Feast Prep - Something Else that I Have Been Doing

I'm excited to share that I have been accepted as a sutler for this year's Feast of the Hunters' Moon and Jolis Chevaux will have its own tent alongside the other merchants this year. I've been sewing for months to get ready and now there is just a little over a month left to finish preparing.

Last year I chronicled the making of three 18th century riding habits (a practice one, one for me, and one for Teacher Daughter Lisa) but I am not making one of those this year. Nonetheless I have been super busy in the sewing room for weeks getting ready.

Finished clothing that I hope to sell is hanging in my office.

A Garsault bedgown, three shortgowns, two Forbes shortgowns, five chemises, a petticoat, four men's shirts, two aprons (pinner and regular), three pockets, five bum rolls, and a youth shirt.

This is a bum roll. In the 18th century, women would tie this around their waist and under their petticoat so that it would raise their skirt up in the back. 

It was stuffed with wool roving and was very, very firm.

There are some things I've made that are too small for a clothes rack and will be displayed on tables like this husseif. (Also called a "housewife.)

Husseifs unfold and have pockets inside for scissors, thread, needles and pins, and other things a woman might have needed to keep close at hand.

They are fun to make and are something I can do in just an hour or so, so they are good "take a break, Lynn" projects when my head is spinning from working on the bigger things all day and I need to stop and catch my breath.

This is an 18th century Garsault bedgown. It has inverted pleats on either side and then a third in the back. I like this one so much I am tempted to keep it for me!

A shortgown from the back showing its pleats.

And from the front showing the neckline and some of the shaping of the garment from the pleating.

An 18th century chemise (also called a shift). These were worn under everything day in and day out.

An 18th century cap that I made for me - actually I made two so I could change one out if it was a hot day. (Just noticed I was wearing my BreyerFest volunteer shirt the day I made the caps!)

A men's shirt, commonly worn by voyageurs, trappers, and fur traders. It's long by design (some women interpreters even wear them as dresses) and generally a woven sash would be tied around the waist. This is the same kind of shirt the voyageur is wearing in the promo picture for the Feast at the beginning of this blog entry.

Pin pillows - the forerunner of the pincushion. 

Designs were commonly made by the pins just for fun and many women would add a ribbon tie which had a loop at the end. An apron string was inserted through the loop and that way the woman had her pin pillow with her at all times.

Although I am not making riding habits this year, I am making a gown for Lisa. It's not even cut out - we had to order the fabric and it isn't here yet, and there is a good chance I will not get it done in time.

But I am going to try and I can start working on the practice one first. This is Friday and I have a men's shirt, a boy's shirt, and nine pockets cut out and prepped that I need to make first so it will a few days before I start the practice gown.

Good thing I enjoy sewing!