Monday, December 19, 2022

2023 Costuming Goals

It's time to set some goals for 2023.  It will be interesting to see which of these I actually complete in a year and how many projects I complete that are not on this list!


1.  Finish my linen voile lappet cap.

2.  Grace Banker needs an overcoat for mid January.

I have some navy wool broadcloth that may work for this.  I need to do a bit more research to find out if this is the right textile or if I should order something else.  This one is still up in the air as it's a real time crunch



3.  Elizabeth Chew would like some fashionable undress. 

I have 7 yards of this silk.  It screams something sack back.  I think a late 70s short sack with sabot sleeves would fit the bill nicely.  It will have modest trim --typical of that era--with a shorter petticoat.  My goal is to have this for our February event.




4.  Yellow linen petticoat
     This is the petticoat to go with Widow Ferguson's work gown that I made last year.  It will also go with another linen gown I have planned.


5.  Simple summer 1920s Robe de Style



6.  To piggy back on the last item, I need an under slip with panniers for the robe de style based on this one from the Underpinnings Museum.



7.  1916 Spring frock




8.  1903 Corset



The background of this coutil is very pale--almost white.


9.  Long Regency Stays--Red Threaded pattern


10.  1775-76 Linen gown



11.  Mrs. Izard's 1776 silk sack.




12.  Finish my Met 1812 Cap project. 
I've drafted a pattern for this cap which I need to muslin, refine and make up.  I have swiss batiste in the same pattern.




Other possibilities from past years:

1.  1912 tea gown (center image)



2. 1920 Robe de Style--repro of MDHS frock.


3. 1790s round gown--using the sprigged lawn from Virgil's Fine goods




4.  Late 19teens/early 1920s winter jacket


I have some black wool melton and nice faux fur to trim this one.


I have a bunch of 1930s - 1950s day wear to make but that's my "modern" clothing so I won't list that here.

So the real challenge will be sticking to this list when I know that other inspiration will hit!

I hope everyone has a productive 2023!

Sunday, December 18, 2022

2022 Costuming/Historical Sewing Year in Review

It's that time of year when I take stock of my costuming accomplishments.  I've expanded this post to include other historical sewing since some of it required a boatload of research and took a lot of time.  Note that these projects are all sewn in the period manner.  If the period used machines, then a machine was used.  If hand sewing was the period standard, then the project was sewn by hand in the manner revealed in my research. Many of these items are accessories--some of which are just as labor intensive as full sized garments--particularly those with any embroidery or trim.  

One thing that always amuses me when I make these year in review posts is how different this list often is from the goals list I make at the beginning of the year.  Two of these projects were on my goals list.  At least two of those original goals that weren't completed will go on my goals for 2023 list.  LOL.  Sometimes my research and needs just takes me in a different direction!

This post does not include my modern sewing projects which includes three 1950's style frocks and 3 or 4 other garments.  I've listed these in order of completion and linked them to blog posts/tutorials where they exist.

1.  1921 black worsted tea frock.   This one was a lot more complicated than it appears to be!

      Detailed post with research can be found here. 




2. 1920s black taffeta petticoat.
    
Detailed post and tutorial can be found here.



3 and 4.  1786 Balloon hat and figured wool Italian gown.

               Detailed post and hat tutorial can be found here.
       



5, 6, and 7.   Three different silk bonnets.

                     Detailed post and tutorial can be found here:





8.  1780 Chintz gown.   Shown here with my friend Esther, who is wearing a gown of the same fabric!

      I'm on the right.  Detailed post can be found here.




9 and 10.  Two new work aprons.  The heavier white apron and the red checked apron are new.  

                 The blue one is included to show the new hand woven tape.  



11.  A new 1760s work gown for Widow Ferguson.   This gown is being worn with the white apron above         as well as a new linen voile handkerchief included with this project.
       Detailed post can be found here.



12.  1810s Regency cap made from a remnant of antique sprigged organdy.



13.  Linen bed gown.  It's hard to believe I haven't had a bed gown all these years.  I completed this one as         part of an 18th century home sewing presentation and found that I rather liked it.


14.  1920s brimmed cloche.  I wasn't sure whether to include this or not.  It was a fair amount of work.  It         was refashioned from a wide brimmed large brimmed thrift store hat that is 100% wool.  I had to         
       completely reblock it numerous times, cut away much of the brim and stiffen it more.  I should trim it 
       but haven't yet decided on what I want.



15.  Common linen mitts.    These were done as a sample for a mitts workshop.


16.  1770s Sheer organdy cap.  Another demo project for a workshop.



17.  1770s shift.  This one was a lot of work but desperately needed.




18.  In progress, fine linen voile Quaker cap.  Hopefully I'll finish it before the end of the year in which csse I will update.



Other history sewing that I don't wear:

Men's shirt.   This was made for a museum program on Esther deBerdt Reed.  I found myself demonstrating thread button making all day as the kids seemed to enjoy it.


Baby layette from Sharon Burnston's excellent instructions.


Miniature bedding project:  This was a lengthy project as I had to make the rope bed from an Ikea doll  
bed.  Details and research can be found here.



Rose blanket for the miniature bed:  research and details here.




In progress:  Blue checked men's shirt.  If I finish it, I'll update.

When I start these posts, I always think I didn't accomplish much--until I actually start counting and realize that I was rather productive!  I have a lot planned for 2023 and I suspect that what gets finished will not even be on that list if past years are an indicator. LOL.

Here's to a new year with lots of new sewing adventures!