2020 Costuming Goals

I always enjoy looking back on my costuming goals as I find that while I complete a good number of them, I end up with a lot of other unplanned projects instead.  Such is life.  Go with the flow!

I have several major events that are helping to inform my plans.  Here's what I hope to get done in 2020.

Between now and March 1,  I'd like to complete the following 4 projects:

Fur trimmed black velvet short cloak ca 1765.

I've patterned this cloak but have not begun constructing it.

Spotted worsted long sleeved Italian gown and pink worsted petticoat.  I had hoped to do this one last winter and simply didn't get to it.

Mid century silk damask gown using this gown in the Met as inspiration.  Blue taffeta petticoat to go with it. This gown was also on my list last year.  A proper mid century cap will also be made for this gown.

I've decided to embrace my inner old lady and make the iconic New England upper sort old lady gown and accessories.

The gown will be the style of Mrs. Ellery's gown below and will have a sheer black handkerchief.  This is late 1760s-1770.

My silk is more the color of Mrs. Russell's gown.  I plan on also making a white silk handkerchief with lace border and a cap with lace like Mrs. Russell's. 

 White satin mitts lined with a warm gray silk will be the final accessory foe this outfit.

Other projects in the 2020 queue:

A gown similar to that worn by Mrs. Ralph Izzard ca. 1776

My silk is a shot silk with turquoise and gold.  Mrs. Izard's cap will also be copied for this project.

 1912 Tea gown based on the center model in this fashion plate.  I'll need to pattern this one.

Mrs. Hodge's gold silk gown and accessories.  This one is has been on the last 2 years' lists.  It's just a matter of getting the mojo to do it as I have the materials.

Reproducing my mom's WWII Red Cross uniform.

I hope to be adding some Regency items--and much of that depends on if we decide to have another Regency sewing event.

There will be "modern" sewing as well which is basically anything from 1940 and up.  This one is on the queue to make late March:

I think that's about it.  It'll be fun to look back at the end of the year to see what I actually accomplished from this list and the items that were not on the list that were done.

I hope everyone is able to accomplish your goals!

2019 Costuming Goals. Let the fun begin.

Once again, I will attempt to identify my costuming goals for 2019.  Unlike last year's list,  I will actually accomplish at least some of these though I can't be responsible for unexpected events requiring me to make other choices.  LOL.  Some of these are already planned for specific events which helps. Deadlines can be good things.  I'm really hoping this will be the year of the sacque.  It's long overdue.   The best thing about this list is that I have all of the supplies for everything on it with the exception of the velvet Spencer and the Titanic era outfit.

This list does not include any modern sewing projects, household or gift sewing.  Strictly costuming stuff.  Nor does it include anything like samples to be prepared for workshops.

Here it is--because we all need goals. Right? I wonder how many I can do.

(1) 1770 Wool Sateen Mourning gown, matching petticoat, small hip pads and two caps--lappet for daywear and wired wing cap for dressier occasions.  This is needed for the third week in January.

The gown and lappet cap will be based on this image:

With the finer neck handkerchief and cap based on this one:

Worsted sateen complete with requisite cat hair

(2) 1780's Spotted worsted long sleeved Italian gown and pink worsted petticoat.  This is needed for the last week in February.

(3) 1760's Silk damask gown with shot silk petticoat (and possibly a royal blue one to switch out).  Hope to have enough fabric fore a matching stomacher.  Gown based on this example in the Met.  Would like to have this finished for the last week in February.

(4) 1818 Velvet Spencer from DAR's An Agreeable Tyrant Exhibit.  This may become a long term project as I don't expect to wear it until next winter.

(5)Titanic Era outfit--to be chosen from these 2 patterns.  Needed in April.

(6)Cotton chintz sacque based on this extant.  I'd like to complete this to wear to His Exellency's estate on Independence Day.  This was on this past year's list of goals so it's a priority to get this one done.

(7) Lady Hodge's gown as shown in her family portrait with the neck handkerchief, cap and sleeve flounces.  I have gold silk in an exact match!  This was also on the past year's list.  The monthly challenge in the Historical Sew Fortnightly for August is to copy a picture so I would like to attempt to complete this project for that challenge.

(8) World War 2 era Red Cross Military Service uniform like the one my mother wore.  Need this for Veterans Day.

If time permits, A regency gown copied from this illustration in Costume in Detail out of the spotted muslin and an unlined bedgown out of one of the linens.  I hope to also begin planning a riding habit to begin early 2020.  These are not high on the list and may move to next year's list.

Gown fabric--cotton voile with woven diamond spots:

Bedgown linens:

I do also have 2 long term projects in mind--basically these are projects that I will work on at events over an extended period of time. One of these will be worked on simultaneously with the projects above.  Listed in order of completion.

(1)  Silk quilted petticoat in French blue taffeta--to be started in January.

(2) One set of stays--either the Larkin & Smith 1770's stays in blue worsted or a set of 1780's half boned stays in pink worsted--as yet to be determined which.  Hope to start them toward the end of the year.

Let the challenge begin!