Done & Moving On

I'm done! Finally! And I am so so, SO tired of the color white. 

But, I now have 12 chemises on the rack and ready for The Feast of the Hunters' Moon.  Here are the most recently finished ones.

This one is a size XL.

I love these elegant domed gold sleeve buttons.

 A size 2XL.

Flat and shiny gold sleeve buttons.

 Finally, a size S

with pretty pearl sleeve buttons.

I'd still like to make one more 2XL, but I ran out of fabric and had to order more. 

I buy white cotton by the bolt. There are 15 yds of fabric in a bolt and I can get around 5 chemises out of each bolt. I've gone through two bolts already just sewing for the Feast!

The new bolt of fabric has just arrived, but I haven't opened it. Right now, I am ready for some color. And trade shirts made from colorful block prints are on the docket.

Here are the two fabrics I am starting with:

A very unusual maroon and olive green block print,

and a pretty (and very popular) multicolored block print.

These are for what I call, "The Nebraska Contingent." More on them coming. They never fail to make me smile.

Stay 'tooned!

A Week's Worth of Sewing

It's been a week for sewing, but I got everything made that I'd cut out beforehand as well as things I spontaneously decided to do when I had some extra time.

Pin pillows (the precursor to the pin cushion) were one of those "extra time" projects.

18th century sewists used every scrap of fabric, and pin pillows not only helped them keep track of their pins and needles, they were also a good use for small leftover fabric pieces.

Wool roving was stuffed inside and ribbon or wool or linen tape was used to make a loop so the pin pillow could be hung on the sewist's apron string, ensuring she (or he) always had their sewing tools with them.

Easy to make, relaxing to stuff, quickly finished - the perfect choice for when I want to accomplish something for the Feast or Kalamazoo but don't feel like tackling a major project.

A workable pattern for making a Frances Rump became available a year ago, and the first two I made sold immediately. So, I've made another two. 

Using linen that was embroidered with flowers, I stitched the channels, 

stuffed them, pleated them, and added a twill tape waistband.

The 1775 - 1787 Francis Rump (the one that I am showing) was bigger than the 1785 - 1795 version. (Read about that one here.)

But it served the same purpose in lifting the back of the petticoat up and out.

Unlike panniers/pocket hoops which are worn on the each side of the body,

walking in crowds or down aisles while wearing a Frances Rump isn't difficult.

The bulk is behind you and doesn't bump into things alongside you.

What about this one? Does it make by backside look big?? Hah!

Continuing the white fabric theme...

I also made two chemises, both size XL. 

Gold and "paste" sleeve buttons.

That size and 2XL are my biggest sellers for chemises

 so I want to have several on hand of each size as they usually sell out quickly. 

I had a wool cloak that I'd cut out in March that I wanted to finish. I spread it out on the sewing table and began prepping it, and then my heart sank.

There were small three holes in the fabric. Most likely, that was moth damage - this was a fabric that had been in my mother's stash for decades; my guess is the damage happened when it was stored in her basement.

I was not going to put all that work into a cloak that I would then need to sell for less money as it was defective, so I circled the holes with chalk,

tied it into a packet, and put a note with it explaining that the defect was three tiny holes. I'll sell it for only a couple of dollars, and if whoever buys it can sew, they will have a $175 cloak for nearly free!

While I had the twine out, I folded together other fabric packets to sell. My remnants sell out quickly at events and I get a little money back on my investment in the fabric.

Three more chemises are cut out and will be next week's project. After that, I may take a break from sewing and start making some blackened beeswax ornaments. (Heads up, those of you who won the Highland Cow in the May give away!)

Stay 'tooned!

Birds, Ponies, Chemises, Friends & Toffee Bars

Second Post of the Day

(Like that title? Much better than the usual "Mish Mosh" or "Hodge Podge," right? LOL)

First, I can now confirm that there ARE two baby barn swallows in the nest cup over our front porch.

Here they are, sitting on the edge of the nest and just about ready to fledge. The parents were swooping in and out with food, and at one point I saw all four at once, confirming the presence of the second baby. I suspect they will be leaving the nest soon.

I will really miss watching them.

I've begun sunning the PAF I found during my BreyerFest virtual "CHIN" shopping (a local antique store.) 

There is just a hint of pink on its muzzle, so I've covered it with masking tape to protect the color from fading.

Currently the outside temperatures are moderate so I feel comfortable letting it sit outside and get some sun.

An alarm on my phone is set to go off every two hours to remind me to go outside and check on it, turn it, etc. I think this little foal will look nice when done!

Sewing for The Feast of the Hunters' Moon has begun and the first chemise has been completed.

The ends of the sleeves are pleated when the cuffs are added. (An option would be to gather them, but I prefer the look of pleats.)

I love how pleats look on the finished garment, but pleating two sleeves takes up almost every one of my favorite pins. (Not to worry, I have nine pincushions and more pins if I need them; I just prefer these.)

I love the look of sleeve buttons in the cuffs, too.

Today's sewing plan is to complete another chemise and then either cut out some pockets or to start working on the green cloak that is cut out and prepped.

"I know it's very short notice, but I'm going to be in town tomorrow. Could I stop by around 2:00 for a quick visit?"

When your bestie (who moved away two years ago) sends you that kind of text, you rearrange your schedule and reply, "YES!!

Lisa and I had the best time being together again, and I baked her some toffee bars to nibble on as she drove home.

