A Dedicated Follower of Fashion

I said I was going to start work on things for Gettysburg after Tall Ships, but I've mainly been reading - just a re-read of a series, but it's one I haven't looked at for a few years, so that was a nice little break.

Today I remembered that I have an Independence Day event at the Indian King Tavern on Saturday, and that I wanted my white linen mitts for it (even though the forecast doesn't call for much sun. Want them anyway! Also wanted to get them out of the pile they were in...). So I did finish those. Amusingly managed to sew the thumbs on different ways - they're put together by folding edges under and topstitching, so on the left mitt, the thumb piece goes on top of the mitt piece, and on the right the mitt went on top of the thumb. Whoops. Certainly not fussed enough to redo one, because I doubt anybody would notice anyway. It's just funny.

Might also put a new ribbon on my cap if I feel so inclined. I've had the wine-colored one on for over a year, I think it's time.

Didn't stop over to the Tavern today; remembered that parking is free tomorrow, so will go tomorrow. Also, turned off alarm twice, oops? My efforts to be a Productive Member of Society are always thwarted by my love of sleep.

Hemmed my rectangle of linen for the apron today and put the gathers in, so it just needs the tie put on tomorrow. And after that I think I will cease and desist on my Indian King Tavern prepping, at least for now. There are so many little bits and pieces just for a "You Are Sewing In The Late 18thc" impression! Not that I think they're the sort to care that I have plastic spools of Gutermann in my basket. But I care! If it's going to become a Thing, I'll buy some better stuff, but I'll just have to survive next Saturday without a housewife, pinball, threadwinders, etc.

Although I got my linens in the mail yesterday, so I can start thinking about spencer ideas. Or, should.

The plaid linen for the fichu was in that order, and I regret to have to report it is much more red than it is orange, which took it down a few points in my estimation. BUT it is still a lovely lightweight linen plaid, and still delightfully obnoxious. The fabrics-store people overestimate their yard by a lot, too, so I have enough for an obnoxious apron as well, should I want it. I think I might. Though I'm not convinced matching my apron and my fichu in the same outfit would be a Good Thing. Hmmm.

Well, anyway, I hemmed said plaid fichu today, and now I really have to finish those sleeve ruffles, which I keep putting off for things that are more fun. Because gathering stitches are not fun.

I should probably stop thinking up new little accessories to go with my middling-class 18thc outfit, but that is fun. I want an apron! And mitts! And a pinball! Not a knitted one!

And need to find out if the town was still primarily Quaker in the 1770s, so I know whether I should wear jewelry or not. (And, I guess, my sleeve ruffles. And, well, my entire brightly colored wardrobe. But I need to do more digging on that subject. I don't know how strictly this area adhered to plain dress. I'm not vastly interested in a Poop Brown wardrobe for volunteering, is all I'm saying...)

Got very little done today (ahem), but here's the start of my silk brocade sash, which I've done a total of three seams on. But wanted to post because, well, shiny!

I would like to very highly recommend silk brocade...



...if you don't mind little silk strings EVERYWHERE when you cut it! But it feels lovely, and if I can ever afford an entire gown of it (um, highly unlikely), I will be all over that!

Moving on from the 1920s - I got a Fun Thing in the mail today. danabren knitted me some 18thc mitts, and they're rather fabulous, I must say! I picked out some silken merino wool and she made them for me. I want to wear them allll the time!

(I won't, because the evil hangers at work would destroy them in short order. But they're sitting next to me at the moment so I can pet them!)


And they cover my elbows! Wheee! Now I don't have to make a shift with longer sleeves!

Now I'm going to ruminate on What's Next In The World of Costuming...

( Cut for blather )

Well, I did have plans to sew last night after I got home from work, but instead spent the night curled on the couch, watching Pan Am and trying not to die. Thank you, cramps.

Got home after Downton Abbey had already started, so I watched it today (YES, this important enough to post about EVERY WEEK), and can I just say this show will never cease to surprise me? First I wasn't absolutely thrilled about 1912-14 fashions, and it sucked me into that...and before today, I would have sworn up and down that later teens dresses do nothing for me, but seeing them on the women of Downton Abbey? Gimme!

Seriously, one of Mary's evening dresses from this past episode? I MUST HAVE IT.


Well, someday, anyway. After 1/ I get reasonably decent at fitting 19-teens, 2/ this season comes out on DVD so I can pause and zoom on Every. Single. Frame. of this dress, and 3/ when I have time for a long-term project of this scale! 2014, maybe, then?

Believe it or not, after spending a good part of my afternoon in 1916, I managed to get some 18thc sewing done! Probably because I got some playthings in the mail today, so it helped me focus...

( Pictures of loot and sewing... )

Fine, I hate the dress less. I think. Also, my one friend promises me she's coming on Saturday, so I have been mollified somewhat. Thank you all for your nice comments on my OMG ANGST post. =)

(On the off chance somebody not on my f-list reads this, short version, I finished the yellow silk gaulle a couple days ago and was massively cranky. The end, hah.)

I took some time to do another practice run on my hair tonight, and it looked a lot less idiotic. Still not good (I'm really just not good at doing my hair), but more like 1780s and less like an escaped mental patient. I wish I'd cut my hair in one length, as the ponytail I've managed to get together isn't nearly as long as I'd like -- but in terms of Not Spending Money On This (I still might buy a wig for the old city tour, but we'll see) it's far cheaper to use the hair I've cut off my own head than to buy fake stuff!

And I may or may not be working on something else for Saturday. *looks shifty* We'll see if it gets done.

And, rose_bertin , I am most abso-defi-lutely not allowed to drive into the city this weekend. I think we'll have to nix the picnic because there's just no way to get to those houses without driving, and picnic shit on public transportation is just more trouble than it's worth. I think we can get to the ESP on the subway with a bit of a walk, but I dunno about the buses. As for time, maybe if we get over there 4-4.30? Let me know what you think.