Catalina

This weekend was the Avalon ball on Catalina island. It was a great event and we had so much fun, but more on the specifics ( and pictures) of that later :) 

Michael and I made this event into a little mini vacation, by staying an extra day on the island and coming back this morning.

Hello from the ferry in Catalina! And good bye to my vacation ;)

Sanity Break!

I found this picture to be incredible hilarious and I think the disproportionate level of my hilarity is related to my lack of sanity currently ;) So I thought I would share! 

The picture, if a few of the really hot men from the new Avengers movie, comes courtesy my friend Trudy from Facebook via my sister (as I am not on Facebook). 

Happy motivation!! :)

18th century cooking

Michael and I often attend a lot of period picnics in the summer and we have been lucky in finding 19th century recipes for making sandwiches and sweets. Period food is just one of those details that adds so greatly to the overall effect when one is trying to recreate another time period.

At Anza last weekend we had some really great food and as I am already making plans for next year in my head I started thinking more about food. In the past for 18th century we have used the cookbook companion to the Master and Commander book series called Lobscouse and Spotted dog, with great success though a little hard to come by all the ingredients the end product is very authentic.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0393320944/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1336657274&sr=8-1

Then Michael found this site that I found to be full of new recipes to try for future events.

http://recipes.history.org/

I hope you enjoy!!

Anza Napoleonic war reenactment

Okay here it goes: 

The event is over and all that's left is a lot of dirty laundry and melting ice.

It took us two fully stuffed small SUVs to get everything there. Tent, two chests, an ice chest, two folding tables, five chairs, queen size wooden bed, numerous bags of linens, bedding and food, and all our clothing and accessories. And it was all totally worth it!!!!

The event was small but a ton of fun. The battles looked great and I loved the sound of the guns firing and the report echoing through the valley. I didn't get to see too much of the fighting as most of it took place at the high end of the valley out of our line of sight. 

Our tent, which was very kindly lent to us by a good friend up in the bay area, was huge in comparison to the majority of tents. So as a result of all that space we had a very comfy space to lounge about in and relax in the shade. 

The group we were participating with was the English officers group and they had their club called the pelican club where we took all our meals, served on real china and silver. The cooking was very good and fairly period and served by candle light in the evening, which was so much fun :) the company was the best part, the group president is an old friend who made us feel welcome and I made friends with two of the other wives.

(me in my dinner gown) 

The weather was perfect, especially during the day when it was clear and warm with out being too hot, though the evenings were quite cool and the nights down right freezing ( note to self - pack long underwear next year). This weekend also happened to be the full moon and the largest and closest full moon of the whole year. It was so bright that it cast shadows and allowed us to wander around in the dark with out aide of any sort of light.

( the day dress)

(complete with bonnet and spencer) 
It was a great event, so much fun! Even if I wasn't able to get everything made I had planned or that it was a whole lot of effort for such a short time, I would definitely do it all over again in a heartbeat :) in fact we are already making plans and notes for next year!!!

(Michael shooting - my favorite picture so far!)

A regency poke bonnet

Since the main source of information and online tutorial for making a soft crown regency poke bonnet comes from The Oregon Regency Society  I figured that's where I would start. So I decided to try their regency poke bonnet tutorial on an old straw hat I have. The brim on that hat is smaller then I would have liked but this is a first attempt so it's a learning experience.

Following the tutorial step by step I started by marking where to cut my hat in half, then cut it ( measure twice, cut once). Okay maybe more then once, as it needed a little shaping at the edges to make everything smooth and shapely.

Then came the binding of the outer edge. I chose to use the same fabric as I was going to use on the crown which was the chocolate wool for my spencer jacket. Some folding and ironing turned it in to bias tape.

I glued the bias on with fabric glue because the weave of my straw was too thin and spaced out to successfully sew through to start. As I put the bias on I also incased in hat wire to wire the brim and give it structure. I'll go back at the end and hand stitch down the edges of the bias for added security.