Here's the recipe:

Toffee Bars 

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. brown sugar

1 egg yolk 

2 c. flour

2 c. chocolate chips (approx.)

chopped almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter, brown sugar, and egg yolk. (Do not use the egg white - it will change the consistency of the bars.) Beat in the flour.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray (or line with parchment paper - my choice.) Pat the dough evenly into the pan. Bake 20 minutes until firm and golden brown.

Turn off oven and pull the pan out of oven. Immediately top with the chocolate chips, sprinkling them evenly over the top of the bars.  Put the pan back into the oven (leave the door ajar) for 3 - 5 minutes until the chocolate chips are softened. (They will look shiny.) Pull the pan out again and spread the softened chocolate chips over the bars and if you wish, sprinkle with the chopped almonds. Cool, cut, and eat!

Enjoy, and stay 'tooned!

Cold, Cold, Cold!

Poppy is settling into her new home well. Her first night with Jessie's family, she went into her crate by her own choice around 9:30 and slept all night without any issues.

She is very people oriented - here she is asking Kyle for some love while he works. (In case you're wondering, she got that attention. Hah!)

https://youtu.be/0np7NDjR_PI

Playing with her new toys from Pepper and Tammo.

https://youtu.be/AHL9YMAKZhg

Greeting Cambria when she comes home from school. (Look at that tail - those circle wags!)

So far things are going very well and I hope that that continues, both for Poppy and the family.

Speaking of family... how can this sweet girl be almost three months old?

She smiles, she giggles, and she is just cute as pie. I can't wait to meet her. Maybe this summer? Fingers are crossed.

These two cannot be old enough to be grandparents. But here we are. And they are loving being Elsie Mae's grandparents.

The weather here has been cold, cold, cold. And it's going to get worse - warnings are already up for tomorrow for dangerous wind chills as low as -20 below. I'm thinking the schools will at least have a two hour delay if not a cancellation of classes. (I've been retired seven years now and I still watch the weather with kids in mind!)

It's been a rough winter and poor Tammo and Pepper are not getting much exercise. Truth be told, they really don't want to be out playing frisbee in this snow, ice, and cold temps.

They both enjoy snuggling and we don't mind a couple of warm puppies nestled against us. We're chilly, too!

Zoomies around the couch have to do for now.

In some ways, the weather has been a plus for me.

I finished my eighth chemise, a size 2XL.

This one has the gold and paste (rhinestone) sleeve buttons. 

I have an XL in progress right now, and then will make a size L as soon as the fabric arrives. (I have already gone through a 15 yard bolt of fabric for chemises this month!)

The burn from my carelessness around my iron is healing but still tender. It was worse than I'd thought. There is a shallow groove in my arm - I hadn't realized the burn had gone so deeply when I burned myself.

Today's plan? Nashie and Mama are coming for the day and that will keep us happily busy. I have a bone scan over at the hospital and then will run to the vet to pick up a refill of Pepper's meds. 

I also want to top off my gas tank before the temperatures plummet today.

And then I am going to snuggle with the dogs and Craig and let the storm hit.

Hot chocolate, anyone?

Sewing for March in January

Second Post of the Day

With the weather so cold, snowy, and icy this month, I have gotten a lot of sewing done for Kalamazoo. Which is good since I sold nearly everything I had made at The Feast of the Hunters' Moon last October.

Here is what I've sewn this past week.

My biggest seller are trade shirts (also called a voyageur shirt.) This is a size small in a block print with lovely shades of indigo.

And, of course, sleeve buttons to close the cuffs.

A trade shirt, size medium, block print fabric.

You can't see it well in the first picture, but look at the beautiful Christmas red and green colors in this fabric!

There are six sizes of trade shirts that I make (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 3XL.) For an event, I like to have at least two shirts for S and M sizes, four to five each for L and XL, and finally, two each of 2XL and 3XL. That's a lot of shirts to make! (Currently I have eight finished and ready to go.)

My next biggest seller are women's chemises (also called "shifts.")

Chemise, size small, cotton.

Chemises are the basic undergarment for women. Regardless of whether you were nobility or underclasses down to the poorest of people, you wore a chemise. So these sell very well, too. 

The cuffs end at or just below the elbow and can be closed with sleeve buttons, twill tape, or ribbons.

I make chemises in S, M, L, and XL. (I need to draft a 2XL. It's on the to-do list.)

For events, I try to have in stock two each of S and M, and three each of L and XL. That's ten chemises and I currently have three completed and one halfway done.

Also on the sewing list are a cloak or two (thank you, Feast, for the sales of the others), and at least four bedgowns (Feast affect again.) I should make some panniers, too (yep, Feast).

I am happy that my things are selling so well, but I am also a one woman company.

Lisa helps me with sales and set up/take down and Belle helps me present at School Days, but neither woman sews. Even if they did, though, I don't really want to hire any sewing out - I prefer to make everything that is sold.

One thing on my sewing list is to make myself a new riding habit.

I have learned so much since I made these two habits five years ago. Stashed away in my sewing closet are a bolt of hunter green wool and one of blue wool. I really want to turn one of them into a habit but the issue is eking out the time to get one made.

Having one finished by KZoo is a pipe dream, but the Feast is possible. A lot will depend on sales at KZoo and how much restocking afterward I will need to sew for the Feast.

I found this meme recently and laughed when I saw how well it described me.

(and 18th century history!)

Don't forget the Give Away! Comment to enter by guessing the answer to the question, "What is Mila's favorite dish?

I'll spin to win on Wednesday or Thursday.

Stay 'tooned!