Streetsboro Bicentennial

Hi Sis,

Yesterday, the kids and I went to the Streetsboro Bicentennial. Kate told us about the event, last week while we where at Hale Farm. It was a smaller event, with a artillery group, and a small camp set up for some soldiers. There were actually about an equal number of people dressed in blue and gray.  Here is the Union soldiers set up.

And, I am excited to say that Grant didn’t cry, during any Boom Booms! He held my hands over his ears instead, and watched. So, maybe we are past the scary boom booms!

There were not many ladies. There were a few in the artillery group, and two that had a very nice wash station and quilting set up!

My children were the only children in period garb, but they still had lots of fun! They shared their toys with visiting children. I think I may have found my impression… period toys! I love seeing the kids light up as they see their first buzz saw, or play graces to graces. I need to add more toys to the kids collection, so more kids can play! As I go to more events, I have more things I want to add lol. Like a more period water solution, vs. hiding water bottles in my bag.

When we arrived, I made the kids graces to graces set. I totally, cheated! I took an embroidery hoop and wrapped it with some silk yarn, that I had left over from trimming your coat. Then, I cut dowel rods in half, to use for the catching sticks. My makeshift game idea worked, and the kids played with it more then any of the other toys… outside of, unfortunately, the flute. lol

Me with that bag, that I am always carrying. I made this bag randomly this year, and now I carry it around everywhere! We should make one for you, it is the perfect size!  I need to make a few drawstring bags to put inside of it, to hide away food, diapers, and other things. Having bags within a bag, is actually super practical for organization too!

I also, got to wear my Indian Sheer, that I refitted earlier this week! While playing graces to graces, I stepped on hem, and ripped the skirt right out of the waistband. I was happy, I brought my sewing kit, and I quickly put it back on. One of the fellows asked if I could darn his sock, so I want to look into darning! I remember looking into it before, and thinking… Should I  just replace a heal, or re knit the toe instead. lol. But, it would be fun to give it a try.

The event was very nice. I got to meet more fellow living historians of course, talk about sewing, period games, and the event outside of the living history was awesome too! The kids and I had our very first dip and dots! We drank some very crunchy lemonade, and enjoyed the petting zoo and play ground. The event was two days long, but we only went on Saturday, and left right before the ran started! It has pretty much poured ever since, so we didn’t go back today. I think fall is making an early arrival, I’m already starting to see the leaves change color on some of our trees. I’m not ready for summer to go yet, snowbelt live sure makes me appreciate the warmer months even more. 

Love,

Jamie

Sheer Dress Redone

Hi Sis,

Early this week, I sadly posted this sheer dress for sale. While, it wasn’t my first creation, as I had made a few dresses before the kids where born. It was the project, that turned me into a seamstress. Prior, to this dress my sewing was a means to end. Now, I sew for fun! This dress sparked the sewing of of over a dozen dresses within about a years time, as well as other projects. For once, my knitting needles are laying in their basket, wondering when I am going to pick them up again… probably this winter. lol.

The dress had a few issues, and as a delicate fabric I didn’t want to reconstruct it. Here was the dress originally. It was a beautiful cream, with trimmed sleeves.

  • The dress had a washing accident, where the hem tape bleed color onto the bodice and upper skirt. I fixed this by dyeing the whole dress. But, it never looked as beautiful in my eyes again, as it did when it was cream.
  • While washing and dyeing the dress, the sleeve trim was ruined, and had to be removed.
  • The dress was too short, I’m talking 5-7 inches off the ground. I had used all the fabric to make dress.
  • I returned to my post baby weight, and the bodice didn’t fit any more. And as a seamstress, and ill fitting bodice is a hard thing to look at, especially if you made it!

I’m goofing in this picture, but I think it shows a a few of the issues, that were driving me crazying.

 

I posted it for sale in the morning, and was anxious all day.  It was a 10 p.m while laying in bed, unable to sleep… that I figured out solutions to all of my problems. I really didn’t have to do that much seam ripping, and I sure didn’t have to take apart the bodice to fix it. I found away to drop the skirt almost three inches. 

Thankfully, I woke up the next morning, and the dress hadn’t sold. I removed it’s listings, took it to the sewing room, and fixed it.

