfEvpsz8etFJ-HmtOP0vFwI7_iDqlsQlwGdEV376o0kBPOcWaX8AlMLQBlRyemZVzdQ_CuawxHvM62Bpbc_V0RgiStrCy8jqDNCGVcxEVtS8MxKWk3RGYunKrBFBVTtirzcp0Euv2uJkrrBtHH3or15J/s320/07967D0B-77D4-4F52-A82C-F7DB72E7BD31.jpg" width="257" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cfz3CP37sKJSkWblX9-wf3rpjjeyH_RMauZAwZJ-OuO_ZSV4BoaOVOx63Cl56U-ozYiD0JlMUxFme0ANCmJSK2YqQpGVcZHl5KuLfIkJPQ-lpc2FeY8J8soFdZm8D2bRcc1iDi6tDkqiExzTsuGY2MNIAsZM-9njYbEVdqlhJfHjiWsec5M0qxoo/s1794/36B55329-515F-45F8-9803-519E4689F1BD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cfz3CP37sKJSkWblX9-wf3rpjjeyH_RMauZAwZJ-OuO_ZSV4BoaOVOx63Cl56U-ozYiD0JlMUxFme0ANCmJSK2YqQpGVcZHl5KuLfIkJPQ-lpc2FeY8J8soFdZm8D2bRcc1iDi6tDkqiExzTsuGY2MNIAsZM-9njYbEVdqlhJfHjiWsec5M0qxoo/s320/36B55329-515F-45F8-9803-519E4689F1BD.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>I used the sturdy wool from my 1890s jacket to back the latchets and give them some stiffness</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI9rHOW42G4AwdZR8tXX9L_SN4vHUsGYOS2CNINW9YckIu37kGvElvw25KWxnm5IMWyPFNzgRjtjZvAOQjJYruvtof0kf5JivTl96Zk3ohnNev0gsOlJWZexDRux8jbcgEFtOghuagqlB5zbQiu2VXP1rzn3Wu0t10VNkhdj0tOx03I4HhA_-xHjP/s1800/1249F00E-02B7-4161-8DBB-15CA4165550E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI9rHOW42G4AwdZR8tXX9L_SN4vHUsGYOS2CNINW9YckIu37kGvElvw25KWxnm5IMWyPFNzgRjtjZvAOQjJYruvtof0kf5JivTl96Zk3ohnNev0gsOlJWZexDRux8jbcgEFtOghuagqlB5zbQiu2VXP1rzn3Wu0t10VNkhdj0tOx03I4HhA_-xHjP/s320/1249F00E-02B7-4161-8DBB-15CA4165550E.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />Eventually I swapped these buckles out for some non-bedazzled plainer silver buckles, but you get the idea. Everything's bound with black grosgrain ribbon, which works out great for going around curves. Very comfortable, very easy, only took me parts of a weekend, really!<br /> <br /></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-68047640229199004322022-07-20T15:52:00.000-05:002022-07-20T15:52:05.202-05:001870s summer white, and a picnic<p> The StL Georgians (I can't get used to not calling it that, even though the group has branched out into other eras) had a picnic this summer, and it was going to be toasty. My Victorian wardrobe is quite limited so far because I'm a little too in love with the 18th century to really commit to other eras, but I have an 1870s ballgown that has yet to be worn; so what about using the pretty pink skirt from it? I was having quite a joint pain flare-up and just couldn't countenance wearing a corset that weekend, so this got me thinking... were there any semi-loose, semi-cool summer garments in this era? I went to the fashion plates for answers and found the following:</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhxj6ZO8jRboCIf_kLH51IsSs-FN4RWc2IiAoGFIR8MG1wmvgRJyt9GJHWwqZKD30CH3DQmKhXtlWBYZHvHnroNy2PuSy6o6icktLDW2G7I-9UiaJWAD0LfWGMR5LQQ1ZCm0mNkylKcwzoPf2mAzlHOghpj4n5gH8dR7L1LBIHLKgc8H72-m_wTZF/s1082/IMG_4167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhxj6ZO8jRboCIf_kLH51IsSs-FN4RWc2IiAoGFIR8MG1wmvgRJyt9GJHWwqZKD30CH3DQmKhXtlWBYZHvHnroNy2PuSy6o6icktLDW2G7I-9UiaJWAD0LfWGMR5LQQ1ZCm0mNkylKcwzoPf2mAzlHOghpj4n5gH8dR7L1LBIHLKgc8H72-m_wTZF/w445-h640/IMG_4167.JPG" width="445" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rBpgMIlGq7V8LgmBPAJE65Rax1JsaTSWrh6vIJX_3v2pQCXskk2YccYovV8qbUP75TEYuFT2Ab7NFZELoy-Gv3sunq0cAfkSFLOmgzEBdKOJ5owo1rksjZqb1UX4BVGP4uoULt6YDV04pfodLcZIP-aca-hjrvFM5Z6C3ftyXHgHUp83P_ok9tSC/s460/IMG_4166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="326" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rBpgMIlGq7V8LgmBPAJE65Rax1JsaTSWrh6vIJX_3v2pQCXskk2YccYovV8qbUP75TEYuFT2Ab7NFZELoy-Gv3sunq0cAfkSFLOmgzEBdKOJ5owo1rksjZqb1UX4BVGP4uoULt6YDV04pfodLcZIP-aca-hjrvFM5Z6C3ftyXHgHUp83P_ok9tSC/w454-h640/IMG_4166.JPG" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlfk_qAbIYIE-YnRFtn8bWyrSL9I9gPPDQsh8cz699_L3HW6lyHICzLhAbigadZsgY6XApT5GPim6y_s0zdM4zCgAWQ6Alj2BpNuX6nN49SyL8qhCLFO3WISyHmUzhbFtP6CUs11UP8UCkJ6KcFc0fir-q1i-lgHV9tRS1fpTHpWzdXDYHKQxw3MZ/s857/IMG_4165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="730" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlfk_qAbIYIE-YnRFtn8bWyrSL9I9gPPDQsh8cz699_L3HW6lyHICzLhAbigadZsgY6XApT5GPim6y_s0zdM4zCgAWQ6Alj2BpNuX6nN49SyL8qhCLFO3WISyHmUzhbFtP6CUs11UP8UCkJ6KcFc0fir-q1i-lgHV9tRS1fpTHpWzdXDYHKQxw3MZ/w546-h640/IMG_4165.JPG" width="546" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sure, they're all most likely being worn with the usual underpinnings, it would have rarely been proper NOT to, but I felt like they were all loose and fluffy enough that maybe I could get by with a modern bra. Truly Victorian's TV401, the 1870s blouse waist, felt like a good base to use, and by adding some ruched trim and bows, I felt like I wasn't looking too out of place! The blouse went together extremely quickly from an old bedsheet, I'm sure I'll end up using this pattern again.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWTxMamlu4wt81wtcD6wqDvhYpCKT3pyPpAfa0iu6zyixAF6EPOlm08sOW2jp5SGectlAA4sN4YX0KjLvAyGyij09vPTBmWJ8hyT8ES_PCUhvZhgUnKebt2tkeZB8SaP6QWYRANsKuGk_rYk2B8IaLcq-Tzcy3Q4BD_Z4SH6pBTHfVAGptD44Wfyf/s1800/7B9758AB-7946-4D89-A6DE-3B0F04184F02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWTxMamlu4wt81wtcD6wqDvhYpCKT3pyPpAfa0iu6zyixAF6EPOlm08sOW2jp5SGectlAA4sN4YX0KjLvAyGyij09vPTBmWJ8hyT8ES_PCUhvZhgUnKebt2tkeZB8SaP6QWYRANsKuGk_rYk2B8IaLcq-Tzcy3Q4BD_Z4SH6pBTHfVAGptD44Wfyf/w512-h640/7B9758AB-7946-4D89-A6DE-3B0F04184F02.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitquF1vvbC-oCZ1FyKtumhprKymfin3-z_5-w87ZrczqYAd_s4Z3Yjogo1Qddcs_3VbT7iQF1figKyykZ0uzqgexkw48T4DQ8t_gbxsf1HHpL8yEu9zfTCa5UJjup86vlDWZCiJmTMribQ7kc2GGfsltseK2FkpM2cHw5BNVd_EsDvhymKbAexI1e/s2048/IMG_4163.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitquF1vvbC-oCZ1FyKtumhprKymfin3-z_5-w87ZrczqYAd_s4Z3Yjogo1Qddcs_3VbT7iQF1figKyykZ0uzqgexkw48T4DQ8t_gbxsf1HHpL8yEu9zfTCa5UJjup86vlDWZCiJmTMribQ7kc2GGfsltseK2FkpM2cHw5BNVd_EsDvhymKbAexI1e/w300-h400/IMG_4163.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoWPHNHqy_hHjkISJIywxks7CLN2gbzfRvwFHqKy_I4HKv3cW9-PVbY1QYSGInuk7Z5aL6H4YJJvfSjVE7EhGNjRjTRD9wnwHk5TIkaEVi2dIfMWDynBYRU2IY7rWr-c-9aY6gPfCdPE2QU7_UutysSTPMDMz2ZgqerwZsTBYLCBy-9BkCUTMCM7K/s2048/IMG_4244.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoWPHNHqy_hHjkISJIywxks7CLN2gbzfRvwFHqKy_I4HKv3cW9-PVbY1QYSGInuk7Z5aL6H4YJJvfSjVE7EhGNjRjTRD9wnwHk5TIkaEVi2dIfMWDynBYRU2IY7rWr-c-9aY6gPfCdPE2QU7_UutysSTPMDMz2ZgqerwZsTBYLCBy-9BkCUTMCM7K/w300-h400/IMG_4244.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div>Thanks to a very late vet appointment for poor Charlotte (my bunny who at this point was in early kidney failure and we just didn't know it) I knew I was going to miss the first half of the picnic, but everyone was so sweet when I got there that it was a balm for my stressed soul.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhCNiZIxp2slNwybIZcS__bFZmxu-fcaOUG7bg3SJEyEqkYdKfdKzvsanLsRVLPqrjuNR-QRv_Nka5P51IspZiqIERQvTzXPQdLD8ixtpdORgHwRR5fXmkZHwQnOTM9QtTt1kynGYGcc1Js2tJsHgeDfkiS5W6BhiD0JPVZTEsBMXZzpYNBnyrxeL/s2112/IMG_4170.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MlhchDbi7uGmw-b7yIj2nl_zaFPBorvplhnSBG2ZVjdDpeNggq9nfN06d4n_Jl6OZDAmPKiBptyA2BAdhCxwNGnQZsi57yGVaz8Q2gaNi5xkwOknygmqfMFdl9hBeQ-t1Nufq3JG5Vw9-1Rs4242UUUqzp_lI575RHkwmQ9HE0bZ1Ar6caFfxOzG/w300-h400/IMG_4230.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had such a fun range of eras so that each person was a fresh visual treat! Hot and sweaty though we all were, the afternoon was a delight anyway, with drinks and fruit, sandwiches and desserts, and good stories and laughter. <br /></div><br /><p><br /> <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-36473022341315602682022-07-20T15:19:00.001-05:002022-07-20T15:19:27.667-05:001890s Wool Jacket<p> This has been a difficult past few months for me... I started out the year with so much optimism, and lost my sweet senior rabbit Coal in January. He was my handsome companion of 10 years, so it left a definitely hole in my daily routine, missing his bright snappy black eyes. Then my sole remaining bun, Charlotte, had months of health struggles until she finally had to be put to sleep in June, and I genuinely feel like I failed her somehow, which makes the grieving process harder.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzqk2BmP-O2lX6aUWEhZkeaOT0aDHxZPRsp0VAjmRS69yYmz6ryBfFDLbguHW3jDc71xBU4hopImqPZPPkiFez-XSp24F7HtXJ0ktEszXH7oWVjlksuw0NV0lckr8jRQY0x5RRGeEgkKzIUaHUoqnIFZHpvJt4r7M88uCh_f8RlrvJmjQskNUfnQk/s2048/IMG_2068.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzqk2BmP-O2lX6aUWEhZkeaOT0aDHxZPRsp0VAjmRS69yYmz6ryBfFDLbguHW3jDc71xBU4hopImqPZPPkiFez-XSp24F7HtXJ0ktEszXH7oWVjlksuw0NV0lckr8jRQY0x5RRGeEgkKzIUaHUoqnIFZHpvJt4r7M88uCh_f8RlrvJmjQskNUfnQk/s320/IMG_2068.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sweet babies, barely tolerating each other for a Christmas photo<br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">For now, I am rabbit-less, although we still have a darling sassy cat (found as a tiny kitten in an alley last year) and three needy dogs, so they are a big comfort.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Slow sewing is a comfort too, so I have managed a couple of projects that I really enjoyed. First was an 1890s jacket from the Black Snail pattern #0520. This was my first attempt at anything resembling traditional tailoring methods, and I found I really enjoyed learning padstitching!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had found an incredible deal on a hefty wool blend, and backed it with a canvas in all the spots required by the pattern, giving a really great shape to the jacket. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSDSkkuhv3HecBCTh14AwBKderbnMMcnb5DQfT806Jf56stZkS9Xti1-WizjIFRQFGq0gy8dGxO7TqXYnDE9yApWRWlcxqt0gNx4BIDoeHHO2e_yc-s0VkLIL_rXjVzuY16PE48oER6O5hp-70JmUCMgrq0jtybWTJDWbJ6pop9iQZExa7vzfKAWT/s2048/IMG_2139.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSDSkkuhv3HecBCTh14AwBKderbnMMcnb5DQfT806Jf56stZkS9Xti1-WizjIFRQFGq0gy8dGxO7TqXYnDE9yApWRWlcxqt0gNx4BIDoeHHO2e_yc-s0VkLIL_rXjVzuY16PE48oER6O5hp-70JmUCMgrq0jtybWTJDWbJ6pop9iQZExa7vzfKAWT/w300-h400/IMG_2139.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Soooo much padstitching</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I didn't intend to fully duplicate the raised collar of a coat I had saved from a museum Instagram post, I really embraced the neat swirly design on the back of it and tried to bring a taste of that into the project.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmqeTgqKqn1xG_T5hho5onCOzJxdQ0YIgdQQmTfTumvAlTa1cFE8J3NDFhvw0eAT8andji3geHygmVavN3jsofVd0Ad9HcJmSNiwDavaQoPtni8FXIzoA-xr-FzyfrDwx53n39DDL0kHYWwJwRLpjyPsP4EPx-y95RnpNGgUMrk--QadvJzpQH5Vc/s2048/C9AD5549-5D25-45DC-ADFF-1CDD44C45B92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmqeTgqKqn1xG_T5hho5onCOzJxdQ0YIgdQQmTfTumvAlTa1cFE8J3NDFhvw0eAT8andji3geHygmVavN3jsofVd0Ad9HcJmSNiwDavaQoPtni8FXIzoA-xr-FzyfrDwx53n39DDL0kHYWwJwRLpjyPsP4EPx-y95RnpNGgUMrk--QadvJzpQH5Vc/s320/C9AD5549-5D25-45DC-ADFF-1CDD44C45B92.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i> </i>Despite not always being sure of what I was going for or if I was tailoring correctly, I really was pleased with the nice clean lines of the jacket. I chose not to follow the pattern's skirts, as I wanted a tad more pleating around the front.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQGG84jJyTCvKslzm7A2bM4wVswetLiUkWIx7P92BQs2_PBH3iVsKqOxGUy48wpQSkNHc2GNM3sV3tYjvg79ngT9TZRCXLc9umvJsUep6l2LHcWqkiIDinaqyL6me0WbJ-vXMwquaKIZY-mynrRu9HjEN5nejQwoCrTSDRnQnAJO0HTuIMI1ifaJT/s2048/IMG_2717.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQGG84jJyTCvKslzm7A2bM4wVswetLiUkWIx7P92BQs2_PBH3iVsKqOxGUy48wpQSkNHc2GNM3sV3tYjvg79ngT9TZRCXLc9umvJsUep6l2LHcWqkiIDinaqyL6me0WbJ-vXMwquaKIZY-mynrRu9HjEN5nejQwoCrTSDRnQnAJO0HTuIMI1ifaJT/w300-h400/IMG_2717.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcOMjTX1ACuspWG8zMdQ56a_r-sh5AdU1QiSZa4nMClGUzhrll7GYoK-tKIIoujVJ3uoWDMg0NCe7fAGWzhhmxRrhb459TiMgw22R1mSon5ZBIUEuAjmFe8kfFsA6VtKIADg_553TwO12-LaypKDBpbvinVFNy0ACvB9IEcJl_8BZRpWmw7l4db8H/s2048/IMG_2723.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcOMjTX1ACuspWG8zMdQ56a_r-sh5AdU1QiSZa4nMClGUzhrll7GYoK-tKIIoujVJ3uoWDMg0NCe7fAGWzhhmxRrhb459TiMgw22R1mSon5ZBIUEuAjmFe8kfFsA6VtKIADg_553TwO12-LaypKDBpbvinVFNy0ACvB9IEcJl_8BZRpWmw7l4db8H/w300-h400/IMG_2723.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RodJg_6YVbO0pkprdMPHR2KQG22JTGRzXDrKVgbBJr0T4F65jswFnvKJfUqrdVwV8iKpZj8A-8p8lGG-AodRA9gL-3LKBX0FZ1_djWgvvVgKSqMcbIE9XJ8a1FlQaFeITokzZePjEqQc9kOpcaVnK7MxhnaG_XCf7MDt8KIPVmeA4lT05s1BtCGV/s2048/IMG_2726.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RodJg_6YVbO0pkprdMPHR2KQG22JTGRzXDrKVgbBJr0T4F65jswFnvKJfUqrdVwV8iKpZj8A-8p8lGG-AodRA9gL-3LKBX0FZ1_djWgvvVgKSqMcbIE9XJ8a1FlQaFeITokzZePjEqQc9kOpcaVnK7MxhnaG_XCf7MDt8KIPVmeA4lT05s1BtCGV/w300-h400/IMG_2726.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYM0PgdmL2MP3eMRVqjNzLTF_XZQOv2CmK31PQuZE8oXZvnXWtAyluoj9o0i-XBBmpszy9KBEt0bSSjglwwzvhebox-gzm1LGI5926MsTQuqdU63rP5klxYxuzkZ4ylZyv4SRAT1crELSlFl5qpTtcwSZEyMZu6ZmGQkRqoLQUxFJYW58ZKgqxaXK3/s2048/IMG_2733.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYM0PgdmL2MP3eMRVqjNzLTF_XZQOv2CmK31PQuZE8oXZvnXWtAyluoj9o0i-XBBmpszy9KBEt0bSSjglwwzvhebox-gzm1LGI5926MsTQuqdU63rP5klxYxuzkZ4ylZyv4SRAT1crELSlFl5qpTtcwSZEyMZu6ZmGQkRqoLQUxFJYW58ZKgqxaXK3/w300-h400/IMG_2733.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The sleeves didn't need any internal support, much to my surprise! The pattern had me cut a little half-moon of canvas that gets stitched into the upper armscye, and that was quite enough to keep it standing out from the shoulder.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got to wear the jacket with a basic wool skirt for a skating party in Forest Park with the StL historical sewing group, and enjoyed the opportunity to put this to the test.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3mDvCscYtMnjR2hpzVewADkfdDqwzDdumiY-0QFraD9V0EUkBRJ8v24Z6pT_90v2DmMQhLYaHGUUCBXSyl1CoUNlxuazrtfQ_ChSIlsYI1rbP1fsE6FN9NbH4nJ_LUtTxU42-nMYH-bPqWJ-1BoAzOtDy_EoykN0xPyQhcxVNi9TkX_WAuHm1NWP/s2048/img_1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3mDvCscYtMnjR2hpzVewADkfdDqwzDdumiY-0QFraD9V0EUkBRJ8v24Z6pT_90v2DmMQhLYaHGUUCBXSyl1CoUNlxuazrtfQ_ChSIlsYI1rbP1fsE6FN9NbH4nJ_LUtTxU42-nMYH-bPqWJ-1BoAzOtDy_EoykN0xPyQhcxVNi9TkX_WAuHm1NWP/w426-h640/img_1232.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>I was PLENTY warm the whole day, that's for sure!! My hubby was a good sport to dress up in black vest, pants, my dad's woolen greatcoat, and a top hat...but I couldn't quite convince him to ditch the sunglasses against the snow glare.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboU5UHuQTVGQv2L-0W57Y9r9cXYdW2IgtY37LreW9Y1GdVH7_mtGAB-W5wK1vutZpX59t6kM3hN4my219HgEpj7ruYg-TIdkodylLLQtcfRPjj1zt68gshflynTIDCEm75iblrNGKlHlH6LZyiGg6voC7Cw9t3h_GEopXf4ZGtZoigTYe2dxQpBLz/s2048/img_1441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboU5UHuQTVGQv2L-0W57Y9r9cXYdW2IgtY37LreW9Y1GdVH7_mtGAB-W5wK1vutZpX59t6kM3hN4my219HgEpj7ruYg-TIdkodylLLQtcfRPjj1zt68gshflynTIDCEm75iblrNGKlHlH6LZyiGg6voC7Cw9t3h_GEopXf4ZGtZoigTYe2dxQpBLz/w640-h426/img_1441.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jean of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fabricatinghistory" target="_blank">Fabricating History</a> and Alyssa of <a href="https://thesewinggoatherd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Sewing Goatherd</a> looked marvelous and warm in their beautiful green ensembles! <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmN7OHkVA2PnBNZVZuLzti8XVB1J1KeKALO8M8gi_l-P-Kf0YfypLkRq8CuaUvfO8H0Ij2zRODcvNt0N6-chB5EpUdnjqWx-alBybC8GrhcO6H1h0SGzi5NbXnzwc7tKUkwwmxHiQZlee-02R-yW-qKjaBLyzd3Ehdf9syHFeqqzO6AO7ZvAu6n-mv/s2048/IMG_2854.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmN7OHkVA2PnBNZVZuLzti8XVB1J1KeKALO8M8gi_l-P-Kf0YfypLkRq8CuaUvfO8H0Ij2zRODcvNt0N6-chB5EpUdnjqWx-alBybC8GrhcO6H1h0SGzi5NbXnzwc7tKUkwwmxHiQZlee-02R-yW-qKjaBLyzd3Ehdf9syHFeqqzO6AO7ZvAu6n-mv/w480-h640/IMG_2854.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p>I absolutely loved my hat, which was whipped up the night before from a black straw 18thc bergere, a lot of black matte taffeta, some ostrich feathers, and dotted net veiling. Initially I thought "Oh I'll just take this apart when I need my black bergere back" ...but it's way too cute to disassemble now.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDYSUYbyQiYOeTlNF_R6AJSFzVUiUFSyKIaPe321kx0VtH8TidntkgWsDxPorgxCmGkbhWO6z2WdGYh70POzFtcPLRL4nRDgAHlWmEB_h8UkWh0r94PJ7Bmi7XAPMM5cAoYA8qlk0ERWIupl1jeJfO8U2T99_sHaYmPYeFqiS7Vqapxe_0y7EuWzj/s2048/IMG_2863.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDYSUYbyQiYOeTlNF_R6AJSFzVUiUFSyKIaPe321kx0VtH8TidntkgWsDxPorgxCmGkbhWO6z2WdGYh70POzFtcPLRL4nRDgAHlWmEB_h8UkWh0r94PJ7Bmi7XAPMM5cAoYA8qlk0ERWIupl1jeJfO8U2T99_sHaYmPYeFqiS7Vqapxe_0y7EuWzj/w300-h400/IMG_2863.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Forest Park has a lot of picturesque spots, but none more perfect for this era than the wrought-iron Victorian bridge, and iron park benches near the lake. We had a lot of fun trying to get just the right feel.<br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fS1EYSXh0yf34J6orV7X2W3LH_N0QTMQDhmAruMhmVQWkrvWKwbUSLsYRVtOfEwxlL6ta2bit8CmnvG249By24__yUbWIHo2-2e8MOTWLrQf5qKIQ9tYQxgAoH9RtNnDYFBUUXNHT0f1-_yWR7RHyuGQC8O_sWXapJPOdbK8tmBosV_SlSFJ2Gge/s2048/img_1365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fS1EYSXh0yf34J6orV7X2W3LH_N0QTMQDhmAruMhmVQWkrvWKwbUSLsYRVtOfEwxlL6ta2bit8CmnvG249By24__yUbWIHo2-2e8MOTWLrQf5qKIQ9tYQxgAoH9RtNnDYFBUUXNHT0f1-_yWR7RHyuGQC8O_sWXapJPOdbK8tmBosV_SlSFJ2Gge/w426-h640/img_1365.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPzEA1tvCKNyUCS89e1ooo1QJBBjDbJk8HoJ-NsrFHDyw5eirY71C5H0y48kf9d3gG3oCy_xaoaiVusYM8eSwKfZxHyhBlD1pNGUWC1FmGJtkwr5zmK2AS4J1Nd4my75HeEtLDFM3H7yPFbmw1-meu-jwJ6XyDhVWR3c9xXViz7VltaVWKLMyM44p/s2114/IMG_2767.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2114" data-original-width="1488" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPzEA1tvCKNyUCS89e1ooo1QJBBjDbJk8HoJ-NsrFHDyw5eirY71C5H0y48kf9d3gG3oCy_xaoaiVusYM8eSwKfZxHyhBlD1pNGUWC1FmGJtkwr5zmK2AS4J1Nd4my75HeEtLDFM3H7yPFbmw1-meu-jwJ6XyDhVWR3c9xXViz7VltaVWKLMyM44p/w450-h640/IMG_2767.jpeg" width="450" /></a></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The following are my favorites, and it's fascinating how authentic they look with a bit of an old-timey filter applied!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_Xd6gVNIt05-ufmMD6TD2u4HOPuN412sKi0AyqgxCqBqMos1Ea9wStqvvb5aklS0PUoneAJrxS7q5zcZXKyvPHCypC2pQ9dlTGAEvcIxKR_X1C1ScILWlGlnRYW6Pb0hg8PG388tui6qL1CYYWjtXix_IMqkJ4g-95Xzi-HLaR8z0n1CmdXFnc1x/s3444/IMG_2821.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3444" data-original-width="2427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_Xd6gVNIt05-ufmMD6TD2u4HOPuN412sKi0AyqgxCqBqMos1Ea9wStqvvb5aklS0PUoneAJrxS7q5zcZXKyvPHCypC2pQ9dlTGAEvcIxKR_X1C1ScILWlGlnRYW6Pb0hg8PG388tui6qL1CYYWjtXix_IMqkJ4g-95Xzi-HLaR8z0n1CmdXFnc1x/w452-h640/IMG_2821.JPEG" width="452" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37puxgnys1SqIZvYNljod9xZdJteBMiPiPdYS3Xx8Wj2bE2wHHvU3we5fLOPWJaPVMqmeH1PwAEYfcgu3RXqF5pHymFr_fCLr-6b38siPvwSU5f-GVCZyFeu1NWmO_xS2CVpsyitqXydU-ikdcXVxdlE0eRBxuOCqGNnYYRAM-v4SB1gf47bCGtoc/s1592/IMG_2899.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37puxgnys1SqIZvYNljod9xZdJteBMiPiPdYS3Xx8Wj2bE2wHHvU3we5fLOPWJaPVMqmeH1PwAEYfcgu3RXqF5pHymFr_fCLr-6b38siPvwSU5f-GVCZyFeu1NWmO_xS2CVpsyitqXydU-ikdcXVxdlE0eRBxuOCqGNnYYRAM-v4SB1gf47bCGtoc/w452-h640/IMG_2899.JPEG" width="452" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPtdq3WTzJz_8ouCabGo_PJMf48WQswqkAJDawkZY0VgfADt3oX9D_MBtPr3X8K6mkgE_8liAshnN62UPNIyibKhCrp_A8MKLokTEBkqR52hMAZrsT5ZIEnZN0niyBR5FZWu-T1iUFBSdjoSX4TALknMWKogDl42SnDSVPNUZ8Dq_DpS8xzrxvdq1/s4032/TinType-665892645.680262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPtdq3WTzJz_8ouCabGo_PJMf48WQswqkAJDawkZY0VgfADt3oX9D_MBtPr3X8K6mkgE_8liAshnN62UPNIyibKhCrp_A8MKLokTEBkqR52hMAZrsT5ZIEnZN0niyBR5FZWu-T1iUFBSdjoSX4TALknMWKogDl42SnDSVPNUZ8Dq_DpS8xzrxvdq1/w480-h640/TinType-665892645.680262.jpg" width="480" /></a><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Alyssa and I were all smiles that day</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /></div><p>The jacket had just the dramatic flair I was hoping for, and hopefully will get worn for more late Victorian winter outings!<br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p></div><br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-92131900821774533502022-01-05T15:07:00.001-06:002022-01-05T15:07:24.914-06:00Fresh year, fresh projects!<p> Overly optimistic as always, I have a TON of things I'd love to make this year, or at least to get started on! In no particular order (I want to leave room to tackle them only as they inspire me), here we go!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVlscYWYXycqtbJO8KmAqPPOwet69Qgmp6y6YT7_1TkA7vosbckHz0nwovbkiJmdD8UEYnqhOHKrf8fDQgq0yeG2HBg3XMqsFhk7Jbe1tjq9sSuXAdEPyJ29uPY2sGHyV4on9wBoucmDaSuEwvLQH5HLuuZNKy-x7ltELY00ylRrLONQk5_gVZKUUR=s1033" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVlscYWYXycqtbJO8KmAqPPOwet69Qgmp6y6YT7_1TkA7vosbckHz0nwovbkiJmdD8UEYnqhOHKrf8fDQgq0yeG2HBg3XMqsFhk7Jbe1tjq9sSuXAdEPyJ29uPY2sGHyV4on9wBoucmDaSuEwvLQH5HLuuZNKy-x7ltELY00ylRrLONQk5_gVZKUUR=w508-h640" width="508" /></a></div><p>Somehow I stumbled across this portrait of Marie Antoinette -- and while my brain is probably just forgetting a million images I've seen, dark green feels less usual in 18thc portraiture than most other colors, especially for the frequently painted MA. This painting crossed my path at just the right time, when I had just bought a stunning changeable green taffeta shot with the lightest pink, absolutely perfect for recreating this gown. But because I love the fabric so much and want to save some of it, most likely I'll be doing a jacket/petticoat combination rather than the full sacque gown I imagine was probably being worn here. Also fortuitously, I have a LOT of suitable lace (something like a 26 meter roll?) and it took no time at all to find the little pink paper flowers. The petticoat is sitting at home right now, already halfway done, as I'm going to wear it to an event this weekend (hopefully) with a plaid pet en l'air.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrQ8Wbryc6NGp4i-wKw7lpuvnQpnYb9gpYD8bniowYvn2ZyFmNb5QeKVbTwkJfs1XXgMLbOieIijw3scKh4CTCZ0pwTv2UbFUihcZxU8c9lSpaHE_0LqnPAdTuB3V6hbTVKcUWJNJ7lQMmwJMXWjlTXk1k_QetUOjgf6Vt-5-_c51LaJl7MqMYYD45=s1177" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrQ8Wbryc6NGp4i-wKw7lpuvnQpnYb9gpYD8bniowYvn2ZyFmNb5QeKVbTwkJfs1XXgMLbOieIijw3scKh4CTCZ0pwTv2UbFUihcZxU8c9lSpaHE_0LqnPAdTuB3V6hbTVKcUWJNJ7lQMmwJMXWjlTXk1k_QetUOjgf6Vt-5-_c51LaJl7MqMYYD45=w436-h640" width="436" /></a></div><br /><p>Next up, this amazing gown in Alexander Roslin's portrait of the Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna (born Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg, later Empress consort of Emperor Paul I of Russia). I have a fondness for her as a historical personage, it sounds like she made the best of a difficult situation with the nightmare of all mother-in-laws, the formidable (and similarly German-born) Catherine the Great, who yanked from Maria the first two infant sons she bore. But though most women would have been overshadowed by a monarch like Catherine, Maria Feodorovna held her own. She was bright, well-educated, curious, won over her difficult husband, had 10 children, and greatly influenced Russian charities, architecture, and politics during her era. </p><p>I'm not much of an orange-wearer, but this dress just won't leave my mind, and I've been wanting to try it for years. I feel sure it's silk satin rather than taffeta, and most likely a Robe a la Francaise, but for the sake of yardage (I have an orange satin that's been sitting in my stash) I'm going to attempt to make it a Robe a la Anglaise instead. I have rather a lot of vintage gold net and ivory flowers with green leaves, so supply-wise I should be set!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzWHRlGvLkasA3EAdfVDyPIXZJtEjRJ20vIShHIeiWVB1zE5Kjo-KVXKtoCL92yJBC8-cWDZQUoVy0b7cRvDLHGNYGGMA9zIPpJLzMYzQoREWc2b54HWXv3uQDZA9N1T6Vx4Hr7LRznq8Vi4e-jYUDRhguawZcQIgI-uosm7Q30n-iqHbZKqphaCzz=s694" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzWHRlGvLkasA3EAdfVDyPIXZJtEjRJ20vIShHIeiWVB1zE5Kjo-KVXKtoCL92yJBC8-cWDZQUoVy0b7cRvDLHGNYGGMA9zIPpJLzMYzQoREWc2b54HWXv3uQDZA9N1T6Vx4Hr7LRznq8Vi4e-jYUDRhguawZcQIgI-uosm7Q30n-iqHbZKqphaCzz=w462-h640" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVmqhnfC9a55FgBVBzHsO0yRD-oElpSbWQOrNbGS4UY1reOer6U4uI7Sd5mrn1opUnHpoF1oN_AcwKILLdxtlj2ODTHQ19MfA1iXHLysTGysFTSrqsLeg4PttyilYk5gdhCWs-2p9JEjhxqN2BGCmr6lkMFiTZLSe2VdoM387Y0P2cClJJyMCue9sv=s620" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVmqhnfC9a55FgBVBzHsO0yRD-oElpSbWQOrNbGS4UY1reOer6U4uI7Sd5mrn1opUnHpoF1oN_AcwKILLdxtlj2ODTHQ19MfA1iXHLysTGysFTSrqsLeg4PttyilYk5gdhCWs-2p9JEjhxqN2BGCmr6lkMFiTZLSe2VdoM387Y0P2cClJJyMCue9sv=w364-h400" width="364" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p>A Renaissance gown has been very high on my list for the past 6 months. For years I have watched The Borgias over and over and OVER again, and love all of Lucrezia's floaty, decadent gowns, so maybe this year I'll attempt something like a mashup between the papal investiture ceremony gown and her wedding gown (because I love her headdress in that scene). I now have the Margo Anderson Italian Gamurra pattern recommended to me by Costumer's Closet, 10 yards of a stunning gold silk damask (for $10 a yard!), and quite a bit of a sheer ivory window-pane material for a camicia...I don't anticipate that any of it will really be historically accurate, being more screen-inspired than anything, but since Renaissance is a hot thing in the community on Instagram right now, it might be time to dive in! The show mixes textiles and textures in the most intricate, delicious way, so it would be fun to experiment with that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="373" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvrMs5XTC-GXQkQG_JPF62-MM8Uxc3BokqC2Ts7igsQ88e_4rBs4rcY2gsMh_yVLyjyMdMbmrVMBShNI1mQTE4UHAk_0dkVUFoVo5esHBLwQTdA44cCLHUoHowsVSAk4YsbG84udaERjjQd944lCQoih4jXS7LRxNYNajOECK_LzGfG9wLjhZnOxEk=w466-h640" width="466" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Victorian needs to be high on my list this year as well, if I ever want to finish my self-set "Decades" goal of making one gown per decade from 1700-1900. I have a really fun red cotton print that I'd love to use to make something like this 1840s day dress! There's a good Truly Victorian pattern in my stash that should produce a similar gown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEheJYFrlu4_KEqUDXgiAmXRlgQZ0epxIxAdHf1Z_A4qzxwxiJRcMxy97ncOnnk97VhEwGYwySBFDn9njA3tkkGqCnSNCs5dD2HW4tP95BDeqiocz4rPr35kF27D2hQDIFyAMzybLAP0KHZhJu2Z3s-KAMxoc7Yrzs677RSx4MR6Nrz5bw6EDv0IdP=s480" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="323" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEheJYFrlu4_KEqUDXgiAmXRlgQZ0epxIxAdHf1Z_A4qzxwxiJRcMxy97ncOnnk97VhEwGYwySBFDn9njA3tkkGqCnSNCs5dD2HW4tP95BDeqiocz4rPr35kF27D2hQDIFyAMzybLAP0KHZhJu2Z3s-KAMxoc7Yrzs677RSx4MR6Nrz5bw6EDv0IdP=w269-h400" width="269" /></a></div><p>Similarly, I'd like to get a good 1850s gown in, from a dark brown and navy stripe (synthetic, but hey I'm not just going to throw it away!)....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVA827-aeJRZ24kBcAflXrJHVBAoqG0_lpaj8p8l_C2fwsMVo7c1SduPJ_xpjAToHIQEBN2Y6C-Laqtuu19UYqBgVRgwCO-nH_xxgdR3UIuxWLBSknaStfM08zdnXw56FnI0lPZHBFJi8lzhDtg-vp_XsRBuF9HLHJMfzzNgEOwefFd8Nuxv4nYxtm=s2145" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2145" data-original-width="1620" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVA827-aeJRZ24kBcAflXrJHVBAoqG0_lpaj8p8l_C2fwsMVo7c1SduPJ_xpjAToHIQEBN2Y6C-Laqtuu19UYqBgVRgwCO-nH_xxgdR3UIuxWLBSknaStfM08zdnXw56FnI0lPZHBFJi8lzhDtg-vp_XsRBuF9HLHJMfzzNgEOwefFd8Nuxv4nYxtm=w303-h400" width="303" /></a></div><p>...and a plaid 1860s gown as well (I've got a brown/blue/red plaid silk that I picked up for $10 a yard and it would be perfect for this). While I only plan to make the day bodice for now, eventually it'd be nice to also have a matching ballgown bodice, and hopefully there's enough yardage left over for that.