Month: August 2022

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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Pre-K Round Up for Eve

Dear Sis,

I know Eve is only a third of the way through preschool, but I wanted to make this post for you before my recollection fades too much. William is four weeks into Kindergarten now and that is quickly becoming my new normal!!! 

Art/Fine Motor

Emotional Intelligence/Health

All materials are in the borrow box.

Language

You will need to order all these items:

Math

Science

Social Studies

All materials except consumables are in the borrow box.

Thinking Skills

I hope this helps!

Love,

b




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