2011 Anti-Winter Dreariness Sewing List

Since we have entered the post-Christmas/New Year winter dreariness, I thought I should have some 'Anti-Winter Dreariness' sewing projects so after I finish some modern sewing, I will attack this.

• Finish toile - this will require some help (oh Mumsy....?)as the shoulder is bunching pretty badly and I need someone to smooth it up.
• Put pocket in side seam and hooks or button on wool skirt
• Wool bodice - can't finish or even start this until I have my toile done
• Velvet belt
• More Collars
• Remake collar that's shown in picture above -- I forgot to chop the seam allowance off of it.
• Fancy over-hoop petticoat based on this petti from the MET. (click for bigger picture)
  

Mom, Em, and Stasia need:

• Corded bonnet for each of them
• Corded stays for Em
• Wool dress for Mom
• Re-fit Mom's work dress
• De-farb Mom's straw bonnet
• 2 drawers for Mom
• 2 chemises for Mom
• Pettis for Mom
• Probably drawers and chemise(s) for Em

Finished Hood

I finally finished my winter hood! The outer is wool remnants left over from "the boys" shell jackets. The lining and ties are silk twill from FFC (Fashion Fabrics Club). I sewed it 100% by hand! Its the first thing I've done completely by hand and I must admit, I'm quite proud of it! :) I used Sarah Jane Meister's (Her Blog) hood pattern and it went together great! Thanks Sarah for sharing your pattern! If you want to see the pattern go to the list of her other blogs and click on the Historical Clothing Pattern Blog. So here's the pictures! :D

A Sewing List

Last night I sat down and made a list of the things I'd like to get sewn before our next event. So here it is:

• Finish Hood - All that's left to do on it is finish one tie and sew both the ties on.
• Finish N's saque coat - Its all cut out and the lining and outer pieces are sewn. The lining and the outer pieces are pinned together ready to sew. One sleeve is done.
• See if I can squeeze a hood out of the wool I have left for N
  
• Wash red plaid dress
• Repair closure on RP Dress
• Put pocket in RPD
• Put long sleeves in N's dress - if its not too faded. It shouldn't be, he only wore it to two or three events this year.
  
• Finish green dress for myself - I'm not really sure what is left to do on that...quite a bit. I have to pull it out today and look at it.
• Finish N's strapped petticoat - needs a button or two and the straps need to be sewn down.
• Move hook on underpetti
  
• Pair of drawers for myself
• New Chemise
• Add two hooks to sheer dress - this does not have to be done by our October event, it will be much too cold to wear it then, so I have all winter to finish it :P

It's a good thing I've got my sewing energy back! :D I was so burnt out from the last sewing marathon I did!

Blogging, Reenacting and Baking

I'm still slowly getting into the swing of blogging, for one thing, I'm not sure anyone actually is reading this at all :P I keep thinking of all these great deep (or more deep than this post will be ;) blog topics and then I forget them. In fact, I can't think of ONE that I've thought of, at this moment! :P So I'm going to start writing them DOWN!

This past weekend we did a reenactment. We did day trips since we live close-ish. It was a great event, even though the numbers were a little low this year. I think the economy is really affecting this hobby. But anyway, the weather was SUPER nice on Saturday. It was very sunny so I did get a little burnt, but I ate a LOT of butter when we got back in and on my mashed potatoes and I hardly had any problems with it on Sunday. Today I've had a bit of pain on my neck where my hair rubs, but I changed my hair to a ponytail--rather than the loose bun at the base of my neck--and it hasn't bothered me :) I really need to stop being lazy about sewing and just get my machine out and FINISH my corded sunbonnet that I started! Its not finished because right after I started it, I got pregnant and I was SOOOOO tired! Then I ended up miscarrying and I just haven't picked it up since. I didn't take any pictures on Saturday as I was sitting around with Mel and Ruthie from the 4th Virginia, having a marvelous time. Nathaniel was so super good both days!

Sunday was strange weather, it was cold but rather sticky-sweaty. Not terribly pleasant, but the temperature wasn't that bad at all. Here are some pictures of Sunday's battle:

Captain Beers of the 26th Texas dismounted Cavalry and Captain Keator of the 4th Virginia Infantry

The 4th Virginia
The 26th TX...sorta. Tim and Dennis are the only official members that were there. The rest were "stragglers"

Confederate Cannons

I spent my day today re-organizing the corner in Nathaniel's room where I store all his old clothes, upcoming clothes, and off season clothes of mine. I vacuumed our bedroom as it needed all the cob/spider webs taken down! It was getting REALLY bad in there! Of course the Adirondack siding that we have on our walls is a spider's playground!


I also made some peanut butter cookies tonight. They are of course sugar-free as well as wheat free. I do most of my baking with brown rice flour. I like them a lot. Tim likes them more :P If you're not used to sugar-free cooking, you'd find it more like a sweet peanut butter biscuit. If you are used to things sweetened with apple juice/sauce, etc, I think you'd find this recipe quite tasty! Someday I'll post it! ;)