I made the bag for my crown out of the wool and cut the length as twice the circumference of the crown so that I had fabric for gathering. I cut the width of the bag too tall initially and when I tried it out it was too baggy and droopy due to the weight of the wool so had to trim the edge down till it measured just an inch higher then the actual crown and that worked out perfect. 

I set a two inch band of wool around the crown at the edge of the brim. I think it helps hold the structure and gathering of the bag while also giving it a finished look.

I made my ties out of the wool as well, and they are about two feet long.

The bonnet is kinda plain, which is okay  as I think it will look really good with the new printed linen dress that already has that more "homespun" look. And the bonnet will match the Spenser jacket perfectly :)
All in all it was an easy to follow tutorial and I am happy with the results. So I would totally recommend this to anyone. No need for fancy sewing skills just a little bit of a craft nature should do the trick. And the whole thing can be accomplished in an afternoon. 

Regency spenser jacket

I made my Spenser jacket for Anza over the weekend. I am happy with how it came out even though I wasn't able to get to adding the long skirt to it as I had wanted. Again I used the sense and sensibility pattern, her directions are so easy to follow. I chose the double breasted front closure as I am partial to anything with "military-esk" style.

I like that the sleeves in the pattern have a slight gather. Also the deep dropped shoulder line in the back is very flattering. It's very plain but it's a good jumping off point for a new era for me. 

Tent practice

On Saturday we took a break from the frantic sewing to practice setting up our tent for next weekend. The tent is on loan to us from a very good friend up in SF and it is HUGE!! It's a 16 x 16 foot square. We only set up the top for practice but it has full exterior walls and even an inner wall.

The tent was actually very easy to set up! I was worried about this as I have never set up a tent like this before. But it wasn't bad at all, very simple and straight forward, just going to have to wrangle a little extra muscle to help with the big center pole. My sister helped us practice the set up and she took all the pictures :)

Now that I have seen it set up I am extra excited for this event, it's starting to feel very real :) 

Stay tuned for pics next week of the full set up complete with furnishing and decorations ;)

Regency - undergarments

I am now 95% finished with my undergarments. And thought to share my progress.

The chemise is complete, I made it out of a printed cream on white cotton.

I know it's not a period fabric but I had a lot of it in my fabric stash, left over from my grandmother's quilting collection. It won't matter as the chemise will not be seen by anyone. I chose to make the chemise longer then the pattern called for because I wanted as much coverage as possible for this era, and I also am not planning on making the period drawers often worn under Regency dresses.

The short stays were a great learning experience for me and I am happy with how they turned out. I chose to make them boned rather then corded or quilted simply for the quickness and ease of setting bones over the other more period options.

I also chose to detach the sleeves and tie them on through eyelets, because I have large shoulders and the attached sleeves never sit well on my form. The last thing remaining is to hand sew the eyelets for the front lacing and sleeve ties. Which I am slowly working through each night after other sewing. I am averaging 2 eyelets a night before I fall asleep ;)

I also opted to make a petticoat as the dresses are thin and I want to have a good full skirt. I might go back and cord it in the future but for now it is plain. I made it kind of like a jumper, with a bodice back but no front just a drawstring at the waist line to hold it in. Its simple, easy to wear and adds very little extra bulk. It is a design I had seen in another blog, only now I don't remember where and since i didn't save it i cant find it again to give that other costumer credit, sadly. 

Regency dress #2

Dress number two is now done! Two days two dresses, I am on a roll ;)

Same pattern for this dress as the last just different sleeve variation and fabric.

This one took the same amount of time if not a little less. Practice sure does seem to make perfect, or at least easier. Which is why I chose to use the same pattern for both as I knew I could move faster that way and of course I am in a huge time crunch!! I mean really when am I not in a time crunch ;)

Maddy modeled again for me :) no silly faces this evening though. 

Regency dress #1

Okay back to our regularly scheduled projects!!!
The first regency dress is done. I started with the more plain printed linen one. 

