1854 Girl's Dress

For Molly's 13th birthday, I made her an outfit fashioned after the American Girl doll, "Kirsten." Some friends (you know who you are; thankyou again!!) =) lent us some patterns for a dress along with patterns for a petticoat & pantaloons.

With snippets of time here and there, along with using the day hours when she was away at school, I locked myself away in the sewing room to sew and this is what became of it:

North & South

Based from another work by Elizabeth Gaskell, this work I believe was dated around 1850.

Thanks to a friend who loaned us North & South, we girls watched this 4 hour film last night since our youngest sister had a bunch of friends over for a sleep over. For a review of the film, you may enjoy this link.

North & South is quite different than Jane Austen films, or even Wives and Daughters that was written by Elizabeth Gaskell. I think maybe because the time period is closer to the Civil War era. It did seem to have a hints of a similar story line to Pride and Prejudice however.

Do I need to even mention that the gowns of there were scrumptious?! I loved them! =) I am now online to search for dress and gown patterns from this era. Don't be surprised if I make a couple.

I also found it interesting that the woman who played as Margaret Hale looks surprisingly like a young woman we know who just got married last month, and also like Elizabeth Botkin. What do you think?

After watching so many films of late that were filmed in England, I am wishing that I could talk English like that. I should learnsometime, since after all, we are predominately English.

There, you all even got a little family history in with this post! =)

Topic of Discussion: Interfacings

After receiving a comment/question about interfacing's, I thought I'd make a blogpost about it.

First of all, what is the difference between interfacing and facing?

We call the "white stuff" you glue on or sew on, to stiffen an area, "interfacing" and we also call the little pieces you attach to a bodice neckline "front interfacing" and "back interfacing." =) Maybe that is normal or we're just a little confused here.

And to answer your question, Alexandrea, a "rule" I go by in my own sewing, ie, for myself: "If I can do without, I won't do it."

I generally don't use interfacing, ie. in this case "the white stuff" (even though the pattern calls for it). Now if the fabric I was sewing with was lightweight, I may consider doing a strip where I'd be doing the buttons-holes to give them some strength, but other than that, I wouldn't use it.

For instance, a dress that I'm working on called for "the white stuff" on the neckline interfacing's, on a button belt, and maybe in a couple other places, but since the fabric I am using is already on the "sturdy" side, my thinking is, "why use it?" =)

So do you (my readers who sew) use interfacing?

How I began to sew

Among my relatives and family, it is always fun to hear of how they began to sew, and how young (or old!) they were, and who it was that taught them. In my case however, it wasn't my mother who taught me. In fact, she doesn't sew at all. Grandma (her mother) was rather low on patience with Mama when Mama was still at home. Despite not knowing how to sew, my mother has many other wonderful qualities, especially spiritually, in which I look up to her and admire in her.

When Erin and I were young (11 and 9 maybe?), she wanted us to learn, and Erin being the oldest, she had a homeschooling mother teacher her at her home through a sewing camp. I picked up a little interest in it but only because Erin was learning. So in exchange for Mama watching this lady's youngest daughter, I was able to attend 4 sewing classes. Through those, I learned how to thread the machine (it took me probably a half hour or more to be able to thread it from start to finish!) to use a simple stitch, and the "back-stitch." From there, I made a drawstring bag, and a pair of shorts from those classes. Don't faint; this was before we learned about modesty! =)

It was years later when I was around 12 or so, that because of the American Girl doll dresses in the catalog were so expensive and "Kirsten" was wearing her dresses out, I decided to pull out the old Kenmore machine of Mama's, and make some elastic-waisted skirts for her. It took several skirts for me to realize that I need more fabric than what her waist measured, in order for it to fit.

Once that concept sunk in, from there, I began making doll dresses and clothes for my dolls and my sister's dolls. When I went to sewing clothes for people, I found it to be SO easy since all the seams were so much larger than the dolls. However I have never found making doll clothes difficult at all, just because that is what I started on.

In fact, some of you may remember way before Erin and I started "A Joyful Handmaiden" of making modest apparel for women and girls, I had a small but thriving business of sell doll dresses! I even made up a small catalog and sent out a new one to customers anywhere from 2 to 4 times a year.

