In the shop this week

Well ladies, I added a couple things to my ebay listings this week:

A white Regency gown

A vintage slip pattern

THE Bungalow Apron

After seeing Anna's 1950's apron quite sometime ago, I have always looked for the same pattern, and wouldn't you know it, I just found one! I was tickled pink, and in just the size I wanted too since with vintage patterns, I usually have to go a couple sizes larger.

So now, I'll have to decide if I want to use my retro fabric found at an antique store on this pattern or another fun one that I purchased off of ebay. Which of the two patterns do you like?

Now I'm wondering: How did I get addictive to aprons?

The Return of the Daughters

I've wanted to post this for awhile, and so while it may not have anything to do with sewing/modesty, I think that it will be very encouraging for daughters who are at home and who have chosen to go against the culture of this world:

http://visionarydaughters.com/return-of-the-daughters/

I know I have been greatly challenged (and I pray: changed!) by their book, So Much More, that was written for daughters as well. If you are not familar with it, the above website will tell you more, and a cheaper place to buy it would be over at Crystal's website (click on the link: Biblical Womanhood) or do a search for it on ebay. Of course, it depends on how your heart is when you first open the cover, but I would venture to say that it will bring a dramatic change in your heart and life!

1909 "Beatrix" Shirtwaist

So why has it been silent on this blog recently? It is two-fold: I've been practicing violin for hours a day, and in my "spare time" I've been working on what is now, a finished 1909 "Beatrix" Shirtwaist!
I think has joined the ranks of one of the most complicated things I done with sewing. Not hard, just complicated. The pattern was very easy to understand, and to put together.

This one features a netting-insert in the bodice with lace following the seam line, leg-o-mutton sleeves (they ended up not having any gathers where the sleeves and cuffs meet, since I had alter the cuffs, and forgot to do so to the sleeves).

The pattern suggests pearl buttons, but I decided to go the cheaper way with some clouded white ones that have a little trim around the edges.

Arabella seemed to agree that my brooch helps set off the blouse. =)

On my sewing agenda, I have the following items that I'd like to sew within the next couple weeks:

• 1909 Beatrix Walking Skirt (to sell along with this shirtwaist, on ebay)
• 2 aprons using some vintage fabric
• a plaid jumper for the autumn season
• a peasant shirt to go along with my brown corduroy skirt.
• a couple Regency gowns to sell on ebay

Stay tuned for reports and pictures of these! =)

In the Shop

I have decided to sell my 1910 shirtwaist, and it is listed in my shop. You can view it here.

All good things come to an end

We will offer free Priority shipping tomorrow (limit 2 items) to conclude our last day, as A Joyful Handmaiden offering modest apparel.

Our prices are now at rock-bottom price*, unless Erin says to keep marking down.

*Meaning, the price is at or below what we paid for just the fabric and notions to make the garment.

Frugality - LOOK for what you just might have!

After stewing over a reply I received from an ebayer wanting close to $30 for less than a yard of beautiful vintage dotted swiss, I decided I was going to look in my collection of vintage lace collars that I have here at home.

And, wala!
A lovely vintage collar would fit perfect inside my shirtwaist, and it would even resemble the larger picture on the actual pattern!

I was quite pleased with how it looked, so I slipped my Folkwear Prairie Skirt on Arabella, and snapped a picture. Next time I will have a 1909 black linen skirt with a train, made for a period correct look.

For now that will have to wait, as I leave this weekend for some violin lessons down south and can't spend anymore time in the sewing room. =)

Vintage 1910 Shirtwaist: Peerless Pattern 5736

When I first saw this shirtwaist this past spring, I immediately fell in love with it. And while I try to not buy in impulse, I did with this one.



I have discovered that with vintage patterns, I usually have to buy a pattern a size or two larger than what I wear, and so when I saw the size of this one, I knew it was meant for me. =)

And so, here is a brief picture for you all of how it is coming along:

It is all complete (and it turned out well, if I do say so myself) except for the chemisette and high collar which I haven't made yet, and I am wanting to make out of lace. My only predicament is: where do I find lace fabric?

Thankyou, but no, I'm not interested in the cheap polyester kind that walmart offers. =) Do any of you ladies who do historical sewing know where I might find some high-quality lace fabric, but not to expensive that it would empty my bank account?

I read on my fabric sewing forum, that often times the women would sew strips of lace together to make fabric, so I may have to resort to that option.

In other patter news, besides my 1909 Beatrix Shirtwaist that is coming in the mail, I have a 1911 shirtwaist pattern coming in the mail too that resembles Anne's Cow-chasing outfit in the film "Anne of Avonlea."