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG-6Y40Jev-9ceeCM8Tgm1oC5FAa4Xy6Rcy-MlpPE9EVkL2SnWqSA_ikRr98gfKLdu6dxCmzoafj3bUFV9be7AjK0CN-QSdxAFD62jrsZ3Xb_-8BBqGFC7vZliyK8ds671b3EMUONeMlg01A7BMTpQ1Ib_KqClq7-82PcqEsdmxYlmsfGyG5AW237f=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="879" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG-6Y40Jev-9ceeCM8Tgm1oC5FAa4Xy6Rcy-MlpPE9EVkL2SnWqSA_ikRr98gfKLdu6dxCmzoafj3bUFV9be7AjK0CN-QSdxAFD62jrsZ3Xb_-8BBqGFC7vZliyK8ds671b3EMUONeMlg01A7BMTpQ1Ib_KqClq7-82PcqEsdmxYlmsfGyG5AW237f=w344-h400" width="344" /></a></div><p>There's a lovely lilac plaid sitting in my fabric storage, and possibly enough solid purple fabric to attempt this Natural Form (ish? there's a wee bit of bustle there) walking gown...</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtvTda3PVGLjAFEFKmARU3CIrPGL3ICB_n8M2DUgURmtF5yOh_TOax3Smb2hI3TVE7Smn2i8srm3FdI38_ENbreL5fiT1uEEZcMJ2iVOyyN4RvU7MedM3zOLf9D64IDDO21ClpxLM-lcuu3pfAIL55Ugqu6Nsb5nsaFVB755f8K6AhS_9XWVdUEYYB=s700" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="499" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtvTda3PVGLjAFEFKmARU3CIrPGL3ICB_n8M2DUgURmtF5yOh_TOax3Smb2hI3TVE7Smn2i8srm3FdI38_ENbreL5fiT1uEEZcMJ2iVOyyN4RvU7MedM3zOLf9D64IDDO21ClpxLM-lcuu3pfAIL55Ugqu6Nsb5nsaFVB755f8K6AhS_9XWVdUEYYB=w285-h400" width="285" /></a></div><p>...and just to round out the Victorian insanity, this amazing bustle gown, for which I have lots of grey satin stripe with a little bit of yellow ribbon stripe running through it.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvcQZ7f2CYgzdYRIBTZY_kwNkN7v5Q2gIv3FtKkEBlNQgzr1SAUTDk2be4qO1Kpz1kZvBH29r12kVjhjdhp-9XKY-o8n27RSJm_GUiUijNymVVtU-NwwUcNzwCRc1GERh3dp68cskqtFK6LKiqZXJ_Fh3Y5pXNAZ5FMtHCzApZn0mE6nOOz-0jZaGa=s600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvcQZ7f2CYgzdYRIBTZY_kwNkN7v5Q2gIv3FtKkEBlNQgzr1SAUTDk2be4qO1Kpz1kZvBH29r12kVjhjdhp-9XKY-o8n27RSJm_GUiUijNymVVtU-NwwUcNzwCRc1GERh3dp68cskqtFK6LKiqZXJ_Fh3Y5pXNAZ5FMtHCzApZn0mE6nOOz-0jZaGa=s320" width="317" /></a></div><p>I have a beautiful yellow and white silk damask that would be a stunning riding habit, a la Glenn Close in Dangerous Liaisons, and a black straw bergere, all ready to go....if I ever feel like making a million black buttonholes! 😂</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1TMCXeuMa119GezK_4w-VOZ-H9vIiu8YLZBkEMiSpV6qSJdl7e51avA3OrFjO-qEWP-UCkCNPtOOBlJe-VoDrdACZHTvQKIyfGGlCLdFCckr9hpJjDgoaZFuVJvsA0SjBCg8WDig959aLMxPn-30GL3sQnXdSQT9HYhUuy8OM-RPVWPhTMH0kx79B=s700" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="700" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1TMCXeuMa119GezK_4w-VOZ-H9vIiu8YLZBkEMiSpV6qSJdl7e51avA3OrFjO-qEWP-UCkCNPtOOBlJe-VoDrdACZHTvQKIyfGGlCLdFCckr9hpJjDgoaZFuVJvsA0SjBCg8WDig959aLMxPn-30GL3sQnXdSQT9HYhUuy8OM-RPVWPhTMH0kx79B=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>From the thrift store, I found a remarkably similar orangey/burgundy fabric with dark green stripes already woven in....and I think it'd make an amazingly similar outfit to the "Portrait of a Woman inspired by Lucretia" by Lorenzo Lotto. We'll see if I ever get around to this or not, it's not high on my list but the fabric is just too good to let go.</p><p><br /></p><p>And then a couple of VERY long term projects, because they'd be so detail-intensive:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl9Rjn5nyxoxhuiRP_-uGduk0dYtftcKRveASrE0lsoZYJc6QQVYNLdqzXHaOuH8aiFIV55SqvofmnQxDsE66rB_WV8z9EWYhyXmIVWz64N4OcrnPAJSttwXUQUAsWAe314RvvQ1JBt0WVfEvav_0YJio-P6TEkaCxVcnsTJHczUDmLi44dkRz5uEk=s756" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl9Rjn5nyxoxhuiRP_-uGduk0dYtftcKRveASrE0lsoZYJc6QQVYNLdqzXHaOuH8aiFIV55SqvofmnQxDsE66rB_WV8z9EWYhyXmIVWz64N4OcrnPAJSttwXUQUAsWAe314RvvQ1JBt0WVfEvav_0YJio-P6TEkaCxVcnsTJHczUDmLi44dkRz5uEk=w576-h640" width="576" /></a></div><p>I'd just love to have an early Regency ballgown that's spangled at the bottom. I have a chocolate brown silk in the stash already, and a ton of flat gold spangles....but probably not as many as I'll need for a very intricate design. I might start off very small in design and see what my tolerance for such a project might be, but thanks to the 1790s adjustability, I could work on such a thing for years and still be able to fit in it despite any weight fluctuations. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMck0rbanPhtkIkyhN6xuYu0aKu2LcnGzlW2jPNZvIfQmzMjSiQ5DfgXyotb6GiAaIfxcZrGvpGXQeUemgFYseRNf5mx3pHg-7PfcEkqpjo-nt5KAzVa8bsEwo_tM1fzt_y3SrS61edFQqijGHc5V_JpwIfQlVertU9Ylrrz7rzwSEqFyzNOK0TgBk=s801" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMck0rbanPhtkIkyhN6xuYu0aKu2LcnGzlW2jPNZvIfQmzMjSiQ5DfgXyotb6GiAaIfxcZrGvpGXQeUemgFYseRNf5mx3pHg-7PfcEkqpjo-nt5KAzVa8bsEwo_tM1fzt_y3SrS61edFQqijGHc5V_JpwIfQlVertU9Ylrrz7rzwSEqFyzNOK0TgBk=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div>Lastly of all -- This incredible sequined Worth gown has been on my radar for years, and it's always surprised me that none of the 'big' costume names have been interested in tackling it. Whatever I do would only end up being my approximation.... I have neither the interest nor patience to painstakingly count the number of sequins per square inch to make an exact copy. But it really is an absolutely stunning piece and I can only imagine how it would shimmer with each movement. The silhouette itself is nothing unusual...basic Edwardian bodice and skirt shape... but the sequins embroidered onto the sheer overlay on both the bertha (is it still called that by the 1900s?) and skirt will be a challenge.<br /><p>So there we have it! Way too many projects for me to get done in one year, but I'd rather aim too high than too low. It's lovely to have something to look forward to, and I'm not really the kind of person who feels pressured by setting goals for myself and then not moving as quickly as I'd like on them. These days, sometimes it's progress to get in 10 minutes of sewing, but my love of fashion and art just can't let pieces and projects like these go without a fight!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="painting-overlay-title-area">
</div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-82589653336053854572021-12-08T17:33:00.001-06:002022-07-20T15:19:51.430-05:001830s cotton gown<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZC1WQSH6zYFaF5E82enatqCVNEhnmSjE61I7i4noVez_5ufEktTWpVkdsSKszZPtE1aR6b_HXpSQna9N1zPFfTF5zfn0yYq6mXS6mm_p7GEbx9ARjWGpUpNKr2COHacUc3e9g1xJI_yA/s1566/La+Mode+revue+des+modes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="921" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZC1WQSH6zYFaF5E82enatqCVNEhnmSjE61I7i4noVez_5ufEktTWpVkdsSKszZPtE1aR6b_HXpSQna9N1zPFfTF5zfn0yYq6mXS6mm_p7GEbx9ARjWGpUpNKr2COHacUc3e9g1xJI_yA/w376-h640/La+Mode+revue+des+modes.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>In my quest to do as many decades of popular European fashion history as possible, I always assumed the 1830s would be the LAST I'd ever hit up. Those crazy sleeves! Those uber-feminine prints! THAT HAIR! But for some reason, after seeing this gown on Etsy (it's still there for a cool $3800) I really started to get the burning desire to jump in:<br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VRe3SPlSJlSj-8-F8F_w6TljLhjEdgxzbEn2y1MmxW2WNXGLOI83WhHNzWVT7dyLhy0LbhyphenhypheneWH475a53JnbRrVafmtwrAcEW0kmUdDvOqd6H4-zDliYobVzZqlljE3u9feXDliZ3V4A/s794/il_794xN.2235533382_p36d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="794" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VRe3SPlSJlSj-8-F8F_w6TljLhjEdgxzbEn2y1MmxW2WNXGLOI83WhHNzWVT7dyLhy0LbhyphenhypheneWH475a53JnbRrVafmtwrAcEW0kmUdDvOqd6H4-zDliYobVzZqlljE3u9feXDliZ3V4A/s320/il_794xN.2235533382_p36d.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There seem to be quite a few examples like this in museums -- light ground cotton, with floral print, geometric, or a combination of both. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0GVbEF-JRAc1SaOsjsnYUHXb35dVgpYk0dLIOu6E1mkI5yZsz7BTcp8w1GPsxUX1SM85-AEyVfNDj9HzuWyE6es3NjUnDWcjG0o6dO1oBrqOjBKSpYhempMKaWwA1zqTclCS2Ytamh8/s735/2006BG4483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="735" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0GVbEF-JRAc1SaOsjsnYUHXb35dVgpYk0dLIOu6E1mkI5yZsz7BTcp8w1GPsxUX1SM85-AEyVfNDj9HzuWyE6es3NjUnDWcjG0o6dO1oBrqOjBKSpYhempMKaWwA1zqTclCS2Ytamh8/s320/2006BG4483.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Armed with that knowledge, I bounded off to Thousands of Bolts (my go-to website for inexpensive cotton) and found a great pink floral-and-geometric to fit the bill. It arrived, I cut into Truly Victorian's TV455, and apparently I was SO excited that apparently I didn't take a single progress picture until I hit this point: <br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoOHsuVe87vH97FP0tjBmp6nX7rVNYJtr9GWOwYHTHSvpXhYHg3bScMqZ3cMg5ceew3EIMY1n8LL0qGk7TYxEzi7t33WZKd7su63h54NC2kyD_Es68Yt3t1wMU8YzTyFj86G_aaxG1MQ/s2048/IMG_9186.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoOHsuVe87vH97FP0tjBmp6nX7rVNYJtr9GWOwYHTHSvpXhYHg3bScMqZ3cMg5ceew3EIMY1n8LL0qGk7TYxEzi7t33WZKd7su63h54NC2kyD_Es68Yt3t1wMU8YzTyFj86G_aaxG1MQ/w480-h640/IMG_9186.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But then I started running into some issues, namely that even though I have the Bootstrap dummy which is made to my size, I didn't have the confidence that I was fitting it correctly. I have joint issues that make some movements really uncomfortable so I almost NEVER make a back-closing gown which I hate taking off and on, and the frustration of this made me sew up the back and open it instead down the front seam, just like the gown that inspired me on Etsy. I also cut down and rounded the neckline a bit more because I felt like it was just too high and restrictive.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4gGlC98WAV22GxUp65G2yYN6dHOsKqRMOoXSiwNBb2VQEj4gHSQgUGKTKh3vHnd3fPnqP6sdM0uEKgiwjycELB8HC7eLkvi6Jwtbz2SGmjuQ5f_PxGELDKlz4a_ugnYSxIDqskxWjb0/s2048/IMG_9401.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4gGlC98WAV22GxUp65G2yYN6dHOsKqRMOoXSiwNBb2VQEj4gHSQgUGKTKh3vHnd3fPnqP6sdM0uEKgiwjycELB8HC7eLkvi6Jwtbz2SGmjuQ5f_PxGELDKlz4a_ugnYSxIDqskxWjb0/w300-h400/IMG_9401.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here you can see it opened up down the front as I'm also trying to draft a couple of types of pelerines, the large cape-like shawls that were so common to the era. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Being that this is such a light cotton and most likely to be a
summer-time frock, I wasn't too fond of the idea of big puffy hot
pillows bound to my upper arms to pad out the ludicrous sleeves. Luckily, I had stumbled across <a href="https://sewingwithkenna.wordpress.com/2018/12/13/1830s-sleeve-supports/" target="_blank">Kendra's great blog post on drafting her sleeve supports</a>, and there is some historical precedence for these 'crinoline' type of boned puffers! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I sewed up a little sleeve cap insert and added a heavy-duty zip tie to the bottom (ok, it's two taped together because I don't think they come that long) like a tiny hoop-skirt. I ended up having to soften the edge of it with a quick and dirty tulle ruffle because it was showing too harshly through the very light cotton of the gown sleeve, but that only adds to the puffery.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l77v0oJqzhrkDQnW1RdsnvznCMoXUqFw-hKwtyHoGBg_uwsW2-fslrPAbDLIkWq9jcBtU8jTMBP8X1Zz0qQaHwAypjkvHG6BZhK2sV-QUc2WpLCNDCd9UbITzWXsrpH2-RLovzgBsRw/s2048/IMG_9412.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l77v0oJqzhrkDQnW1RdsnvznCMoXUqFw-hKwtyHoGBg_uwsW2-fslrPAbDLIkWq9jcBtU8jTMBP8X1Zz0qQaHwAypjkvHG6BZhK2sV-QUc2WpLCNDCd9UbITzWXsrpH2-RLovzgBsRw/w480-h640/IMG_9412.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>Not sure why I was watching Emma while doing 1830s things but hey</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it WORKED. Boy howdy did it work:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f_Qaf8VO62C-kkq-TLEHQQuzcIV5M5XJNdELCZfY0MeaHXBmi7rxPBkdJ9tIbqG9QWmsm8N9mQwOVtZsQ2D13pf5HiWjqgQsyL981lwJxvVaI57K0mZgGt7ebz41OMbZS0We9bvFa1I/s2048/IMG_9496.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1489" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2f_Qaf8VO62C-kkq-TLEHQQuzcIV5M5XJNdELCZfY0MeaHXBmi7rxPBkdJ9tIbqG9QWmsm8N9mQwOVtZsQ2D13pf5HiWjqgQsyL981lwJxvVaI57K0mZgGt7ebz41OMbZS0We9bvFa1I/w466-h640/IMG_9496.JPEG" width="466" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>KAPOOOOFFPH. Hi neighbors, don't mind me in my dress with built-in WaterWings. </i><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTDsRA94uWB6YIZnKWkkyYHdFtknd32kFk-ZxOQAXxbBBvPSQlig2nzdsd8MttmUwrciQY59_wKsQb6mTmQ4iXS3yHX_YCGLFOGuNYg5dPQ-J4UIkWDjH6mKDjJzBTeFVOz9KOxNVrdM/s2048/IMG_9504.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTDsRA94uWB6YIZnKWkkyYHdFtknd32kFk-ZxOQAXxbBBvPSQlig2nzdsd8MttmUwrciQY59_wKsQb6mTmQ4iXS3yHX_YCGLFOGuNYg5dPQ-J4UIkWDjH6mKDjJzBTeFVOz9KOxNVrdM/w480-h640/IMG_9504.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chortled when I saw these pictures. A lot. There's something about just full-on embracing a really ridiculous style that tickles me pink, and I'm SO glad I went for it. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXGm9013CuBD1SzDzpN6Du8yBFKrWX6d7PjM4wfAokuJgrLz1S5ikvvrPbO31DzQuvtBp_S2erLbnRFOV4_x7x_j5Bz26FmD0Dv-7Na-uoBYMiV1gmqkuKhQI9dJVT5ulS2Gt_yCiemU/s2048/IMG_9512.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXGm9013CuBD1SzDzpN6Du8yBFKrWX6d7PjM4wfAokuJgrLz1S5ikvvrPbO31DzQuvtBp_S2erLbnRFOV4_x7x_j5Bz26FmD0Dv-7Na-uoBYMiV1gmqkuKhQI9dJVT5ulS2Gt_yCiemU/s320/IMG_9512.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>These shoes were an exciting find to me -- Target flats with quite square toes (too bad I took this picture in the grass where you can't see it, but they are really a great shape). I sewed some ribbon ties onto them and they're just about perfect.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ef5OuxcKGY3QrEX8Jxbg5kt_dnqQ021D1pk6aSZZEk8SeWDlzbJs0yDBBvbMb3xDARZpgeMkF2zYIynvrDZ8MQysA1wAGpaaDorQlOj2-5qoBApirkCU9_z6uCetqUmN8FTO46WSrrY/s2048/IMG_9529.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ef5OuxcKGY3QrEX8Jxbg5kt_dnqQ021D1pk6aSZZEk8SeWDlzbJs0yDBBvbMb3xDARZpgeMkF2zYIynvrDZ8MQysA1wAGpaaDorQlOj2-5qoBApirkCU9_z6uCetqUmN8FTO46WSrrY/w480-h640/IMG_9529.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The dogs weren't too happy because there were no butterflies to be had, so I stalked them instead in the yard. I opted not to go full-crazy in making a corded petticoat (sorry, not THAT obsessed with this era) and instead wore my quilted puffer petticoat and felt like it did the trick. If I wear this to an event, I might try starching a light cotton petticoat to go over that for even more oomph. Was I wearing a corset or stays? Nnnno.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My hair is all my own....because I bought it. I actually have hair down to my waist but it neither curls nor cooperates, so the side-curls are 'sideswept bangs' from Amazon, wrapped around foam rollers and dunked in boiling water for a minute, then left to completely dry before removing the curlers. They're great because I can clip them in for any number of historical hairstyles...1710s, 1810s, 1830s....I could probably even pin them to the very front of my forehead for that funny curly mop look in the 1880s. The braids are also hairpieces wrapped around my real bun. Throw a few flowers in for a springy look....but keep reading for when things get wild.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb9mtCk3HJeEgCNxOtQigSxnQ99GQD5WTuiQQxQ4nl5ynv5avGRLQIgatpslg6sk9PwVuGCQKn9KrnVhBQr1y4h6zJc65gQZXEuiQnChNwFidy5mFezSqh7sC6FJP9qghgyVA2jCwyWw/s2048/IMG_9542.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb9mtCk3HJeEgCNxOtQigSxnQ99GQD5WTuiQQxQ4nl5ynv5avGRLQIgatpslg6sk9PwVuGCQKn9KrnVhBQr1y4h6zJc65gQZXEuiQnChNwFidy5mFezSqh7sC6FJP9qghgyVA2jCwyWw/w300-h400/IMG_9542.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made my own gold 'torpedo' earrings, and got into that weird shoulder-necklace trend as well with some box-chain from Etsy, then whipped up a sheer pelerine and combined it with my Regency chemisette for the extra whitework look. The pin is an actual antique piece, and the 'belt buckle' is just a brass stamping from Etsy with a wire slider glued to the back of it.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgfixvtDvzeVUWgy7OxXkhyphenhyphendbOIjnYi-QzV_XP1U-bB-DKbu5W4sQWjkllaN4gvMp9cLKA3v7BEa6zqCCRcRE7PxYvajQx0SkrHNyQXJ3CE_v4oy2E2yQrvftkg1S5hvp5an6gUFsDKs/s1941/IMG_9547.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1941" data-original-width="1618" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgfixvtDvzeVUWgy7OxXkhyphenhyphendbOIjnYi-QzV_XP1U-bB-DKbu5W4sQWjkllaN4gvMp9cLKA3v7BEa6zqCCRcRE7PxYvajQx0SkrHNyQXJ3CE_v4oy2E2yQrvftkg1S5hvp5an6gUFsDKs/w334-h400/IMG_9547.JPEG" width="334" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But wait, there's more! 😂</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> For the fun of it, when the weather started getting chillier, I also made a self-fabric pelerine, seen with some museum extants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHRhIAvl4Wck18v7JyyU1vYyCrAcRslZoPtZTDot2zNgoF7up3zEQT0hlX1mATSD3v-OWDjwPn4bLM_hf0uFZpFMpI2ZMzqofTHxshuBIUvjpMJ_FCPAcHLWXhIMRx4bXotQTNTg4NhE/s2048/IMG_9427.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHRhIAvl4Wck18v7JyyU1vYyCrAcRslZoPtZTDot2zNgoF7up3zEQT0hlX1mATSD3v-OWDjwPn4bLM_hf0uFZpFMpI2ZMzqofTHxshuBIUvjpMJ_FCPAcHLWXhIMRx4bXotQTNTg4NhE/w300-h400/IMG_9427.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For some reason it makes everything feel very 1990s Laura Ashley to me, but I'm nostalgic so I can roll with that. I think this would be a great piece for traveling or even just a breezier outdoor stroll, to both protect the dress and cover the neckline and shoulders a little more for warmth.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQjsGunPDlr6DGZvOiuQGjNovXl4o2IY5T1VtPVJ-ijYhhpQHJRceMnoCGQWzalkNUc_bwISqrHTT1RWEx8liCVWkaYSv5nfm4s7Hq8MeB7uLyfjqHuVN07UNpSOsfdh8s4x1drPgZmI/s2048/IMG_1020.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQjsGunPDlr6DGZvOiuQGjNovXl4o2IY5T1VtPVJ-ijYhhpQHJRceMnoCGQWzalkNUc_bwISqrHTT1RWEx8liCVWkaYSv5nfm4s7Hq8MeB7uLyfjqHuVN07UNpSOsfdh8s4x1drPgZmI/w300-h400/IMG_1020.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Much pink. Very geometric. Large overstuffed Grandma-chair.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then I reallllly lost my marbles and tried an 1830s formal hair-style. It wouldn't have been worn with a day gown like this, but there are a few fashion plates out there that make me think I could insert short sleeves and more lace around a lowered neck-line and get away with it:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BxmXKPzW1j8wRt3a4oM6O9YYKbN66MkmdUqzf4_NwTHi_UN77iJKAZ4fhtRrHOpp7KhE5hSZHdHimILHbI4VN3GL9DJ69kXJ7CZFaSJIIwQqWMWYm9gEy12-vdkuoNrwgVESFPNFeqY/s1566/Journal+des+dames+et+des+modes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="987" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BxmXKPzW1j8wRt3a4oM6O9YYKbN66MkmdUqzf4_NwTHi_UN77iJKAZ4fhtRrHOpp7KhE5hSZHdHimILHbI4VN3GL9DJ69kXJ7CZFaSJIIwQqWMWYm9gEy12-vdkuoNrwgVESFPNFeqY/w405-h640/Journal+des+dames+et+des+modes.jpg" width="405" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBRl3asIS83cBBfrBT227auMU9xG4nUKlgQSzH7lONtXcreIgLlkPLlqqJ0xTxRvLAK-dprJ5FfsZKkdhYJJwW9G1RkbYBFgu9iaTihdXU6nrjx_h4SGn4HyZneFWU0EqD-vKDhcwIKQ/s1356/Digitale+Sammlungen+_+%25281835%2529+%255B15_%255D+%255B22%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBRl3asIS83cBBfrBT227auMU9xG4nUKlgQSzH7lONtXcreIgLlkPLlqqJ0xTxRvLAK-dprJ5FfsZKkdhYJJwW9G1RkbYBFgu9iaTihdXU6nrjx_h4SGn4HyZneFWU0EqD-vKDhcwIKQ/w378-h640/Digitale+Sammlungen+_+%25281835%2529+%255B15_%255D+%255B22%255D.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I pulled out ALL my hairpieces, birds, flowers, feathers, you name it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNKBTPTQm8UfBZbsKdBAtxq00mb6cvMXQ2a9KTAE1DkeLHk6Mmzfwk-qX31gYWGWufJj_MNnWILSSwjS2LbngJKsEoQ2Bm_ItV8Odn_sAqM47ZFNJUdoKSirlHghUK4T5pKQzsClJ1fg/s2048/IMG_1005.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNKBTPTQm8UfBZbsKdBAtxq00mb6cvMXQ2a9KTAE1DkeLHk6Mmzfwk-qX31gYWGWufJj_MNnWILSSwjS2LbngJKsEoQ2Bm_ItV8Odn_sAqM47ZFNJUdoKSirlHghUK4T5pKQzsClJ1fg/w480-h640/IMG_1005.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mm3Epz111upZtM6BjqPuYCXsBKVrlMPhqaMKUiCgToJj4d2S9zASd1DWzYbgvwWCYpI-6i4zrSLNVAKUv22kyWRYAwv6wYcBjeHATqtq2afCLMFpZsq3VXoTTOuPZl7urDo_ZUsedPo/s2048/IMG_0986.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mm3Epz111upZtM6BjqPuYCXsBKVrlMPhqaMKUiCgToJj4d2S9zASd1DWzYbgvwWCYpI-6i4zrSLNVAKUv22kyWRYAwv6wYcBjeHATqtq2afCLMFpZsq3VXoTTOuPZl7urDo_ZUsedPo/w480-h640/IMG_0986.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And there we have it. Peak Ludicrousness. I snorted a lot, giggled a lot, and considered going to the grocery store like this because who WOULDN'T find a little joy in seeing something this silly and extra? 💖<br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-76900077209822377812021-12-08T16:19:00.002-06:002022-07-20T15:20:23.317-05:00Rendezvous 2021<p> Generally the Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres is held in June, but because of the pandemic it got pushed back to September. I was so ready to have a nice outdoor event and while the weekend temperature was still pretty toasty in the mid to upper 80s (F), the humidity wasn't as oppressive as it usually is at the June event. </p><p>Thanks to the old 'pandemic pounds' (and the nagging feeling of boredom with my past lower-class wardrobe) I found myself eager to make a couple of looser, no-frills cotton jackets with fabric from my stash.</p><p>Cotton was a fairly frequently named fabric in local inventories, particularly in women's gowns of <i>indienne</i>, vibrantly floral-printed. As New Orleans stood just a jaunt down the Mississippi River, which was regularly sailed by the trappers and merchants of the area to sell furs and grain, nice new goods also made their way back up to the Kaskaskia/Prairie du Rocher/Cahokia corridor.</p><p>Neither of the prints I used are historical reproductions to my knowledge, but they seemed semi-plausible based on many sample books and resources I've looked at, including the fascinating extra photos from the London Foundling Hospital that Angela of Burnley & Trowbridge was able to show us only during an in-person powerpoint at Costume College...so many small prints and geometric patterns that we wouldn't think of as being common in the 18thc.</p><p>I chose an indigo floral and geometric print for the first one, and assembled it from the trusty J.P. Ryan 'jacket pack' (what a gift that keeps on giving, lol).</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrF_KlTwPOSiGwo9BhF8iGj97iEMOI7PXaDPDqSnycQriSnxkiSuKWfSo76AcvgF0nPQvnxGCu87UWZJy954H60dIY1t9xh9vLYQ2jBqme14Lq6XPagmLxz5DaMLyMjVTml3yQUU5he8/s2048/IMG_9819.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrF_KlTwPOSiGwo9BhF8iGj97iEMOI7PXaDPDqSnycQriSnxkiSuKWfSo76AcvgF0nPQvnxGCu87UWZJy954H60dIY1t9xh9vLYQ2jBqme14Lq6XPagmLxz5DaMLyMjVTml3yQUU5he8/w300-h400/IMG_9819.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12umq6VLlmBpDCLdy-8-xVzXxhyphenhyphenjrRgiOhWwgxG20XouEwviN-uM4LDok4q34jKN6pQNmzheCU1jlcTn58N-lotUZbH2JP9UAgyZMQDFyAaShLw6eAdW-Nd7VzpT87dS4BuSlagIfrvc/s2048/IMG_9820.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12umq6VLlmBpDCLdy-8-xVzXxhyphenhyphenjrRgiOhWwgxG20XouEwviN-uM4LDok4q34jKN6pQNmzheCU1jlcTn58N-lotUZbH2JP9UAgyZMQDFyAaShLw6eAdW-Nd7VzpT87dS4BuSlagIfrvc/w300-h400/IMG_9820.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see it's fairly basic -- although I wore stays with it, I wasn't intending it to be anything more exciting than a working-woman's nicest jacket. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BTUMg6WIKrDLcwx0yVoB3UMNte-4VtXKd-J505RGn5HlH2veZWZs6CMafZ7PQuYv7gO3HJjuaF1xVlH6UpgAh31yih4DmJD5rKeZmOFzshLAo8DWYMJRE_L2BhH9ouY1gUDnDhHmMig/s2048/IMG_9922.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BTUMg6WIKrDLcwx0yVoB3UMNte-4VtXKd-J505RGn5HlH2veZWZs6CMafZ7PQuYv7gO3HJjuaF1xVlH6UpgAh31yih4DmJD5rKeZmOFzshLAo8DWYMJRE_L2BhH9ouY1gUDnDhHmMig/w480-h640/IMG_9922.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I paired it with a basic cap, B&T handkerchief, a bibbed apron (common for French women, not so much for an English/American impression), and my new American Duchess Sophie mules. My set of household keys and pincushion are hanging a bit too low for practicality but I had just climbed out of the back of my friend's van where she had shut and locked her keys in the front, hence the bow for MY keys had come untied in the mad scramble, haha.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHLZcQzIkzSX98M3n1aAT4wjq8ICoSTQ3pEI5KsqZ8YT8v6Y1NTzH0OEAv0vBpJBIeFW9NKl-LEJIouHzh1ckiVTzR52rKRkN9VPdB_U8fxFgl_Pdz_ovbYwl87EREOs3Wo94jRlEBiI/s2048/8497224D-1BA9-4A08-8E39-EEC0F2F1E06F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHLZcQzIkzSX98M3n1aAT4wjq8ICoSTQ3pEI5KsqZ8YT8v6Y1NTzH0OEAv0vBpJBIeFW9NKl-LEJIouHzh1ckiVTzR52rKRkN9VPdB_U8fxFgl_Pdz_ovbYwl87EREOs3Wo94jRlEBiI/w512-h640/8497224D-1BA9-4A08-8E39-EEC0F2F1E06F.jpg" width="512" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All rumpled up in back from Operation Key Rescue, but having a whale of a time! My apron probably should be a bit shorter than my petticoats, but I wasn't about to last-minute hem it, BECAUSE...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_hs0HpMA45P5qmSzjL7cF1hBpJmClv9j4f3Ry2vXIoobDqY5x-mhtB0Z2u9cDMpp1DhiHvAHMwuJf5HdcX3p6ZVsLnMBKlCC9Em-vN_a6WhpdX6HlL7tS4xNM0WcEjN1AbL45JskMe0/s1563/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1563" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_hs0HpMA45P5qmSzjL7cF1hBpJmClv9j4f3Ry2vXIoobDqY5x-mhtB0Z2u9cDMpp1DhiHvAHMwuJf5HdcX3p6ZVsLnMBKlCC9Em-vN_a6WhpdX6HlL7tS4xNM0WcEjN1AbL45JskMe0/w640-h480/IMG_0031.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">....I was last-minute hemming my new cranberry linen petticoat for Day 2 😂 Despite the key-rescue incident, Kim and I had a lovely time under the shade of the fly, just chatting and pretending not to notice the photographers (although Erica, a lovely local lady, caught us grinning at her here). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My second jacket was a two-yard piece that I had bought to supplement a Regency gown I felt wasn't full enough in the skirts....but lo and behold when it arrived, it was a white ground rather than ivory! Feeling foolish, I stowed it in the stash for a good while, and pulled it out to make something light. 2 yards is not enough for the view I had chosen from the 'jacket pack' so I knew there would be some piecing, and I enjoyed turning the pattern paper this way and that to figure out where it would be the least intrusive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ended up piecing in at the shoulders, which makes sense because many gowns have this piece to assist in setting sleeves:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQwWBVwaNQM_M1I5349LTOj2VjJ4JtEKbH6cBdqgDs29flRB4YHCjuM4iKhUx0N7a7i2ShvbzXDCvoDgsH_-V2nfbx3vi0pPiwrKCjthCtI1kEfIDlSqUV-18q6IaM6D6ymhTUwguYR0/s2048/IMG_9886.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQwWBVwaNQM_M1I5349LTOj2VjJ4JtEKbH6cBdqgDs29flRB4YHCjuM4iKhUx0N7a7i2ShvbzXDCvoDgsH_-V2nfbx3vi0pPiwrKCjthCtI1kEfIDlSqUV-18q6IaM6D6ymhTUwguYR0/w300-h400/IMG_9886.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and at the back where the jacket's 'skirts' begin:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusUbbDB7F8cJ7bsHpuEKdJVzLIlA_a3iMMRd9loh69rzyrBghnTU7Gzxui4Do_xY6sytQjx5DVBCogoog9LMLZJQxsrWN9gYIGspqKLsYWnORdg__kGkmLK_ki_GHD0t4daWbSmTNJ_M/s1440/4A4735BD-E9C1-4FAC-B089-AE1D6550224D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusUbbDB7F8cJ7bsHpuEKdJVzLIlA_a3iMMRd9loh69rzyrBghnTU7Gzxui4Do_xY6sytQjx5DVBCogoog9LMLZJQxsrWN9gYIGspqKLsYWnORdg__kGkmLK_ki_GHD0t4daWbSmTNJ_M/s320/4A4735BD-E9C1-4FAC-B089-AE1D6550224D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's not a very meticulous piecing job, in fact I had no choice but to have one of those back skirt pieces with the print running slightly on the diagonal because I was down to scraps, but I guarantee unless I pointed it out and mentioned it to someone, most people wouldn't notice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Day 2, I was extremely glad to be wearing a light color because we walked around a lot and it got up to 86F. The folks running the Fort's fashion show were kind enough to draft me, and there was much interest in my American Duchess Kensington shoes, which I had painted a favorite local French shade of blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjCxKnAk_MKqF_Row5vKq6Zv2EJwH_zEN6QHQRiaGf7yWxS9jNL40aPVrB4c7PgmZw9azR8cx6hScUSBWn4LC6CDFJmC9lzf8wDvoNLGAG1wFk5uuMvtVEijm2xYZ7GJxyuTZoaVxybU/s1196/IMG_0015.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1196" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjCxKnAk_MKqF_Row5vKq6Zv2EJwH_zEN6QHQRiaGf7yWxS9jNL40aPVrB4c7PgmZw9azR8cx6hScUSBWn4LC6CDFJmC9lzf8wDvoNLGAG1wFk5uuMvtVEijm2xYZ7GJxyuTZoaVxybU/w640-h582/IMG_0015.