Just a couples weeks ago I pulled out my old patterns and my large bin of fabric scraps to make some for the doll that belongs to my sister Molly, and to sell some on ebay; I hope to list them in a couple weeks. In fact, Molly's birthday is this Sunday, and I am working on a surprise dress for her (thanks to some dear friends who are loaning me some American Girl dress patterns for girls!) so that she can match her doll, and so stay tuned for pictures later this week.

Edit: Wow, I rambled on quite a bit. It must be the longest post I've written yet! ::grins::

Netherfield Ball Gown

Ah yes, this has been what I have been working on this week. For months now I have had this ivory silk duponi fabric sitting on my table. I have been scared to sew it for two reasons: one being, the fabric nearly cost an arm and a leg, and second, what if I ruined it in the process of making a gown? But with violin lessons coming up next month, and needing the finances for them (after not having the money for lessons this month), I decided to be brave and sew it up.

Surprsingly, sewing with 100% silk is not at all difficult, although there were a few times I was afraid it would unravel before I could get the serger to the newly sewed seams!

So within a week or so, I hope to list this Regency gown that was made with inspiration from Lizzie's Netherfield ball gown on the A&E Pride and Prejudice, a green velvet spencer jacket, and stays up on ebay. I already have a couple things up there now, and have hopes that the upcoming items will sell well before the end of the month.

EDIT: I have decided to list the items as I finish them, and so here be the listing for this gown.

And we have a winner!

It was a slow turn out this time; just 22 entries, but thanks to the random.com site, we have a winner out of the 22 that entered!

Our winner is: Jennifer Buckley!

Apron Giveaway

Is is that time of year where our western sky seems to be at its most vivid blue color. White clouds are scattered across the blue sky, while down below the gardens finish producing the year's harvest (in our case: tomatoes!) and trees begin to show their autumn colors of golden yellow, rustic orange, and copper reds.

This evening, clouds are decending from off the mountains bringing rain (we hope!) and cool weather. It is currently 56 degrees and I think we'll be anticipating a much cooler night tonight.

With all of these things, I always get in a mood for baking delightful treats in the kitchen such as my favorite homemade bread recipe, a coffee cake, or apple crisp.

Are you getting inspired? If not, perhaps this apron will help! =)

Yes, I have decided to offer one more apron for a giveaway (more will be made to sell on ebay) this year. I made the apron from a vintage late 60's apron pattern and the fabric was found at an flea market/antique store that looked sort of like a 60's to 70's fabric.

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

To find out who won: Make sure you are in by noon (MST) on Wednesday and we'll anounce the winner of the apron sometime shortly after we do a random drawing!

If I had money growing on tree's...

Yesterday while browsing around on ebay for some American Girl stuff for my youngest sister who is all of a sudden interested in dolls and so forth, I came across this listing.

At nearly 23½, I suppose it may be ridiculous, but my love for historical, old-fashioned things cannot be helped. =) Anyway, I wouldn't have an occasion to wear it, but it is still very pretty and fun to look at and get ideas from.

Crystal's giveaway: Wow!!

Whoa, I am excited for this giveway that Crystal is hosting over on her blog. Especially since we can enter twice and she has 10 of them to giveaway!! What is it? Go over there to find out! =)

A quick hint for you: it's a book that looks like it will be especially encouraging for wives and mothers. And while I wouldn't fit in that description yet, I AM closer to it than I was a couple years go. =D

And for a heads up, I'll be hosting another giveaway myself, in the not to distant future. Perhaps this will give you a clue. Stay tuned!

A step back about 200 years ago...

...there was an era known as the Regency Era. With nearly everything being charming and agreeable, especially the delectable gowns and dresses.

This is my favorite era to sew for, and this ensemble is "a keeper" after sewing many to sell. No, it's not extravagant silk and lace, but made out of a lovely floral stripe light cotton for a day dress and cotton "unmentionables."