On the first day, I removed the skirt from the bodice, and took in the sides seams. This was a bit slow, as I had to remove the pipping on the bottom, and restitch the hook and eye tape back on. I also, found some matching silk ribbon, and used it to create an outline on the sleeves.

On the second day, I seam ripped the entire flounce of the skirt, and reset it 2.75 inches lower.

And today, I stitched the skirt back onto the bodice. Eve (my four year old photographer) took these photos.

If you look closely, you will see that the back of the skirt is still too short… but it is better than before. It’s on a hillside, but the back is still over 4 inches off the ground. I can drop the entire back panel another 1/2 inch, and I think I will! But, as a whole the dress is much improved,. I’m relieved that it didn’t sell, and I can’t wait to wear it!

Love,

Jamie

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Longhorn NB-5T Regency Frock

Dear Sis,

We are finally working on adding a new era to our impression wardrobe! I’m started with Charlotte because I thought it would be a great way to ease myself in.

I found an e-pattern on Etsy: Longhorn NB-5T Frock sold by Virgil’s Fine Goods. It went together very nicely!

I fully lined the dress with white muslin so that it functions without an undergarment. The outer fabric is a sheer we found at JoAnn’s with the shirting fabrics. They had the same fabric in blue as well. 

All these drawstrings make the garment very flexible in size! The growth tucks also will help the gown grow with the child. The pattern suggests that with small modifications this same gown should fit from 3T-5T!

I used machine sewing anywhere the stitching would not be visible from the outside to save time. So you will notice the running stitch on the top layer of tucks, but machine stitching on the petticoat layer:)

Love,

b

Johnston Farm Timeline Event

Dear Sis,

My friend Hannah told me about this event some months ago. Today we made the trek to Piqua, Ohio to visit Johnston Farm & Indian Agency.  After just over two hours in the car, we were thrilled to get out and stretch our legs. We first visited the colonial era:

The kids spent a half hour listening to stories and songs played by The Colonial Balladeer.


In the Regency era, I found some fabulous Italian Millifiori aka. mini mosaic jewelry suitable for 1860s impressions.

I picked up this brooch…

… and a pair of earrings for only $40!


Finally, we found Hannah when we reached the Victorian era.

It was nice to finally meet Hannah’s husband, Robert. Needless to say, he never attended the ladies sewing days that I host. 

Hannah accompanied us on a tour of the farm house and spring house and kindly took this photo of us.

It was dinner time, so we headed home at that point.  We did meet the event coordinators and they offered us tenting accommodations for next year’s event. That would be wonderful!!!

Love,

b

Blue Cotton Sheer Dress

Hi Sis, 

I finally used up that fabric that we have been storing since 2013. Your originally purchased this fabric for the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary. While, you where busy figuring out how to make a corset for me, I was putting together two sheer dresses for both of us. My pink sheer turned out wonderfully, but your blue sheer looked like a giant great-grandmother’s nightgown with a hoop skirt.

Now, with more sewing experience, and knowledge of what looks better for your body type and height, I’m sure I could have made this dress into something much nicer for you. Due to your height, I’ve determined that adding something to the waist and bottom of the skirt, seems to help balance your overall silhouette, when we are working with very light shades of fabric. Also, custom fitted sleeves are a huge deal. Those bishop sleeves where so big, you could have used them as fishing net.

I’m sorry, I turned you into the pajama monster! But, I actually used most of your dress pieces from your old dress, to make this one. I only had to cut a a back and one sleeve out of scrap and left over fabric. And we still have one bodice… apparently, we tried to make two for you, and about a yard left. Eve wants a matching dress, but she told me not to make anything for Grant. It’s just supposed to be me and her that are matching this time. lol

Speaking of Eve, my recently turned four year old… she took all of these pictures! She had a blast, she loves to take pictures! She even says photographer, which is mouthful for her. I of course had to delete many photos where my head is chopped off, and I have a million pictures of plants. 

For dress construction, I actually used patterns!!! That is rather odd for me, as I generally make stuff up. lol I used the Past Patterns “A Sheer Muslin Dress with Bishop Sleeves, and Over-sleeves, for the sleeve pattern. I did make the bishop sleeve a lot smaller.  I know bigger sleeves where fashionable, but I generally go for smaller sleeves. For the bodice, I used Past Patterns, Pleated Bodice. Note for anyone using that pattern… I think the waist is very short, and the sizing for the measurement chart was off. My mock up was four sizes away from what I would have thought I needed, by looking at the sizing chart. Anyway, it wasn’t complicated, and it turned out very nice! If I make it again, I think I will tweak the back a bit more. I don’t really like the big puff. But, on a sheer I don’t find it offensive, but I am considering using the pattern on a wool or silk. 

