Snowshill Costume Collection Tour

Hello everyone,
I have a very quick post for you all today. I just learned that a costume study tour of the Snowshill Costume Collection is being organized by Aylwen of Aylwen Historical Costuming. Please see her post here for more details. This fascinating collection is held at the Berrington Hall in Leominster, UK.

 National Trust Inventory Number 1348709.1

Those familiar with the collection will know that pictures and details of the some of the items can be found in Janet Arnold's books Patterns of Fashion 1 and 2, Hats and Bonnets by Althea Mackenzie, London, The National Trust, 2004,  Shoes and Slippers by Althea Mackenzie, National Trust 2004, as well as Costume in Detail: Women's Dress 1730-1930, by Nancy Bradfield.

Photo source - http://historicalcostume.wordpress.com/

Any pair of their 18th century shoes would be top on my list of must see items, followed by any their 18th century gowns. The fabric of this gown is particularly interesting.

Yellow brocade shoes? Yes, please!! These are dated 1740-1750 National Trust Inventory Number 1348843.1

Unfortunately for me, a trip to the UK is not in my budget right now. But how wonderful would it be to see some of these gowns, shoes, etc. in person?!? I so wish I could go. Thank goodness for the Internet! The Snowshill Costume collection is available to view online here!

There is still time to enter my vintage pattern giveaway! Details on how to enter can be found here. :)

Checking Things Off the Project List

It's been over a year in the making but my 18th century purple and white cotton gown is just about finished! The gown still needs cuffs and a stomacher but other than that it's ready to go, just in time for the event at OSV this weekend. Yeah, one big project done! The first outing of a new gown is always the most fun, don't you agree? :) I can't wait to have some pictures of the finished gown to share with all of you.

These are not the best pictures (crummy cell photo pics, sorry) but here's a quick look at the sleeves before they were finished and attached to the bodice. They are lined with white linen and the seams are lapped. You can sort of see where I had to piece the end of one sleeve. I really should have purchased an extra yard of this fabric so I would have enough for the gown AND a matching petticoat but at the time I was only thinking of the gown. Oops! For me, 4 yards of 52"-54" wide fabric is plenty to make 1750s to 1770s style gowns leaving enough for cuffs and a stomacher. (All my wool and linen gowns are untrimmed.) 2 yards of the same width fabric is also enough for a petticoat. So far I have not made a gown using narrower fabric as most linens and gown wight wools these days come in wider widths. If I were to use 36" wide fabric I think I would plan on purchasing somewhere between 5 and 6 yards plus extra for a matching petticoat. Silks are another story.... I think I purchased 10 yards of 60" wide silk taffeta for my green sacque and probably still will not have enough to fully trim the gown as planned.

The petticoat for this gown, which I have not started, will need to be pieced using a different fabric. Probably white linen or cotton as that is what I have on hand. I need to measure what I have left but I think it's just over a yard of this lovely purple floral. The upper back portion of the petticoat will be hidden under the gown so any mis-matched fabric will not show. I won't have time to make the petticoat before the event on Saturday so the plan is to wear the gown with another petticoat for now and bring the extra material with me. I also plan to bring my linen mitts to finish so I can cross those of my summer project list as well. :)

By the way, don't for get to enter my vintage pattern giveaway! Details on how to enter can be found here. It's my way of saying thank to all of you. :)

Roaring 20s Lawn Party

Warning, this post has lots of pictures! :)

On Sunday Cori and I attended the Roaring 20s Lawn Party at Castle Hill in Ipswich, Mass. My goodness, what an event! Live music, dancing, classic cars, vintage clothing vendors, and the most amazing grounds you can imagine. The event was organized by Boston Swing Central and the Trustees of the Crane Estate. (Be sure to look at their site for more images of the house and grounds.) I really hope this becomes an annual event.

Music for the event was provided by Baby Soda, a traditional jazz band from Brooklyn. The vintage clothing vendors included; Artifaktori Vintage, Bobby From Boston, Curio Vintage, Morning Glorious Vintage, Tangerine Boutique, Salmagundi a full service hat and accessories shop, Joanne Klein Vintage, and Wish List Consignment. Did we go shopping? You bet! I picked up a pair of blue and white 1940s shoes and a purse from Curio and a 1940s felt hat from Wish List. Cori struck gold with a beautiful pinstriped suit from Morning Glorious Vintage. It really needs its own post.

The classic cars of course offered many picture opportunities. My dress was quickly thrown together in the days leading up to the event. I used this pattern but shortened it significantly, left off the collar, and added a large box pleat to each side. The belt and sash were a last minute add which I finished sewing on during the drive down on Sunday. I completed the look with a vintage buckle and 1920s straw hat. I used my vintage wave clips to wave my hair, which didn't turn out as nicely as I had hoped so I kept my hat on all day. That's was hats are really for, right? :)

I didn't realize I was showing so much leg until I saw this picture! I should have worn a pair of stockings rolled down to my knees to really complete the flapper look. Ah well....

 We both wished we could have gone for a ride in this little car!