It is all finished, but for the hem and I wanted to try it on so that I would know how much to hem up. Molly took the pictures of me wearing it despite barefeet, wearing a watch, and doing nothing with my hair.

Of Corsetry and Hand-stitching

::clears her throat::

For any guys reading the blog, you all can scoot on out of here as I doubt you'll find this post interesting. For one thing, I think I would find it quite amusing if any gentleman was reading a sewing blog ... but anyway, that's besides the point.

::resumes to original post::

This week I decided to have another go of sewing some Regency stays. I made some about six months ago, and while I was pleased with how they turned out, I didn't really want to keep the stays for myself.

This time around, I only used two layers of fabric, instead of three like the pattern suggests (previously I used 3 layers of twill and I think it was so thick that it wasn't really supporting anything despite using 10 bones) and used some white twill for the lining, and some white-stripe cotton shirting left over from a Regency gown, for the outer layer. I sort of cheated and used store-bought bias rather than making my own out of my dress material; instead of using eyelets I did button-holes, and as last time, I used plastic boning from JoAnn's instead of the recommended steel boning that I'd have to order off line.

Needless to say, the stays turned out really well, and they fit wonderfully! =) I couldn't ask for anything better. I then was looking forward to start working on a Regency dress (maybe for myself this time?) that requires proper undergarments. After being inspired by Rachel's lovely hand-stitching on her beautiful Colonial ensemble, I decided to try hand stitching the fabric casing down around the neckline. I must confess that it took me a couple of hours (partly because I was watching Pride & Prejudice and partly because I've never done hand stitching on a garment before) this afternoon to go around the neckline. ...I wondered many times why I chose to do it by hand, but it turned out in the end and it did the job. =) I'll use my machine and serger for the inside seams, and do hand stitching for the rest. We'll see how the rest of the dress turns out!

Who else sews by hand? Do you find yourself getting faster?

1830's Romantic Dress

Take note that in my last post, I didn't say that I wasn't going to sew at all. =D No indeed, for the last couple of days I have worked on and finished this Romantic Era Dress:

Pleasant Peasantry

I must have 5 shirts of out of my Peasant Shirt pattern (that I made off of a thrift store find) and this one I have made for the autumn weather. That is, whenever we get the autumn weather that decides to stay.
I think I could wear it with brown corduroy for a casual look, or with a tan linen skirt for a dressier occasion. To celebrate the first day of fall tomorrow, I considered wearing it until I found out that it is supposed be close to 80 degrees, so it might have to wait until Monday when the forecast shows a high of 59. =) We'll see ... you never quite know when you live near the mountains!

Lord willing, I probably won't be posting much in the next week or so as I have been in the sewing room this week more than I should have. Just thought I'd give you all a little heads up.

We have a winner!

Wow, for this giveaway, we had 88 entries! But alas, we can only have one winner since we only have one apron to give away.

After doing a random (Thanks to http://random.org) drawing, our winner is: Chrissy Hall!

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As to several questions I received, here are my replies:

Where can I find apron patterns in girls sizes?
Well the first website that came to mind was Crystal's site, Biblical Womanhood as I know she carries some apron patterns for girls. Modest Sewing Patterns, would also have a pattern or two of aprons for girls. Does anyone else want to add to the list?

What pattern did you use?
I actually have a copy of a 1930/1940 apron pattern that my friend Amber sent to me. After seeing her apron, I begged her for the pattern. =) I can't say for sure, but if perhaps she had enough requests, she'd consider reproducing the pattern for sale.

Apron Giveaway!

What is black and white, with red all over? =)

Yes, I am offering another apron for a giveaway! This one is made out of a black and white tea cup cotton fabric that I purchased at a flea market/antique store; whether it's vintage or not, I have no idea. It's trimmed with scarlet bias and rickrack to bring out the red calico in the fabric:

Front view

A view of the back

Close up of one of the two pockets. How have I never used rickrack before in my life, up until this apron?! Needless to say: I love it!

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To enter: Please e-mail us your name and mailing address and you'll be automatically added into the drawing.
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 3:00pm MST and we'll anounce the winner of the apron sometime shortly after we do a random drawing!

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.