For the skirt, I cartridge pleated it. And I paired the dress with a sash from one of my other dresses.

Love,

Jamie

1860s Memorial Day Picnic at Spring Grove Cemetery (2022)

Dear Sis,

Most of the photos featured in todays post are from other living historians who participated in this event and shared their photos on The Amaranth Society page on Facebook. 

After just two years, this event feels like a longstanding tradition:) 

All these lovely shots of the kids were taken by Mekaela Carter.

Photo by Dana Gagnon:

Charlotte and William had a lovely time playing with Carla.

William enjoying some pumpkin pie and Charlotte enjoying a timeless classic common from 1860s-today… macaroni and cheese!

Photo by Mekaela Carter:

William climbing Cyrus knees under the watchful eye of Dana Gagnon.

Happy Memorial Day!

Love,

b

1860s Memorial Day Picnic at Spring Grove Cemetery (2021)

Godey’s 1861 Fancy Belt Pattern

Hi Sis,

You gave me your old belt, the one I made you a few years back. Then, I got an idea! I was gonna have some fun!

Enter fancy belt, from Godey’s 1861.

Here is how it turned out! 

I planned to sell it, but now I’m not sure. 😂 It doesn’t look bad with my crazy bold kelly green silk dress. So, I may just keep it. 


Materials

Silk Taffeta
Interfacing
1 Inch velvet
Soutache braid 3 mm wide 
Buckle – You can find buckles from Ensembles from the Past and Button Barron

Step 1: Measure waist. Add 1 inch seam allowance, and 1 -2 inches for overlapping the back. Take this measurement and drawl it onto your silk tafffeta. If you want a two inch belt, cut it five inches wide.

Step 2: I interfaced my belt for extra stability, but this is optional.

Step 3: Sew one side of the belt (1/2 seam allowance), and down the main length. Do not sew other end. 

Step 4: Trim corners at end for a good fold/tip. 

Step 5: Invert. Iron, and use a butter knife to help give you a nice crisp edge along the seam.

Step 6: Fold in other end, and sew.

Step 7: Take one inch velvet, and sew it on 1/2 of an inch from bottom.

Step 8: Find center of belt, and put on buckle. Chalk the lines of your buckle, so that you know where to not have the braid loops getting in the way. Many period belts closed on the side.

Step 9: Mark where your braid loops will take pace, with a simple chalk line. You do not need to trace anything. Just mark the distance apart that you desire your loops, and stagger the top and bottom.

Step 10: Sew on braid.

Step 11: You can add a closure, such as a hook and eye. Or you can use a silk pin or two. I pin my belts on, and yes that is a period, and always a great fit!

Enjoy your belt!

 


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A Short Visit

Dear Sis,

We decided to come, for a short, but very enjoyable four day visit.

We went to Red Oak Town for the very first time. We had the pleasure of meeting a few awesome fellow historical crafters, but didn’t actually spend much time chatting. It was crazy hot and rainy, we never really settled in, and my kids had an epic meltdown with every cannon “Boom.” But, the town was really neat! I wish I had gotten more pictures. But, my hands were always full of a bag, snacks, and water, or a screaming kid. 

Grant – not hiding how he felt. Look at the dry ground, can you believe it rained multiple times that day?

It was so hot, that we ended up stripping the kids socks and shoes off and letting them run in bare feet. Poor little Grant had a mild heat rash on his chest when we left. I definitely, need to make him a sheer dress! We decided to stop for some much needed ice cream.

The kids had a blast going to play grounds, playing with each other and the neighborhood kiddos. They didn’t have as much fun when we dragged them around shopping, but I now have a long dress (that isn’t historical lol) to wear to this summer’s weddings.

We didn’t have much time for crafting. But, you got got close to finishing William’s Civil War outfit, and I worked on your linen traveling bag. Hopefully, I will finish that soon!

We also did a stinking cute cousin photo shoot for the grandparents.

Love,

Jamiegoof