::sigh:: Sometimes I think I should have been born in that era. Either that, or those styles need to come back into fashion! =)

I love it, I love it not ....

Ebay is such a great place to find out-of-print, vintage patterns. I have my eye on a couple right now, but there is one in particular that I'm not sure if I want it or not.

It's this one, and while I don't care much the short-sleeve version of it, the long sleeve version is ok (I could even put in my own) and I really like the flowy graceful "air" about it. The only drawback would be the neckline, but I could add an inset.

Hmm, do I get it or let is pass? =) Maybe I'll stick to watching a vintage nightgown pattern...

Our last week!

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's our last week as a business! Everything is 50% off right now, and then sometime Wednesday we'll do another cut on prices, and then through Saturday, slowly lower them more until we can sell them. If some items remain, they will be given to thrift stores.

A new pattern!

For those of you who love historical patterns as much as I do, Sense & Sensibility has a new one! It is a 1909 "Beatrix" Shirtwaist! I LOVE it, and can hardly wait to make one! =) I am in the midst of working on another shirwaist from around the same time period that looks very much of the"Anne of Green Gables" type.

Oh and to let the curious know, I have decided to keep this just a sewing blog.

Another intermission...

I thought I'd do a little advertising on here for my sister Erin, and my friend Crystal. =) Crystal's giveaway this week is one of Erin's harp CD's, and to enter the contest for a chance to win, all you have to do is e-mail Crystal!

Erin also lowered the price of her CD's down to $13 for the time being, so if you are interested you may want to purchase yours now before she puts it back up to the original price!

***

And just out of curiosity, would my readers prefer it if I were to keep this a sewing blog, or would you like to see everyday-life thoughts, and pictures here too? I could make a separate blog here on blogger, but I already have a LiveJournal (it's friends only for people I know well) and don't really wish to have another one.

Oh, and would I have any lurkers here at all? When there is an average of over 40 people who visit my blog, there must be a few people that I wouldn't know! I know I've heard from some ladies from the Sense & Sensibility sewing forum, who have "de-lurked" but are there any others out there that would like to introduce themselves, or at least say hi with a name? =) I promise I won't bite you! =)

Intermission from the writings of sewing...

This evening we all had the delightful surprise to find that Old Christian Radio is now playing songs from Erin's harp CD, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.

She was so excited, and is hoping that he'll buy some CD's now to sell at his online store of Old Christian Music. I guess they've have some issues to deal with with copyrighted songs, or something so the guy hasn't updated his store for awhile.

Happy results!

A favorite blouse given to me by a friend was reluctantly torn apart and I made a pattern off of it, and made the above blouse from it. And guess what, it fits! =D

It is always sad to tear apart things (this summer Erin took apart a long time favorite nightgown that we had for ::cough:: 10 years) but then we can make patterns off them, and make many more just like it.

Does anyone else do that or are we just odd? =)

I can't think of a good title...

Well, I haven't posted much lately just because my time in the sewing room has been slim....

I have however been rummaging through our "attic" (ie, our storage room in the basement) and came across a few historical things that I threw into a plastic bag for good riddence, but Arabella seems like them! =) I didn't take the time to iron prior to taking pictures, so please pardon the wrinkles!

This is my Gibson Girl Blouse along with an altered prairie skirt that is very flared (I could probable wear a hoop skirt with it!). Two different eras, but they seem to suit each other:
And look what I found at an antique/flea market yesterday! For $5, I couldn't pass it up when I usually see them for over $20. I have always admired the the cameo brooches on the Anne movies, Road to Avonlea, and other such films.:

Then I pulled out my unfinished blouse from the Romantic era. The fabric is slippery, silky and ... shall I say ... not fun to work with! But I like the style and collar, so that is on my table now to finish up.

And now for the project that I'm currently working on: a swimsuit! I bought the pattern online, and it looks like it would go together very easy, but I'm having problems with the elastic around the neckline sticking out:
The pattern is from Fashionably Modest Patterns, so would any of you ladies know what I'm doing wrong here, providing that is, you've also made a swimsuit from the pattern? Advice anyone? I keep re-reading the directions and I am 95% sure that I've done it right. You never know with me though ... I learn better by being taught more than I would by reading a pattern or manual. =)

Crystal's giveaway!

Wow, if you'd like to enter into a giveaway of a $25 gift certificate for
Vision Forum, head on over to Crystal's blog! She's also throwing in a bunch of great CD's too, for free!

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In other news, I have decided to list my Regency dress on ebay. As much as I love it and want it, I don't need it. If I had special events to wear it to, I'd keep it, but unfortunately I don't.

