If you sew and sew a lot, it is not unusual to be asked, "Can you hem my pants?" "Will you alter my dress?" "Will you give sewing lessons to my kids?" And more.
I don't mind helping people, but I no longer sew for anyone else besides family members. Not many people sew anymore, and those who do are generally quilters. There's a big difference between quilting and garment construction, so finding someone to work on clothing is difficult. I get that, but no, I am not taking on other work. I have too much to do with my own projects.
Still, once in a while I say yes to a request for help. And the dogs in my family always get a free pass.
Nash and Rosie got a brand new toy, and it didn't take long before Rosie had its belly opened. I used heavy duty linen thread from my 18th century supplies to mend it, but I have a feeling that Rosie will have it open again soon.Despite the brief break from sewing to mending that toy, I finished making the bedgowns. I have 8 completed and ready to go. The Feast is four weeks away and if I get time, I will make a few more, but I still have short cloaks and petticoats to make. Plus, beeswax ornaments. (Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick!)
A size 2XL bedgown from one of my all time favorite block prints.
I tuck point the edges of seams that are at the hems of the sleeves and the bottom of the garment. It adds time to the sewing process, but it makes the garment look nicely finished.
A size Large. I also have this fabric in green. I may turn that into a petticoat.
And a size XL. This fabric is beautiful and has purple, a popular color among reenactors but one that is hard to find in block prints.
The remnants from these bedgowns have been measured and bundled. Well, except for the green one. I barely had enough fabric to make that bedgown and so I just have scraps left. (Remnants: bigger pieces usable for something else; Scraps: small bits and pieces.)
I've sewn so many articles of clothing that I ran out of wooden hangers and had to buy some more. That turned out to be a really good thing for me.
Old on the left, new on the right.
The new wooden hangers are narrower and lighter. That will make them so much easier to carry downstairs, pack into the car, and then unload and hang up at the Feast.
The difference in weight is significant for me - I have arthritis in my hands and a long term rotator cuff injury. And the new hangers look much nicer than the older ones. So I decided to replace all the old ones and will offer those for sale at the Feast.
With the bedgowns finished, I moved on to making cloaks. I cut out a hip length cloak from the forest green wool with enough fabric left for a second cloak. (Already on the to-do list for Kalamazoo.)
The blue wool will be a knee length cloak with a silk lined hood.
I cut some of the remnants into 2" x 4" pieces and will make those into pouches for sets of sleeve buttons.
Like these. The pouches help keep the sleeve buttons from getting lost plus they are a nice touch for sales.
I've crossed 8 things off my Feast to-do list and even though I am feeling some stress, I am in good shape and will be fine. The cloaks will stitch up fast and so will the petticoats. And I am really looking forward to making the beeswax ornaments - I find that relaxing and fun - pour and pop, pour and pop!
Stay 'tooned!
