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!

Inside & Outside the Sewing Room

First Post of the Day

Inside the Sewing Room

Last week I got a lot done in the sewing room, but the thing that I enjoyed making most happened on Saturday.

I pulled out the wool roving, something that is soft and pliable and doesn't shed or make a mess...and is very relaxing to use.

Wool roving is used in  various ways for making 18th century items - like stuffing pin pillows.

Saturday morning I took a break from pleats and sleeve buttons and made some easy peasy pin pillows.

Sempstresses and tailors used these to keep their needles and pins handy at all times.

A loop on the end of a long ribbon or tape allowed the pin pillow to hang from the apron strings.

Other loops were shorter but functioned the same way. (That green ribbon is silk.)

I had some scraps of really good 18th century reproduction fabric to hand, and I am so happy with how these turned out. Unfortunately I ran out of silk and grosgrain ribbon and had to stop, but more is on order.

I also completed a second chemise this week. This is a 2XL and that size sells out quickly. 

I want to make at least two more 2XL for the Feast.

I really like this pair of sleeve buttons - they look simple but elegant.

I also made another pocket. (Hmmm, guess where that one pin pillow came from??) This is a very accurate fabric, and I got it for free at a Feast sewing circle - a lady had put her remnant pile out and told us to take what we wanted.

Outside the Sewing Room

Brooke Sauter texted me Sunday morning with several photos for me to look at.

"Not the best photos in the world, but I used a Jolis Chevaux trade shirt in the display for last night's Feast-themed dinner."

That's it on the left, peeking out from under the waistcoat.

Well, that was a surprise. Brooke is the sewist I ask for help from when I get stuck. She makes all her own clothes (18th century as well as modern) and not only is the director of the Feast but she also runs the Feast sewing circle. 

Putting the trade shirt on display was an affirmation that it was a good example of Feast era clothing. And that is something that I work hard to achieve when I sew for Jolis Chevaux. (Research, research, research!)

Thanks, Brooke, for the heads up that you had used the shirt and for sending me the photos. (They were taken by Bridget Slack.)