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>behold mine saucy ankles</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mOk6iWgN2b7rBYkcV4M5isFrQD__FKtUoW4tIvib2UfHlOQltu4TrQ0hOwfN14NMWFNer-cZYdjscwoLDbo_eaRZRQ3bDIYmnUkItaNAEYB2fXfrEJ2eXUzkzfswG-kpz2d9K-RzpUw/s2048/IMG_0012.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mOk6iWgN2b7rBYkcV4M5isFrQD__FKtUoW4tIvib2UfHlOQltu4TrQ0hOwfN14NMWFNer-cZYdjscwoLDbo_eaRZRQ3bDIYmnUkItaNAEYB2fXfrEJ2eXUzkzfswG-kpz2d9K-RzpUw/w480-h640/IMG_0012.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">.....and nobody noticed my pieced back, and I wasn't going to mention it either 😁 </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLRfSg6j3PIpcDgecAAA5J4DbCU0KJ8O5SySPVxz7txJYJ1jnRzxCYotbyrXJrDYGFZ_fAhhtGGUHWrddlwx5ZEsDTfD_xrkq-JbRw-BbwYtDWnRT5vJwSunIZMVZUkA0zns08z9w9Cs/s2048/IMG_0023.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLRfSg6j3PIpcDgecAAA5J4DbCU0KJ8O5SySPVxz7txJYJ1jnRzxCYotbyrXJrDYGFZ_fAhhtGGUHWrddlwx5ZEsDTfD_xrkq-JbRw-BbwYtDWnRT5vJwSunIZMVZUkA0zns08z9w9Cs/s320/IMG_0023.JPEG" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To continue to stay as cool as possible, I also wore a sheer cap, made from the J.P. Ryan Dormeuse pattern (so cute, even if it looks like a face-eating jellyfish and my husband was aghast at the floof) and a cross-over sheer white cotton handkerchief. <br /></div></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob8cCm7AxXpIR9hVcBEJ0K-HwFaUGqas09HwIY7Yj4RDz1-jFyLxPoYhRrSFA6-NQr5YNyVjIlk29C66jpTc_iweBLtUfldGv4bcsa0Eb8_t-tfQvBeW_S2lSPpSUX0XOmdigz64YPxQ/s2048/IMG_9929.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob8cCm7AxXpIR9hVcBEJ0K-HwFaUGqas09HwIY7Yj4RDz1-jFyLxPoYhRrSFA6-NQr5YNyVjIlk29C66jpTc_iweBLtUfldGv4bcsa0Eb8_t-tfQvBeW_S2lSPpSUX0XOmdigz64YPxQ/w480-h640/IMG_9929.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Naps were taken mid-day in the shade, particularly by my husband, whose tolerance of walking the market tents only extends so far and once he's hit the food tents, it's over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaN0Uv8L1j2MdUsBTTWBKBlecZb2JGv3aKiMp_4jAEqOoZLxs8YkUMGb5ziQroSPTb60LU9FXJkcMzcKW8HRarrT2pfLXJkQbtwqGyGaZY2LgajAkJd46CEehQErN0rJkPYuoZQuu0W8/s2048/IMG_9931.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaN0Uv8L1j2MdUsBTTWBKBlecZb2JGv3aKiMp_4jAEqOoZLxs8YkUMGb5ziQroSPTb60LU9FXJkcMzcKW8HRarrT2pfLXJkQbtwqGyGaZY2LgajAkJd46CEehQErN0rJkPYuoZQuu0W8/w640-h480/IMG_9931.JPEG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some bottles were drained, and bread was....very much not eaten...because that loaf is approximately 4 years old. When I went looking through my re-enactment bins for candlesticks, there it was, from the LAST event we had set up a tent at, as pristine as could be but absolutely hard as a rock. People visiting the tent got such a kick out of my petrified <i>pain</i> (French for bread). I really could have caused a 'pain' with it if I'd thrown it at someone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were all glad when night fell and the temperature cooled off. I always feel like evening is when the real magic happens -- sneaky modern conveniences are painted over by darkness, hundreds of tents are lit up with not an electric light in sight, people walk to and from camps with lanterns. I was very excited my new iphone did a good job taking night photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitY7qfPYm-5WvK7Qx_1je1_NqujRejKK-2RTL_Zb6C2TAQ_jA40FpIy14ThGt2Yayq28IJ_UsOmEJC_Z7cS9MWDXfIlW-Ax0s_f-j83pRzGqVMl_FBXtDIPueuw-jiPHu0EHmfuWmNwMw/s2048/IMG_9938.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitY7qfPYm-5WvK7Qx_1je1_NqujRejKK-2RTL_Zb6C2TAQ_jA40FpIy14ThGt2Yayq28IJ_UsOmEJC_Z7cS9MWDXfIlW-Ax0s_f-j83pRzGqVMl_FBXtDIPueuw-jiPHu0EHmfuWmNwMw/w480-h640/IMG_9938.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a bit too breezy for the chandelier -- I need to look for glass shades for the candles, I guess! But as I tried to protect my card game from dripping wax, my mother-in-law caught this photo where the candle-light gives everything a painterly glow. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQ-dvYd8elbvsMWzmKdTcsaAW9cpzYgb8Rs1ne6x29e7TG2vi6_rJ2lw1RMbfWrzC-IBHIYFKvmwM3K8gbjhPGjkSWe4LFxmlDxoWvtEJ9bAPnfNbvRDMoxw3NwYNjdNUA3bUt94bd6c/s2048/IMG_9943.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQ-dvYd8elbvsMWzmKdTcsaAW9cpzYgb8Rs1ne6x29e7TG2vi6_rJ2lw1RMbfWrzC-IBHIYFKvmwM3K8gbjhPGjkSWe4LFxmlDxoWvtEJ9bAPnfNbvRDMoxw3NwYNjdNUA3bUt94bd6c/w300-h400/IMG_9943.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the wind proved too much for candelabras to stay lit (look at that wax drip!), we wandered on up to the fort to watch the dancing, which is always amusing and looks like chaos until folks learn the motions. The usual caller couldn't make it last-minute, so my poor friend Martin was left to do the cat-herding this time. My husband and I have had a few lessons but decided to stay out of the mess this time. It made for great pictures though! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o6gQtjLsphi0dYRpltCnNXw3R_gcDExo1Y-o71FvGI02jjK_kdKIfVgagfrAZt-E2j4nIoDfCxmQSu7G1wFGbV1woFRs0ahqJ4DgWP9qwxAYPm2XwLZStw2lm9hGZJixyj_U8YrEbjg/s2048/IMG_9945.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o6gQtjLsphi0dYRpltCnNXw3R_gcDExo1Y-o71FvGI02jjK_kdKIfVgagfrAZt-E2j4nIoDfCxmQSu7G1wFGbV1woFRs0ahqJ4DgWP9qwxAYPm2XwLZStw2lm9hGZJixyj_U8YrEbjg/w300-h400/IMG_9945.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTEsKTZX3FOXTkIUq20neek_RlaWo1NAOWZ6DldD6BsTz-az7Y99h0Rk1bghplW323beKW3uS_xMTqW6c6NzmzbUBSzwUSoVLjHEQ2y7PGXQTTRUjjYdJ5uHFWYLkDfaAolYU3IXt5rQ/s2048/IMG_9947.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTEsKTZX3FOXTkIUq20neek_RlaWo1NAOWZ6DldD6BsTz-az7Y99h0Rk1bghplW323beKW3uS_xMTqW6c6NzmzbUBSzwUSoVLjHEQ2y7PGXQTTRUjjYdJ5uHFWYLkDfaAolYU3IXt5rQ/w300-h400/IMG_9947.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRE5SE5eviNO1O-2yZ7lWNj1fkvaop2NWnCSU58A1VZF48k226UASCY1on0C8EFDH8fdaxsoWUz0LxjuJ7cHwp-4Kc5MU5QaXVuSqdNEYGMSITArtd1Evr8-wyGTWbcQLgJaK5B6_hdE/s2048/IMG_9949.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRE5SE5eviNO1O-2yZ7lWNj1fkvaop2NWnCSU58A1VZF48k226UASCY1on0C8EFDH8fdaxsoWUz0LxjuJ7cHwp-4Kc5MU5QaXVuSqdNEYGMSITArtd1Evr8-wyGTWbcQLgJaK5B6_hdE/w300-h400/IMG_9949.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkPSRbNGa1QTz5CbxlxXCJg1263opB982XMUwvOUvgik1xUHjz-7DZyUGR-vr2Zhm10iNerv1pSwn0aMzNMUhrkAXZbp2bPGa28DtVL-E3o-L4iZSm5_pjwuhOEQTeutAHfJUjRN1TSo/s2048/IMG_9950.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkPSRbNGa1QTz5CbxlxXCJg1263opB982XMUwvOUvgik1xUHjz-7DZyUGR-vr2Zhm10iNerv1pSwn0aMzNMUhrkAXZbp2bPGa28DtVL-E3o-L4iZSm5_pjwuhOEQTeutAHfJUjRN1TSo/w300-h400/IMG_9950.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrLEP32o8h7Zsz9U1-wrp8xx3KCOn5Hu2dpwIW1L4-V-uhkP099cLCRhuN0A3RX9jGVEZhnmN-dZ9Fh9oEHomc8JIKE0Dy1UxL43HO2X3M9_3BFjM0J7bKNpuoZQUQtlwDIUw7LNEgU8/s2048/IMG_9957.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrLEP32o8h7Zsz9U1-wrp8xx3KCOn5Hu2dpwIW1L4-V-uhkP099cLCRhuN0A3RX9jGVEZhnmN-dZ9Fh9oEHomc8JIKE0Dy1UxL43HO2X3M9_3BFjM0J7bKNpuoZQUQtlwDIUw7LNEgU8/w480-h640/IMG_9957.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The blurred dancers could almost be ghosts of past inhabitants of the fort and nearby town </i><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPovDDxD40-4evRZLCYnkPEb_S8p1M_qHxduo4Iz8eF9HumiN4yCvYtg2_vT9quDEnbXOFQL_pdtuQPZErUsNBNL5lFzZRJuSeqmIcRsuAnVt94RhvqgiYFklgb9R-9UEk-kTcv-Cy7c/s1333/IMG_9966.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1330" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPovDDxD40-4evRZLCYnkPEb_S8p1M_qHxduo4Iz8eF9HumiN4yCvYtg2_vT9quDEnbXOFQL_pdtuQPZErUsNBNL5lFzZRJuSeqmIcRsuAnVt94RhvqgiYFklgb9R-9UEk-kTcv-Cy7c/w638-h640/IMG_9966.JPEG" width="638" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We climbed up into the guard tower to watch from above and it was like stepping back in time to see the lawn lit with dozens of lanterns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LiwgTZqMzOguZisDsb6ZEgdBX98GNSBJJL4VdxonV3C1_5dBVYTrMPxJQgyavp70NH5pMVregWTIaKvg2oIwI9_wuX1W413pLa30pGKE6T_N8Ep4HIDtsTRY7ZCMlCS3kw4sKeTdZF8/s2048/IMG_9968.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LiwgTZqMzOguZisDsb6ZEgdBX98GNSBJJL4VdxonV3C1_5dBVYTrMPxJQgyavp70NH5pMVregWTIaKvg2oIwI9_wuX1W413pLa30pGKE6T_N8Ep4HIDtsTRY7ZCMlCS3kw4sKeTdZF8/w300-h400/IMG_9968.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnDVXXHVOVSE91ArTiJQw54aTGfzJl_hydginqqrVlDKqM9YnFrg9eRgFngyEW3BWRlSUHAa-5U2YwqsBe8C7H4K-6GVrBbNm_LItVTT8bmyzlIW84IjAk9U7zkZv0rcurn8tUATSZQU/s2048/IMG_9971.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnDVXXHVOVSE91ArTiJQw54aTGfzJl_hydginqqrVlDKqM9YnFrg9eRgFngyEW3BWRlSUHAa-5U2YwqsBe8C7H4K-6GVrBbNm_LItVTT8bmyzlIW84IjAk9U7zkZv0rcurn8tUATSZQU/w300-h400/IMG_9971.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWlz2DQoX7zRlaXuDogJHp7fMCUdRwN5SngFK-Dx9bXTpGey6GkrTszic7VzuY_lzldoIpFC_M-Fry0bqn1YrcOK6UjaHu3CHQIEZWp3yKkcdrADOmGrixrgcT2oU3a_lqFs8r1GHqeY/s2048/IMG_9974.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWlz2DQoX7zRlaXuDogJHp7fMCUdRwN5SngFK-Dx9bXTpGey6GkrTszic7VzuY_lzldoIpFC_M-Fry0bqn1YrcOK6UjaHu3CHQIEZWp3yKkcdrADOmGrixrgcT2oU3a_lqFs8r1GHqeY/w300-h400/IMG_9974.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqtdY6Gkr30JB6hNttMLW2POjbY6VMwrqW2y0P23E3BysMZzK3rm56mnLOEkVr9rE-5paVAoIBpsqdNbGik3N_ryBe0-aAAnrlBSlOXR4UAjl61AVwXxjB2Vfan1-vEDp9wFMIIus0BQ/s2048/IMG_9984.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqtdY6Gkr30JB6hNttMLW2POjbY6VMwrqW2y0P23E3BysMZzK3rm56mnLOEkVr9rE-5paVAoIBpsqdNbGik3N_ryBe0-aAAnrlBSlOXR4UAjl61AVwXxjB2Vfan1-vEDp9wFMIIus0BQ/w300-h400/IMG_9984.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9M8-jd8wghRSSPdeL3o1Rth1fJr76vwOdwGEGrg6wCTm4m7pCNM0UVYRkksBOKdWod2bfGxu8_UC7VuFepKEUGyPcLH8WY2-rbURY4yxxatWMRRrNP-aLz7QYYuNeRrbeTbfhmp8RTk/s2048/IMG_9985.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9M8-jd8wghRSSPdeL3o1Rth1fJr76vwOdwGEGrg6wCTm4m7pCNM0UVYRkksBOKdWod2bfGxu8_UC7VuFepKEUGyPcLH8WY2-rbURY4yxxatWMRRrNP-aLz7QYYuNeRrbeTbfhmp8RTk/w400-h300/IMG_9985.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4Kg8iIEx-LuD7QyV6IVwpPdBI986UvknZBlejCEDDduFwimi1Z0rKiFm_6QOZZ5mqZBvmB457m_RbL38hpQB3UaS5CJw8zBNnWKbzAb2zAjVoVnLUXTiw0if7C2YZ-71kePIIaSBDlk/s2048/IMG_9992.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4Kg8iIEx-LuD7QyV6IVwpPdBI986UvknZBlejCEDDduFwimi1Z0rKiFm_6QOZZ5mqZBvmB457m_RbL38hpQB3UaS5CJw8zBNnWKbzAb2zAjVoVnLUXTiw0if7C2YZ-71kePIIaSBDlk/w480-h640/IMG_9992.JPEG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ending up at a campfire with friends and music and good conversation is always my goal at an event....luckily that order is never too tall to be met!<br /></div><br /> <br /></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-82913149508655141802021-07-07T17:44:00.000-05:002022-07-20T15:20:32.920-05:00Illinois Country : the basics<p> After several enjoyable chats with acquaintances about our shared love of research and why it appeals to us in the context of historical fashions, it occurred to me that it's probably been many years since I thought about posting a little recap of my studies in local history. I have photographed a lot of my historical clothing at these places, and am always trying to read and learn more about them!<br /></p><p>I feel very lucky as a former avid history major to live in a unique section of the United States -- a narrow corridor along the Mississippi River, far from the comfortable clusters of early colonial cities along the Eastern Seaboard, out in what was considered "the wild" by the more 'refined' English colonists. It has both a rich indigenous and early French colonial history that provides so much room for research and exploration.<br /></p><p>My area of the French Illinois Country (which reached from Lake Michigan down to Louisiana, and in fact this area was sometimes also referred to as "Upper Louisiana") consists of a cluster of 18th century villages or settlements along either side of a small stretch of the Mississippi River : Cahokia, Prairie DuPont, St. Philippe, Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher, Ste. Genevieve, Kaskaskia, and eventually St. Louis, and Old Mines, one of the last places that a unique form of French was spoken among the residents. People today are trying to revive the dialect through classes. The French came to this area for trapping and mining, but (unexpectedly to them) became probably the most useful to the Illinois Country as farmers. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfrrKgp849vdM3a_62ePwIEAu_ahTAv0mK_ZI56Kz3BAC00rKXA-CXOifxBH4AK82V3Tu3Q5KNgJhHgL-xXQkUOnLHhMDmjIA-MERAH8Umovn_jaA0IYguHxltIRHki2cleOuKScM4lM/s293/10629715_1000666263294288_4741859729193910903_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfrrKgp849vdM3a_62ePwIEAu_ahTAv0mK_ZI56Kz3BAC00rKXA-CXOifxBH4AK82V3Tu3Q5KNgJhHgL-xXQkUOnLHhMDmjIA-MERAH8Umovn_jaA0IYguHxltIRHki2cleOuKScM4lM/s0/10629715_1000666263294288_4741859729193910903_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The American Bottom along the western edge of these few counties was, for many centuries, possibly some of the richest and most fertile dirt in the world, thanks to the nearly annual floods and nutrient deposits from the then-unchecked Mississippi River (now banked by an extensive levee system). Many of us locals still like to drive along the road beneath the high stone bluffs and look out towards the Bottoms at the almost-black soil when it's turned over by today's farmers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clifftopalliance.org/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivtnax_zs7CHHOIbHk3rUYhb5DHp_jZb5MaeMWL6STbaDbVh_Aw3lVnZegnx9-1KdubB2lkmT-8pwNjTd8uXYQgzY6WQa9WhPSVqbXXZSobflQ2aXMW1dsYQePpWJtZl9LOWgo2lPbjQ/s320/clifftop.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo of our steep rocky bluffs and the fields below from our local nature preservation society, Clifftop Alliance)</span><br /></div><div><p>Cahokia was a settlement long before Europeans arrived, being a vast site of Mississippian Native culture from roughly 600-1350AD, and is one of only 24 UNESCO World heritage sites in the US. It was remarkably large and could have hosted around 20,000 occupants.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvRKWbhBEe1QPPsB0J6xlmBnLaQ3V_gAH5_i8cxM91LbL420cVbD9sHzCUiRtFxeNs2DJftKlO55uuPUALpEz-RWuFwgSD0e_QU3EcDOrzFD9RYu2A6L4J8y45ARIcOdWel1eBqYlzJU/s1500/cahokia-1500x430.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="1500" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvRKWbhBEe1QPPsB0J6xlmBnLaQ3V_gAH5_i8cxM91LbL420cVbD9sHzCUiRtFxeNs2DJftKlO55uuPUALpEz-RWuFwgSD0e_QU3EcDOrzFD9RYu2A6L4J8y45ARIcOdWel1eBqYlzJU/w640-h184/cahokia-1500x430.png" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(an envisioning of what the huge main complex at Cahokia Mounds might have looked like in its heyday, <a href="https://cahokiamounds.org/">from the official website</a>) <br /></div><br />The series of earthen mounds are extremely impressive when considering
the dirt all had to be moved by hand, likely in woven baskets. However,
after a series of floods (always a hazard in this area to this day!) and
possibly other factors like the beginning of the Little Ice Age, the
original tribe abandoned it and the many mounds in surrounding areas (including downtown St. Louis, where mounds from the culture were razed in Forest Park for the 1904 World's Fair). For several centuries other
tribal peoples ebbed and flowed through the Mississippi Bottom. <br /><p></p><p>It was in zealous hopes of proselytizing the Cahokia and Tamaroa tribes that the first French priest established a mission at Cahokia around 1696. By the mission's own account anyway, they were successful in converting some of the tribal peoples, particularly women, and they negotiated binding marriages in hopes of settling some of the voyageurs already traveling up and down the Mississippi with their furs and goods. Previously these trappers were only taking the Native women in temporary concubinage prior to the mission's establishment, encouraged by the tribal leaders as an aspect of trade, and decried by Catholicism as immorality. Kaskaskia, the settlement farthest south in the cluster, was founded shortly after Cahokia in 1703 with similar hopes, and the first Fort de Chartres was erected a distance north of Kaskaskia in 1720. Nearby Prairie du Rocher began in 1722. The first Fort de Chartres...and second...and third (all wooden) either flooded or fell into disrepair, and the fourth and final iteration was built in stone instead, begun in 1753.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-ADYuPgRAztrVmQ7_gPKceHH9h87WF7mrYLXsqCTJQ4H5SlDrWCnAiCfBXi-f1Tr2oagKLRfk0pkcgGRE8UQftPAgBIwY5S5gSySi6XwU28j4xe2IZ0L8uQ8w1najVxSVe6OS4VeziQ/s480/Fort-Arial-View-e1484356551395-480x360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-ADYuPgRAztrVmQ7_gPKceHH9h87WF7mrYLXsqCTJQ4H5SlDrWCnAiCfBXi-f1Tr2oagKLRfk0pkcgGRE8UQftPAgBIwY5S5gSySi6XwU28j4xe2IZ0L8uQ8w1najVxSVe6OS4VeziQ/s320/Fort-Arial-View-e1484356551395-480x360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">(The final stone Fort de Chartres was rebuilt on its original foundations in recent times, starting with the gatehouse in the 1920s and ending with portions of the walls in 1989. Only two of the original long buildings have been reconstructed, the rest are left as either bare cellar foundations or have had platforms with skeleton frames built on them. The powder magazine was the only original stone building still standing on the site. <a href="http://www.fortdechartres.us/">Click for official site information</a>).</span></div><div><br /><p>France never committed to fully settling the area, half-heartedly sending some soldiers, petty criminals, and a few shipments of women from poor parts of France. Several waves of French <i>Canadiens</i> comprised a good chunk of the early settlers of the villages as well. Some were <em>engagés</em>, akin to the English idea of an 'indentured servant,' and worked their way under a wealthier trade or landowner for a set number of years, upon conclusion of which they were free to go their own way (and were sometimes set up with land or a small house and goods by the person they were working for). There was a smattering of other European nationalities; an Italian man, a few Spaniards, some Swiss, one or two from Holland, a woman from Germany, perhaps others, as some records have been lost.<br /></p><p>A significant contingent of those living in the area were the enslaved Africans, many brought by Philippe Renault in his hopes of mining for silver across the river (all he managed to locate was lead) but others were in bondage to wealthier families, generally forced to work in agriculture. Ironically, the Jesuits were the largest slaveholders in the Illinois Country, with their mills and plantation lands. Under the <i>Code Noir</i> in place under French rule, enslaved Black persons were allowed to conduct some business on their own time, and some were able to buy themselves out of enslavement or were released in wills on the death of an enslaver, so some free Blacks also settled and did business in the area. A few enslaved Blacks also liberated themselves by running away to the local indigenous tribes and were presumably assimilated.<br /></p><p>The French, unlike the English, saw the mercantile value of staying on good terms with several of the local tribes; there were Native villages very close to the towns, and tribal peoples came and went freely in and out of the French villages for trade. The French bought Native peoples off the tribes who had initially enslaved them (generally women captured in inter-tribal skirmishes) so there were also Native persons toiling in the house-gardens and serving in the homes...sometimes under a fully Native or <i>metis</i> (mixed) mistress who herself had married a Frenchman, though by the second generation, a good number of the prominent men in the French community were technically <i>metis</i> as well. </p><p>The melting-pot nature of these settlements would have been colorful and diverse, though this is not currently well-represented at large-scale local reenactments yet.</p><p>The later English and particularly the individualistic American settlers could not fathom why the French wanted to live clumped together in villages with their farmland extending outwards in long, skinny strips (some of which are still obvious on modern county plat maps). But the French settlers were a communal people who loved any excuse for a festival, a Holy Day, a dance, a meal together...and had little desire to grab up thousands of acres of land or rough it alone, miles from your nearest neighbor, as the rugged Americans later prided themselves on. Amusingly billiards was also a popular pastime, if you can imagine such a refined game being played in these small settlements out in the middle of nowhere! Card games, on the other hand, could get rather cut-throat, with at least one dispute turning violent enough to be recorded in the Fort's judicial annals.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5KYDECMkwlti-JBk-KnaambXUNaVCMLi9c2PN4uFtr9lH4D2eGP9cTE-bPtIdrqBynFc2UOC52xqaLBkCjyzkMADtdijv7qJDHDuhtydPDuYH50Z5OVtSFgamms03wto7IPmZ48m0vc/s2048/village2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="2048" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5KYDECMkwlti-JBk-KnaambXUNaVCMLi9c2PN4uFtr9lH4D2eGP9cTE-bPtIdrqBynFc2UOC52xqaLBkCjyzkMADtdijv7qJDHDuhtydPDuYH50Z5OVtSFgamms03wto7IPmZ48m0vc/w640-h346/village2.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(a map from <a href="https://heartofillinoiscountry.com/collections/fort-de-chartres-souvenirs/products/french-colonial-fort-de-chartres-a-journey-in-time-book" target="_blank">French Colonial Fort de Chartres: A Journey Through Time by Tom Willcockson</a>, a small but excellent illustrated book I helped promote with displays in area libraries when it first came out. This shows the village of Chartres, none of which is still standing and some acreage of which has unfortunately since been lost to the river. The levee now butts directly up to what was the front entrance to the stone Fort de Chartres. A similar thing happened to the larger town of Kaskaskia, plagued by floods over many decades, eventually swept away entirely by catastrophic floods in April 1881 which altered the course of the river entirely by cutting through a sharp bend, and it left a small chunk of Illinois on the west side of the river.) </span><br /></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEjv6rHkMYUVgqhS29tCsebBAvVcoqNd6YElNvBjzhnPKT2kEXAQbZwYB8t4cSCpqufrY_QDgJk425QytEobjtelap-sjKuDeFa7WWCSycVD4nXVds7ZEPEuoIEz3t0ZZEGVMYyc1eBU/s2718/village1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="2718" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEjv6rHkMYUVgqhS29tCsebBAvVcoqNd6YElNvBjzhnPKT2kEXAQbZwYB8t4cSCpqufrY_QDgJk425QytEobjtelap-sjKuDeFa7WWCSycVD4nXVds7ZEPEuoIEz3t0ZZEGVMYyc1eBU/w640-h272/village1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">(A sketch <a href="https://heartofillinoiscountry.com/collections/fort-de-chartres-souvenirs/products/french-colonial-fort-de-chartres-a-journey-in-time-book">from the above book</a>, depicting the individually fenced-in properties, providing each house's garden and fruit trees safety from the village livestock roaming the streets. You can also see the wide, spacious porches that were so common on French colonial buildings, useful for keeping the house cool since your windows could be open yet shaded, allowing air to circulate through the home on all sides through the horribly muggy summer days!)</span><br /><p></p><p>The fertile nature of the soil meant that even though they were "indifferent farmers" (as one appalled visitor wrote in a letter of their unhurried practices) they still harvested remarkable quantities of grain to send with their furs down the river to New Orleans in Louisiana, which would have struggled to feed its population from its swampy ground. Then back up the river came goods as payment, requested by letter from the habitants, trappers, traders and merchants. </p><p>A new "suit of camleteen" for one man, silk ribbons for the ladies, colorful calicos. Though not exceedingly ambitious, the French colonists were making better profit in the Illinois Country than they could have back in the old homeland of France, where most of the land belonged to aristocrats and the cities were over-crowded. Ever keen on clothing, the French colonists had no qualms about robing themselves in the best they could afford (not surprising, since so much of 18th century European society revolved around how you presented yourself). Though there would have been zero cobbled streets, only dust and then muck when it rained, even so "embroidered shoes" (which would have been high-heeled) were on the must-have list as well. Inventories show men's hats trimmed with gold lace, colorful <i>indienne</i> (chintz) cotton which was often banned in France but easy to sneak through the port of New Orleans, and gowns and petticoats of silk taffeta. Most likely these fripperies were saved for church or parties, and harder-wearing linen and wool would have dominated everyday work-wear, along with wooden <i>sabots</i> (like Dutch clogs) which are surprisingly comfortable, and the <i>souliers de boeuf </i>(moccasin-like leather shoes).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFDgQhRdyi1aJtDFuAf8CelUzGI2I7qZS2H5Y9T8tVNRzTdkdWxrofMGvqsSwKGKmzy8J6k4FF5SF34eF987ow7BI6p7hXJOPQC61yGIxSfLIT8sm5cRCReJ84dF4oQ6hgQiaXrsUlHU/s738/IMG_7425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFDgQhRdyi1aJtDFuAf8CelUzGI2I7qZS2H5Y9T8tVNRzTdkdWxrofMGvqsSwKGKmzy8J6k4FF5SF34eF987ow7BI6p7hXJOPQC61yGIxSfLIT8sm5cRCReJ84dF4oQ6hgQiaXrsUlHU/w390-h400/IMG_7425.JPG" width="390" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Me wearing the popular French bibbed apron and comfy wooden <i>sabots</i>, standing by the wall of Fort de Chartres with some oxen in the background. Don't mind the extra long sleeve appearance, my bedgown cuffs had fallen down.)</span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">To my knowledge there are no current extant sketches of local fashions until possibly Anna Maria von Phul in the early 19thc, so some inferences have to be drawn from both working-class French paintings (like those by Chardin) and the few sketches existing from other French colonies like Canada, which mostly seem to echo European clothing trends. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><em></em></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisr_qozTA6PwB_K62LvhPD2f2AHuffQmCtP9MnRD6EuNohVMrpEINR5bxOE9-EyVbGwZuGhad38P3o3BaWBtkTFr4MQRdVIyYQB-JO-XX4poAI0rpasAPo4AI5Ql_3tWEWRtfBCHs8dcw/s800/62681_3.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisr_qozTA6PwB_K62LvhPD2f2AHuffQmCtP9MnRD6EuNohVMrpEINR5bxOE9-EyVbGwZuGhad38P3o3BaWBtkTFr4MQRdVIyYQB-JO-XX4poAI0rpasAPo4AI5Ql_3tWEWRtfBCHs8dcw/s320/62681_3.webp" /></a></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>(Canadian Couple</em> (c. 1750-1780) by Anonyme. Source: Ville de Montréal. Gestion de documents et archives.) </span></span><br /></div></div><div><p></p></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGNUAZ64e4X2toqdjaEHY32ILBksmWlggKCBn92D8Jc3a0PZ25gUH28-ii41NgicKTQMHEU-kiaYfQtepacvRILf5AbUKutyGDtReTWl66z_Qe4yAEVspMzFPhODgkRFHghHm1Hn9u7E/s700/New-France_4_2_4_Detail-view-of-Genre-Studies-of-Habitants-and-Indians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="700" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGNUAZ64e4X2toqdjaEHY32ILBksmWlggKCBn92D8Jc3a0PZ25gUH28-ii41NgicKTQMHEU-kiaYfQtepacvRILf5AbUKutyGDtReTWl66z_Qe4yAEVspMzFPhODgkRFHghHm1Hn9u7E/w640-h206/New-France_4_2_4_Detail-view-of-Genre-Studies-of-Habitants-and-Indians.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times;">(</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Detail view of Genre Studies of Habitants and Indians</i>, anonymous, c. 1780, </span><span style="font-family: times;">Royal Ontario Museum © ROM. 969.37.2. I'm always amused by this because I made a blue striped work gown nearly identical to the one above before I'd ever seen this sketch.)</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">No gowns from the early to mid-18thc era of local French settlement survive, to my knowledge, but the Missouri History Museum has a fragment of an <i>indienne</i> gown passed down through the venerable Chouteau family, and it is very in keeping with samples you find in 18thc merchants' books in its charm and complexity.</span></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaHW9uRQbwnsP8zBIfVn5TbrS6_WcMiyhG9i6T_kYf2C16lMtIxV4FwNAfZTEo_Np4RD_9FytBzqwOjP8WDA56PqAM2-Ns-U9BZTvyKyIG6TxV-G_EXk7W_qQNvs3LOTPvHiguC-nLi4/s564/069340d4d7597b86030b7f0665739261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="564" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaHW9uRQbwnsP8zBIfVn5TbrS6_WcMiyhG9i6T_kYf2C16lMtIxV4FwNAfZTEo_Np4RD_9FytBzqwOjP8WDA56PqAM2-Ns-U9BZTvyKyIG6TxV-G_EXk7W_qQNvs3LOTPvHiguC-nLi4/w400-h350/069340d4d7597b86030b7f0665739261.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (<a href="https://mohistory.org/collections/item/1927-063-0002" target="_blank">The fragment resides at the Missouri History Museum</a> and is dated ca. 1750. A "wedding gown" also in the Chouteau family and supposedly dating to 1789 is apparently too fragile to be taken out of its box to view, and I have not yet seen that item.)</span><br /><p></p><p> </p><p>At the loss of the French & Indian war, France was forced to cede its holdings on the East side of the Mississippi River to the English in 1763, and rather than live under their rule, many of the French colonists packed up and moved over to Ste. Genevieve across the river, and then up to what would become St. Louis. Prairie du Rocher was the exception to this -- a number of the townspeople refused to move, and to this day there are many of the original French family names still right where they started in a tiny town set up against the Illinois bluffs. It is the closest French settlement to me and I visit it fairly regularly, although Ste. Genevieve has more and better-preserved French colonial homes. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwC4UQSxKHLHvVF8ZSUHDqWBJhThvt9clK1cxIwAzfz7Y7taRng9VbE5RMxe70i8eDmF4fHX-jvW8HnT1II3gks151FKWq6_9AhWQ7CK-wsmifj7KUlXVXQPaHLIlw9yE2uo14OCQOvPM/s500/creole-houe-08022012-alr-1170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwC4UQSxKHLHvVF8ZSUHDqWBJhThvt9clK1cxIwAzfz7Y7taRng9VbE5RMxe70i8eDmF4fHX-jvW8HnT1II3gks151FKWq6_9AhWQ7CK-wsmifj7KUlXVXQPaHLIlw9yE2uo14OCQOvPM/w400-h225/creole-houe-08022012-alr-1170.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The 'Creole House' in Prairie du Rocher - the oldest section on the right was built in 1800) <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGGZL0D4Rn7j_3XqZK5fd4fyPyVk8Hnhitj3KtSkBm0ZBi0rWd2BJbBROBKVX-b8wDFbLVAWeuRw9s48y7CnVuuK8RFeTbFQbPCuQnZOPUaEMiWaOOT5Bf9wUyiy0qtBsN5PhOKZothU/s960/116015468_4386080958099073_1024036856520312514_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="960" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGGZL0D4Rn7j_3XqZK5fd4fyPyVk8Hnhitj3KtSkBm0ZBi0rWd2BJbBROBKVX-b8wDFbLVAWeuRw9s48y7CnVuuK8RFeTbFQbPCuQnZOPUaEMiWaOOT5Bf9wUyiy0qtBsN5PhOKZothU/w400-h268/116015468_4386080958099073_1024036856520312514_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(The Melliere house also in town under family ownership, parts of which date to 1735...and most likely there are other early French homes hiding under 1970s asbestos siding and sheetrock. Fort de Chartres is just a few miles down the road from the town.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you've enjoyed this VERY brief overview of the history of this small section of Illinois; I spend a fair amount of my free time visiting parts of it and learning its complex history. If you're interested in further reading (and there is a LOT of it), listed below are a few of the many excellent books I've read that give further details of the lives of the indigenous peoples, the enslaved Africans, and the French habitants in this area and other parts of the Illinois Country.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>French Roots in the Illinois Country : the Mississippi Frontier in Colonial Times</i>. University of Illinois Press, 2000, by Carl J. Ekberg
