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

Rainy Zoo Day with Friends

Dear Sis,

Today we visited the zoo with our neighbor friends. It rained during our entire visit, so we hopped to all the different indoor exhibits until Charlotte started getting blue lips. Then, we headed to the car to take off all the sopping clothes.

Charlotte is having a bee birthday this year, so she really enjoyed the bee part of the insect house. 

The manatees were actually out today. Usually they are in the feeding tank and we can only see them on a monitor. 

Charlotte also got very excited about the loan puffin! She kept calling it “baby puffin” and it kept swimming back and forth as if for her entertainment:)

Love,

b

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Dear Sis,

Aunt Angel recently brought chocolate zucchini cake during a sewing overnight with cousin Charity. William, Charlotte, and I enjoyed it so much we used our garden zucchini to make one of our own.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Cream together 1/2 c soft salted butter, 1/2 c avocado oil, and 1 3/4 c granulated sugar. Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time. Stir in 1/2 c plain yogurt, 1/4 c whole milk, and 1 t vanilla until smooth. Mix in 1/2 t each baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves, 1 t baking soda, 1/4 c cocoa powder, and 2 1/2 c unbleached all-purpose flour. Fold in 2 c grated zucchini. Pour into a greased and floured 9×13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with 1 c milk chocolate chips. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-45 minutes. Serves 12.

This recipe includes my personal substitutions, but the original recipe from Aunt Angel is from The Hoosier Cookbook on page 194.

Love,

b

Dayton Airshow – Summer 2022

Dear Sis,

We haven’t attended Dayton Airshow since Charlotte was in utero. Unborn Charlotte didn’t much care for the loud jets and was kicking up a storm. She did fine as a two-year-old:)

Josh finally got to see the Blue Angels! Historically we miss them because they are always the last show of the day and our littles don’t usually make it that long.

Cheers to family day!

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

Granny Bob & P-pop Visit – Summer 2022

Dear Sis,

Granny Bob and P-pop popped in for a quick visit this week. Josh and I have been talking about trying mini golf with the kids since our Florida trip and now we finally have:)

The obligatory family photos before the left this afternoon:)

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

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