HSF challenge #9 second entry: From toile to dress in less than a week.

I found out three things last week: 1) That my mother and I would be attending the Romance of the Ranchos Festival at the Workman Temple Homestead Museum, 2) That the time period was 1840's to 1860's, and 3) that I didn't have a readily available day dress. My Pioneer Bodice and it's skirt were packed away somewhere unreachable, and the rest of my dresses were either evening wear or didn't fit with the new corset. And so, I did one of the top ten stupidest things in my life: I made a dress in six days from scratch... It's very possible that I might be insane.

The bodice pattern is once again from Truly Victorian, the sleeves are from a Period Impressions pattern. I fitted the toile on myself and am amazed that it came out so well. The belt is a piece of bright green velvet ribbon with an antique shell buckle. I am wearing my quilted petticoat and my split drawers under.

                                                                  View of the back

A closeup of the fabric. The vines are probably supposed to be roses, but I think they look more like little strawberries.

 Another view of the back, and of my bonnet. I've had this one for a while and re-trimmed it to compliment the dress.

And a slightly closer pic of the bodice.

The Challenge: Flora and Fauna

Fabric: Strawberry/striped printed cotton

Pattern: Truly Victorian and Period Impressions

Year: I'm going to err on the side of caution and say 1840

Notions: Thread

How historically accurate is it? Machine sewn, so not very.

Hours to complete: 50, plus an all-nighter

First worn: May 5th 2013

Total cost: Free. I once again raided my fabric stash.

Despite it being sunny all week, the day of the event itself was overcast and cool. I brought a wool shawl and was very comfy indeed. All in all, I had a pretty good time and I look forward to wearing this dress to many future events. 

Next time: A dress for mother aka Challenge #10.

Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge, or: Emily takes a dare...

Once in a blue moon I will find myself with nothing to sew. My current project has been shelved for the next couple months so I found myself with an unexpected chunk of free time. Now, when I don't have a project, I tend to get twitchy and I often end up surfing the web. In my ramblings on the internet, I came across the Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge, set up by the lovely and talented Dreamstress.

The facts, basically, are these: One year, a challenge every fortnight, and at the end of it, 26 fabulous historical (meaning pre-1938) garments. Each challenge has a theme and are posted 7 in advance so you have plenty of time to plot and plan. Being the sucker/maniac/glutton for punishment that I am, I looked at this challenge and immediately said "Sign me up!" 
Of course, in my case, it'll be more like 24 fabulous historical garments since I came to this challenge a little late. But I figure it will be a good way to keep me on track for all the events I have to sew for.



Which brings me to the first challenge I will be participating in: HSF Challenge #2: UFO!
"Use this challenge to get something off your UFO pile, Finish off something that’s never quite gotten done, or stalled halfway through, start a project you've always meant to do but never had the excuse for, or create a UFO that you’ll finish in another challenge."
My only problem is, I don't have a UFO pile. I usually make things as I need them and not much else. But then it dawned on me: "Hey, don't you have that 2-1/2 yard piece of pre-quilted fabric that you bought because you liked the pattern?"
And so I present to you, dear readers, my offering for the UFO challenge: An 1830's-40's quilted petticoat!

As is readily apparent to anyone who knows me, I am a stripe fiend. And that is what possessed me to buy this on sale a long time ago at a JoAnn's far far away.

The hem is four inches deep with three extra rows of quilting, which I've found gives just the right amount of volume. The waist has a drawstring, which is completely period correct, but I really put it in because I will be getting a new corset very soon and didn't want to make a waistband that I would then have to readjust. All in all, I think it came out pretty well. Sorry about the picture quality. It seems that whenever I need to take photos, I find myself alone in the house with no one to take them.

The Challenge: UFO

Fabric:  Batting quilted between two layers of cotton. And no, it's not that alarmingly red.

Pattern:  Um...it's a skirt. Made a tube. Hemmed the top and bottom.

Year:   I'll cover my bases by saying 1835-1849. 

Notions: Thread, Pins, Cotton Twill Tape

How historically accurate is it? Pretty accurate, shape-wise. Construction-wise? I used a sewing machine.

Hours to complete: 3-4? I dunno, I wasn't keeping track

First worn:  Not yet, except to try on, but it's first planned wearing is the 26th.

Total cost:  Hmm... I bought the fabric a good long while ago... I think I paid all of 10 bucks for it.