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>History as They Lived It: a Social History of Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois</i>. Southern Illinois Univ. Press, 2013, by Margaret Kimball Brown<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Kaskaskia under the French Regime</i>. Southern Illinois University Press, 2003, by Natalia Maree Belting</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Lives of Fort De Chartres: Commandants, Soldiers, and Civilians in French Illinois, 1720-1770</i>. Southern Illinois University Press, 2016, by David MacDonald </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Stealing Indian Women: Native Slavery in the Illinois Country</i>. University of Illinois Press, 2010, by Carl J. Ekberg.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Wild Frenchmen and Frenchified Indians : Material Culture and Race in Colonial Louisiana</i>. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013, by Sophie White
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-28353674092330202562021-05-19T19:37:00.003-05:002022-07-20T15:20:49.773-05:00The dreamy pastel Pet En L'air gets some sunshine<p>It's a joy to have finally gotten to photograph this ensemble, and between the dress and the much-improved camera of my newer phone, I finally got some pictures of myself in 18thc clothing that I'm quite proud of. This photo is probably my favorite, just for the soft, artistic quality of it: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjvjhH1k_ROmyuy25Ccmnl__wr25Zs9skQnNiNElf9J2TNzWMNOuHS7j_DVLieSNs_UQ44MMWxq9s-X2fmU4FzbRJgNAOpjC4E_QKn3ya3EHsVE6H1z_VzRrYbsWeLrGsCGclGXMv1D8/s1440/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjvjhH1k_ROmyuy25Ccmnl__wr25Zs9skQnNiNElf9J2TNzWMNOuHS7j_DVLieSNs_UQ44MMWxq9s-X2fmU4FzbRJgNAOpjC4E_QKn3ya3EHsVE6H1z_VzRrYbsWeLrGsCGclGXMv1D8/w480-h640/10.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>For more details, read on!</p><p>This fabric was pointed out to me by a friend who noticed it on clearance on Hallie Larkin's website, "At the Sign of the Golden Scissors." Though the rest of the site is now defunct, Ms. Larkin (or somebody) still seems to de-stash material there from time to time; I recently got a large bag of various sheer silk remnants for trims, caps, etc. I've also gotten from her clearance an incredibly discounted remnant of Scalamandre yellow silk with birds and bouquets that hopefully will some day go into a Dangerous Liaisons-inspired 18thc riding jacket like the one worn by the Marquise when she arrives at the country estate to 'comfort' Cecile.</p><p>But this striped taffeta (technically a lisere, I think, due to the woven nature of the botanical border) was love at first sight, and the first piece I got from there. As there were 7 yards, at first I thought "oh I'll just do a delightful sacque" but of course, there could be no matching petticoat with that short of a length of silk. Since the stripes, a dusty pale blue and indescribable smoky cream, were both proving difficult to match for a solid-colored petticoat, I decided against a full Robe a la Francaise, and instead cut out a pet en l'air. This I did two years ago, roughly around the same time I cut out both my black sacque and the bronze one, which both then went with me to Costume College. So the Pet just languished in a zipped clothing bag for over a year, waiting to be tackled. <br /></p><p>For me, the JP Ryan pattern always goes together fairly smoothly (although I always have to refer back to <a href="http://confusedkittysewing.com/2014/02/12/notes-on-jp-ryan-francaise-pattern/" target="_blank">AJ's deciphering of the robing folds</a> because WHAT THE HECK JP RYAN. How did you think those directions were clear?!). Now, unfortunately for me, the almost satin nature of this particular taffeta made it work loose from its ironed robing pleats down the front while I was trying to fit the outer fabric to the lining. If I had stopped and taken the time to re-pleat them, it would have been far better, but I charged ahead with reckless abandon and then had to tack down a LOT of stray fabric. At some point it'll have to be redone, as it's affecting the fit of the torso too loosely.</p><p>Fit issues aside, before even sewing up the gown, I had been busily making trim for it at nights while watching tv. I was somehow able to get the exact colors from a cardmaking trim shop on Etsy, and painstakingly cut and tied little bows of the blue onto the cream. Actually it went quite a bit faster than I was anticipating, but I wanted something that looked like fly trim.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5G6wZ-Pe989qO7nSwMc84vjUhT_VBg-pYXyCwuqzkDsXwVaF-k9BxAOVH1XnXVzCx2hm2Xx6E2dpB4mdZDrTvGLhvKW2KxJ5QlP7W9LO8Q3YLcB4ApD0KgeAxFYY-bAbL1NqFumVv-o/s1280/IMG_8546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1280" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5G6wZ-Pe989qO7nSwMc84vjUhT_VBg-pYXyCwuqzkDsXwVaF-k9BxAOVH1XnXVzCx2hm2Xx6E2dpB4mdZDrTvGLhvKW2KxJ5QlP7W9LO8Q3YLcB4ApD0KgeAxFYY-bAbL1NqFumVv-o/w400-h398/IMG_8546.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jR1adg9GT56NNdVSOKdN5mnOW1ilQYXl0Ag-QTvrlYhbOUpOB-y7DTmn8hwNDdDQj-Sc3r7UOoQRu_XgW4fQQJeIWdS2KgOI9eX23Rkpczoan5F_hd4LdMbbedBRyepneqPXYbJJSCE/s2016/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jR1adg9GT56NNdVSOKdN5mnOW1ilQYXl0Ag-QTvrlYhbOUpOB-y7DTmn8hwNDdDQj-Sc3r7UOoQRu_XgW4fQQJeIWdS2KgOI9eX23Rkpczoan5F_hd4LdMbbedBRyepneqPXYbJJSCE/w480-h640/2.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because I didn't want to be making it for forever, I did just enough to go along the edge of the sleeve ruffle, in the center of my trim around the neck/robings and on the stomacher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K1RgxQIYlbKiGN8yZuraFamZTLUVYmi43po-85pGNeS_zynJwxbifxe3J7XUn-FFhrCF5OBS3Jvm00ULKW0ig4Ju2jJNOdlrNZOgq475LL9BK_NDHjpBrq4dguYDiRPNnkyaih3MMoE/s1280/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K1RgxQIYlbKiGN8yZuraFamZTLUVYmi43po-85pGNeS_zynJwxbifxe3J7XUn-FFhrCF5OBS3Jvm00ULKW0ig4Ju2jJNOdlrNZOgq475LL9BK_NDHjpBrq4dguYDiRPNnkyaih3MMoE/w620-h640/1.jpg" width="620" /> </a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The back pleats are always my favorite part. <br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xm81JQjjkoCgaZFCUY19W5AtKc_mFuGQusvwrQB_P51sPArmz1wII8regDkP64rJ7MKqtbOw890Ney34R_czJvz1-Ed23zpneWZ0mC-bV-j1yt_HEm81nM2-Kx7q1KiopOiaiXv_Wbc/s1444/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1297" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Xm81JQjjkoCgaZFCUY19W5AtKc_mFuGQusvwrQB_P51sPArmz1wII8regDkP64rJ7MKqtbOw890Ney34R_czJvz1-Ed23zpneWZ0mC-bV-j1yt_HEm81nM2-Kx7q1KiopOiaiXv_Wbc/w576-h640/3.jpg" width="576" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My sleeve ruffle lace (engageantes is the French term, I think) is vintage, probably Edwardian...I try not to cut nice lace up, but a lot of what I intentionally buy is in poor condition and needs mending of good-sized holes, or has stains that have to be hidden. Not only is it usually less expensive, but that way I don't feel guilty actually using lovely old lace. I make all my engageantes on white cotton bands, so that the only thing I am basting through when attaching the ruffles to the gown is the band, rather than the fragile lace. This way too I can swap them in and out of different dresses. I think I have four interchangeable sets now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The earrings are from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EverThineCo">an Etsy shop called EverThineCo</a>. and I just HAD to have them when I saw them. They're usually quite pricey at $80, but you can often catch them on a half-off sale if you wait long enough, which is what I did. I think they're replicas of a famous pair that Liz Taylor had commissioned, but clearly modeled off a Georgian girandole. My brooch was an incredibly lucky vintage Etsy find...it's a copy of an 18thc Saint Lô cross from France, and it has a hidden bale on the back so you could also wear it as a necklace pendant. The <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/206853">original is at the Met Museum</a> and is silver as most of them were, but I quite like the gold. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzf4Bkj23aab8IleUVz2kUmejP1946p60W0LSgNVFrcjpDEfb9xfQpwRtKnau3odr4gJaCX32ctyZy1BjRCNSKYm6_GVsdC4M_R3TD8stDWcAe6OGQ4FfIMFoHfjbFvRqtvUn9Tug8eg/s1639/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="1261" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzf4Bkj23aab8IleUVz2kUmejP1946p60W0LSgNVFrcjpDEfb9xfQpwRtKnau3odr4gJaCX32ctyZy1BjRCNSKYm6_GVsdC4M_R3TD8stDWcAe6OGQ4FfIMFoHfjbFvRqtvUn9Tug8eg/w492-h640/4.jpg" width="492" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Juvenile-me gets a kick out of the fact the Pet en L'air in some instances in the French of antiquity means literally 'fart in the wind' (yeah I know, I'm supposed to be GENTEEL musings, sorry, I have to suspend that for a sec) and this picture fully illustrates why, lol. WHEEEEEEEE (ok I'm done).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AYWj1eYfIZC-I5O3YpRthYKwTFEjp2duWzDe6W01AnOjU6fdFn5hCDEv84u6OdMsCHH_Zag0xWXBbjDRQLxpF_yfyAHqK-H-dKWK3C1vbJlvy72_htGelSmCabumO0MJeBZhd2st9LY/s2016/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AYWj1eYfIZC-I5O3YpRthYKwTFEjp2duWzDe6W01AnOjU6fdFn5hCDEv84u6OdMsCHH_Zag0xWXBbjDRQLxpF_yfyAHqK-H-dKWK3C1vbJlvy72_htGelSmCabumO0MJeBZhd2st9LY/w480-h640/6.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm in love with the powdery sky blue against the gentle cream...it just does everything for my pastel 2006-Marie-Antoinette-film-worshipping aesthetic, haha. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63Zh9bVa7XkxBcJPWtfLJrgyIzl2vI1eIFyzNEAKDEG_t1Tf1stf_QSDMNNBRQt-rSaXdfF-ukgvSYgJXlVBYkho6wdOYpxW3mzSUe-2Uc-B9wDxlh4AVzJEIlEweUModxnvuMLIWSQA/s2016/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63Zh9bVa7XkxBcJPWtfLJrgyIzl2vI1eIFyzNEAKDEG_t1Tf1stf_QSDMNNBRQt-rSaXdfF-ukgvSYgJXlVBYkho6wdOYpxW3mzSUe-2Uc-B9wDxlh4AVzJEIlEweUModxnvuMLIWSQA/w480-h640/8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>The other thing I was really pleased about was my hair cooperating, for once. I have extremely long hair, down to my waist almost all the time, and you'd think "oh that's great for historical styles." Nope. I'd probably be better off with mid-back-length hair for workability. But in this case I started with day-old hair, slightly oily like mine often is, and I powdered the heck out of it with my favorite <a href="https://shop.colonialwilliamsburg.com/Powder-of-Roses/">rose powder from Colonial Williamsburg</a>. That gives my very fine, slick, straight hair enough body and grip that I can start to shape it. Then I section off the hair around my face and comb it forward over my face, secure a rat behind it (in this case, a fist-sized amount of my own washed hair from many daily brushings) and sweep my hair back over the rat. This gives me enough height that I can then gently curl and twist the rest of my hair up and keep pinning here and there. </p><p> I have two buckles on either side -- these are easy to make with strands of faux hair...cover a 1" dowel (or even a broomstick) with waxed paper, and dab a little craft glue onto the waxed paper. Take your strand of faux hair and wind it over the glue. I kept painting glue onto the hair as I wrapped it, until I had a good tight roll, and slid it off the end of my dowel to dry. This did take some finagling, and don't be surprised if your craft glue collects some wax paper when you finally peel it off the curl/roll, but the point for me was to get some 'invisible' forms over which to roll small strands of my own hair, which is exactly what I did here, then pinned the full buckle onto my head through each end of the roll. </p><p>Once I had done as much with my hair as I cared to, any spots that looked a little flat or lacking benefited from a few faux flowers artfully stuck in there. </p><p>And voila, the finished pet en l'air with fully dressed hair and very 'extra' accessories!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLvqBlrNZKXSSGkDdrtTWMZdjJTIHnW-4XHCPr8J4pPYO4xGpuj2np5C9yO6nouPMk9LQgfzX-gWfE4GzvAZV2xR-cimpHag8Sx1PS7TCFk-flcYIeQPtZHeIuIpKvkZ4-zdbwajfYi0/s2016/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLvqBlrNZKXSSGkDdrtTWMZdjJTIHnW-4XHCPr8J4pPYO4xGpuj2np5C9yO6nouPMk9LQgfzX-gWfE4GzvAZV2xR-cimpHag8Sx1PS7TCFk-flcYIeQPtZHeIuIpKvkZ4-zdbwajfYi0/w480-h640/9.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-91434072492196250782021-05-10T13:34:00.001-05:002022-07-20T15:20:57.616-05:00Regency versatility: 1 gown, 2 looks.<p> Oops it's been a while, and there's a striped silk pet en l'air between this Regency gown and the last post about my quilted hooded jacket, but I haven't taken any good pictures of that yet!</p><p>Before I get too much farther into this, I'm just going to say right off the bat that I used Laughing Moon #130 for the gown and I do NOT recommend it without a great deal of alteration. The way it ties is frankly bizarre and not secure without a lot of pins, and it caused me a great deal of angst about the frumpyness of the silhouette. Even with pandemic weight gains, I didn't feel like I should look like that much of a potato (however excellent and boiled): </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p_VMVY5ZPK-rx4dIWuS5UjZFu7bWnMfjvjFBuZpfjJZPN9Qc98p4iGNOHtZe4Ij3b3c5wtH6_l2Qntm99W3NugH5y_UgfHb9zAjGGP4RGljIPpN27koKuGJ__fle2dDC76PXI40bIho/s544/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="430" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p_VMVY5ZPK-rx4dIWuS5UjZFu7bWnMfjvjFBuZpfjJZPN9Qc98p4iGNOHtZe4Ij3b3c5wtH6_l2Qntm99W3NugH5y_UgfHb9zAjGGP4RGljIPpN27koKuGJ__fle2dDC76PXI40bIho/w506-h640/1.jpg" width="506" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This pattern does something bizarre at the waist...the apron front wraps around and ties UNDER the back of the gown, behind the back skirts. I read the instructions over and over but the pattern picture also makes it very clear that's what you're supposed to do. So I definitely changed that by adding self-fabric belt loops and tied around the outer back like I'm used to. I also strongly disliked that the bodice is so unsecured to anything (the little crossover flaps just supposedly tuck into the waistband and that's enough? Not for me!). I tacked down one side of the wrap-front to the apron waist to at least give me a little more security because pins just were not doing it for me. Love my fabric though, which was silk bought during a sale from <a href="https://www.ensemblesofthepast.com/store" target="_blank"><u>Ensembles of the Past</u></a>! Sara is lovely to get things from (and just as sweet in person).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So after making the gown FEEL a little more secure, I turned to extants to help me jazz it up a bit. Because of my long-term costuming goal of trying to make one outfit from each decade of 1620-1920, I wanted something from the 1820s as I already had other gowns to fit other Regency decades. Luckily, this beauty had popped up from the <a href="https://issuu.com/coraginsburg/docs/coraginsburg-antique-2021?fr=sYzFhNTMwMjc5Njk" target="_blank">Cora Ginsburg Spring catalog</a>. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCLHA5DWS1EIRpfe1pSBi8bc4BoI6kLmCznnqhGQq8MXy2BiHAvYJhkJ6XidpP4LQkL4C7KlMXTwuTmuqVWP_YyNuNwHyd2pCiNPwLCdGzC1U6f4LhOlf3DigvRbIrblIAgxl8m6TZlc/s1800/70C19EBA-657E-4D17-BEBC-225AD25D456D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCLHA5DWS1EIRpfe1pSBi8bc4BoI6kLmCznnqhGQq8MXy2BiHAvYJhkJ6XidpP4LQkL4C7KlMXTwuTmuqVWP_YyNuNwHyd2pCiNPwLCdGzC1U6f4LhOlf3DigvRbIrblIAgxl8m6TZlc/w512-h640/70C19EBA-657E-4D17-BEBC-225AD25D456D.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PQwoBlTLQKalwEAMALncxhVuhvDxTuqQDMJP4WOoT9WHZG1jubYFfHV8y3Wau82kLwHJyqMKAD0RNLCIR6vh0Hf656xjjju72ZxFFUg4AiqVyvrATQ400n5OuFzu6RMCoUelvOMhQdo/s1800/6B34A4DC-1A6A-4F33-8E64-D87A295FDCAF.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PQwoBlTLQKalwEAMALncxhVuhvDxTuqQDMJP4WOoT9WHZG1jubYFfHV8y3Wau82kLwHJyqMKAD0RNLCIR6vh0Hf656xjjju72ZxFFUg4AiqVyvrATQ400n5OuFzu6RMCoUelvOMhQdo/w512-h640/6B34A4DC-1A6A-4F33-8E64-D87A295FDCAF.jpg" width="512" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gauze Evening Dress with self-fabric trimming</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(English, ca 1823-24)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Evening gowns in the early 1820s frequently had cross-over style bodices, puffy cap sleeves (often with a tulle or gauze overlay to make it look even more like a soft frothy cloud) and a design at the hem, also usually puffy. Because I was already starting to think of versatility, I decided against the hem design in case I wanted to dress it down for daywear, but felt the sleeves were a must-do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fortunately Sara also had an interesting sheer window-pane fabric in her shop as well and she was happy to match it to her remnant of the plaid silk I bought, and reassured me that it would work. I decided to make a detachable overlay that could be easily basted over the existing plain puffed sleeve for a little extra drama. They ended up looking like little dirigibles, which amused me greatly.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJ0Xl6wKn_vNe8HilbaFqh72NFJZME-tqEYRZYoSGwGcek2J6nOJ6TUOv3E6km0FzlKUqdialeJYRHHcmqj-_w-73uZQbpywG6b1kvtruFyPu1IYNIDQmLRtK8k1iR1TG8ygfnDNeeAg/s2048/334C3A53-184E-4352-8845-88F444B54247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJ0Xl6wKn_vNe8HilbaFqh72NFJZME-tqEYRZYoSGwGcek2J6nOJ6TUOv3E6km0FzlKUqdialeJYRHHcmqj-_w-73uZQbpywG6b1kvtruFyPu1IYNIDQmLRtK8k1iR1TG8ygfnDNeeAg/s320/334C3A53-184E-4352-8845-88F444B54247.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While the ribbon banding at the armscye is more fanciful than historical from this time, it does add a little glitz by candle-light. I also added a gold/olive/beige Indian-style ribbon trim to both sleeves and neckline: <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioF4FLpkmkmMf4UADikvOpDnCSDUFCAdHNf-u33-2FlhroBgQCjeXii8hlhLjROrFhnfKraOXOOMCtIbRRgcBPNxSGQU7jKpgt_J75Uc6nzn3rt41cfGji760rMl5BPHZK7FDslqhilbs/s2048/IMG_7344.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioF4FLpkmkmMf4UADikvOpDnCSDUFCAdHNf-u33-2FlhroBgQCjeXii8hlhLjROrFhnfKraOXOOMCtIbRRgcBPNxSGQU7jKpgt_J75Uc6nzn3rt41cfGji760rMl5BPHZK7FDslqhilbs/w300-h400/IMG_7344.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXIrja-I9GqYOZDWPFRE9zcWaCelUQCqQPCCqPYjxLXHfLuRALzQ4pglrVCXbRpSn8Iul3p_EirDCcB1cOHQ90hhLtbm9EVMwqqCso1XCvZ-OnJfWFXLMwuFyjLd-jCcVBCrcY1y9wRc/s2048/IMG_7342.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXIrja-I9GqYOZDWPFRE9zcWaCelUQCqQPCCqPYjxLXHfLuRALzQ4pglrVCXbRpSn8Iul3p_EirDCcB1cOHQ90hhLtbm9EVMwqqCso1XCvZ-OnJfWFXLMwuFyjLd-jCcVBCrcY1y9wRc/w300-h400/IMG_7342.JPEG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the finished result for evening wear came out like this! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBUnd9peR8SS2z9C6eqyndpfpRYflU2Q8Ghe6ryX9oawrJSyZ29VyS-32E_3GkA_mgOu_bZlYrxWmjo6R-N5tfFjbKGthIvndJpKhZ2QDkxCkqad7CMudaKx4ROeFsLnxS67kTE57nsY/s1794/3C20349E-767F-4CD1-830F-81182DF3C995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBUnd9peR8SS2z9C6eqyndpfpRYflU2Q8Ghe6ryX9oawrJSyZ29VyS-32E_3GkA_mgOu_bZlYrxWmjo6R-N5tfFjbKGthIvndJpKhZ2QDkxCkqad7CMudaKx4ROeFsLnxS67kTE57nsY/w514-h640/3C20349E-767F-4CD1-830F-81182DF3C995.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DvYMoU_kkfdQkIvYQzXg9SyYtKnUPma3vk1bWx53DOAEyaxiQzKCtKS_n6zryuZs4rn8SMmWpKwOZyO1lZ_OKosnFWMj3PqW_Okbh1NQ5h7719Vwd18a9ysxwv-nK8zdKSAJBKcYC7w/s1794/FF183014-B36D-4DE4-A934-12031FFAFDC0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DvYMoU_kkfdQkIvYQzXg9SyYtKnUPma3vk1bWx53DOAEyaxiQzKCtKS_n6zryuZs4rn8SMmWpKwOZyO1lZ_OKosnFWMj3PqW_Okbh1NQ5h7719Vwd18a9ysxwv-nK8zdKSAJBKcYC7w/w514-h640/FF183014-B36D-4DE4-A934-12031FFAFDC0.jpg" width="514" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tiara is from BeElemental (but I don't recommend them unless you're willing to wait months for shipping overseas) and the long pearl and moonstone earrings are from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LadyDetalle" target="_blank">Lady Detalle</a>. I need to find some over-elbow gloves but I've been searching for ages with no luck, so I may have to eventually make my own. I also had to buy more trim for the waist because I liked the look of it on the Cora Ginsburg extant, but it hadn't arrived by time I was taking photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But wait, there's more! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This gown was also begging to have a day iteration, and luckily I had just the extant gown in mind! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPo4HJEC_lC7O0hCPwBM0T1rBX0Tf8d-e3DfeGsteMdADv8dVlNJDqBFgwxqzK1Xz8e1bBCSAT4PKwjbOxnus3xJxelOmAScPR28pJUlkrkDliBK8TISxiuOZP6qENBVH8T6Kakl5i7w/s625/IMG_7288.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="416" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPo4HJEC_lC7O0hCPwBM0T1rBX0Tf8d-e3DfeGsteMdADv8dVlNJDqBFgwxqzK1Xz8e1bBCSAT4PKwjbOxnus3xJxelOmAScPR28pJUlkrkDliBK8TISxiuOZP6qENBVH8T6Kakl5i7w/w426-h640/IMG_7288.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107989?img=1&imgno=2&tabname=related-objects" target="_blank">Morning Dress, 1820, from The Met</a><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOJDwP4sLLlgbkyMYQqaaaIGDuPGV8XUhHDK9zHkSylciyw8d_CedSK2rU6-9ywUoDQPbZZ-Chno-5iWF-5oBQ1V89mVVv7Dg4fO5cBpCc4Le-LGt_SKp0RbPalByoh7iqUYupA7QwEM/s625/IMG_7289.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="416" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOJDwP4sLLlgbkyMYQqaaaIGDuPGV8XUhHDK9zHkSylciyw8d_CedSK2rU6-9ywUoDQPbZZ-Chno-5iWF-5oBQ1V89mVVv7Dg4fO5cBpCc4Le-LGt_SKp0RbPalByoh7iqUYupA7QwEM/w426-h640/IMG_7289.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s-i_Gkhqa69zewqcA3I_JsS3s5NTdF2HCkmvbyuLT_krSqOeJN_pDSqKKmeNyMIAq1aRV0WpLmTvh63-qWws_MHZN2o_AGzGkeNiMy8EBdqYIdCikGo9ydhe6oL0KXzQXcuJZ4I2tEQ/s801/IMG_7651.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s-i_Gkhqa69zewqcA3I_JsS3s5NTdF2HCkmvbyuLT_krSqOeJN_pDSqKKmeNyMIAq1aRV0WpLmTvh63-qWws_MHZN2o_AGzGkeNiMy8EBdqYIdCikGo9ydhe6oL0KXzQXcuJZ4I2tEQ/w426-h640/IMG_7651.JPG" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The extant is cotton, but the color and the plaid made me feel confident this style would work fine with my current project. I think it works! <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TcMXuzPCZuS-QkZM9T_h2KLiJxbvAo0Am0NnvIDZOGXgziKlM8_Mtq2O1mLkqocY71uhbS8GwshRwnyLw6OwhIVKSxTQJlRuqaNk7OUqLVhpm9iqoB4m70mk8RWcTtYkZWusIa_V4q4/s2048/IMG_7463.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TcMXuzPCZuS-QkZM9T_h2KLiJxbvAo0Am0NnvIDZOGXgziKlM8_Mtq2O1mLkqocY71uhbS8GwshRwnyLw6OwhIVKSxTQJlRuqaNk7OUqLVhpm9iqoB4m70mk8RWcTtYkZWusIa_V4q4/w480-h640/IMG_7463.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0oYyoVpeZEg_vkNxroDNYPefL-n28xsbW0soQ4s_KrJXs49Pcufe-YaqueaE4e02eOEdrjuGuY0d56Tw3EjwVHHWXTWkuCtdDaHnm0BXkdjzynqfH9oouRPFjfqheHW9qD8Vnw0sdzU/s1794/9FFBA5A3-E22A-40DA-8AF1-C3125AD4E9D0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0oYyoVpeZEg_vkNxroDNYPefL-n28xsbW0soQ4s_KrJXs49Pcufe-YaqueaE4e02eOEdrjuGuY0d56Tw3EjwVHHWXTWkuCtdDaHnm0BXkdjzynqfH9oouRPFjfqheHW9qD8Vnw0sdzU/w514-h640/9FFBA5A3-E22A-40DA-8AF1-C3125AD4E9D0.jpg" width="514" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see, I removed the evening gown's sleeve overlay (which was intentionally barely basted in) and added sleeve extensions. I also added a shawl collar with ruffle, which I tacked in very lightly with stitches that will be easy to remove. The shawl collar then hides the fancy trim of the evening gown version, which I left intact underneath. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKfZKjtAA5ZCbwdmY3G_s8xC1nA_blSJ-dKThqWNab1PGgV4IMHix3TSocZWYA3xAIMrgNW8AYmXl9YIxGouMSzMEF84R4P-12TwJiwpE5LLRxE96jyaurIl1gOWMX_EQVQeb-ZQcOpo/s2048/IMG_7620.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKfZKjtAA5ZCbwdmY3G_s8xC1nA_blSJ-dKThqWNab1PGgV4IMHix3TSocZWYA3xAIMrgNW8AYmXl9YIxGouMSzMEF84R4P-12TwJiwpE5LLRxE96jyaurIl1gOWMX_EQVQeb-ZQcOpo/w480-h640/IMG_7620.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />In this way I have two gowns for different times of the day, and it only takes about a half an hour to switch from one to the other by removing or adding components. This was really an enjoyable process once I figured out where to go with the project! <br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-19342579247458019032021-01-22T15:22:00.004-06:002022-07-20T15:21:10.469-05:00An 18thc hooded jacket<p> Aha, I am back after the holidays! Frustratingly, I have been dealing with a lot of joint pain, mostly in my hands, since March of 2020, and it comes and goes, but I think the cold weather has really slowed me down. Lots of visits to the rheumatologist with no clear answers other than 'maybe RA' and definitely mild carpal tunnel after a very expensive nerve study, so I need to be more diligent about wearing braces, resting adequately, and learning better hand and arm stretches.