This is one of my favorites of Cori. He looks like a vintage used car salesman. He wore all vintage except for his shirt. The 1920s straw boater arrived in the mail just in time. The owners of Salmagundi were kind enough to take a look at it and give us a little more information about it. They said it was nicely made and believe it dates to the late 1920s or early 1930s. I think it's a great look for Cori. More guys should wear cool hats these days.

We met some wonderful new people!

The grounds were stunning. During the afternoon we walked down the Grand Alee, a 1/2 mile stretch of rolling lawn that leads down to the ocean. This first picture shows the view looking back towards the house.

The view of the ocean and salt marsh was beautiful.

Cori looking handsome in his new straw boater.

Guests dancing into the evening.

More pictures of this event are posted here as well as on my Facebook.

A Little Delay

Hello everyone. I know I promised a giveaway this week but some things have come up that I need to take care of. Haven't had a change to take picture of the of items up for grabs so there will be slight delay in announcing the giveaway. My plan is to have everything ready in another day or two. Thanks for being patient with me! You guys are awesome. :)

In the mean time I thought I would share a collage I've been working on for part of my new portfolio page. (That will be available to view soon.) I've been using Picmonkey, a free online site for editing photos. It's lots of fun, give it a try.

Of Unfinished Projects and Summertime Goals

I was just thinking the other day, it has been a terribly long time since I posted anything 18th century! I've been so caught up in all things vintage, as well as attending fewer 18th century events, that many projects have slipped to the bottom of the "to do" pile. A new cap, linen mitts that I started last spring, and my purple and white cotton gown just to name a few. Not to mention the worsted mustard colored wool I bought when I visited Gettysburg in March for yet another gown. (I couldn't resist it!) I have so many things I want to work on but as I only went to a handful of events last summer, and have yet to go to one this summer (oh the horror!), I found myself lacking the motivation to finish, let alone start new, projects for this time period. But that is changing. There are a couple events coming up later this summer that are just the motivation I need.

Cotton check jacket, linen check apron, and linen petticoat all hand sewn. 2011 visit to Colonial Williamsburg.

I have recently learned that a reunion of sorts is being planned for those of us who took a shoemaking workshop with Brett Walker. I posted about the amazing location for the 2011 workshop here. Due to a busy work schedule at my day job, I'm not sure yet if I will be able to attend. So I'm making plans to spend at least one day with Mr. Walker while he is at Fort Ticonderoga this weekend. The fort is an easy day trip for me and I'm very much looking forward to going. I haven't worn any of my 18th century clothing since last fall! :O Those of you who are new to my blog may not know, but the mid 18th century has been a big focus of mine for a long time. It's only been the last few years that I've begun sewing more vintage and vintage style clothing.

One of the unfinished shoes. Made of blue worsted wool, lined in leather and bound with black silk tape.

The news of the Crispen reunion has got me thinking about my shoes again as well as my many unfinished projects. At least those that are 18th century related, lets not go overboard here. ;) I am one of the world's worst procrastinators. I also have a very bad habit of starting one project then moving on to an another without finishing the first. Just when I think the "to do" pile is getting smaller, something gets added to it. Bad, bad, me. :( But with this pair of shoes it's a little different I promise! This is a project I simply can not complete without the help and guidance of my instructor. Making shoes requires a whole different set of skills. There is some sewing of course, but I've had to learn a variety of new things too; making threads for sewing, working with leather and wood, sharping knives and other tools, etc. It's been a great experience and I can't wait to share more with you. Until then, a couple pictures to peak your interest. :)

Layers of leather are used to build up the instep. Tacks hold them in place while the glue dries. - Shoemaking workshop, summer 2011

Leather toe cap cut and smoothed. After the instep is dry the tacks are removed and it is cut back and smoothed out to match the measurements of my foot. A layer of whittaw is used to cover the dark leather and help protect the fabric of the uppers while on the last. The toe cap is covered as well. - Shoemaking workshop, summer 2011

The other events coming up that have renewed my historic sewing interests are Redcoats and Rebels at Old Sturbridge Village, and the Hive's Challenge Event. I've never been to the OSV event and I missed the challenge event last summer. There is also the possibility of a dressy event in October which is just what I need to get motivated and finally finish updating the trim on my green silk sacque.

So here are a few of my 18th sewing goals for the remainder of the summer.

Things to finish:
- 18th century linen mitts. I really have no excuse here, one is finished and has been for some time now, the other is about 1/2 done. If I bring these to an event I could have them totally done in an hour or two.
- Purple and white cotton gown. It's about 3/4 of the way finished. The skirts need a little work, hemming mainly and the gown needs robings and a piece at the back of the neck. It's soooo close..... My hope is to have this finished for the Challenge event.
- Finish the trim on my green silk sacque.
- Line my 1770s stays. I hate to admit this but I've been wearing my stays for about 3 years now and have yet to put the lining in them, so yeah....
- Create blog posts showing construction details on projects like my ivory silk gown and my gown based on "The Oyster Seller". I posted a little about them here but didn't go into construction details.
- And last but not least, my shoes.