Another Page of History

When I saw this beauty of a book, I couldn't resist. You all might as well know by now that I have a very great weakness towards old books. Not just random useless books that wouldn't be beneficial in some way, but ones that are classics, ones that are Spiritually encouraging and uplifting, ones that promote femininity and daughterhood/motherhood.

This one is full of good chapters, for example: The Home, The Mother, What is Etiquette?, Dining, Courtship and Marriage, Dress, Letter Writing, Music, Aids to Composition (several languages with basic sayings and phrases), Speeches for Special Occasions, How to Retain Beauty, and several others!

And it is chock full of sweet little poems and illustrations. Dated 1888, I normally wouldn't spend as much as I did on a book (although I suppose considering normal book prices in stores, this would be equal) but considering the just-said, and that I have spent more on patterns, I justified myself. =)

Thanks for letting me share!

Closing up Shop

Yup. You did read that correctly. I'm moving in with my Grandma once again for a season, and I really don't want to take my shop items with me. Grandma said that I'd be more than welcome to bring my sewing machine and serger (as my stay will be extended further than last year), but if I did that, I'd have to take the rest of my sewing room with me which I am NOT going to do! Really now, what is a seamstress to do without fabric and patterns and all the other kit and kaboodle of supplies, and Arabella of course?

Therefore I am greatly reducing prices in hopes of getting everything o.u.t. this weekend. If they don't sell, I'm taking them to my local thrift store. So, take one last peek for awhile.

Should I be happy or sad?

I have a whole kit and kaboodle of apparel on ebay: skirts, vintage inspired things, Prairie, Victorian, and Regency things...

Take a look this way, if you please, my ladies!

Old Fashionedness

It seems as though many states have been hit with cool, rainy or snowy weather; ours being the latter. It makes for a perfect day of piling quilts on oneself, turning on Bleak House, and attempt to finish handsewing. Lazy perhaps, but I already filled in my time at work today, and so that is my excuse for the aforementioned activities. =)

What are all of you ladies doing today? Working on or finishing up any special projects?

Shannon's Scalloped Apron

It is often quoted that,

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

When I saw this fabric a week or so ago at my local thrift store, I knew exactly what I wanted to make with it: one of Shannon's Scalloped Aprons that I have admired for quite awhile. I obviously didn't have the pattern for it, as it is a design of her's. So with some ugly gray polyester fabric that I got for free (don't ask, it's a l.o.n.g story...) I started drawing and cutting. Being fairly pleased with how it looked like, I cut into my fashion fabric.

Even down the bias shoulder straps and ties, scalloped hem (which didn't turn out as "scoopy" as I had wished) and pockets...

I really am a terrible copy-cat-er. I get ideas from movies, or pictures; I get ideas from my online sewing friends; and then attempt to make them. Mind you, they don't always turn out, but every now and then, I'm up to the challenge.

And to make sure that your mind is put at ease, Shannon, I won't be selling this apron (or any others like it!) as I know it is your original design. =) And to my blog readers, if you like this design so much, I suggest you either buy an apron from Shannon's lovely etsy shop, or come up with one yourself. =)

Toodles!

Aprons for Autumn

Yesterday I was in the mood to do some sewing on the machine (my hand sewing on the Regency Robe is almost done!) and ended up with a bunch of aprons. Some cute and stylish, and a some long, practical, and "Tasha Tudor-like."

Do take a look!

Bias Tape Makers

Has anyone seen these before? I never knew they existed up until a week or so ago. I was shopping at JoAnn's and ran into Mrs. C, the sewing enthusiast from our church, and she was telling me about these. Imagine my delight when she gave me this yesterday!

With a whole assortment of sewing projects on the table, I can hardly wait to start using these. Hand sewing that Regency Robe is taking a bit of time too. ::sigh:: I'm not doing the whole thing by hand; just obvious or outer seams and then on the inside I'm doing french seams for a neat finish. I could skip that extra sewing, but a serger just doesn't look right on a Regency garment!