</p><p>But I really enjoyed making this quick and easy (mostly) hooded jacket out of pre-quilted silk! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4ML1SbhOImWWRoKs5vwBvn4XzKhsypaLyxBPv17W-J1ZeWBqW6u2anwtqxZuNMOCEpzFR5oOvu9c0hcfb5McxZdK2EiQdlVdQP86Zds4H4RXZ6yff0Q8_R42U5ForUCGimL8zf2nt7c/s2000/IMG_6470.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4ML1SbhOImWWRoKs5vwBvn4XzKhsypaLyxBPv17W-J1ZeWBqW6u2anwtqxZuNMOCEpzFR5oOvu9c0hcfb5McxZdK2EiQdlVdQP86Zds4H4RXZ6yff0Q8_R42U5ForUCGimL8zf2nt7c/w480-h640/IMG_6470.PNG" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I started this with a couple of inspirations in mind -- one from a portrait, one from an extant, and something sort of in-between happened! </p><p><br /></p><p>Here's the portrait I really liked, "<span style="font-family: times;"></span><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span>Baroness Magdalene Charlotte Hedevig Løvenskiold, nee Numsen" by Jens Juel, 1772. I definitely borrowed her blue bow, plain stomacher, and the sleeves that end right at the elbow with trim before the lower sleeves are added.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsSF1u5gptx1_ndT95S1MmWX872BfCUMvPHmYVZ4EkotCdwYtj7lUEJBw_v3s-_ifZjKtJzhnEtohil-bnz9MW9-kaxLUml9_JlSZFmQFi6ofZTfW_fHDXHIuiNqT1OBYVqKXVYXQhpk/s769/1772_magdalene_charlotte_-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsSF1u5gptx1_ndT95S1MmWX872BfCUMvPHmYVZ4EkotCdwYtj7lUEJBw_v3s-_ifZjKtJzhnEtohil-bnz9MW9-kaxLUml9_JlSZFmQFi6ofZTfW_fHDXHIuiNqT1OBYVqKXVYXQhpk/w333-h400/1772_magdalene_charlotte_-4.jpg" width="333" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"> </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in">The extant that I loved is at The Met, and is not hooded, but is quilted! It's just labeled <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/662690" target="_blank">"Ensemble" from 1760ish</a>.<br /><span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy9NoDmmmOH69SrNSI05o584j7shvLguaHMWfOcZKv-_oCVN5lH15oV1I4f8kOu1BhQ-rqajLG1vSXmMfN4DWb9Hi_Rprh-iZb2hCsZIVoU8gCN9yoiT7Lj8C2ArJj2gkeM4m-2TOIx0/s2048/2014.586a%252C+b_TQR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1455" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy9NoDmmmOH69SrNSI05o584j7shvLguaHMWfOcZKv-_oCVN5lH15oV1I4f8kOu1BhQ-rqajLG1vSXmMfN4DWb9Hi_Rprh-iZb2hCsZIVoU8gCN9yoiT7Lj8C2ArJj2gkeM4m-2TOIx0/w284-h400/2014.586a%252C+b_TQR.jpg" width="284" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span>Because I didn't want the hassle of constructing a full button-front waistcoat, I decided against doing a true Brunswick jacket. Often those are a bit longer, have more details, and usually have longer sleeve ruffles which I struggled to envision working in quilted fabric. But there are so many portraits with stomacher-front hooded jackets that I felt that was a better fit for my medium this time! </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span>It actually turned out to be super simple to take the longest jacket from the trusty <a href="https://burnleyandtrowbridge.com/collections/jp-ryan-women/products/jp-ryan-18th-century-jacket-pattern" target="_blank">J.P. Ryan "jack-pack"</a> (as I like to call that delightfully useful pattern set) and attach the pleated hood from the cape in the book "Fitting and Proper" by Sharon Burnston.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9_iHLEhpt4dJPaS31nLIjpqb6Q4OcYoA-Ljo4Pfz14YlGTPqrg9wJY3t2Ebz4ExuCuWElfcopmLq84ZYeT0tywXnVQPskEBqYqRKh1N4xa-D1Cn9wmPFDygPhBvn11Nf47H9UpXZiFc/s2048/IMG_5986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9_iHLEhpt4dJPaS31nLIjpqb6Q4OcYoA-Ljo4Pfz14YlGTPqrg9wJY3t2Ebz4ExuCuWElfcopmLq84ZYeT0tywXnVQPskEBqYqRKh1N4xa-D1Cn9wmPFDygPhBvn11Nf47H9UpXZiFc/w300-h400/IMG_5986.JPG" width="300" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">To me, the silhouette is quite pleasing, and it went together extremely quickly! <br /></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20rhcL_BQZJKGVZ_5ws1la_0rq4MjvK0kzCPScV2_-hLayX-5rUuXbAMgmHoo3bfkkrrWtCnj2euXkMB0ZFKdrnhIsRm2yx_Vd9DmhzaE1iPLGGjB47MjiWoAcbTirBsFh6PTGYzgV20/s2048/IMG_5988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20rhcL_BQZJKGVZ_5ws1la_0rq4MjvK0kzCPScV2_-hLayX-5rUuXbAMgmHoo3bfkkrrWtCnj2euXkMB0ZFKdrnhIsRm2yx_Vd9DmhzaE1iPLGGjB47MjiWoAcbTirBsFh6PTGYzgV20/w300-h400/IMG_5988.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved how the fan pleats in the hood turned out...you can see what body this fabric has to it because it turned out I didn't even need my styrofoam head to keep it up, haha!<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj8zZ2ECwP8hTUIOv60vdT2GD5bDO9C2vYFQdKjnUkxbbUQJnw0nQrJ8vaoT0bEpMq72GxoIKQbZN457OGRO1cbpMabtdhDuiBh40jlF2ON99OlU6RkHp7kmmTiMX5I7pz-qedehiZ7Y/s2048/IMG_5991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKj8zZ2ECwP8hTUIOv60vdT2GD5bDO9C2vYFQdKjnUkxbbUQJnw0nQrJ8vaoT0bEpMq72GxoIKQbZN457OGRO1cbpMabtdhDuiBh40jlF2ON99OlU6RkHp7kmmTiMX5I7pz-qedehiZ7Y/w400-h400/IMG_5991.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it's hard to see here but I just mirrored the same hood pattern for the lining, only in a rose-gold dupioni I had lying around. Dupioni is too slubby to be accurate for the 18thc, but as I machined most of the gown's unseen seams to save my poor hands, and the silk itself is clearly machine-quilted, it seemed ridiculous to then obsess over such niceties as a slightly-off silk weave for some hood lining. I wanted a color that would flatter my skin tone when the hood was actually up, too, and this was good stash-busting because I didn't know what else to do with dupioni. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGJ64O8nmyOpPFEKCDrzfO2enQCUypzTuMJUpTA462Y7K61ZD9dazY3q7MZmV097LLsTlFQz7EeTt1-5ztw7Tnjb_MaQaV1eMGMcF9li12bCVHzAVCjmx87FUIIJKXOc8JXorjXO_eTU/s2048/IMG_5992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGJ64O8nmyOpPFEKCDrzfO2enQCUypzTuMJUpTA462Y7K61ZD9dazY3q7MZmV097LLsTlFQz7EeTt1-5ztw7Tnjb_MaQaV1eMGMcF9li12bCVHzAVCjmx87FUIIJKXOc8JXorjXO_eTU/w300-h400/IMG_5992.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The contrast of two golds is something kind of fun yet true to many 18thc ensembles in portraits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I can't remember now what went wrong with the sleeves that I discarded my first set, thank goodness I had lots of this quilted silk! But the discarded set actually turned out perfect to become the lower detachable sleeves of the jacket...I simply finished them off with a sheer white cotton ruffle and then basted them into the jacket at the elbow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The trim, on the other hand...ha. So here I was congratulating myself about how much time I'd saved by getting pre-quilted 100% silk. It was just $10 a yard when I bought it (<a href="https://www.fabricguru.com/" target="_blank">FabricGuru</a> has absolutely ludicrous deals sometimes, y'all, it just takes regular searching). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I somehow never stopped to think that if I wanted the pretty ruched or ruffled trim of both my inspiration portrait and the outfit at The Met, I might need a solid UNQUILTED silk. Good job, Anna. After trying swatches from various silk sellers like Renaissance and Silk Baron, I just couldn't get a good match in any taffetas out there; this is a true bright goldy gold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I had to start cutting strips and using a seam-ripper to UNPICK all the quilting for the trim. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*Facepalm*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyway. Hours of unpicking later, I lucked out that with a little fingernail scratching and hot ironing, the holes from the machine quilting are unnoticeable, especially being gathered. But I don't have the trim done around the bottom of the jacket yet like I'd planned, nor any trim on the petticoat...I doubt I'll do a deep ruffle like The Met's petticoat, I have a hunch that the leftover unpicked diamond pattern holes on the fabric will probably be too obvious for that. But maybe a nice row of ruched or pleated trim will add just enough interest for my taste. Eventually, when I have more patience.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My lovely friend Emily (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/historicthimble/" target="_blank">@historicthimble</a> on Instagram) talked me into coming out of my hole for a socially distanced walk in historic downtown St. Charles; it was delightful! I had no idea how many beautiful old buildings still stood. And the fact that many of the Christmas decorations were still up just lent extra cheer to the outing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RhRrFiLLW9cAUuLzi21Lf_yZ9OoPweUNZwi2lD4DzxsYh-GvGI4jTNY7gytnIId58O9cI_xUAku5IoiVMPY5DVEnwkw5tt7-t3PwfnaqmkK0d5kP2B7W9xsvYj1l2TVEQJ-SeHzYf0c/s2048/IMG_6430.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RhRrFiLLW9cAUuLzi21Lf_yZ9OoPweUNZwi2lD4DzxsYh-GvGI4jTNY7gytnIId58O9cI_xUAku5IoiVMPY5DVEnwkw5tt7-t3PwfnaqmkK0d5kP2B7W9xsvYj1l2TVEQJ-SeHzYf0c/w400-h300/IMG_6430.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAGKVKAfC0sr3oXKJKEwLvbc5SrMAeVxUGxv5MjSwOY0aTDfQq3Qa-9_7LhNyc87CoG_OHMbTNN5IoMrS13GOiPoOFGqW1qYfntyy59J6nk4fnaR-9udzXru4NM1VtiGY0VqFLRQb-fc/s2048/IMG_6432.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAGKVKAfC0sr3oXKJKEwLvbc5SrMAeVxUGxv5MjSwOY0aTDfQq3Qa-9_7LhNyc87CoG_OHMbTNN5IoMrS13GOiPoOFGqW1qYfntyy59J6nk4fnaR-9udzXru4NM1VtiGY0VqFLRQb-fc/w400-h300/IMG_6432.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLbAkcdBeKtRwNBLKEic0qiR8Y-BsP3Yv3e2IUAQY6lT-hnqq-s0fVWdBt_DY6mLq-WKGw_UfgFrsP-LeAm4QeG1pTliiwO-bA5CMcZEgm9efXOiNqcP4CTls85NzFDIvC2NWcLIX50A/s2048/IMG_6436.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLbAkcdBeKtRwNBLKEic0qiR8Y-BsP3Yv3e2IUAQY6lT-hnqq-s0fVWdBt_DY6mLq-WKGw_UfgFrsP-LeAm4QeG1pTliiwO-bA5CMcZEgm9efXOiNqcP4CTls85NzFDIvC2NWcLIX50A/w400-h300/IMG_6436.JPEG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emily whipped up a red wool cloak to go with her beautiful Italian gown, and looked so charming next to all the red ribbons and greenery: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrn_fopg0tA2Yo9OAL0xwQE7vrkQwpTolxZQZMol6-AAQUinqylzvDnGC8BvULjft-cQTNTdkovpP6FtsY0R26Zrb8KEF40JIS-a0cMMp1aQGbJObcbrEu0SuO70hkyhoilaD7hPnzpE/s2000/IMG_6462.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrn_fopg0tA2Yo9OAL0xwQE7vrkQwpTolxZQZMol6-AAQUinqylzvDnGC8BvULjft-cQTNTdkovpP6FtsY0R26Zrb8KEF40JIS-a0cMMp1aQGbJObcbrEu0SuO70hkyhoilaD7hPnzpE/w344-h459/IMG_6462.JPEG" width="344" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8C7J1Olhnyi090Zy_d7kx4VijZrwbIKEB6WFdE3cvsgBje9HHW0p33qOQBddykJfo7ql2_Z2JpsBfx97HWoaDCCU7JHRmlqyOqCYGVcjW4kgvxD0PUq46MqOzwLpsqNCda22YF5Ygrs/s2000/IMG_6463.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8C7J1Olhnyi090Zy_d7kx4VijZrwbIKEB6WFdE3cvsgBje9HHW0p33qOQBddykJfo7ql2_Z2JpsBfx97HWoaDCCU7JHRmlqyOqCYGVcjW4kgvxD0PUq46MqOzwLpsqNCda22YF5Ygrs/w325-h433/IMG_6463.JPEG" width="325" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Such wealth, a pineapple!) <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbfXt7GIPNkKleGJ_d4nFXVlVuVZt76OI9QSPhZAQXiji35xgC0Zevm9z4WWPzrIGPEcjGvUTODP90Clo1Vzcig67mjDO1Qkk75V9wDMsJjPTCgUq4nBWTAR8WXmxlbzjwhv68OL2vwo/s1787/IMG_6465.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1787" data-original-width="1316" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbfXt7GIPNkKleGJ_d4nFXVlVuVZt76OI9QSPhZAQXiji35xgC0Zevm9z4WWPzrIGPEcjGvUTODP90Clo1Vzcig67mjDO1Qkk75V9wDMsJjPTCgUq4nBWTAR8WXmxlbzjwhv68OL2vwo/w382-h518/IMG_6465.JPEG" width="382" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span>It was below freezing and I was SO grateful for being able to put some underlayers on beneath the quilted jacket! Actually at some points, we were both HOT in our respective outfits!</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg0m9y-FoQ-N3gJWLDBlN02IYgzV4QsiunfubziBCAq-lyjb79bLuzcbjHIruyTGKj4M0fRMosxEAe-_XX_kX5eNVa0iPQ4yZzbqI_X_piuZtYNIBUvOyOGEYfG4OZ7aKpZ5ETiURNUg/s2048/IMG_6391.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg0m9y-FoQ-N3gJWLDBlN02IYgzV4QsiunfubziBCAq-lyjb79bLuzcbjHIruyTGKj4M0fRMosxEAe-_XX_kX5eNVa0iPQ4yZzbqI_X_piuZtYNIBUvOyOGEYfG4OZ7aKpZ5ETiURNUg/w349-h465/IMG_6391.JPEG" width="349" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOZd9nqcnTckNx5hp_ncqCoj2UUab7VYFCQbk56k_63JQ8s9UBDXEkUnLcSgGS54ut1oWBDqKZdJojyv2HgB-yhR7vzDXzxfzfUeMFYZh4AEbm_MWloB39rdf6BkzsBDWhtqpK7M-NEQ/s2048/IMG_6400.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1309" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOZd9nqcnTckNx5hp_ncqCoj2UUab7VYFCQbk56k_63JQ8s9UBDXEkUnLcSgGS54ut1oWBDqKZdJojyv2HgB-yhR7vzDXzxfzfUeMFYZh4AEbm_MWloB39rdf6BkzsBDWhtqpK7M-NEQ/w320-h499/IMG_6400.JPEG" width="320" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My fur muff was perfect for hiding my phone inside the whole time, lol! And much appreciated on the hands when the wind blew. It's made out of strips from a vintage stole I found at the thrift store. <br /></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb9F4pAYe7BbDjGsi5_qGQcds-SQWf_v6q2x-Fr7IlujU5p91nTUcFm__teLdeiIVOxVp62k3KZsCbNCfPtSKSQFYgcDqSYC5vPBrg462CmWvhk9DQoxLY6nVRqrq59x638wUWpxw7sw/s2048/IMG_6413.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb9F4pAYe7BbDjGsi5_qGQcds-SQWf_v6q2x-Fr7IlujU5p91nTUcFm__teLdeiIVOxVp62k3KZsCbNCfPtSKSQFYgcDqSYC5vPBrg462CmWvhk9DQoxLY6nVRqrq59x638wUWpxw7sw/w357-h476/IMG_6413.JPEG" width="357" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoFNC5v1PViTUf2ZU-dwokCDEeBloG3JWucpizwZMWafvpIj9ocrhfyul4rG48gdpzOeEfqJ4ECEzNjtmY7xvTwUc15P9LTLLjOQyAkF-Kjq8jBcqprDFnuV8-ngGSHY-Ng2Z5XucRvg/s2048/IMG_6441.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoFNC5v1PViTUf2ZU-dwokCDEeBloG3JWucpizwZMWafvpIj9ocrhfyul4rG48gdpzOeEfqJ4ECEzNjtmY7xvTwUc15P9LTLLjOQyAkF-Kjq8jBcqprDFnuV8-ngGSHY-Ng2Z5XucRvg/w348-h464/IMG_6441.JPEG" width="348" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did NOT have a bum roll on and you can see how poofy the quilting makes this whole ensemble! The cap is made of silk gauze, also a recently finished project, from the J.P. Ryan Dormeuse pattern which you can find at <a href="https://burnleyandtrowbridge.com/collections/jp-ryan-women/products/jp-ryan-1770-s-dormeuse-cap-pattern" target="_blank">Burnley & Trowbridge right now</a>. I highly recommend it, I thought it was really easy and turned out a super cute cap. It'll look even better when I put some height in my hair! It's generally got more floof at the front around the face but I was having issues keeping it on with my slick hair so I pinned it in a couple of spots.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUDE20opnNf4IORl25TrwE1D3sPkcwTLQei0PGr18FRrDbtoaQ4XK5kGCsQc43SPvIzhOLocMktsZw1nIxitsTOUIAgJJdv-F88KkToSxlg6-Hg6GfIuGpxy8_GGfQw0Nq5ejUKs74rg/s2048/IMG_6444.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUDE20opnNf4IORl25TrwE1D3sPkcwTLQei0PGr18FRrDbtoaQ4XK5kGCsQc43SPvIzhOLocMktsZw1nIxitsTOUIAgJJdv-F88KkToSxlg6-Hg6GfIuGpxy8_GGfQw0Nq5ejUKs74rg/w480-h640/IMG_6444.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span>So that was my December make. On the first day of January I started a striped silk taffeta pet-en-l'air/short sacque, and it should be done by the end of this month! Here's a sneak peak of this gooorgeous striped blue and smoky cream silk I got from a remnant sale from Hallie Larkin (aka At the Sign of the Golden Scissors)!<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsd1xxTj8IpEsU51hADU0L5gLWJq868h4UabHnvgRmCjPUvKos3iGFBg5pIxpLwEUTxG3vlQlZibgMPU7winvW1MBrCR4e_2EjoRAG0oMHP3nVrwa2_utKAALS0LWFZTL-mJyML408oA/s1800/FAADEC56-4420-4CB2-BC38-E591427FDB99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsd1xxTj8IpEsU51hADU0L5gLWJq868h4UabHnvgRmCjPUvKos3iGFBg5pIxpLwEUTxG3vlQlZibgMPU7winvW1MBrCR4e_2EjoRAG0oMHP3nVrwa2_utKAALS0LWFZTL-mJyML408oA/w320-h400/FAADEC56-4420-4CB2-BC38-E591427FDB99.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="in"><span>Till next time!<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><br /></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-71889027706076382002020-12-07T11:54:00.001-06:002022-07-20T15:21:18.660-05:00An Edwardian walking outfitSo this is a new era for me! Other than making a 4-gore wool skirt for a suffragist costume for Costume College 2019, I haven't messed with anything Edwardian at all. Being not even slightly comfortable with tailoring, I picked a commercial pattern for the jacket which was Angela Clayton's McCall 7732...and in retrospect I should have just gone with an indie pattern. OH WELL. So this image found on Pinterest below, a plate from 1897, was my sort-of inspiration once I decided my mock-up fabric was actually going to be my 'real' fabric, haha. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEmbDK8A5CnlYh5yBgbtqSS0In3BkG9_2pL6ZuGjrilCdM6Cy7yZeB12U7kMgpG6UanMGpv2P1MaNa-ztSWk0jgbbDQpTq8SisPddExBfNNuxkcrOzBN7NAsXcePB-l63MYuGd5Mmugc/s599/IMG_5741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="411" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEmbDK8A5CnlYh5yBgbtqSS0In3BkG9_2pL6ZuGjrilCdM6Cy7yZeB12U7kMgpG6UanMGpv2P1MaNa-ztSWk0jgbbDQpTq8SisPddExBfNNuxkcrOzBN7NAsXcePB-l63MYuGd5Mmugc/w438-h640/IMG_5741.JPG" width="438" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then me in all my "no idea what I'm doing" glory. NAILED IT, right? <span class="_8Pl3R"><span>😂</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgj56H4ILpqW32b_i0iZOAwuekguR4YBxyRIOVZgopFCIz-p0rSQApS3dJtkHOTz-_ARbjzUUQj7OaF-PSgOCNyPjdbCb5-UbeZthuj-5KnGoDRVIt7RPO6x97Flb2oURP-U3Ye2uk7w/s1890/IMG_5830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgj56H4ILpqW32b_i0iZOAwuekguR4YBxyRIOVZgopFCIz-p0rSQApS3dJtkHOTz-_ARbjzUUQj7OaF-PSgOCNyPjdbCb5-UbeZthuj-5KnGoDRVIt7RPO6x97Flb2oURP-U3Ye2uk7w/w512-h640/IMG_5830.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p><br /> Ok so there's clearly some big differences, but I did enjoy making this so I'll show you some details and my walk with some of the STL Georgians at the most beauuuutiful cemetery. </p><p><br /></p><p>The jacket ended up frequently not making sense to me at various points in the construction (shocker, coming from a Big Three pattern company). But the back turned out nicely!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZkntJhWb3djvpSo0Zyfj_hEdPnRkLnJhZj0Pg7xBLisd6Tu6DlDyTeNqzX_B8EEW_ON-64BJWbfaEFZWnSKCDP_UYbEPoG_BkMzFNrKtBAwHr_ZteKqcjFktmPqE_I5-egy8mhMmx24/s2016/IMG_5265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZkntJhWb3djvpSo0Zyfj_hEdPnRkLnJhZj0Pg7xBLisd6Tu6DlDyTeNqzX_B8EEW_ON-64BJWbfaEFZWnSKCDP_UYbEPoG_BkMzFNrKtBAwHr_ZteKqcjFktmPqE_I5-egy8mhMmx24/w300-h400/IMG_5265.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I forgot that pattern matching takes up SO much more fabric than solids, so it's a good thing I had already made the skirt first before tackling the jacket! I didn't bother with the McCalls pattern for the skirt because I wasn't interested in the decorative aspects of that one, so I happily sprung for the Black Snail #0414 1890 Fan Skirt and it was a dream to work with. Super easy, done in a night, will look even better once I stop being a lazy bum and MAKE a bum(pad) and good crisp cotton petticoat. Did not line it as my (hopefully) cotton fabric was quite a good hefty weave. Thank you, thrift store! Initially, I was going to have this all be just a mock-up and make my actual Edwardian outfit out of a really inexpensive silk taffeta I had found (also plaid) but now I'm saving that for an 1830s gown instead because I feel like this turned out satisfactory ENOUGH to wear for some Edwardian events.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-UnRZV6VgJW3-6pxM5CyR7oaGQ4Q9IezBxePlJ1xsr2kc7vrAgsoGbeuy0MXpkH2_Q16ZyloRm76801-zBKlNq6r5bOMHMjNRj9Kta7Z3BWXknUow9v883Hokq9G8MleLUW81BWC5nc/s1512/IMG_5677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-UnRZV6VgJW3-6pxM5CyR7oaGQ4Q9IezBxePlJ1xsr2kc7vrAgsoGbeuy0MXpkH2_Q16ZyloRm76801-zBKlNq6r5bOMHMjNRj9Kta7Z3BWXknUow9v883Hokq9G8MleLUW81BWC5nc/w400-h400/IMG_5677.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>VERY busy, but I really kind of like it. The 'puff' of the sleeve heads isn't as obvious as I'd like it, but by the late 1890s it seems they were slimming down anyway.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGacutqiRN79ljUotzIG4rkSiH15yxQRpKwAh7XXEttlc7O4570AIovDrQ2fCzHEGR7LSSTmNScB4jkkg5K4jAvb6L52iAa0YIUIuVuvGb5kkLbcmQdCovCMCUDXZLGm-_5-WZYsanZ_I/s1512/IMG_5717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGacutqiRN79ljUotzIG4rkSiH15yxQRpKwAh7XXEttlc7O4570AIovDrQ2fCzHEGR7LSSTmNScB4jkkg5K4jAvb6L52iAa0YIUIuVuvGb5kkLbcmQdCovCMCUDXZLGm-_5-WZYsanZ_I/w400-h400/IMG_5717.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>This front is what I'm not overjoyed about. I just don't get those two weird little 'flap' pieces that start under the bust and I haven't seen any fashion plates with this curved-front opening beginning quite so high. I guess the idea is to keep you from having a bunch of darts in the front? I don't think it's very effective here though. Whatever. I trimmed it out with green velvet ribbon and some little shamrock curlies and it is what it is, which is wearable.</p><p>But I needed a jaunty little hat! And I had nothing suitable to retrim, not having done this era, so I rummaged in my craft room and came up with a plastic canvas and some jewelry wire, and just started cutting. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMd0ZXIiubulxEBIJZ5srli0BJVccCuXJzpj9UtkyccRNihBXZYQNK58BXNtYV-opXPM9X90wzPHKFOzsfJcuvRt6aWOVKuJmcEC__RyD_qFbv5726mDQ8Rm2tqJKc2dxZVyyWlX0izM/s2016/IMG_5727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMd0ZXIiubulxEBIJZ5srli0BJVccCuXJzpj9UtkyccRNihBXZYQNK58BXNtYV-opXPM9X90wzPHKFOzsfJcuvRt6aWOVKuJmcEC__RyD_qFbv5726mDQ8Rm2tqJKc2dxZVyyWlX0izM/w300-h400/IMG_5727.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi7WlsorSjBBl1hDxFXZ_EULN0YfFTm324gevOKoBOhoGAgwXWCZNa1nQeD5XCXiqZxf5geahvdVJpU1VagDDdYo_dG3NkWvujUfLs5q2byYXcgO32zya2tbm71kem7XKXzFZ-TtYYwg/s2016/IMG_5736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi7WlsorSjBBl1hDxFXZ_EULN0YfFTm324gevOKoBOhoGAgwXWCZNa1nQeD5XCXiqZxf5geahvdVJpU1VagDDdYo_dG3NkWvujUfLs5q2byYXcgO32zya2tbm71kem7XKXzFZ-TtYYwg/w300-h400/IMG_5736.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sewed some black velvet over it, and hey, a pert little hat! Luckily the velvet pretty much absorbs all light and you can't see that I really don't know what I'm doing with any of this process, lol.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My husband's a duck and goose hunter, and I have hand-me-down peacock feathers from my grandma, so throw all that together with ribbon (which matches better in real life than in pictures) and voila! Some kind of hat! <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEzwc4u-84KBOBByu5ucC-6xqdtNmIZLxShfHXjsdX8_45JotWfIFtYpQtUGNgZ_pAZSPcggG4qq9mlA4tAdEDr7QaJkNbwciD7KfFngksexrsQQ7tcoAlB9v_BCvID07H_zRIsSXlvA/s2016/IMG_5739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEzwc4u-84KBOBByu5ucC-6xqdtNmIZLxShfHXjsdX8_45JotWfIFtYpQtUGNgZ_pAZSPcggG4qq9mlA4tAdEDr7QaJkNbwciD7KfFngksexrsQQ7tcoAlB9v_BCvID07H_zRIsSXlvA/w480-h640/IMG_5739.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p>From my photoshoot with the striped macaron 18thc gown, I learned from watching the hairdresser that I have so much hair now that I can rat it up and effectively get a bit of height to it without underlying hair pieces. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF6w-Dzb_ltW9Z_Pq3ADRA54919lFSLRn-9QuuEOcTGLFBHwM15pU7u0ng-yZAQdOOgpIxyw2RexB66qpomQFVUn1n-2JGq-jZAJIV8at_a7Lui5rMuW2kQu7QijTIDvNX_zswQQofTA/s2016/IMG_5751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSF6w-Dzb_ltW9Z_Pq3ADRA54919lFSLRn-9QuuEOcTGLFBHwM15pU7u0ng-yZAQdOOgpIxyw2RexB66qpomQFVUn1n-2JGq-jZAJIV8at_a7Lui5rMuW2kQu7QijTIDvNX_zswQQofTA/w300-h400/IMG_5751.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is kind of where I'm starting to see some problems with my choices this day. I decided when I woke up that I didn't want to put my corset on because I was stiff and sore (going through a lot of testing lately to figure out what's wrong with my joints and it's likely rheumatoid arthritis). But in future I can tell that I'm going to need to do that to avoid this kind of lumpy, frowsy look I had going on around the middle, haha. I'd look solidly brick-like either way, but a corset would make it a smooth, contained solid. Next time, next time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm also noticing with this jacket that it really needs a second point of fastening to pull it together more around the waist...it's far too loose with just the one hook and eye at the bust.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJec7hcYM92XDWDyol0LrmTrtS-gHWY_dMnwLkSsJLPFsarnUBaFi3qduMSSmNeKx_BP-T2Pf0Rb_Pw04psvT54rS15h5eq7ZrUr8Zzh0pP7mAgIHdZtuEdQz4nWQ-4X3ZBSlIRHhHe1k/s1280/IMG_5765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJec7hcYM92XDWDyol0LrmTrtS-gHWY_dMnwLkSsJLPFsarnUBaFi3qduMSSmNeKx_BP-T2Pf0Rb_Pw04psvT54rS15h5eq7ZrUr8Zzh0pP7mAgIHdZtuEdQz4nWQ-4X3ZBSlIRHhHe1k/w300-h400/IMG_5765.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>And so, with cloth mask made from leftover scraps, I ventured out to the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis to see friends at a distance! We took off our masks for single photos, but tried to be as safe as possible. The cemetery was STUNNING, my pictures don't do nearly justice, but it is many acres of lovely old stones on rolling hills (and lots of mausoleums built into the sides of hills that I only found after we were done with our walk). It's also an arboretum, and on this sunny fall day, the trees losing their leaves made a constant golden shower of confetti around us. The perfect lifting of spirits cooped up inside too long! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWtUqbhrK8Ax3m_rzUq4qp5-ebG8yLM1zXUWEB7PkL1JiCw1VBh1lJkkM1DqW2jMo3lFU0xBGVv2fMgIdCNbnO4cOKo4h7KAVxw_UxaCVsdZqiJ-KmwPdxrI2IbCcU_m_viHSYC6vm80/s2016/IMG_5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWtUqbhrK8Ax3m_rzUq4qp5-ebG8yLM1zXUWEB7PkL1JiCw1VBh1lJkkM1DqW2jMo3lFU0xBGVv2fMgIdCNbnO4cOKo4h7KAVxw_UxaCVsdZqiJ-KmwPdxrI2IbCcU_m_viHSYC6vm80/w300-h400/IMG_5761.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Camille had the cutest little witch hat to go with her Edwardian outfit, as this was in October! And also the cutest pupper. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgO1Uc4t-mESmZqYq5tnL88PfLkDgR9ColMj0kBoeM-YaZNP9DoSfdkCE7nFuVQNgfnl26reFlpU7uB_rHxZybBiwW0bBBYnevYVON_p-JAThE5chpufs8ixMM9g4z0C5cgwdAgeUvt0/s1684/IMG_5772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="1497" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgO1Uc4t-mESmZqYq5tnL88PfLkDgR9ColMj0kBoeM-YaZNP9DoSfdkCE7nFuVQNgfnl26reFlpU7uB_rHxZybBiwW0bBBYnevYVON_p-JAThE5chpufs8ixMM9g4z0C5cgwdAgeUvt0/w568-h640/IMG_5772.JPG" width="568" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the only decent shots I was able to get of myself this day, lol, I'm rapidly realizing that group events are just NOT good places to get full outfit pictures, I'll just have to go do those on my own with a tripod at another time to get satisfactory documentation photos. Hopefully with a better phone camera soon. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP9iTFiX1SDASmRdncVwDyxdWeILBPb7p-Ou9HeplYcHEgR9sSWpY8U5b8Be72UczRZ-GulV5LWUOnhqVHR7Yi8tZHFuFm2uK7kW7u1usK96uF26CdZ2MH_XeEUtl3FpBtr_3TV1d6Hs/s1603/IMG_5775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1603" data-original-width="1495" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP9iTFiX1SDASmRdncVwDyxdWeILBPb7p-Ou9HeplYcHEgR9sSWpY8U5b8Be72UczRZ-GulV5LWUOnhqVHR7Yi8tZHFuFm2uK7kW7u1usK96uF26CdZ2MH_XeEUtl3FpBtr_3TV1d6Hs/w597-h640/IMG_5775.JPG" width="597" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hairan, Makia, Emily and Camille admiring the pupper, with Kim in the foreground (I can't remember the support-menfolks' names, sorry guys, but it was nice of you to come along with your ladies to take pictures!). <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6xI2HFCrAoKZ8qGMCK_uzvEEbDYvqEFNBXOYfBijSXVQTMbo3IKS0y798NgLa9fToR7HxuzyHWnOEyFBqI_d5JvDMdv_g-jONkokk0bRjrOu0m6tkBoUuPV4qXlLridfUvb7QdlsR-o/s2016/IMG_5777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6xI2HFCrAoKZ8qGMCK_uzvEEbDYvqEFNBXOYfBijSXVQTMbo3IKS0y798NgLa9fToR7HxuzyHWnOEyFBqI_d5JvDMdv_g-jONkokk0bRjrOu0m6tkBoUuPV4qXlLridfUvb7QdlsR-o/w480-h640/IMG_5777.