A new dress for Arabella

This week I am working on a new Regency dress for Arabella to model, and I think one that I will decide to keep. =) I bought the period-correct fabric off of e-bay (wasn't exactly cheap) to make up into a dress to sell, but I love it so much that I am 99% sure that I'll keep it.

It will have a rounded scooped neckline, long taperd sleeves with fabric ties (I've seen on both P&P films that they would use fabric ties on the sleeves, down at the wrist) and a usual buttoned-back bodice. I'm still trying to decide if I want the back skirts to be gathered or pleated.

The other feature that I'll make to go with this, for extra modesty sake if I wear it in public/around men) is a chemisette pronounced: shugh-meez-zett that will look like this.

I'll post pictures once it is completed.

Stepping back into 1914...

...for just a few moments of time...

Per request, I donned my 1914 dress this morning completed with a vintage straw hat, boots (they are more of the Victorian era and not Edwardian, but oh well), my sister's vintage gloves, and a book from the 1910-1920's called "Daisy." All pictures are clickable.

It has been quiet in the sewing room

In the past several days, the machines haven't been touched much (please don't faint, ok?). =) I guess I've been busy either helping out here at home, teaching violin, tatting, and other small things that have employed my time

I was inspired by Anna's blog though of her step-by-step directions on how to make pillow cases. (...I confess that I have been lazy these days and have only sewn when I have a pattern/guidelines to go by instead of being brave enough to draft my own.) But do take a look at these vintage-inspired pillow cases ... you just might get in the mood to pull out your fabric scraps to make some!

However in other news, I took the plunge and edited all the prices on our website for the going-out-of-business sale, and the prices will continue to be reduced until we sell everything.

The winners are...

I have decided that I wanted to give away my copy as well (it's so good, I'd wish for every single woman to have a copy!) and so I drew two names this time:

Congrats to Ana Marie Ort and Jodi Griner!!

Weekend giveaway - CD

From Crystal's website:
“I believe that God has something so much greater for Christian young women today than following the careerism, consumerism, humanism, and feminism that the world wants to offer you.”

In this session, originally given at the Ultimate Homeschool Expo, Crystal Paine, a homeschool graduate who is now happily married and mother of two, shares from her heart and personal experience three keys to living a vibrant, meaningful life while unmarried. Packed with practical ideas and Biblical encouragement. 70 minutes. Includes an audience question and answer segment at the end.

I was so excited to listen to this CD, and I definately consider it to be one of my favorite speaking audio's. It is literally brimming full of encouragement for single young women who wondering "what am I going to do next?" or just wondering what to do while waiting for Prince Charming, and I am thrilled that I have an extra copy to giveaway! As like last time...

To enter: Please e-mail us your name and mailing address and you'll be automatically added into the drawing. One name per household.
To be entered in twice: Mention this giveaway on your blog/LiveJournal/xanga, then e-mail us with a link to your blog, and you will be added twice!
To find out who won: Make sure you are in by Monday at 12:00pm MST and we'll anounce the winner sometime shortly after we do a random drawing!

We will be done in August...

With our domain name expiring soon, much thought and prayer has been put into our little sewing enterprize that we've had for 7 years now, we have decided to "wrap it up" indefinately. (As they say, number 7 is the number of completion)

Through the month of August, we will put all of our things (apparel and items from the resource shop) up for sale until we can get rid of everything.

Just thought I'd give a little heads up...

REVISED - Fabric for Sale: Cottons

Green floral - 5 yds - $10

Blue plaid (prewashed) - 2-1/2 yds - $5

================================
Note:

Shipping on all of these will be a flate rate price of $8.95 for Priority Mail.

Items were measured approximately, and many of them have scraps to go along that would work perfect for the little things in sewing, such as back ties, bodice facings, cuffs for sleeves, pockets, etc.

Sold as "one piece" and not by yards.

E-mail us if you are interested.
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REVISED - Fabric for Sale: Tropical Breeze and Flannel's

Purple floral. Tropical Breeze - 9-1/2 yds - $27

Purple roses on green. Tropical Breeze - 10 yds - $30

Cream and burgundy floral flannel - SOLD

White flannel w/ blue flowers - SOLD

================================

Note:

Shipping on all of these will be a flate rate price of $8.95 for Priority Mail.

Items were measured approximately, and many of them have scraps to go along that would work perfect for the little things in sewing, such as back ties, bodice facings, cuffs for sleeves, pockets, etc.

Sold as "one piece" and not by yards.

E-mail us if you are interested.

=================================

Fabric Stash

I loved this post on one of my favorite blogs to visit. At Anna's blog, you can read how to care for your fabric stash and have fun!


