Sunday, January 27, 2013

Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge #2-UFO

My handkerchief camisole moved right into being my object for challenge #2 Since it was, indeed, a project I had stalled on!

After waiting another week I gave up on my local store restocking the ribbon-threaded lace I had used on the front of the camisole and purchased some ribbon and tiny lace edging to approximate the feel on the original lace. Since I didn't have enough of the original lace to replicate the front I used two uncut handkerchiefs to make the back panel, buttoning the two sides together at the center back with mother of pearl buttons.

I hand stiched the trim onto both sides of the ribbon to make straps, filled in the underarm area with two rows of the lace, and used the small amount of the original trim I had left on the center-back of camisole between the straps.

The additional supplies cost about $6 so the complete project report is now:


The Challenge: #2 - UFO: Un-Finished Object

Fabric: 4 white cotton men's handkerchiefs

Pattern: adapted due to short supplies from one found on line at http://www.tudorlinks.com/treasury/articles/hancamisoles.html

Year: published 1913

Notions: 6 1/2 yards, ribbon-threaded Cluny lace insertion trim. 1 yard ribbon, 3 yards Cluny lace edging

How historically accurate is it? I think my compromises would likely have been made by a period seamstress facing the same shortage in supplies so...pretty accurate! All seams (aside from the original hankie hems) were hand sewn in order to maximize the effect of the lace and I used cotton thread and real mother of pearl buttons. The only thing I would change is the fiber content of the ribbon.

Hours to complete: I just don't track time...at all...but it was finished by the deadline!

First worn: Not yet.

Total cost: Approximately $30.00


OK, it's badly in need of ironing, but it's done!

UPDATE!

Then I got on a roll and finally finished up my lobster tail bustle. It only needed the boning channels closed and a couple pairs of ribbon ties at the waist. DONE! No more safety pins!

The Challenge: #2 - UFO: Un-Finished Object

Fabric: A combination a plain and woven "tucked" cotton fabrics pulled from my stash back in October, 2012

Pattern: Truely Victorian's large lobster tail bustle, adjusted for size

Year: Circa 1885

Notions: metal 'hoop skirt" boning from my stash. 1 yard ribbon left over from the camisole project

How historically accurate is it? The pattern is accurate and the technique but the materials...not so much. I happen to have some 'pin tucked' fabric in my stash and used it for the look without the labor.

Hours to complete: About an hour to complete the bits I hadn't done before Teslacon 3.

First worn: November, 2012

Total cost: Approximately $1.00 to complete

Monday, January 14, 2013

Historical Sew Fortnightly Project #1...sorta



The Challenge:

#1: Bi/Tri/Quadri/Quin/Sex/Septi/Octo/Nona/Centennial – due 14 Jan. Sew something from __13, whether it be 1913, 1613, or 13BC


Fabric: 3 men's 100% cotton handkerchiefs



Pattern: The c.1912 handkerchief camisole from Every Woman's Encyclopaedia as published online at: http://www.tudorlinks.com/treasury/articles/hancamisoles.html

Year: 1913

Notions: 6 3/4 yards Cluny lace beading with ribbon(not enough!), white cotton thread.

How historically accurate is it? Pretty dang accurate. I've been following the instructions but used larger men's hankies to adjust the scale of the finished camisole to my size. I'll be setting the straps further in from the side seams--also a size adjustment--and adding more rows of lace to square up the bodice but I am staying true to the shape, style and technique of the original directions.

Hours to complete: I haven't tracked my time , nor finished the project so...unknown

First worn: unknown

Total cost:

About $24 at this point, probably will finish closer to $40.


I need more ribbon to finish it up. Waiting for the local shops to stock something suitable... (Sigh)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge #1 - What to Do?

"#1: Bi/Tri/Quadri/Quin/Sex/Septi/Octo/Nona/Centennial – due 14 Jan. Sew something from __13, whether it be 1913, 1613, or 13BC"

It doesn't seem so terribly hard, yet I am stumped for a project for this one. Apparently I am not a 'Teens kind of girl!

Mr C suggested chopines--a truely great idea--but I doubt I could finish them in the allotted two weeks. Hmm...

Maybe it's time to make that gothic fitted dress?

Monday, December 31, 2012

My Historical Sew Fortnightly Project #0

Item, one coif, embroidered in red.

I confess that I have been involved in 16th century costuming for more than 3 decades and yet this is my *first* coif!

I followed the basic, 'fold a rectangle of cloth and fit it to the back of your head' method but added a couple of small darts to shape it more smoothly to the head in back.

I started with one of a pair of embroidered guest towels, Flora from Pottery Barn, which I bought on eBay.




Marking the curve


Cutting out



I french seamed the edge and then pinned in the darts



All sewn up



Voila!











My gosh! That really was super simple!

Well, I've got ONE thing for my Pennsic trailor

You remember the interior fireplace from my plan? Well, I now have the glass-enclosed, liquid bio-ethanol fueled fire to go in it! I'll dress up the front to hide the stainless steel, of course, but I'm really happy to have the glass guards to help keep my skirts from sweeping into the fire.

Best birthday present ever. :)


Oh my goodness! Chopines!

Another amazing find from the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore




Italian. Second half of the 16th century.

I love the careful way her skirt is raised to show off her shoe!

See it in the museum catalog at http://art.thewalters.org/detail/8168/portrait-of-a-woman-as-cleopatra/

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The year of walking about, naked.

Clarence and I have been ill for days but I found myself with a little energy this afternoon as I lay in bed, my mind wandering, and I suddenly found myself looking at my piles of clean laundry thinking

"You, know. I don't actually like that skirt anymore."

"Or that one."

"Or that top. Or any of that...stuff"

I thought I'd gotten rid of a lot of my old clothes when we moved to this new apartment. Not so much, apparently! It may have been the fever at work but I have blasted thru my closet--pretty much leaving just 'hooks and some wire.' It's nearly entirely empty!

Feels pretty good.

I'm thinking that my sewing juices may be flowing again. If not, well...