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t3Anjt1OB6RRSSVhyNFlrm4kja2LFY74A3N-KMzrk7PdS8wdb0uKfJ-EhcamaXSlfaybBhPRQOIlJ8EeoZaWUUNCGhf_fiNL64t83pSoJ4k4cNUNd9C_F76Yg4V2ejeY-QyT3JG31JE/s2016/IMG_5779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t3Anjt1OB6RRSSVhyNFlrm4kja2LFY74A3N-KMzrk7PdS8wdb0uKfJ-EhcamaXSlfaybBhPRQOIlJ8EeoZaWUUNCGhf_fiNL64t83pSoJ4k4cNUNd9C_F76Yg4V2ejeY-QyT3JG31JE/w480-h640/IMG_5779.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rq1v-fFknGzROnZWofpJRJjnvTY0T99PnWfwlgtpTrAovIoU3L0SBFjzD2_o0OFLEY51WpKpQvK1KMTF7MuBxWj-45Y-lBFNZhnQmnd7QzT0qaPX7gXhlapSUxBw4LiHloIlqLW5_yI/s2016/IMG_5784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rq1v-fFknGzROnZWofpJRJjnvTY0T99PnWfwlgtpTrAovIoU3L0SBFjzD2_o0OFLEY51WpKpQvK1KMTF7MuBxWj-45Y-lBFNZhnQmnd7QzT0qaPX7gXhlapSUxBw4LiHloIlqLW5_yI/w640-h480/IMG_5784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LgWskPol9HtPDhc5L96LfZeEurPybYO_SULsk9_k0oo0sg4fa-HLTVjBUUp3MZx9-lQZeRyFnQzcTPsfkHwUlTJxrlLkCuBSp75X8gd-P_tnaNDqM3T1cjIJ-uZ_WwRPf8A7wMhuo8A/s2016/IMG_5791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LgWskPol9HtPDhc5L96LfZeEurPybYO_SULsk9_k0oo0sg4fa-HLTVjBUUp3MZx9-lQZeRyFnQzcTPsfkHwUlTJxrlLkCuBSp75X8gd-P_tnaNDqM3T1cjIJ-uZ_WwRPf8A7wMhuo8A/w480-h640/IMG_5791.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(trying to be artsy with Kim's photo but alas, a daguerreotype it is not) <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7uaAQg-2HtJd5CkyAV79S0lLEnlXxFgwO9A6AUM4wlOPKCjgOhXFLjA3eVzmch2wb8JgWH9L1xRDxTdtB0Nv0bnfFZkBQJNb1XU6P8L7Uz3-aqscd_WGWWXriucKNp4924stkah-EgI/s2016/IMG_5794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7uaAQg-2HtJd5CkyAV79S0lLEnlXxFgwO9A6AUM4wlOPKCjgOhXFLjA3eVzmch2wb8JgWH9L1xRDxTdtB0Nv0bnfFZkBQJNb1XU6P8L7Uz3-aqscd_WGWWXriucKNp4924stkah-EgI/w640-h480/IMG_5794.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LOOK. Look at this sassy fluff. So beautiful, so ladylike, such a sploot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Afterwards, we went our separate ways, and I called my parents to see if they wanted to come out in the front yard at their house for a look at my new endeavor. My mom always likes to take photos of me so she insisted, and I'm glad that she did because the better pictures of the day came out of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM02rHjxGALdWV1THVVbklWSAcKBKPFjXGdOTwq8HWUHmlHK1xKNtf0_335kuf5F03hWY4T4RSPwXO3FQWd7g5A0b5YrRvUzDaQ73kr_rTeAGm8r_8O3CBtCslZkGw0a0WgMO6yrhJkGw/s2016/IMG_5824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM02rHjxGALdWV1THVVbklWSAcKBKPFjXGdOTwq8HWUHmlHK1xKNtf0_335kuf5F03hWY4T4RSPwXO3FQWd7g5A0b5YrRvUzDaQ73kr_rTeAGm8r_8O3CBtCslZkGw0a0WgMO6yrhJkGw/w480-h640/IMG_5824.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see how nice and full this skirt COULD be, if I had the right supports under it. It will happen eventually! If I need to line the lower hem with something stiff eventually, I can do that as well.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UZXNCMSg1gP5Gn_WfOKMHcLOT4iPDSq5_H9F53lKkinvs77Q5vfm4IBNKI426dmi4jW6P1YrGSoY4ALy5kvJYEppZZXACRznkfrTA6RYOu63WIG7FpKlM0td1FBA9dZl2t8p29XL388/s1763/IMG_5823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1763" data-original-width="897" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UZXNCMSg1gP5Gn_WfOKMHcLOT4iPDSq5_H9F53lKkinvs77Q5vfm4IBNKI426dmi4jW6P1YrGSoY4ALy5kvJYEppZZXACRznkfrTA6RYOu63WIG7FpKlM0td1FBA9dZl2t8p29XL388/w326-h640/IMG_5823.JPG" width="326" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUK5Ce-Nxb9OaygI3iClyaAX1uVfMnu4D0JLDNNaPerYNRKu_IJjvSYnslN7yTqA8tPDT_NPDwb3me6TolmylVp1SaPDC4B618IaT_horm7JfUyq8R3Fnt6Z0sMnT7XLCO520z2w2kGg/s2016/IMG_5829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUK5Ce-Nxb9OaygI3iClyaAX1uVfMnu4D0JLDNNaPerYNRKu_IJjvSYnslN7yTqA8tPDT_NPDwb3me6TolmylVp1SaPDC4B618IaT_horm7JfUyq8R3Fnt6Z0sMnT7XLCO520z2w2kGg/w480-h640/IMG_5829.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGwrhes6LactEK7rE3E9fRF6oyubb4BCiKSr6MLhyphenhyphenrDGwrFT6d5-THAa8vJkop0uX7NQ1Kzr5gZ2qu4G3v5oMm6VhwpQegR2T7ecl-YnTtEKt5KErCdli6p4DkP06nonCQSpcbpTofrM/s1890/IMG_5830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGwrhes6LactEK7rE3E9fRF6oyubb4BCiKSr6MLhyphenhyphenrDGwrFT6d5-THAa8vJkop0uX7NQ1Kzr5gZ2qu4G3v5oMm6VhwpQegR2T7ecl-YnTtEKt5KErCdli6p4DkP06nonCQSpcbpTofrM/w512-h640/IMG_5830.JPG" width="512" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div>And now I am all caught up with my makes for the year! Currently (slowly, thanks arthritic hands) moving along with a 1760ish pre-quilted silk Brunswick and petticoat that is going to be just lovely for winter.<br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-34083726361055048432020-11-28T14:04:00.002-06:002022-07-20T15:21:29.447-05:00Fantasy fabric and Mantua Madness<p> Last year, I came across the personal "Holy Grail" for which I've been searching for many years. For a long time I've been obsessed with finding a silk that resembles the "Bizarre silk" of the late 17th century and early 18th -- the only problem is that it is SO strange that there's little call for it these days! Many patterns look like a strange mishmash between medieval illuminations, acid-trip geometry, and sinuous Art Nouveau-looking plants. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FAHfKhnlxU6-GRCk6DmChMgQ0JoxTte10hWYXaGwLk-IZH0TB6tqu0aXkf1cvtubGLDL-4krQnt0R5Ljo2uOTKsJ7jApyObqI4aTC8O6EISS_k0IroZLeLgT3p3hJIiHFg8DyA58jyw/s1912/DP266924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1912" data-original-width="926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_FAHfKhnlxU6-GRCk6DmChMgQ0JoxTte10hWYXaGwLk-IZH0TB6tqu0aXkf1cvtubGLDL-4krQnt0R5Ljo2uOTKsJ7jApyObqI4aTC8O6EISS_k0IroZLeLgT3p3hJIiHFg8DyA58jyw/w310-h640/DP266924.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/228939" target="_blank">Length of Bizarre silk from The Met, 1700-1710</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlpd3nPXf3dFGOGnFr8oI2TrBez81RqyIUAG6OFUsKa5vpB9v4YJIqxl2zmLjkOMadmb5RJ2QkM1E8x98xXHXDnuW2Xnfwz4PTr928NEWSfaQCP7qjzCoc1C6DBml89z4cNigGiw35EY/s1080/ma-83647-WEB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="560" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlpd3nPXf3dFGOGnFr8oI2TrBez81RqyIUAG6OFUsKa5vpB9v4YJIqxl2zmLjkOMadmb5RJ2QkM1E8x98xXHXDnuW2Xnfwz4PTr928NEWSfaQCP7qjzCoc1C6DBml89z4cNigGiw35EY/w332-h640/ma-83647-WEB.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://collections.lacma.org/node/240171" target="_blank">Fragment possibly from Portugal or France, at LACMA</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">Annnnnnd then there's the eyeball panel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUn-pXAaavHOeKvL_-FEZ1Y49IBsFS5qt_03DrSiRd81hsLzBngyjZxRRr6Y-1D23Plaf33MFQ2WGnX9XJPo7FC3O7gz1lTMrxANagzqDUS_-lH5au9YSh7HUMVAwKFlu4lrv4mgrEbo4/s990/16118ef552e123a0568d6be1f408fa97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUn-pXAaavHOeKvL_-FEZ1Y49IBsFS5qt_03DrSiRd81hsLzBngyjZxRRr6Y-1D23Plaf33MFQ2WGnX9XJPo7FC3O7gz1lTMrxANagzqDUS_-lH5au9YSh7HUMVAwKFlu4lrv4mgrEbo4/w364-h640/16118ef552e123a0568d6be1f408fa97.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.artic.edu/artworks/766/panel" target="_blank">Panel at the Art Institute of Chicago, early 18thc</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess it's maybe supposed to be peacock feathers? But it's totally eyeballs. You're not going to talk me out of it. Can you imagine having your bed-hangings made out of that? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So you can see why it's called "Bizarre silk"! Nowadays, there are very few patterns that even get close. Scalamandre has had a few designs that would be passable, but all are off-market and I've never been lucky enough to find a remnant. Tassinari & Chatel have a lovely design called "Persienne" that suitably mimics the influences of the East but it is prohibitively expensive, unless you’re a millionaire. I have read several plausible theories now that textiles from Japan and the Turkish empire may have greatly contributed to the rage for this nonetheless European-made fabric at the end of the 17thc. And indeed, rugs with Middle Eastern patterns and 'Chinoiserie' in wallpaper, china, fabric and furniture rapidly became <i>de rigueur</i> among the European upper classes (and aspiring middle!) as the 18thc went on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fabric I stumbled upon certainly borrows from this tradition as well: metallic threads create the interesting geometric zigzags common in Bizarre silk, as well as fantastical bamboo stems: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNCN-VgeKHpmG_ZvQ3E2YgVeFhyphenhyphenzRAavZNROzd0KTLJ6y6riLE6oO1nYs9HrPKbgVFUsIwifLmcICjxw_TPuQQF6RrmftTd2XAKsHV59TzR9KXi7Xw5HsB_SZJCGOsjRksFpoXtFHESs/s2016/IMG_7713.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNCN-VgeKHpmG_ZvQ3E2YgVeFhyphenhyphenzRAavZNROzd0KTLJ6y6riLE6oO1nYs9HrPKbgVFUsIwifLmcICjxw_TPuQQF6RrmftTd2XAKsHV59TzR9KXi7Xw5HsB_SZJCGOsjRksFpoXtFHESs/w480-h640/IMG_7713.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> (It came to my workplace, so of course I tore into the packaging immediately...Sharpie for scale 😂)<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClexmqFyyT8Z-fkyPqAJD1ipJNjLZ13MZUogKVZgRDmu0yh3G9Uf9M-WtmmJtAwVxR9l8WyaKNNOXGjwYgGSzu7SBgCpIgiAeL1GnFEBn5GxZjaaqK_bLrE4k16RDzDonVmQLIvBwddg/s2016/IMG_7715.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClexmqFyyT8Z-fkyPqAJD1ipJNjLZ13MZUogKVZgRDmu0yh3G9Uf9M-WtmmJtAwVxR9l8WyaKNNOXGjwYgGSzu7SBgCpIgiAeL1GnFEBn5GxZjaaqK_bLrE4k16RDzDonVmQLIvBwddg/w480-h640/IMG_7715.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took a chance on it from a tiny picture on a little-known remnant website...there was no description, only a few lines of information. It's called "Genghis Khan" and came from a now-defunct fabric designer called Font Hill (bought by Stark, then bought by Scalamandre), and is not even pure silk: it's blended with something called Cupro, which on researching is a wood fiber like Rayon, but at least it's not synthetic! </div><div><br /></div>Because it's unlike anything I've ever seen and I have found no more yardage either before or since, I was kind of terrified to cut into it! I sat on it for months, researching different extant gowns made of bizarre silk. There are a number out there, from Robes a la Anglaise (often remade from earlier dresses) to Robes Volante (my favorite style, but sadly not enough fabric for one of those!) to court gowns. Mantuas, though rare in example, are most often made of bizarre silk since the gown style ran concurrent to the height of this textile pattern's popularity.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77dIPs45fCSSxprORkuOA5os3ZZF9IYnAwmCertTv2b_gRaqX8BQ8QsDxYJh8tEQRtabZUlzsLYzN4NJ6XM6gqz-a8PcDZI1_qGhAr7qV-8MJtvoKPKOpuI1w_irKhN5dvLdU2nWfDIM/s1600/E395CR-d1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1089" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77dIPs45fCSSxprORkuOA5os3ZZF9IYnAwmCertTv2b_gRaqX8BQ8QsDxYJh8tEQRtabZUlzsLYzN4NJ6XM6gqz-a8PcDZI1_qGhAr7qV-8MJtvoKPKOpuI1w_irKhN5dvLdU2nWfDIM/w436-h640/E395CR-d1.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://collections.mfa.org/objects/119705" target="_blank">(Mantua from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston)</a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeevgyYuz4Yg96UtPFiKbcoUzSj0wdVfNJXGxcNWMUiF7OfZ4mmBDgjS3HZBh3WMAYmae0iFs9TxlvBagVfd7JcqUteDmKmtyxflhw-gF__UbMt031TzgnCc_bOLiPIfx6Jh8P6XnbF2o/s2048/DT6543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeevgyYuz4Yg96UtPFiKbcoUzSj0wdVfNJXGxcNWMUiF7OfZ4mmBDgjS3HZBh3WMAYmae0iFs9TxlvBagVfd7JcqUteDmKmtyxflhw-gF__UbMt031TzgnCc_bOLiPIfx6Jh8P6XnbF2o/w512-h640/DT6543.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/81809" target="_blank">Mantua at The Met, 1708</a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once I had settled on making a Mantua from my precious 5.5 yards of fabric, I had to decide on what to do for the petticoat, since I didn't have enough to match if I wanted a train on the gown! Back to Pinterest I went for fashion plates around the turn of the 18th century. One thing I noticed frequently was the color combination of red and blue:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjB1O15kOQgn2ZeH-PHZRaLdHNRTPHFqn8MTHDhqAaW3ExQRYqct-9hySIxCLiJGY1h2Ag8SsXkmhY6ao5ADcelZKbItE5qOBevNDoEzYIA-cQ5I3jhosFRhRoSZ0nsaj17il953oU2o/s642/IMG_3892.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="429" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjB1O15kOQgn2ZeH-PHZRaLdHNRTPHFqn8MTHDhqAaW3ExQRYqct-9hySIxCLiJGY1h2Ag8SsXkmhY6ao5ADcelZKbItE5qOBevNDoEzYIA-cQ5I3jhosFRhRoSZ0nsaj17il953oU2o/w268-h400/IMG_3892.JPG" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XyKJd57jswn0X2jN_ox6mlJAir7mE9lt80G9ChcAwbe9OMxhJYIph-ZRY7RYgwLRmzQXBb-zEym7mqgMsSZfrVNfBoM0O0YL2PZxLu1tgzE2alhLFWyryL4pI2i2kKh4ixhkyACtjR8/s874/IMG_3893.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XyKJd57jswn0X2jN_ox6mlJAir7mE9lt80G9ChcAwbe9OMxhJYIph-ZRY7RYgwLRmzQXBb-zEym7mqgMsSZfrVNfBoM0O0YL2PZxLu1tgzE2alhLFWyryL4pI2i2kKh4ixhkyACtjR8/w293-h400/IMG_3893.JPG" width="293" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Red solid taffeta would have been the easy choice, but I actually wanted a semi-metallic red patterned silk to provide that richness of contrast. Finally I settled upon a pineapple red-gold pattern (also fittingly exotic!) and applied several gold trims: <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSg4lgxDC1BDaQPoWoDqdKYokqqPIUGAqqQcgYRhKVyJjaKtekdHZf9C_lq7WRl8oaywjzN56cjGnPOuHc5-B9_60W8v6piAskC-oO-O2aAIUSY8xhDWB5qP6eNZr7iF2sPuDhXrziDk/s1280/57BD8CB6-E5A3-4311-B97D-341CC2A5D4CE.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSg4lgxDC1BDaQPoWoDqdKYokqqPIUGAqqQcgYRhKVyJjaKtekdHZf9C_lq7WRl8oaywjzN56cjGnPOuHc5-B9_60W8v6piAskC-oO-O2aAIUSY8xhDWB5qP6eNZr7iF2sPuDhXrziDk/w400-h400/57BD8CB6-E5A3-4311-B97D-341CC2A5D4CE.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eventually I would like to add a few more rows of gold fringe and lace, but it gives the effect I was going for! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next thing to decide on was a pattern for the Mantua. There are no good commercial patterns...I understand that Reconstructing History has one out but it was not recommended to me by anyone. Since I find drafting from patterns in books quite easy with any style that relies on folding for the main method of fitting to the body (as opposed to lots of pieces with lots of seams...too many places to go wrong haha), I looked at Patterns of Fashion 1 by Janet Arnold, The Cut of Women's Clothes by Norah Waugh, and a little-known (in the States) book called <span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;">Moden i 1700-årene by Ellen Andersen (in Danish, which I got through Interlibrary loan). Out of the three, I found Norah Waugh's pattern the most helpful as the layout is so clean and simple.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHvN7BRJIrAUhHMECtyuNGA7P5fwZhTISR2PDN6z0kE2s_D7e7xoXBwmKNOj99KeG-tZePcd_A9DG_Cxzx665TDdU1BsBF-inix-wm78UVWW27eBZjx-qNx7YjJlcTG-xB_Qz4dU3yIg/s788/4bf2a946b3c55e7761850b17ebfab777.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHvN7BRJIrAUhHMECtyuNGA7P5fwZhTISR2PDN6z0kE2s_D7e7xoXBwmKNOj99KeG-tZePcd_A9DG_Cxzx665TDdU1BsBF-inix-wm78UVWW27eBZjx-qNx7YjJlcTG-xB_Qz4dU3yIg/w286-h400/4bf2a946b3c55e7761850b17ebfab777.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Not my picture, found on Pinterest)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To spare my beloved fabric, I first cut up a bedsheet in the approximate shape...I took a few basic measurements of myself in my stays, but didn't get too picky about the mockup, which I cut larger than I thought I needed since excess can always be folded out of sight with this style of gown. And it was shockingly easy! I felt like my mockup was almost spot-on for the style of mantua I was going for, right at 1700-1705, and had my actual fabric cut, folded and pinned onto my duct tape dummy within an hour (sorry if this isn’t a step-by-step tutorial, lol, all I can say is make a mockup and GO FOR IT, do the thing, it's a hard pattern/gown style to screw up!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Rrrn3f-HpcuylFq1thgisg0aLmrBqKmJ3RKqqU_6sh7Bce-QUj-1zVzrTz1GS-7B9BZktUhULYwA2gsIoqGqRkB2gE-3ZSA3cjYFyRwfcD-I9VQg-3KlYfsUfLDdXBLyIPVT_JdoLao/s2016/IMG_4374.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Rrrn3f-HpcuylFq1thgisg0aLmrBqKmJ3RKqqU_6sh7Bce-QUj-1zVzrTz1GS-7B9BZktUhULYwA2gsIoqGqRkB2gE-3ZSA3cjYFyRwfcD-I9VQg-3KlYfsUfLDdXBLyIPVT_JdoLao/w300-h400/IMG_4374.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some early fidgeting, without proper supports. That funny strip bumped out at and below the waist is a facing that folds back so that when you pull the skirts back to fasten into the Mantua's unmistakeable drape, you get to see a strip of the right side of the fabric.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh222y8nETyZLru2KmLhTq3kGpCFlpd6TIuxWCSwoSKF2zV9Bp2-RyHl4xp44VQOmJRIqjZLdqsvj6zWAJfYv4_QnKWN4zDc26oSQAzWEsXk4zvHuGbYIcKK6dCkGNXh60nFR3MWD5bSw/s1280/IMG_4380.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh222y8nETyZLru2KmLhTq3kGpCFlpd6TIuxWCSwoSKF2zV9Bp2-RyHl4xp44VQOmJRIqjZLdqsvj6zWAJfYv4_QnKWN4zDc26oSQAzWEsXk4zvHuGbYIcKK6dCkGNXh60nFR3MWD5bSw/w300-h400/IMG_4380.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A train! EEK!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPszNozXDQVajTlb7AEVVWonlKynfQE74cvK7DPXkhgPHgYJmRvrho6GFejUc-NVpGvYTJJJdGPejcMVqOQlLh_6QrTw6lTSjOXsrQ6BgkaVxWxKiuQ320JLJcrWBuR2cnHDloF3o7IoE/s2016/IMG_4487.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPszNozXDQVajTlb7AEVVWonlKynfQE74cvK7DPXkhgPHgYJmRvrho6GFejUc-NVpGvYTJJJdGPejcMVqOQlLh_6QrTw6lTSjOXsrQ6BgkaVxWxKiuQ320JLJcrWBuR2cnHDloF3o7IoE/w300-h400/IMG_4487.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The front folds are folded and stitched down, but I may eventually go back and unpick some of the stitches to make them nice and loose, held down only by the belt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdwsAM0ENsjyitqSjFeWHZB8TSkaVEWnOS-WZyA5PV4zlCgNZZxUiJ2SrGCWKwBT6jFxOJTcJINVTk2RJkqhnJM5yt8Mz5aSDsFyWaD7hUKs0iRaqwZ2Q16urjaVHbGseXDxIfXj_6Ic/s2016/IMG_4495.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdwsAM0ENsjyitqSjFeWHZB8TSkaVEWnOS-WZyA5PV4zlCgNZZxUiJ2SrGCWKwBT6jFxOJTcJINVTk2RJkqhnJM5yt8Mz5aSDsFyWaD7hUKs0iRaqwZ2Q16urjaVHbGseXDxIfXj_6Ic/w300-h400/IMG_4495.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sheeeeeeeeen! Definitely looking like a Mantua now even without its cuffs and belt yet. My dummy is now significantly smaller than I am, so garments always look a bit lumpy and underwhelming on it so I didn’t take a ton of in-progress pictures. If you have made a Robe a la Anglaise, good portions of the folding and pinning will feel strangely familiar. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went down to the local French-built fort to take some photos and I'm so pleased with how they turned out. I'll have to take more eventually where *I* do the folding-back of the skirts because my poor husband really struggled to get them arranged just right. I wore my chemise with extra lacy engageantes sewn in, and a frelange (which I gather is the specific name for the cap itself...you see it referred to as a fontange sometimes but that may be the name of the whole ensemble on the head, curls and lappets and all). I whipped up the frelange out of a reproduction 18thc cap for the back and some lace-edged INCREDIBLY stiff organza surreptitiously held up by white pipecleaners for the weird double-frill, but I can write about that separately if anyone's interested. I find most people hate that ugly baby cap and I think it's probably why most people don't tackle this era, lolol. I don’t love the cap either but it certainly unmistakeably dates an outfit to late 17th/early 18thc!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>And now...the finished Mantua! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rPR6SpZ08c8QeuWLJmG3sJUGXdN8ojB0gCpFlRQIbjMZ6xp-rl-HmcXO11P1-kjXxoq_0_UHF4W3uW9o3vE1p7TY3GjINk0TmUwDL1UywKEVzTTjB8rHlP17q4ygXFziOr3SGBcNo6g/s2016/IMG_1746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rPR6SpZ08c8QeuWLJmG3sJUGXdN8ojB0gCpFlRQIbjMZ6xp-rl-HmcXO11P1-kjXxoq_0_UHF4W3uW9o3vE1p7TY3GjINk0TmUwDL1UywKEVzTTjB8rHlP17q4ygXFziOr3SGBcNo6g/w480-h640/IMG_1746.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2c_c1-SGo9W_thAINV4LGkNdBJsXgf0FTD6DBp_oN1GbxgGw80cmGYnaIj-OT7JHz9C5_jHcLOOqcdDt8u-_NNPR3qYjhWz0BVYMtZzsA1JvtK5czfJwmtLgubcxkuFYEapxzZmjms/s2016/IMG_1747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ2c_c1-SGo9W_thAINV4LGkNdBJsXgf0FTD6DBp_oN1GbxgGw80cmGYnaIj-OT7JHz9C5_jHcLOOqcdDt8u-_NNPR3qYjhWz0BVYMtZzsA1JvtK5czfJwmtLgubcxkuFYEapxzZmjms/w480-h640/IMG_1747.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy1KmAWRjQVFVYFZlfdUKC0dMlmBhjnIalpNp0H9R0mlYR2NOrLB08QB9IdQn-Y8TRsAK7bu01Mqheiol2HmBPC2AQW_wDqnWTHuhLNN3ynbK3ThXGiL3txANJsssdjco7RH3eduQeZk/s2016/IMG_1749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTy1KmAWRjQVFVYFZlfdUKC0dMlmBhjnIalpNp0H9R0mlYR2NOrLB08QB9IdQn-Y8TRsAK7bu01Mqheiol2HmBPC2AQW_wDqnWTHuhLNN3ynbK3ThXGiL3txANJsssdjco7RH3eduQeZk/w480-h640/IMG_1749.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSiDqQFRb9LCpW9JIctjYmRBm8F_3F-cJ9_1NetpVLl-sC5Hy9ewFQk2pPT5g5_BCOCaJ-BFgaCqsbnJj9hYSpbstOAsGurY9X47DwELsCg84_ZNZXbL6YTBRfvScRdygRJ-4OMbOMGA/s2016/IMG_1759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSiDqQFRb9LCpW9JIctjYmRBm8F_3F-cJ9_1NetpVLl-sC5Hy9ewFQk2pPT5g5_BCOCaJ-BFgaCqsbnJj9hYSpbstOAsGurY9X47DwELsCg84_ZNZXbL6YTBRfvScRdygRJ-4OMbOMGA/w480-h640/IMG_1759.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At this point I had my husband pull the skirts back and pin them to the belt...a little messier than I would have liked but oh well, he did his best. Next time I'm dressing at the location, I'll pre-pin it to the belt on the mannequin just the way I want, and then only have to fasten the belt, lol.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-_EtsbQymchGcTpYSRTG8b8mOSw-dDQX_HDjdiQkX-SH500M_Bp-w8SuAdhIPa0BBDkvoh7xGD2NJPWu3DOaaE2PACHH3oqJaZIDh0pyx2EwQ9F3szuQcxpVWgp5w9hId-vdkxdwOkA/s2016/IMG_1761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-_EtsbQymchGcTpYSRTG8b8mOSw-dDQX_HDjdiQkX-SH500M_Bp-w8SuAdhIPa0BBDkvoh7xGD2NJPWu3DOaaE2PACHH3oqJaZIDh0pyx2EwQ9F3szuQcxpVWgp5w9hId-vdkxdwOkA/w480-h640/IMG_1761.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyVdiN_5rpNLsriAIbjdzcHK6Q3aqhTqzit-di84XA8ShZoNzgaaI4JxGr53r4kX8EdvnRaW7-kRt6FNK2A1X1FZv-v9zKNEyYB73Kt2cQylcAZSkiKTR47XdXJY6COgOvSEeEWBZ3nE/s2016/IMG_1762.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyVdiN_5rpNLsriAIbjdzcHK6Q3aqhTqzit-di84XA8ShZoNzgaaI4JxGr53r4kX8EdvnRaW7-kRt6FNK2A1X1FZv-v9zKNEyYB73Kt2cQylcAZSkiKTR47XdXJY6COgOvSEeEWBZ3nE/w480-h640/IMG_1762.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXVV0J4mdD6JnRlqAJEGOJg3uPZkcl2aAyhv5UVtweWepGMAIENTU_-e8lC4aB_ztfZg49PUtb3_luxWGrmYe8idgbtqIxq44LHQA5xAuGsFJxQ60by9Qp17_CkdybyzNwmV2Ka3aGlc/s2016/IMG_1763.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXVV0J4mdD6JnRlqAJEGOJg3uPZkcl2aAyhv5UVtweWepGMAIENTU_-e8lC4aB_ztfZg49PUtb3_luxWGrmYe8idgbtqIxq44LHQA5xAuGsFJxQ60by9Qp17_CkdybyzNwmV2Ka3aGlc/w480-h640/IMG_1763.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPf1cFktoU3z2Tp2eUdVsRW6gmQ9I6sXF0VZhbeVhRo74NsvCky8wTRZ4YrovHx247MOpSZ5sB05k5Y1S07FCuLyiQkAvnbpixEOdq92wGpv5hBkMqELQAdiUzV93xRlS7amQ4y7Ue3E/s2016/IMG_1766.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPf1cFktoU3z2Tp2eUdVsRW6gmQ9I6sXF0VZhbeVhRo74NsvCky8wTRZ4YrovHx247MOpSZ5sB05k5Y1S07FCuLyiQkAvnbpixEOdq92wGpv5hBkMqELQAdiUzV93xRlS7amQ4y7Ue3E/w480-h640/IMG_1766.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrovSTwnRO75MToBRQrRzVd2ADVTIimzs0_36YT55AuTGzV5tdQ7bCuw8gKFwNoXAKKRQ47DvzoxkIU6Ptvy64YMLCDHu9_F3joeEQmH2lwQpAb3g0Ot2ZA0uPiZJICcBAVsaFJ9TKko/s2016/IMG_1768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrovSTwnRO75MToBRQrRzVd2ADVTIimzs0_36YT55AuTGzV5tdQ7bCuw8gKFwNoXAKKRQ47DvzoxkIU6Ptvy64YMLCDHu9_F3joeEQmH2lwQpAb3g0Ot2ZA0uPiZJICcBAVsaFJ9TKko/w480-h640/IMG_1768.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_WDmeUGfskaV7fLQpu4UWpdJL2-wu2PNs6jgSMugYS0j21cECCWXIJiCOBYR__yQACOp_JKhynu9DgzneSj9H2Xb006fllewXLcE2Ff4ES4QFUYAT77YqxG08pMKe9swnwNJgjXFV0I/s2016/IMG_1778.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_WDmeUGfskaV7fLQpu4UWpdJL2-wu2PNs6jgSMugYS0j21cECCWXIJiCOBYR__yQACOp_JKhynu9DgzneSj9H2Xb006fllewXLcE2Ff4ES4QFUYAT77YqxG08pMKe9swnwNJgjXFV0I/w480-h640/IMG_1778.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just love this shot in the chapel for showing the beauty of the folded skirts. Many of these gowns apparently were lined with a contrasting fabric, but since I liked the backside almost as much as the front, I left it single-layered.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0WXeGj6vhbi4F32UUh1I51O6OaXic11ptk0hiMG_nj68sspT5moHZ9W-7qSF4kwqPM-io_i9ZsDKB5nx2FE2T7K7-6DFPtqhNtBo_rHdwrMA2fRM2FGvMjJQg1hc8AVDu6Bxn4b1GoQ/s2016/IMG_1780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0WXeGj6vhbi4F32UUh1I51O6OaXic11ptk0hiMG_nj68sspT5moHZ9W-7qSF4kwqPM-io_i9ZsDKB5nx2FE2T7K7-6DFPtqhNtBo_rHdwrMA2fRM2FGvMjJQg1hc8AVDu6Bxn4b1GoQ/w480-h640/IMG_1780.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My hair never ever holds a curl, so my front curls are...wait for it...my boiled Regency side-curl set, clipped onto the top of my head instead 😂 Easiest historical style I’ve ever done, since the rest of my hair is just jammed into the cap, haha. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />And that's it from me for now! There sadly won't be many opportunities for me to wear this gown as nobody in my area is interested in this era, but some day I'll get out and take some even better photos of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up...my first foray into Late Victorian daywear! And then I’m almost caught up with documenting my costumes for the year, so I better get to making more! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-71882042538228096782020-11-23T11:14:00.002-06:002022-07-20T15:21:46.788-05:00Macaron Fluff<div><p> Oooooh I didn't know if I'd get to post about this gown in this order, but the professional photography came back sooner than I was anticipating. This was such a fun dress to make! </p><p> To begin its tale, I have to go back to something that's been brightening each week up a bit since The Plague began.... the "Fancy Styles Fabric Shows"! They aren't the cheapest silk purveyors out there, although they do occasionally have some shot taffetas that I can't even find in a particular color combo from Silk Baron or Renaissance Fabric so it's worth it for some of the unusual ones. But they started doing Instagram Live shows earlier this year when everything was shut down, and it is just a delightful joy to see the silks being rustled around on camera while the live-chat is full of amusing comments and the hosts are as obsessed with fabric as the rest of us. And the best part of all is that they do such generous silk giveaways! At first they were giving away 5 yards to one winner every show, but most recently they do that PLUS random 1-yard giveaways throughout the hour. Check their instagram @fancystylesfabric for details...this is not sponsored, I'm just a fan, lol!<br /></p><p>So on one of the early lives I was sitting beside my husband on the couch toward the end of the show, enjoying the silks, and I commented jokingly to him "They're going to announce the winner in a second...but you know I never win anything so it won't be me" and they called MY name! I was so thrilled. The prize that day was 5 yards of a pre-picked pastel-striped silk taffeta lovingly dubbed "the ice cream parlor" for its tastiness, although I think it looks more like a box of macarons! I went ahead and bought an extra yard for trim. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_W2kYd2HXyt-bmsFMM8fGWr_WvIDnX92_pAUYCVkiYdcsU_2G-WK9uou5sPvm44NNLHoabZVs29d_1ep0RkiymZPhcSo1D4wwyDIu_BQT6weUUWLI6rR2XeTc8mW4l7jItcJa1p9alQo/s2016/IMG_3156.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_W2kYd2HXyt-bmsFMM8fGWr_WvIDnX92_pAUYCVkiYdcsU_2G-WK9uou5sPvm44NNLHoabZVs29d_1ep0RkiymZPhcSo1D4wwyDIu_BQT6weUUWLI6rR2XeTc8mW4l7jItcJa1p9alQo/w300-h400/IMG_3156.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>I wouldn't say I've seen any 18th century extants like this stripe, it's quite wide...but to my surprise when it arrived I really fell in love with it! There's a faint iridescence to it that really makes each color lovely up close, so it was an absolute joy to work with. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLBhWOycFrInKMBYDslAbiEPSR7Hn0M6hk-m3zKHVYgQiYwjuMPZVLBjn_FIV0ZsRLo9bP-r3j9v7SUaqVHScFFedXQX_SlfmWiZn3-qcv_61KxBIcrjDQ7tUfdMZtwkxnWTzaoPbxuQ/s2016/IMG_3166.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLBhWOycFrInKMBYDslAbiEPSR7Hn0M6hk-m3zKHVYgQiYwjuMPZVLBjn_FIV0ZsRLo9bP-r3j9v7SUaqVHScFFedXQX_SlfmWiZn3-qcv_61KxBIcrjDQ7tUfdMZtwkxnWTzaoPbxuQ/w300-h400/IMG_3166.