I had much fun re-arranging the stashes that were piling up on my table, taking pictures of them (the one above is just one of the piles) and I also sorted some of our fabric that we used to make custom-made apparel for our website. I've decided to go ahead and sell them, and so these will be listed shortly here on the blog.

Dressing femininely

I came across a blog this evening and read this wonderful entry on dressing femininely and wanted to share it:

http://www.laura.bitter-gamer.com/quietude/2007/07/reasons-for-feminine-dress.html

1914 Afternoon Dress

My heirloom dress from Sense & Sensibility patterns is finally finished! Well, all except for the silk sash that I need to make to complete it. (Should I do yellow or purple?) =) The front bodice is hanging from the weight of the skirt and built-in-petticoat, but in real life, the front sort of "poufs" out.
The sleeves have embroidery and lace inserted in between the fabric:

The back has the lace, and it buttons in the back:

And the skirt has 6 rows of pintucks:

We believe in modesty, but...

...I hate to confess that poor Arabella has been unclothed for several days now! I normally have things for her to wear, but never had anything after the giveway, and selling a Regency dress on ebay last week.

The project I'm working on however is a 1914 Afternoon Dress that is loaded with hand embroidery, lace insertions, and pintucks. It is made out of a semi-sheer white-on-white checked cotton, with a cotton sheer mist batiste for the bodice and skirt linings. I'm excited to be working on a new pattern and here is a a snapshot of what is coming:


...::::...

Oh, I also thought I should mention that my friend LeAnne, from the Tapestries blog (I highly recommend the magazine they publish!), set up a feed for our sewing blog, so if you have a Live Journal, you can read our blog on your friends page! Click here to add us.

It is now 12:02pm ::drumroll:: and the winner is...

... Heather Anderson! Congratulations! =)

We had a total of 31 entries and considering that this isn't a "well-known" blog out in the blogosphere, I was excited to see that many people enter. =) And thanks to those who also linked to our blog from your own.

Lord willing, we hope to have more giveaway's in the future, so this wasn't our first and last. =)

Apron Giveaway!

Instead of selling this apron, I decided to have "an apron giveaway"! The inspiration comes from my friend Crystal who recently had a giveaway on her blog. Details's are below:
A lovely 1930-1940's era apron made in a cheery purple cotton that is dotted with orange and reddish colored flowers. The apron in entirely bound with a corresponding bias and features apricot colored buttons on the side pockets. A ladies size small to medium.

To enter: Please e-mail us your name and mailing address and you'll be automatically added into the drawing. One name per household.

To be entered in twice: Mention this giveaway on your blog/LiveJournal/xanga, then e-mail us with a link to your blog, and you will be added twice!

To find out who won: Make sure you are in by Friday at 12:00pm MST and we'll anounce the winner of the apron sometime shortly after we do a random drawing!

A bitter-sweet accomplishment

For a long time, I have admired a blouse seen worn by a friend's friend of mine, and I finally but reluctantly took apart a blouse she gave to me, to make a pattern off of. The results were very pleasing, except...
it turned out to be a size eight! I had forgotten to add room to make it a size 12 so I am having to sell this, as I don't know how long it will take me to get back to a size 8. =P Oh well, maybe someone else will enjoy it!

The machines are buzzing

Today I have locked myself in the sewing room to tackle my growing mountain of fabrics. I say growing because one can hardly contain herself when JoAnn's has such great deals right now and I'm seeing some tropical breeze fabric that I really like over at Works of the Heart and Gehman's Country Fabrics. =)

So what have I been sewing? Take a look:

I finished up this girls dress that was made out of a purple calico tropical breeze, which is now up for sale. This pattern was one that my youngest sister Molly wore often for many years. It's hard to believe that she is no long a little girl, but is becoming a young woman who will be 13 this October!

The item that I started afterwards was a 1930 to 1940-ish apron. I had some extra matieral after I made one up for Leah (my sister who is 18) and after loving the way it turned out, I'm making another one to sell. The only difference between the two is that I'm adding some large apricot colored buttons to the pockets for a little extra "touch."

Making aprons is so much fun for me (as making nightgowns is Erin's, my older sister who will be 25 this fall, favorite) and I am inclined to believe that one can never have to many aprons! Does anyone agree with me? =) I'd love to hear about them and what your favorite patterns are!

Do all good things come to an end...?

After pulling in this afternoon from a family trip out west, I downloaded pictures (I want to say I took around 1,000), and checked my e-mail, I saw that I received an e-mail from where we purchased our domain site, and our site expires in 90 days.

For the last six months, we've contemplated shutting our business down. I have had visions of it branching into a ministry of some kind, but maybe they are just dreams.

