The Great Mustard Jacket

So, after thinking about what I wanted to make for the fair for an eternity and getting nowhere, I figured I would just make something that I had been dying to make and send it in. I've been eyeing the 1790's red and white striped jacket from the Kyoto collection, since it is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen, and I've decided to make a jacket with the same silhouette.

I'm doing a mash-up, here. I've taken an internet-find pattern ( larsdatter.com, 18th century Women's Jackets) for the general bodice shape, 

and I'm looking at Janet Arnold's pattern for the 1780-1790 "gown with a front fall opening and a vandyked collar" from Patterns of Fashion 1: 1660-1860. I'm adding cuffs and a front placket which will imitate a buttoned front closure. For the fabric, I'm using mustard velveteen, of which I have about a gazillion yards (literally about 4), and I'm lining it in a creamy linen I found on sale. I think things will go fairly smoothly. I've enlarged my pattern(s) with my trusty enlarger that I received from a teacher friend (it's probably a hot enlarger, let's be honest.) and I've created a mock up. The proportions are a little wonky, but I'm making another mock up later today. I'm planning on hand sewing this, because I always love to super stress myself out at the last minute, but I may machine the innards of my french seams if it gets crazy. 

A Competition is Announced

      So I've made clothing for my role as unit Laundress for my Civil War Reenacting not-a-hobby (it's pretty thought consuming for me, and I obsess about it, honestly.), and I've attended several historical events and the odd costume party; I've even sold some of my creations. But submitting a project to a real competition? *gasp*

     I attended the Orange County Fair last year, and stumbled upon their "Fiber Arts" competition. There are quilts, knitted items, loomed items and sewn garments. Since I have absolutely no head for quilts, and I can only knit scarves, I ran straight toward the sewn garments. And there, Gentle Reader, I gazed upon a burgundy satin 1880's tea gown. It was breathtaking. So of course, me being me, I said to myself, "I'm going to enter and try to win this thing!" Fast forward to last week, when I registered in the "Fiber Arts" competition. It's due the 1st of July, and I've yet to start. Entertainment, commence.

Hello, Gentle Reader

      If you've stumbled upon this blog, I welcome you to read on. If you've stumbled upon this blog and there are few posts, I welcome you to admire the wonderful background and bookmark this blog. It has some potential, I think.
     I've realized, after bookmarking several blogs myself, blogging really is a great way to be held accountable to your sewing projects. Instead of eyeing your hand-sewn garments with derision and hopelessness, you pick them up, deciding that your troubles will provide at least a little entertainment to those reading. So now, on to the entertainment!