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since I had just 6 yards I decided to do a robe a la anglaise, and while I've drafted my own in the past, to take some of the guesswork out of the process I decided to use the Larkin & Smith English gown pattern. What a dream. It went together SO quickly and easily. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNQkfoJ0A1gerX8Lq7cK0eI8xKAesPrfZ3xD2s-xZ5H-MZ4wki46-5QuPPqMvGHZQ_5F1mKEMc4N1CIxad0R3niC7HSdH7JBY1ocyw7NunyOxMtEzwKS5PdkZT4YLYP2GIKkbuAUgDRQ/s2016/IMG_3188.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNQkfoJ0A1gerX8Lq7cK0eI8xKAesPrfZ3xD2s-xZ5H-MZ4wki46-5QuPPqMvGHZQ_5F1mKEMc4N1CIxad0R3niC7HSdH7JBY1ocyw7NunyOxMtEzwKS5PdkZT4YLYP2GIKkbuAUgDRQ/w300-h400/IMG_3188.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Taking shape! I just love the lightweight loveliness of a good crisp taffeta. So beautifully weightless over the right supports. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-tqcvhwQlVLyflOkabQ5CUP6jvnza3cswg_YAiZt79REQkE7SJz79UAuPz9WYbo7B8xMjdCMllvrUOBcZzEgQHpqvLEtyZ1um7N4uMua5yuDR8AOeTl-Om2mc0zPxHE87KNVEELIFII/s2016/IMG_3244.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-tqcvhwQlVLyflOkabQ5CUP6jvnza3cswg_YAiZt79REQkE7SJz79UAuPz9WYbo7B8xMjdCMllvrUOBcZzEgQHpqvLEtyZ1um7N4uMua5yuDR8AOeTl-Om2mc0zPxHE87KNVEELIFII/w300-h400/IMG_3244.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sleeves off the Larkin & Smith pattern were extremely foolproof as well. I don't think I had any of the pinning and repinning that I always seem to have to do with 18thc sleeves on other patterns. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi1q_9Mgihy5sdimuRyTDO9mAQ7GqmNu8_fcEg5y2N3O4xkQACuWJENMwBwOUOGwbeD0v2LJIi3W_J4iO4CIhyphenhyphenbwSkStecIisx6AhnSv0V0kBmEQrmZbFrTaLyGnLMLuA-y2gFMYTfx8/s1512/IMG_3329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi1q_9Mgihy5sdimuRyTDO9mAQ7GqmNu8_fcEg5y2N3O4xkQACuWJENMwBwOUOGwbeD0v2LJIi3W_J4iO4CIhyphenhyphenbwSkStecIisx6AhnSv0V0kBmEQrmZbFrTaLyGnLMLuA-y2gFMYTfx8/w400-h400/IMG_3329.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wasn't sure what to do about the stomacher trim, and settled on a simple figure-8 pattern that looks much more complex than it actually is, since cutting strips across the stripes and gathering it really adds to the 'busyness' of what's going on, and almost has a floral effect in my opinion.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmfyO7Rt9MAFoaouRcuW2q0Wk3vBEnkrv71OOgREHqO_st4oVwJNyrmqtBmjhkjhKqptoAbKY7BjcA1WWZmQ2EgiNfaAOKT3DaKvgO_Vyl5Diy_20gGCXbxjHdiWqUthpHiUr9mUgtlY/s2016/IMG_3439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmfyO7Rt9MAFoaouRcuW2q0Wk3vBEnkrv71OOgREHqO_st4oVwJNyrmqtBmjhkjhKqptoAbKY7BjcA1WWZmQ2EgiNfaAOKT3DaKvgO_Vyl5Diy_20gGCXbxjHdiWqUthpHiUr9mUgtlY/w480-h640/IMG_3439.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> These photos were taken this summer when I *thought* had the gown trimmed as much as I was going to, so I quickly threw it on with an aqua petticoat and died of heat exhaustion for the 15 minutes I was out in the August heat (never again. Linen or light cotton for summer all the way, lol!).<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJyH2ovGICOZV8ZCnRXENkH16DZADb52-V-juhY0p4lsHKBvJ2EWE7_Ahrja-kpcnbREtgFhs722GowW9WUT1-p26HeUo1CXEc2KU7aXDwk9XdPp_xAC57V3YGSXVCIBBOQCU5kzs3h0/s2016/IMG_3462.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJyH2ovGICOZV8ZCnRXENkH16DZADb52-V-juhY0p4lsHKBvJ2EWE7_Ahrja-kpcnbREtgFhs722GowW9WUT1-p26HeUo1CXEc2KU7aXDwk9XdPp_xAC57V3YGSXVCIBBOQCU5kzs3h0/w480-h640/IMG_3462.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So much FLUFFFFF. <br /></div><div><p>I had ordered another yard even after the gown was done to add some serpentine trim on the robings and down the gown skirts, but had given up on it ever arriving when it went missing for 3 months...much to my shock it finally showed up out of the blue one day! So I trimmed it out for maximum floof, and figured I'd just bide my time until the day I actually got to wear it for an event to get pictures.</p><p>Then a friend contacted me to see if I would be interested in doing a photoshoot in October, so actual photos of it in all its trimmed out glory DID happen before 2021! And here it is!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoPVdD3ZdVUfE1vJf8Ftj4hBN3FQwb0gIWqPhPt5qZjc5IorGT7aLsB1v1xeCiUWR0dsobBjsaOUxUi4TxCmgTpDozBvyHPYqkVM3Kkk3GGJf4RTAyO5dY8HolcVLfDSQ-W82W-CU69w/s2048/Anna202012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoPVdD3ZdVUfE1vJf8Ftj4hBN3FQwb0gIWqPhPt5qZjc5IorGT7aLsB1v1xeCiUWR0dsobBjsaOUxUi4TxCmgTpDozBvyHPYqkVM3Kkk3GGJf4RTAyO5dY8HolcVLfDSQ-W82W-CU69w/w426-h640/Anna202012.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yessssssss macaron delight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsQWWj5njBXVlSMPLL5jxViV7HxlTSWrHoD5_7K2wuYqhyphenhyphen8gWHKFXgijBXHwJqz0Fo-6ln803rsdF4wfU-hBoFD2q17SIRuCswOZwCsq7AetyTfPIhgOcIhDzvD0o0wHVjnd7YBmCuUc/s2048/AnnaChristine03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsQWWj5njBXVlSMPLL5jxViV7HxlTSWrHoD5_7K2wuYqhyphenhyphen8gWHKFXgijBXHwJqz0Fo-6ln803rsdF4wfU-hBoFD2q17SIRuCswOZwCsq7AetyTfPIhgOcIhDzvD0o0wHVjnd7YBmCuUc/w426-h640/AnnaChristine03.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a lovely shot of our gowns together -- Christine had done her version of the famous Madame de Pompadour gown. Everyone on the photoshoot was masked, except us during the few minutes of shooting, and we had been isolating ourselves as much as possible before this, in case anyone is freaking out, lol. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And that's it til next time, when I really will get around to the pictures of the Mantua! <br /></div><br /> <br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-30350362944863053782020-10-29T14:39:00.000-05:002022-07-20T15:21:58.806-05:00The backwards gown: from one century to another<p> This was really an enjoyable project that originally didn't even make my list of "things to do this year" but I'm so glad I did, because I think I'll wear it MORE in its altered form!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49lSwKZ3a2ZOulxTkebii7SgJTF8gTOuE8P2a5C05tyoWEBWyLRG8agxlF7fu1TSQguXM1G0fMXho0ioVjGU4BuQpp-cOSYDikOzFF8h7uggt6-fN8mWL3Pkt4z_lBIxNZDEz-okSm1M/s1280/0051D032-3133-493C-91EE-1A3811AC3BF6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49lSwKZ3a2ZOulxTkebii7SgJTF8gTOuE8P2a5C05tyoWEBWyLRG8agxlF7fu1TSQguXM1G0fMXho0ioVjGU4BuQpp-cOSYDikOzFF8h7uggt6-fN8mWL3Pkt4z_lBIxNZDEz-okSm1M/w400-h400/0051D032-3133-493C-91EE-1A3811AC3BF6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Before and after! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqbi8InLLeyndcxRPEud4aKQIe57EGsMbtlT6mpiSrWo-U057JzeW5EzOTnX4mJs1U0e1tkuFeJyfMJHRrxOQH6Jwd7Ggx9ISRDzo6SUwX_mipX_3HvsT-jxSVlPGUllD5HNmCp1_Ns4/s1280/444B9107-2EB2-4537-9D2E-297BBB652692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqbi8InLLeyndcxRPEud4aKQIe57EGsMbtlT6mpiSrWo-U057JzeW5EzOTnX4mJs1U0e1tkuFeJyfMJHRrxOQH6Jwd7Ggx9ISRDzo6SUwX_mipX_3HvsT-jxSVlPGUllD5HNmCp1_Ns4/s1280/444B9107-2EB2-4537-9D2E-297BBB652692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwmUJr3Srff9SYiC_unCJ41ljbUv0hkHV-4LbHhFx-ks7E7tlPFwFnlOc4vbwqzCX_lfML6s02Lk191wMk9UAIz8l7fbLDdzqWoFLyMzTpPtKuxwOsmiO4qHa4mn5tKgoa4N56xEIfMg/s1280/reg13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwmUJr3Srff9SYiC_unCJ41ljbUv0hkHV-4LbHhFx-ks7E7tlPFwFnlOc4vbwqzCX_lfML6s02Lk191wMk9UAIz8l7fbLDdzqWoFLyMzTpPtKuxwOsmiO4qHa4mn5tKgoa4N56xEIfMg/w400-h400/reg13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XZJ7-Vd-3GeiSdi7x4jHB50F35tbGhKJTEXA0_s-DzLtZNEByItRcBop-neZ08VRBqGezs446bl9vKzzmKTGRzSRr7AlH4G0mFn_QedV3hM-6JolIUIrp4uSUHeNBLblopLr_gxFE9Y/s1512/reg12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XZJ7-Vd-3GeiSdi7x4jHB50F35tbGhKJTEXA0_s-DzLtZNEByItRcBop-neZ08VRBqGezs446bl9vKzzmKTGRzSRr7AlH4G0mFn_QedV3hM-6JolIUIrp4uSUHeNBLblopLr_gxFE9Y/w400-h400/reg12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Regency gown was made back in 2018 from a thrift store bedsheet. I still love the gentle maroon floral print, and it's extremely comfortable on me even though I've gained a significant amount of weight. When I drafted this gown, I did actually add a faux-pleated back to try to suggest that it was transitional around the turn of the century, and I made the sleeves longer than, say, a gown from 1810 would have had, although considering the accessories I styled it with at the time, it was looking much closer to 1805-1810. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> So when we did another socially distanced outing with just a few of us this summer, we were sort of aiming for somewhere between 1780 and 1810. I could have left this gown as it was, but have been pining for 1790s-wear as I have been envying my friend Emily's delightfully versatile costuming from that decade.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p>To that end, after digging up some accessories, I started trying to think what would make it look more 1790s. After eyeballing some fashion plates and portraits, I seized on the following two images:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VNmw1tTsjBalxG2gmoO7pj7zcUCcbMiiL2JOXpsrSd3E9GhMQ_VlspgMWYEb3crP0cLaz0UqkUgntMi7D4FxnsyqA1h2iLMI8CkpoVEUBJuFZZ1c9LbqGTmP3lEwz91KXiqZapnvTJI/s999/5c025376993035e965db8c101e43d4ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="550" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VNmw1tTsjBalxG2gmoO7pj7zcUCcbMiiL2JOXpsrSd3E9GhMQ_VlspgMWYEb3crP0cLaz0UqkUgntMi7D4FxnsyqA1h2iLMI8CkpoVEUBJuFZZ1c9LbqGTmP3lEwz91KXiqZapnvTJI/w352-h640/5c025376993035e965db8c101e43d4ed.jpg" width="352" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This first was identified as a "<b>Chemise a l'Anglaise, illustration from October 1795." </b>Long, loose curls were a trademark of the 1790s, as were loose scarves as turbans and sashes. I loved the print of this gown...while it's not floral, it gave me an idea of what my gown could look like if styled differently. Note the below-the-elbow sleeves.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e6n0X_G1Ho29u0gWSQSmZY5tmFV4t2KdhKyr4BMIq61SvMMlHDY1PuvswYN7d85Xrein7HHWHk2pCsxjHAdm2SYsDRgPFHZlDHB_IOOg2e7_AKBHfSlKxDzQLZ41bQ9d11s4wr-sbpc/s831/4fbae6d67c7148330594b88fd917e4fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="505" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6e6n0X_G1Ho29u0gWSQSmZY5tmFV4t2KdhKyr4BMIq61SvMMlHDY1PuvswYN7d85Xrein7HHWHk2pCsxjHAdm2SYsDRgPFHZlDHB_IOOg2e7_AKBHfSlKxDzQLZ41bQ9d11s4wr-sbpc/w388-h640/4fbae6d67c7148330594b88fd917e4fd.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><p>This lovely painting of <span class="tBJ dyH iFc MF7 pBj DrD IZT swG">Hortense de Beauharnais, attributed to Jacques Sablet (Musée Fesch - Ajaccio, Corsica France), had another element I was looking for: a way to add length. </span><span class="tBJ dyH iFc MF7 pBj DrD IZT swG">Again, you see the curly hair, turban, and sash! </span><span class="tBJ dyH iFc MF7 pBj DrD IZT swG">I still had some scraps, and I mean SCRAPS of this bedsheet, and it ended up being just barely enough to add extensions to the sleeves, and a ruffle all the way around. The sleeve extensions were pieced on with an eye to length rather than pattern matching, given how little of the fabric I had left, but I will leave you to determine if you can find the seam here in a minute!</span></p><p><span class="tBJ dyH iFc MF7 pBj DrD IZT swG"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxIXjTO7guBp-TSC3BxtwVl54bJhh6Vda5IWcDYNF4j4i0d4nJ7PXYbBfzNWCY4x9xtCVKiqRhB7vD6ojio40Mc-TeO1rMu69H4yutq8ypVZzgeJgO1lNNoYRDnzlGMildnz_tp7vTB4/s1512/IMG_3945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxIXjTO7guBp-TSC3BxtwVl54bJhh6Vda5IWcDYNF4j4i0d4nJ7PXYbBfzNWCY4x9xtCVKiqRhB7vD6ojio40Mc-TeO1rMu69H4yutq8ypVZzgeJgO1lNNoYRDnzlGMildnz_tp7vTB4/w640-h640/IMG_3945.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got so excited collecting up my little accessories! I dyed the shoes and added the trim back when I made the gown, so that was all ready to go. A while back I had made this scarf/sash out of a beautiful cinnamon/gold shot taffeta remnant, with big, beautiful gold tassels found at the thrift store. Also, I had a giant curly soft wig from Amazon that I've used for 1780s hair in the past, but left down, I felt it could work for 1790s. Throw in one of my favorite brooches, a quizzing glass replica from Etsy, some gloves, and a cell phone case designed to look like a book, and I felt quite ready to perambulate the countryside. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyVtDBgkTmUgAZWpkTOmlwASKrBERAG0jYdtyBQmhyXl8SPHhBKJ21KZFLiNXC6c9ztdggO3c3QlekeXizIXJihznVwAUVX8BtzYsdbkxHUF-a2IH7eWNtJFTxqGjd9ZLBvD26qS6nDk/s2016/IMG_4030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyVtDBgkTmUgAZWpkTOmlwASKrBERAG0jYdtyBQmhyXl8SPHhBKJ21KZFLiNXC6c9ztdggO3c3QlekeXizIXJihznVwAUVX8BtzYsdbkxHUF-a2IH7eWNtJFTxqGjd9ZLBvD26qS6nDk/w480-h640/IMG_4030.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My lovely fellow walkers! Sara's grass-green Regency gown was so fresh, Emily's classic white gown has had so many great accessories matched with it, and Christine's stunningly embroidered 1780s gown looked perfect among the flowers. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8WPM-16yEtc0BUaxpcGKn05qswvroDUYyCFoFl1oAl5wke_RFdxKDWq9O3SeDUgPogxElVXKiWu3AJQGS60PLD2HnuSL3WdR7OwfIj57e7eMFR35z-OD9eR3Z8S9jfAKNrYb5boLnuM/s2016/IMG_4011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8WPM-16yEtc0BUaxpcGKn05qswvroDUYyCFoFl1oAl5wke_RFdxKDWq9O3SeDUgPogxElVXKiWu3AJQGS60PLD2HnuSL3WdR7OwfIj57e7eMFR35z-OD9eR3Z8S9jfAKNrYb5boLnuM/w480-h640/IMG_4011.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYcWab_0qNG-f_brrBtXXO4ovedsXLiAcK6l3jCCEmYuPijhKsyMcVEwkgwyC0lIzJ8VtPfZQo5pxMDwr9cYn0PAnwfavuG3bagwLFeN7w-HswQGldi_J72Cum3PNXhxAhruONa3W7bE/s2016/IMG_3992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYcWab_0qNG-f_brrBtXXO4ovedsXLiAcK6l3jCCEmYuPijhKsyMcVEwkgwyC0lIzJ8VtPfZQo5pxMDwr9cYn0PAnwfavuG3bagwLFeN7w-HswQGldi_J72Cum3PNXhxAhruONa3W7bE/w480-h640/IMG_3992.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christine orchestrated us for individual pictures in the flowerbed next to the Art Museum. <br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKSMC6OMmZgu-FRMb73MjREjdABMxFe3MCeinqZFV3Y_trDO2wNjXtHRCpRJkTgt7qmeAq1O9S93wCdbBYEi6-p_kNQ4xelnbw-7LeIt59Oc4Q6F4_fu4x7tdc-yXcpLVVfTW1_muhxU/s2016/IMG_3988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKSMC6OMmZgu-FRMb73MjREjdABMxFe3MCeinqZFV3Y_trDO2wNjXtHRCpRJkTgt7qmeAq1O9S93wCdbBYEi6-p_kNQ4xelnbw-7LeIt59Oc4Q6F4_fu4x7tdc-yXcpLVVfTW1_muhxU/w480-h640/IMG_3988.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Here you can see my JUUUUST long enough ruffle! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq67BSztLuglyMA8h32FPwq-6kCSXUb-E5_XyzwYXWEyvN7ubJhglzooBSOnfnC3RLlRbjfVl3DYFGs8N8jpJ1fyx_H9tG1O2j2bgcE9VOvbcBA90JKQIUVHbpwGFRUtABDKw4S8MrTw/s1276/image_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="956" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoq67BSztLuglyMA8h32FPwq-6kCSXUb-E5_XyzwYXWEyvN7ubJhglzooBSOnfnC3RLlRbjfVl3DYFGs8N8jpJ1fyx_H9tG1O2j2bgcE9VOvbcBA90JKQIUVHbpwGFRUtABDKw4S8MrTw/w480-h640/image_2.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The finished alterations in motion! We were playing a Game of Graces in the park, and I'm not at all competitive, no! (Sadly, I lost the hair ribbon, which was tied like a turban, early on, and nobody thought to tell me, so the rest of the pictures are without it). <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpSsatg5kJGTltPL-KlpCMWiSdnybpAtage2PyTHo4z9XBS5cdlOuNPZQKlu_T7TJdW9WeVTIH-wo4KtBqitE03mH6oRwOuFDF8sgJNxaFa-SoMjmEFnbc1xLurJSOgNbTCiZNn300kM/s1276/image_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="956" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpSsatg5kJGTltPL-KlpCMWiSdnybpAtage2PyTHo4z9XBS5cdlOuNPZQKlu_T7TJdW9WeVTIH-wo4KtBqitE03mH6oRwOuFDF8sgJNxaFa-SoMjmEFnbc1xLurJSOgNbTCiZNn300kM/w480-h640/image_1.jpg" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am a bit askew from running in the heat, but here you can see the longer sleeves and the ruffle, giving it that nice, naturalistic flowing shape of 1790s. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMPNSojxFVMoSmfXFvUcgU0GVUr5Djr4hRZ5YbWvo7UIAHc1CC8K5zXBwNVidGJxw6Vui8hgHgtwaBqhaIGPVh7EkB_9n8biKd4khh8K9iLGy18q7V8Gq8uoJj7GiT11NDXPqObtF7kg/s1280/IMG_4047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMPNSojxFVMoSmfXFvUcgU0GVUr5Djr4hRZ5YbWvo7UIAHc1CC8K5zXBwNVidGJxw6Vui8hgHgtwaBqhaIGPVh7EkB_9n8biKd4khh8K9iLGy18q7V8Gq8uoJj7GiT11NDXPqObtF7kg/w480-h640/IMG_4047.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Christine really took some beautiful photos with her phone!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi9rOMcTZ-AdDfywOlWYhhuu47KhkHjCLxxNCfS5pjAhvqsqqsJLLkrTPnsdsBtYwjlkRFr305OCDDDaN6Jo-FkuEpLtJkqvnCWKwlry2hXUIY6r444TVQ0ew-RPGnwGgzgvUb1qcH80/s1280/image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi9rOMcTZ-AdDfywOlWYhhuu47KhkHjCLxxNCfS5pjAhvqsqqsJLLkrTPnsdsBtYwjlkRFr305OCDDDaN6Jo-FkuEpLtJkqvnCWKwlry2hXUIY6r444TVQ0ew-RPGnwGgzgvUb1qcH80/w480-h640/image.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p>Next time I'll have to make sure my sash is actually sitting just under the bust where I wanted it, and my turban is firmly SEWN into my wig for the day, but you get the general idea! It was nice to re-wear a gown instead of frantically trying to finish something new for a little half-day walk, and now this gown will be useful for quite a few transitional-era events, hopefully!</p><p>Chronologically, my candy-striped robe a la anglaise should be up next in entries, but I will be saving it until I get a professional photo back from a recent shoot! So most likely I'll post about my blue and gold 'bizarre silk' mantua soon. A dream project if ever there was one!<br /><br /></p><p></p>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-10693781527544966132020-10-19T13:20:00.001-05:002022-07-20T15:22:05.532-05:00Purple Regency day dress (Laughing Moon #126)<p><span> </span>This, I think, was my first finished gown during "The Great Pause" as I've taken to calling the recent plague. When my work at the local library was put on hold in late March (we then opened for curbside service in May and have gradually fully reopened since), I gleefully thought I would be doing SO much sewing at home, but it didn't take long for the existential dread to set in and cripple my productivity. Finally, I whipped out this pattern (won at the Costume College raffle last year if I remember correctly), ordered some fun fabric from the Andover collection of cotton over at Thousands of Bolts (cannot recommend enough for late Regency through Victorian...they have a themed collection just called "Historical" if you have a good eye for prints at unbelievable prices), and knuckled down to do something.</p><p>Firstly, the booklet of instructions for this pattern is *excellent*. I don't know how any intermediate sewist could mess this up because they so thoroughly cover each step with pictures. It was so nice to have that to keep me on track while my brain seemed to be wandering around outside my skull. </p><p>I decided to take the very short puffed sleeve option and marry it with the very long sleeve extension, another plus about this pattern being that you can mix and match multiple Regency style options!</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzdvqaBzEGuAMOl2P17bE2LIWJugZSFL7WoQwaL_hPrgoBxpKlLcmCFPxBQ9wdGuuwTCy9skiXODRGUijtz5CauPFquU1635XLwzXS6pPv14lG29y2fIL81kAc8t2yPZdenLPyxOXYlY/s1300/IMG_1448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1300" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzdvqaBzEGuAMOl2P17bE2LIWJugZSFL7WoQwaL_hPrgoBxpKlLcmCFPxBQ9wdGuuwTCy9skiXODRGUijtz5CauPFquU1635XLwzXS6pPv14lG29y2fIL81kAc8t2yPZdenLPyxOXYlY/w400-h319/IMG_1448.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As usual, I made no mockup because I like to live dangerously. I did measure my arms though because they are quite disproportionate to the rest of me and have occasionally caused problems. No fear though! The bodice and more importantly sleeves turned out perfect the first time.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpL91k7UoNqaBy5Is_9nqCoW6XPuJIBKeSCVh7jEpzXwIxXYwWe4ZYDP8JDJ9f7QUlP9LiMulVfGrjOfQTiqvEsGRmog3dvwi9Y39e5FK1EpOs6v9QXxKlFZErkYtsvJ0wPMn_JfShlM/s1280/IMG_1447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1280" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpL91k7UoNqaBy5Is_9nqCoW6XPuJIBKeSCVh7jEpzXwIxXYwWe4ZYDP8JDJ9f7QUlP9LiMulVfGrjOfQTiqvEsGRmog3dvwi9Y39e5FK1EpOs6v9QXxKlFZErkYtsvJ0wPMn_JfShlM/w400-h314/IMG_1447.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the long-sleeve option (shockingly plenty long for my fat-at-the-top yet spidery-long arms). I love that you can just lightly baste in the sleeve extension, and then just as quickly take it out for summer-wear with a seam-ripper!<br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_BfLKjSbhQnO7XKZMEKYUVoVwely5ATO8dgVt35zo7iSk3Kyo9V47r_9bFe1PJduCu5ezIdAyizkwZxH_WHdahKXgEzxdV1-zD1GzINXUU82RbWbmMp6BmBNS95npMyCinel8WJeK8w/s2016/IMG_1544.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_BfLKjSbhQnO7XKZMEKYUVoVwely5ATO8dgVt35zo7iSk3Kyo9V47r_9bFe1PJduCu5ezIdAyizkwZxH_WHdahKXgEzxdV1-zD1GzINXUU82RbWbmMp6BmBNS95npMyCinel8WJeK8w/w300-h400/IMG_1544.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A close-up of the fun fabric. I realized suddenly I didn't have anything to secure the back ties with for a loop, so I picked apart this weird piece of trim and got a really nice silky cord off it! Easy loops ...I don't like cotton self-loops, they just look too casual and give too much friction for my liking.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonoO-3RJfRYd4eWA4RvSNJgC653rV00McA0kmM2ZXpiBJIP-Gn4wY942e5MkCl5_hSI9wkT_Vnl2XNVkOfnsQy1s2OuO4MISNwU96jpVS2erkAY3PelZNZ1Hg0-fQw-bWdw8iLGz8oyI/s1280/IMG_1617.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonoO-3RJfRYd4eWA4RvSNJgC653rV00McA0kmM2ZXpiBJIP-Gn4wY942e5MkCl5_hSI9wkT_Vnl2XNVkOfnsQy1s2OuO4MISNwU96jpVS2erkAY3PelZNZ1Hg0-fQw-bWdw8iLGz8oyI/w300-h400/IMG_1617.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friend Emily invited me out for a walk in the fresh germ-free air, so I whipped up a quick chemisette as the brisk spring day was going to be chilly (thank goodness for those long sleeves!), put on my bonnet, and grabbed my quizzing glass in case I needed to inspect anyone, haha.<br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZgHGEYS7_FFibLAcRyVgVyubRpbzQhUBwP7_da1LyQxPIbABlYAg1L4bbtllffpt0v9FcTxcQAqrytiueZ7oHRaJACDBtM-lw0IewrmR0k4ps4gWPIfkxMUAbizUfMretC47iavgF0Y/s2016/IMG_1656.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZgHGEYS7_FFibLAcRyVgVyubRpbzQhUBwP7_da1LyQxPIbABlYAg1L4bbtllffpt0v9FcTxcQAqrytiueZ7oHRaJACDBtM-lw0IewrmR0k4ps4gWPIfkxMUAbizUfMretC47iavgF0Y/w480-h640/IMG_1656.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walking under the pine trees, with a Regency wedgie (I had long johns under this for the chill, and bitterly regretted not wearing a petticoat because the dress stuck to the underlayer constantly, lol). <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsClS6q_dYBMbNkxMAPpo8aVhyphenhyphen7YhfiNfuQkiCGxlN-OhYaYHeX6AqJxymKycIM1jGzL3wT0m4l9NrfSvLoaJD3FH13ZP4qt5yYV8VLAitMwJNfcE_fW_2tjX7slN1vy-4vsQ9BQDVCYw/s2016/IMG_1702.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsClS6q_dYBMbNkxMAPpo8aVhyphenhyphen7YhfiNfuQkiCGxlN-OhYaYHeX6AqJxymKycIM1jGzL3wT0m4l9NrfSvLoaJD3FH13ZP4qt5yYV8VLAitMwJNfcE_fW_2tjX7slN1vy-4vsQ9BQDVCYw/w480-h640/IMG_1702.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Excellent front-wedgie too, alas. We were taking turns being dramatic with Emily's shawl in the breeze. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnSNHS6Q48y1nxsCC6sVYx3RqQxAQx5Qeq7xiI70x7DdEF8mr0q6RtzpVB2c1UXhFV2lyX4eNfxjwYvDXJObRAfne6NUGbugz3q8LNdxsRh0u2rsHBjNOJ4c0aGtLOSNgjhM-vySt2CM/s1280/IMG_1734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnSNHS6Q48y1nxsCC6sVYx3RqQxAQx5Qeq7xiI70x7DdEF8mr0q6RtzpVB2c1UXhFV2lyX4eNfxjwYvDXJObRAfne6NUGbugz3q8LNdxsRh0u2rsHBjNOJ4c0aGtLOSNgjhM-vySt2CM/w300-h400/IMG_1734.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stopped by the local Regency/Victorian house museum for a few outdoor pictures afterwards...you can see my antique brooch, and I got a lovely pair of opal and pearl drop earrings from The Lady Detalle! My front curls are NOT my own hair, which won't hold a curl to save its life...they are "side-swept clip in bangs" from Amazon. You can roll them in those foam rollers, dip them in boiling water for 30 seconds, let them completely dry over a couple of days, and voila! Permanent clip-in curls! I have used them for Regency, plan to use them for 1830s, and actually also used them for 1700-1710 just by clipping and pinning them in a slightly different way. Very versatile DIY hairpieces. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG24967pUwmLj4sjb0BuLR0nbWpZp_Ug7uYIop7-40pAORbsGXiY2DjDWjDFjr28k7HwasNNedigAQMw-eWWdWSYn1ka1ABOU08zTl7tLFXa6HYTtQ3ba9b6m3ugGZmXgobjvuvbtWkno/s1495/IMG_1784.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG24967pUwmLj4sjb0BuLR0nbWpZp_Ug7uYIop7-40pAORbsGXiY2DjDWjDFjr28k7HwasNNedigAQMw-eWWdWSYn1ka1ABOU08zTl7tLFXa6HYTtQ3ba9b6m3ugGZmXgobjvuvbtWkno/w442-h640/IMG_1784.JPG" width="442" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoying the Spring flowers just off the road near my house. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH00BjbO53hjOkzEwj5N7ZaQqxRTE_RQ4d8xaMD3bScs1ZlODeFF10LNnMuN6khJz7p0J2Qe1WuJvE0gzM7d2ZN5blxe1CGXZf19U2evOvIOgR-F_dVHhJLwRS9rY6NliXgxxQTxrzmRY/s1469/IMG_1835.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="993" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH00BjbO53hjOkzEwj5N7ZaQqxRTE_RQ4d8xaMD3bScs1ZlODeFF10LNnMuN6khJz7p0J2Qe1WuJvE0gzM7d2ZN5blxe1CGXZf19U2evOvIOgR-F_dVHhJLwRS9rY6NliXgxxQTxrzmRY/w432-h640/IMG_1835.JPG" width="432" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"We must allow her to be an excellent walker, I suppose." <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwchmjem2fu31mRQCdxOmL1CeOZP7d56qDh4D1MnoOYC5t6wpW7Y57OuuvQLVlS1F2CylXUksHQlFnp2ASP580wI2KMDP19Ml30rccOWlLBXuYnkQ4K-o4Ew9ok__S-NKJOPmzYp7yJd0/s1500/IMG_1843.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1126" height="830" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwchmjem2fu31mRQCdxOmL1CeOZP7d56qDh4D1MnoOYC5t6wpW7Y57OuuvQLVlS1F2CylXUksHQlFnp2ASP580wI2KMDP19Ml30rccOWlLBXuYnkQ4K-o4Ew9ok__S-NKJOPmzYp7yJd0/w623-h830/IMG_1843.JPG" width="623" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think this was my favorite shot of the day that Emily took at Forest Park...I match the blooming red bud trees nearby!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All in all, an extremely satisfying, quick, painless project, and I expect I'll use this pattern for many years to come! Super impressed by it and I highly recommend it to anyone who has their sewing basics down and is looking to make an accurate silhouette without much fuss. You can do all kinds of variations in fancier (or plainer) fabrics with more or less trim. It even has an option to add a train for ballgowns. VERY worth the money and I'd have bought it even if I hadn't won it (but thank you, whomever donated it at Costume College!). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was exactly what I needed for a kick in the rear to start sewing again. I went on to do THREE new 18thc silk petticoats, a lovely candy-striped Robe a la Anglaise from fabric I won from the "Fancy Styles Fabric" Instagram giveaway, a re-make of a 1790s gown (adding a ruffle and sleeve extensions), an Edwardian plaid skirt (working on the matching jacket right now) annnnnnd my favorite, a 1700-1710-ish Mantua out of my Holy Grail 'bizarre silk' fabric. Still to come! :)<br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-84150091682343531282020-06-26T16:46:00.001-05:002022-07-20T15:22:16.705-05:00inVolante-ry loveI make no secret of my desperate love of the earlier half of the 18th century, with its truly bizarre silks in insane geometric and floral patterns that look like someone must have been smoking some pretty good stuff while drawing designs. Another aspect I love is the MASSIVE tent dresses going by names like "Volante," "Battante," "Andrienne." Fashion historians seem a bit divided as to the concrete definitions of these terms, but the gowns were all very loosely draped from pleats on or over the shoulders, in huge swathes of luxurious silk. A stark contrast to the more fitted former favorite gown, the Mantua, with its slimmer skirts and train.<br />