Do I here any thoughts or ideas?

Heading out the door!

Well, we are minutes away from heading out the door for our family vacation out west! We'll be back July 3rd, Lord willing, and so orders that are placed will be sent out after we get back.

Lets just say I set a new record this morning with making a peasant blouse in under a half hour! With being in the desert and Grand Canyon, I'm needing another shirt to accomodate 100 degree + weather! =)

See you all later!

A-line skirt pattern tips

A few friends had asked for my A-line skirt pattern/directions and so I thought I'd post on my blog (rather than sending out several e-mails) how I make my skirt, so other's may benefit as well! Please note that this will fit roughly someone who would wear a ladies size 12, so if you are a different size, you will want to add/decrease from these measurements.

My main skirt pattern (I don't have a pattern, actually. I just cut as I go.) is 11-1/2" at the top on the fold and the bottom of the skirt is 17" on the fold. I obviously cut out two of these for a front and back skirt. Since it is a A-line/flared skirt, there is some curve up at the top and bottom. The below picture is a rather bad example of this (poor photo angle) but it gives you an idea of how it looks like:

As far as length, just make it how ever long you want it. On this particular skirt, I'll be putting in 5 one-eighth tucks in the skirt (1-1/2" above the edge of the main skirt along with a 5" flounce for the hem, and so I already figured out the math for this.

Here is my waist bands (I cut two of them out) at 23" long and 3-1/2" tall (1-1/4" finished in the front). These are for an elastic waist, but if you wanted to put darts in the front, make the front band shorter:

I won't go through the detail's of putting the skirt together, as I assume alot of my readers know how to sew.

As far as other detail's for the skirt that I mentioned such as tucks and ruffles, the possibilities are endless to spruce up a basic skirt pattern.

In the entry I posted earlier, that had 3 one-fourth inch tucks in it. The tucks/pin-stripes are easy to put in. All you do is make a "big hem" of how many inches you want, sew it, and then iron the tuck towards the hem.

And the ruffle: I must confess my selfishness in not wanting to give out my secrets as to what I do (it's fun to have something of my own...!) but I know that isn't Christ-like, so here is what I do....

It is basically a circular flounce that has no gathers. (If it's easy and I can save time, I like it!) You cut it out in a semi-circle and MUST make sure that the inside circle will match the hem of your skirt. So if the hem of my skirt, on a fold, is 17" then the inside of my circle must 17."

Here is a picture of the inside of my semi-circle cut out to 17." From here, you can determine the length of your flounce. If you want something smaller like this, I cut my ruffle out to 3", so once it's sewn on a 5/8" seam, you have a flounce a little over 2." If you like something bigger in my previous post, and like what I'm cutting this one out to be, cut the ruffle out to 5-5/8." Here I am marking the fabric, taking the measuring tape as I go along to get it right:

This is what it looks like cut out. Since both sides are on a fold, you'll need to cut one of them for your side seam. So you will need a total of 2 of these for the front and back skirt.

And that is it!

As far as yardage, for a 5" or larger flounce you'll need around 3 yards or so. For a smaller flounce, 2-1/2 yards should do.

For fabrics, I have found that I really like linens for the the flounces. They seem to drape really well. This one is a slate blue linen, and in the previous post the skirt was made out of navy linen. However I have done skirts with flounces out of cottons and polyesters, and they all turn out great.

Have fun making skirts, and if you do make skirts like this, would you mind sharing pictures with me? I'd love to see them and other might be inspired too if I were to post them on my blog (hint, hint)! And I guess I'm off to the sewing room to finish up a nightgown (from a 60's pattern with lots of alterations) and start on a new dress and headband (I found this cute pattern here) for Molly before we take our vacation this weekend.

Coming soon...

...making an A-line skirt with special details!

Once I get started, it's hard to stop...

This afternoon I finished up another Regency dress for ebay after the first one sold so quickly. It's so much fun to sew them; quite addicting I might add. =)

My next one I hope to make in a cross-over gown (if you've seen Sense and Sensibility, it is the gold colored one Marianne wears) which will be a new pattern to explore.

While browsing on ebay, I came across some lovely fabric that is an antique reproduction for the early 19th century. It's what I call "perfect" for a Regency gown! It ends tomorrow and I have a bid on it, so we'll see how it goes.

The "Feature of the Week" will be posted shortly.

In the Shop...

Well, I was in the mood to sew today (I guess my sickness for it wore off quickly...) and sewed up a Regency dress for ebay. I decided to offer it at "Buy-It-Now" and with a lower price, as I have several of these that I need to make and want to get them sewn up and out of here. =)

Interested? Click here to see it.