I cut this dress out a few weeks ago, which is my least favorite part of the whole process. 

I am using the drawstring dress pattern by sense and sensibility. I chose it over her original gathered front dress as this is easier to get on and off by myself (no back closure). 

The dress went together really easily, as I have made this pattern once before. 

The bodice and sleeves go together first.

Then the skirt, which is then attached to the bodice.

Then cords are run through channels at the neck and waist to bring it together. The sleeves are elbow length and I am going to set a straight hem just above floor level as this dress will be more of a "working" dress. Though I will do the hem later when the other dress is done (hemming is another thing I hate having to do). 

I put my sister in the dress so that I could get photos of it for you :)

My sister used to be my dress form for the longest time till she finally got sick of being forced to stand still for long periods of time and stabbed with pins so she bought me a dress form for Christmas a few years back. I can still usually convince her to stand for photos but that doesn't keep her from being a goof ball about it :)

Her reenacting "pride prejudice and zombies" ;)

Renaissance Fair Reunion

Okay all, pictures have arrived!! Not as many as I would like but still something is better then nothing :)

The reunion was great, so many people showed up and in costume too! The court looked huge which made for some good views for the crowd I am sure :) 

Although the day was WAY TOO HOT for my taste!! 

Michael looking regal, I love his stance with his hand resting on his sword hilt :) don't mind my hand in the picture handing him a drink ;)

A shot of me :) the hat that i am wearing is Michael's original hat from when he was in court as a kid! I love that it survived and that I could wear it. Hats really are his specialty :)

My dress was one I had made a few years ago, it's from a simplicity pattern and is very easy to wear as it is all one big piece and closes up the front with hook and eyes.

Mink - another one :)

I seem to have a little addiction to vintage furs right now :) I recently snagged another mink stole. I found it on eBay and got it for a good price, I really like it because even though it's smaller, only 3 pelts, it's a lovely silver grey color. It has it's crocheted snap closure and it's little clip mouth.

Unfortunately the mink came from a smokers house and reek of old smoke. I have been trying different methods of airing them out as well as storing them in a separate box with lots of lavender. If anyone has any suggestions on getting smoke out of fur, I would love some help :)

Elizabethan court suit: the final score

The event has passed and I'm still here to talk about it! I actually survived ;) it was touch and go there at points but in the end it was a success.

Michael looked great! And everyone said so, he was getting compliments left and right. The colors and fabrics were very bright in the direct sun, and the ensemble held up very well to wear. The hat he made turned out gorgeous, it was a style that few others were wearing and it had such a great shape and perch to it :)

There was lots of last minute sewing!! Friday night we were up till 2am working and then got up Saturday morning at 5:30 to finish. (please note the 3 and half hours of sleep) I was still tacking things down in the car and at the fair while getting dressed ;)

Michael and I have already compiled a small list of things to change or do differently with it for next time. I want to shorten the collar on the under shirt so the ruff stands up more and tack the wrist ruffs to the sleeves so they don't slip during the day. I also want to open up the collar and set in a little buckram to hold it up and keep it from getting squished. And Michael requested tie tabs on the doublet and pants to hold everything together, his pants kept trying to slip down, had to stop and safety pin him together at one point ;)

I don't have any pictures to share yet but when they do show up I promise to share!

Elizabethan court suit round 2:

The end is near!!!! Tomorrow first thing actually. 

And I can actually say that I think I'll make it! I set the slashes in the doublet and closed up and finished the front seams. Button holes are done and I will sew the buttons on during the train ride north, happening in just a few minutes :)

The sleeves are done, was even able to decorate them. They are very rich looking and the detail will help counter act the plain wool of the rest of the suit. I'll set the sleeves into the doublet late this evening when I get home. 

Michael is working in his hat this evening, it sounds like it is going to look great though I haven't seen it yet. 

All in all I think I actually won this in the end after all, though I have to say it was very touch and go there for awhile ;)