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So while other girls are swooning over the airy pastels and mountains of faux flowers and oodles of lace from the 1760s and 70s (although I love those too), it's the generally un-trimmed, monolithic ladytents of the 1720s and 30s that have my heart. The women in the paintings of the time look powerful, in-control, even dominant in situations of romance. Their bodies are not the main focus of the fashion (not that there's anything wrong with that!), rather, it's the wealth and luxuriousness that they radiate in their choice of fabric. Possibly even the de-emphasis of body-display at this time is a reflection of the fact that women were becoming valued and respected for their minds, as France's female-led Salons became a haven for intellectual discourse in the early 18th century.<br />
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I particularly love the paintings by <span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">Jean François de Troy. In their giant Volantes, the women take up a sizeable chunk of the canvas (woman-spreading, if you like!), and are aloof, resistant even, to the men in their lives. The ladies tease, they hint, they toy...but they clearly hold the upper hand! And as my body is rather more Rubenesque than sylph-like, while my brain is my favorite part of me, I'm all about this not-so-little fashion trend.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7mki94wbDTInMZBLTst5hvpNIyItmxYJ98fMDfYsLUUQ7QxLGIT049TrMci9RcLCzjBNtMggM55tE8m9xBkfbJoZh6kP6R4gTlcwYa0xhVIpMfXwBgr9W5eip1FBa8wWiI-7qdhw930/s1600/Declarationoflove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="447" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7mki94wbDTInMZBLTst5hvpNIyItmxYJ98fMDfYsLUUQ7QxLGIT049TrMci9RcLCzjBNtMggM55tE8m9xBkfbJoZh6kP6R4gTlcwYa0xhVIpMfXwBgr9W5eip1FBa8wWiI-7qdhw930/s640/Declarationoflove.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFQCX7mCaj3c9e8IOKMzEnOwhrf663AQr9PmzDVR1b9mkw9c-jKNgGc5Pl5Coa6YmbDRX8WUvr7Pvxyck3WamVmCs9L1JbxA4Dh9asBFqbaNdZO0uq0BGBZFbeG0XLA0TkK1ps2gFf8g/s1600/DT2674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1322" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFQCX7mCaj3c9e8IOKMzEnOwhrf663AQr9PmzDVR1b9mkw9c-jKNgGc5Pl5Coa6YmbDRX8WUvr7Pvxyck3WamVmCs9L1JbxA4Dh9asBFqbaNdZO0uq0BGBZFbeG0XLA0TkK1ps2gFf8g/s640/DT2674.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
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("The Declaration of Love" - 1724, <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/438127" target="_blank">at The Met</a>.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp5kkQYGfl9RPhxzW9-P6ooH4hNYm-CAGCSWkyJwqPPv2mmjceD5S6lrKJIdv1NC5Wm_ffG4a0zuxvGcKUIF1WAvGiavISl_YAz7ijksAye_7K3INViRY1YgpplhCoZopRPczeham-Es/s1600/DT2675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp5kkQYGfl9RPhxzW9-P6ooH4hNYm-CAGCSWkyJwqPPv2mmjceD5S6lrKJIdv1NC5Wm_ffG4a0zuxvGcKUIF1WAvGiavISl_YAz7ijksAye_7K3INViRY1YgpplhCoZopRPczeham-Es/s640/DT2675.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name"> ("The Garter" - also 1724, also <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/438126" target="_blank">at The Met</a>)</span></span></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">So of course I always knew I wanted to make a Robe Volante, but unfortunately to date the only commercial pattern is apparently an absolute nightmare, and I knew to steer clear of it. Also, finding the right fabric became an obsessive hunt, which was only settled when Burnley & Trowbridge offered up the most MAGNIFICENT large-scale silk-blend damask. I tackled that thing so hard. I might have rolled around in it when it arrived. Maybe.</span></span></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">Large-scale damasks seem to have been most prevalent from 1720-1740, and indeed, some of the designs were absolutely enormous in scale. I particularly like this one:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6MEH-vP69A4zv7LQoz0YlGyeUl3TzE_OuinLJlxHU8qUhj2MFXZBUWZ6SUC8Wc90bGh_klmR7UmSTJN7o7NjpaRE49RDNAAW0D1TXFUF5z9wHz7Entfm52y-3q01xourwPQqFf78Iss/s1600/5714159_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1100" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6MEH-vP69A4zv7LQoz0YlGyeUl3TzE_OuinLJlxHU8qUhj2MFXZBUWZ6SUC8Wc90bGh_klmR7UmSTJN7o7NjpaRE49RDNAAW0D1TXFUF5z9wHz7Entfm52y-3q01xourwPQqFf78Iss/s640/5714159_orig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name"> (This photo is I think from Christie's, where the gown was up for auction, but this particular Volante then <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/155093" target="_blank">ended up at The Met</a>....which I'm beginning to think also has a slight Volante obsession lollll)</span></span></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">I knew I didn't want the style of Volante that has four separate pleats descending from the shoulders, of which there are several extants...I was more after a Volante starting to transition towards the Robe a la Francaise. To that end, I looked at the robe volante in "The Cut of Women's Clothes: 1600-1930" by Norah Waugh. Seeing the differences and similarities vs. a regular Robe a la Francaise, I quickly realized it would be very easy to adapt the front portion of the J.P. Ryan sacque to cut it on the fold of my fabric so there would be no skirt-front opening, and to 'V' the neck opening back towards widened shoulders so I'd have the necessary fabric to do front pleating as well. </span></span></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">Honestly I should have made a mockup, but I was so excited and could conceptualize how this was going to work so I just bulldozed ahead, and somehow it worked. It worked SO WELL. I cut the sleeves extra full, since that was the trend earlier in the century, and made winged cuffs instead of the ruffles in the sacque pattern. The pleats from the shoulders down to the front just wanted to make themselves, with very little draping help needed from me. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IqPo4-WrXPM_ddHxKWWSdJlB5iDiYE1XQEXWer7wyyRTow2Y9D68WEO4Yv3sqxQ6NskbXiiPcs6aURRJbYpO1LTM4m1BD-N-CUTNsvvTTjmEXoS83ZlHLXtX2ubTOUEHhW-pXM0IIhA/s1600/9B4C6640-0EB9-4EA4-A16B-0C8BD98623B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IqPo4-WrXPM_ddHxKWWSdJlB5iDiYE1XQEXWer7wyyRTow2Y9D68WEO4Yv3sqxQ6NskbXiiPcs6aURRJbYpO1LTM4m1BD-N-CUTNsvvTTjmEXoS83ZlHLXtX2ubTOUEHhW-pXM0IIhA/s400/9B4C6640-0EB9-4EA4-A16B-0C8BD98623B7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2rsJ3kC4Ef5OBVkziG2ua_Fqvo6peTzV1UPXAz8GEMIvSzGSYNjl-REV8EgDn751vJHy4G69Vdunpu5dQ2KOTSLkMusO558UcFhTUolu3cDdjEHsOD0bFP8_oy5933YN8Kx3o6csrbg/s1600/9394080F-D53A-4A16-B86D-508578827A04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2rsJ3kC4Ef5OBVkziG2ua_Fqvo6peTzV1UPXAz8GEMIvSzGSYNjl-REV8EgDn751vJHy4G69Vdunpu5dQ2KOTSLkMusO558UcFhTUolu3cDdjEHsOD0bFP8_oy5933YN8Kx3o6csrbg/s400/9394080F-D53A-4A16-B86D-508578827A04.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8VEcPbTTbpjLcQcDFE-sEETu6DLutQxcZqOSMbqw4rBNga2smooMW0d287WCo24CDPRImWh9uLQutoWSQC5MD93i3Y8CtKnAuw5wyj_a22AfkE1QNBSDnAtiaJSwiGmTFquRcTYKUK4/s1600/FBD93635-9451-487B-BC4C-4B2B579252B0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8VEcPbTTbpjLcQcDFE-sEETu6DLutQxcZqOSMbqw4rBNga2smooMW0d287WCo24CDPRImWh9uLQutoWSQC5MD93i3Y8CtKnAuw5wyj_a22AfkE1QNBSDnAtiaJSwiGmTFquRcTYKUK4/s400/FBD93635-9451-487B-BC4C-4B2B579252B0.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">Had I wanted to, I probably could have had this finished in one weekend, it was that easy. Not dealing with an open skirt cut down tremendously on the amount of work...all I had to do was pleat the side skirts to fit over my paniers. </span></span></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">Here
you can see the front pleats of the gown, tacked down with nearly
invisible prick stitches. The stomacher is pinned to my stays.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCQkySzXGSX5TJEvEexKf58lEX1Tlj5svtfjOrMGheySGGYE0LrHzYZ3CSRlox-G9y7L-vDmBlAGaNbPFty-BeS1NHrYKMD97FxBliC6KbkULMJrjMBvwfj3herJ8rHBQZoU1J-9FoYI/s1600/2A58D919-D9B3-4BC0-ABF8-A6C1DFF676B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1036" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCQkySzXGSX5TJEvEexKf58lEX1Tlj5svtfjOrMGheySGGYE0LrHzYZ3CSRlox-G9y7L-vDmBlAGaNbPFty-BeS1NHrYKMD97FxBliC6KbkULMJrjMBvwfj3herJ8rHBQZoU1J-9FoYI/s400/2A58D919-D9B3-4BC0-ABF8-A6C1DFF676B3.JPG" width="323" /></a></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">The stomacher is my own design, and is just a hell of a lot of gold trim stitched down in as artistic a pattern as possible. I couldn't find the gold net I wanted, so I took strips of gold net ribbon and carefully joined them for the background, then added sequins and thin gold ribbon that looked like bullion, and pre-made floral embroidery trim as well. </span></span></div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">I talked my husband into taking some pictures of me at a ruined stone church and graveyard nearby.</span></span></div>
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No, it's not a lute, lol...but it could be! I'm learning to play songs from the period with "The Baroque Ukulele" by Tony Mizen.</div>
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My self-covered shoes from years ago finally got an outing, probably their last because my feet grew, ackkkk!</div>
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">In case you can't tell, this is absolutely my favorite gown ever. Super simple to make...if you've ever made a robe a la francaise, it's actually way fewer steps. It's a dream to wear, you just pull it over your head once your stomacher is pinned on. Full range of movement. INCREDIBLE fabric...I can't even describe how luminous it is, and changeable in different lights. Also, highly durable since it's not papery-thin taffeta. I had no qualms about taking it outside, it got zero snags, and I actually think it'll be easy to spot-treat it if it ever needs it. In this gown, I feel.....powerful. And that's a delightful feeling.</span></span><br />
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<span class="artwork__artist__name" itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">Adieu, til the next gown!</span></span></div>
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-76582287821587669332020-06-26T15:26:00.004-05:002022-07-20T15:22:25.741-05:00An 18th century floral jacketSo for the past year and a half I've been in the terrible habit of hunting down gorgeous historically inspired fabrics and buying them to hoard. I get such a thrill out of locating pretty things, and even more-so when I find them on sale, so my stash is out of control and I've barely bought anything this year. Barely. Maybe some.<br />
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This was one of my loveliest finds though, on a decorator's remnants site, and is an extremely expensive fabric when buying by the yard. It's by Old World Weavers which has been folded into Scalamandre, and the pattern is called Viviana. But I got it super cheap!<br />
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Now I absolutely adore all things 18thc floral, and it's incredibly hard to find in a real silk. This is just a cotton and viscose blend, and as such is quite thick for most 18th century clothing, but I decided it would work tolerably well for a mid-century jacket, which has more structure and doesn't need a lot of drape.</div>
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Again I went with J.P. Ryan, this time her famous 'jacket pack' as I like to call it, which has a number of styles. It was an enjoyable challenge trying to get perfect symmetry on the back panels especially, and I'm very pleased with the result as it brings to mind many of the pert little mirror-image jackets from the 1740s and 50s.</div>
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When I took pictures in it, I had to wear a petticoat that's a little too vibrant and goes with a sacque so it doesn't have the nice ruffle going all the way round it, but I now have a slightly more grey-blue petticoat finished that matches the flowers exactly. I opted to do a simple criss-cross of gold trim on the stomacher, nothing to overwhelm the fabric.<br />
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And my fichu was digitized from an example at the V&A Museum and machine-embroidered by talented friend Christine. It really adds to any daytime 18th century outfits I make. I'm getting better at tiny hems but alas, you can see it's still a bit lumpy. Oh well.</div>
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On to the next outfit!</div>
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-75518115369952955972020-06-26T15:01:00.004-05:002022-07-20T15:22:37.476-05:00BlacqueSacque....or...."My Favorite Color."<br />
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I wear so much black in everyday modern life that my poor mother, when we see each other, is always bringing me colorful clothes she's found, trying to spice my work wardrobe up. Oddly though, I'm not drawn to black at ALL in historical clothing! There are many philosophical inferences that could be pulled from that dichotomy, but I needed a black gown for Tea at the Haunted Mansion at Costume College this past summer so one had to be made.<br />
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My friend had a black silk faille that she had no intention of using, and gifted it to me! I had just enough for a sacque, a little bit of trim, and the front panel of the petticoat which is perfect and HA because the Georgians, never ones to waste expensive silk, often used a different and cheaper fabric on the back panel of the petticoat where nobody would see it.<br />
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It's quite hard to see any detail on this gown as the faille is not nearly as light-reflective as taffeta, so I opted to keep the trim confined to the stomacher.<br />
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Black lace, as far as I know, would have been very uncommon around the neckline/stomacher edge of a gown in the 18th century. I'm not sure I've ever seen an example of it, although black lace is used elsewhere. But the vintage lace I found just looked so charmingly funereal yet elegant that I couldn't resist!</div>
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They had some gruesome and gothic photo-shoot setups where you could take selfies at the Tea, and I enjoyed looking tragic as much as possible. Here's me about to depart this world by drinking out of a poisoned chalice, or something.</div>
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I finally met up with the delightful Taylor, a friend I had only ever talked to on Instagram before, and she is just a hoot in person, I hope we get to hang out at other events some time!</div>
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I re-wore my black veil from my Gala costume the night before, and it only added to the grieving widow look, lol. At least I have an 18th century mourning gown now! The one thing I look back on with this dress and want to change (and will) is that the petticoat ended up being longer than the gown, and I HATE HATE HATE that look on myself, so that petticoat will be getting shortened! The one thing I have learned is that J.P. Ryan must not be a tall lady. I'm 5'9" and both my sacques from her pattern have been too short in the gown's front panels and I think it's due to the suggested measurements (or it could just be me. It's been a minute since I really looked at the pattern). Luckily you can't tell it as well on my bronze sacque because I dipped the serpentine trim down quite low on the front edges.</div>
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On to the next outfit!</div>
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-11923644558308541942020-06-26T14:15:00.000-05:002022-07-20T15:22:57.394-05:00The $7-a-yard SacqueLast year, I was not in love with this fabric when I first saw it online. An Etsy seller with remnants from a decor business had taffetas in very natural, earthy colors at a bargain-basement price of only $7-8.50 a yard, and being that I had never yet worked with real silk up to this point, and also not being confident in my skills whatsoever, I bought it just because of the price. It's easier for me to not worry about diving into a project if the fabric isn't hideously expensive. The fabric picture was a very dull, clay-like color, looked very flat, and my expectations were pretty low as I was not even sure it was real silk.<br />
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Then it arrived -- most definitely silk! And a really lovely orangey-bronze color!<br />
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I was so excited I instantly bought several other earth-colors from the seller, and now have a rich chocolate brown in the stash for a 1790s drawstring gown some day (probably trimmed with gold sequins and embroidery) and a medium brown shot with black for a 'best middlin' 1750s gown eventually as well. <br />
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To date, I would say the "Bronze Sacque" is the most time-consuming thing I've made, because of the tiny fly-like trim I added to the edges of the self-fabric trim.<br />
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At first I just sewed the absolute bare minimum for a basic sacque from the excellent J.P. Ryan pattern, because I was under a time crunch to get things done to attend Costume College this past summer. As the Gala theme was "Streets of Venice" or some such, I knew I wanted to do an 18th century masquerade painting, so I chose "The Fair Nun Unmask'd" by Henry Robert Morland, which is one of my favorites. So mysterious!<br />
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There were a lot of details I knew I wouldn't have time to replicate before Costume College, so I just went with the most identifiable bits, especially the mask:<br />
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The shape of the inexpensive plastic mask wasn't the best, but I really enjoyed painting it! Lo and behold, several people at Costume College knew exactly who I was supposed to be!<br />
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After the fun and exhaustion of Costume College, I looked at the gown again and had to decide how to finish the whole thing up. Having gotten quite a bit of yardage for "oops" purposes, I figured self-trim would be the way to go. I had extremely small trim to go along the edges of everything, a twisted silky twine with tiny fringe bits spaced out every so often, and it looked enough like fly trim that why the heck not. It doesn't show up well in photographs but I think it's a lovely little textural detail in person. No regrets.<br />
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Oh, the drama. </div>
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Here you can just see the little bits of silky fringed trim on the edge of everything. </div>
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This gown is now an easy go-to for 18th century formal events, and I think turned out really beautifully. Time well-spent! On to the next gown!</div>
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-79423003828247835442019-12-26T15:13:00.000-06:002019-12-26T15:18:12.077-06:00Sometimes things don't go the way we envision....and that's ok. Because the saying "nothing ventured, nothing gained" has carried me well through costuming, and I have very few failures to share! If I had hesitated until completely ready, I would never manage to make a single thing. I genuinely think that if having a wearable historical costume for any event is your goal, it's extremely important to research to a point, and then dive in even if you still have some questions. Otherwise you'll hesitate forever and never accomplish anything. <br />
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I had always wanted a chemise gown, but not the type with the super fluffy sleeves. There are several more streamlined examples out there (which I can't show you because they're from private Flickr accounts) as well as portraits like the <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/comtesse-de-la-ch%C3%A2tre-marie-charlotte-louise-perrette-agla%C3%A9-bontemps-1762%E2%80%931848/bwHKsOTGZHSPCg?hl=en" target="_blank">Comtesse de la Châtre (Marie Charlotte Louise Perrette Aglaé Bontemps, 1762–1848) by <span class="QIJnJ">Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun</span></a><span class="QtzOu"><a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/comtesse-de-la-ch%C3%A2tre-marie-charlotte-louise-perrette-agla%C3%A9-bontemps-1762%E2%80%931848/bwHKsOTGZHSPCg?hl=en" target="_blank">, 1789</a>, which lives at The Met. </span></div>
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You can see how clean yet elegant the style is here with the long sleeves, and I was going for something similar...except I had the GENIUS idea to make the top and bottom separate so that I could re-use the bottom as a petticoat with other outfits. </div>
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Dear Reader, I failed. </div>
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(Me running away from my experiment-gone-wrong. Aiieeee)</div>
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Firstly, I very foolishly thought that surely it wouldn't be too bulky if I treated the dotted cotton and white cotton lining as one when gathering it all up. I mean, it's all fairly lightweight! Ugh no. The 'blouse' top-half was such a nightmare and so puffy and bulky that I tried to reduce it three different times with very little success. The sleeves, for once, gave me no trouble at all by comparison!</div>
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(Looking just fine! ...from a distance) </div>
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(sigh. Such pretty fabric. Such great shoes too from Target -- I'll be painting them eventually for use in Regency-wear!)</div>
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It eventually pulled terribly across the back of the shoulders because of how much fabric I took out, and yet it STILL managed to look like a maternity outfit in front. And I won't even show you the jerry-rigged system I had for keeping the blouse attached to the skirt, there was absolutely nothing accurate about that!<br />
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Unfortunately I also realized that with the Chemise a la reine generally having a fairly low-profile skirt, separating the skirt from the top wouldn't even render it useful as a petticoat because it wouldn't have worked with any of the common skirt supports I might need to use if I wanted to be a fancy shepherdess or the like. I'd have to completely re-do the hemline and it would probably end up too short if I used a bum-roll or small hip pads (definitely wouldn't even be wide enough in fabric for pocket hoops). So this whole thing is in the scrap pile right now, and will probably get salvaged for an Edwardian blouse eventually. Ah well. Sometimes those genius ideas sound great in theory but don't quite work in practice.<br />
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I've got a lot of the dotted Swiss left in yardage so I'll probably be making a 1790s transitional gown with it eventually, without trying the gimmicky separates route again! <br />
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Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198844712067354490.post-27839965108319265092019-12-11T14:19:00.001-06:002021-07-15T17:01:26.973-05:00Saint Louis Georgians Spring PicnicOk, get ready for a lot of pictures and not a lot of text 😂 I won't try to spoil it with my ramblings unless I remember something. Our delightful group of sewists has been finding ways to get together that enable us to wear the pretty things we've all been working on. There are Midwest living history events, sure, but nothing that's on the fancier side other than the occasional Twelfth Night Ball.<br />
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On the picnic day, we had a nasty gloomy start (it's so hit and miss with the weather here...that's the trouble with planning way out, but you have to when people are coming to StL from as far as Milwaukee and Kansas City!). Rather than trying to tough it out, we met first at the Saint Louis Art Museum to see if the rain would taper off so we could picnic.<br />
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Alyssa's sacque has such a beautiful shape to it, and you can read <a href="http://thesewinggoatherd.blogspot.com/2019/04/" target="_blank">her picnic write-up at her blog here</a></div>
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Plenty of time for glamorous chit-chat! </div>
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So glad the museum didn't mind us taking up a couple of the rooms and being possibly a little noisier than the average museum tour group!</div>
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Extremely in love with Emily's charming 1790s outfit</div>
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My handsome hubby humored me by wearing the only fancy frock-coat I have ever made, and he looked not too out of place in the museum's 18th-century paneled room (despite my tailoring being awful ugh...planning to try again soon) </div>
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No, no I didn't set off the banister alarm by getting too close to it or anything....</div>
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Oh one day I WILL have a paneled room like this 😭</div>
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Back out in the main hall, we realized the clouds had lifted considerably!</div>
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I actually really love the 1750s/60s very full silhouette. I don't mind that it's a bit like a shapeless tent, because it makes the fabric the centerpiece, rather than my figure (or lack of) </div>
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Sunshine! We finally got some! After a delightful potluck picnic, we took quite a few pictures in the park. There were at least two bridal parties also there for photos, and I think they got quite a kick out of us in our very different type of formal clothes, haha.</div>
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A bit wet at the hem. Thank goodness it's cotton!</div>
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I think Emily was belting "The hiiiiillls are aliiiiive with the sound of muuusic" as she ran down towards the lake. My husband looks rather like a rake up to no good as he follows the young maiden. More on that later.</div>
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My friends all know that I lend my husband out for mock-seductive photos a la Nicholas Lancret. He is a good sport. I can only imagine what the people in the background were thinking.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ope, just realized this might not be a picture I took. I'm not quite sure. Possibly Jean took it? I saved so many photos onto my phone that now I don't know whose is whose, darnit.</td></tr>
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Definitely did not take this picture. I think it must be Jean's. Thank you Jean! So nice to have some of the back of my dress!</div>
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Much contemplation of the glorious landscape. And I'm afraid to speculate on what Kelley's child is up to on the far right 😂 He was very well-behaved though and had the cutest little banyan on!</div>
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Emily spies the matron in yellow heading back to the boxed wine for thirds. "What sort of picnic is this, anyway?"</div>
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I have no idea what silly jokes he was cracking here, but he is a laugh a minute and always happy to entertain. I think our sunny-colored clothing was very fitting on this day that started so wet and grey, but burst into a gorgeous and highly enjoyable event!</div>
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Don't ask me what my hair was doing here, it had given up in the car already. I think I have a better system now after much reading in the American Duchess beauty book.</div>
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Next week: a fancy banyan/dressing gown! But I'm off to Florida for a few days with a dear friend who is taking me to Hogwarts...so excited.</div>
Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03095426164654110973noreply@blogger.com0