You've seen me sewing covers/holders for the windpipe insturments my reenactor friend makes, and there was another batch of them made for single flutes. Mostly leftover bits of fabrics, supplemented with a few pieces I bought in I Love Textile for this.
After the last time I stated that these monday patternmustern suggestions are patterns that I have not tried (because if I would have, I would have a separate post about it, with a review and such). However, I made this skirt more than two years ago, never posted about it, nor did I photographed the making of it. On the other hand I love this pattern and used it more than once, and I can wholeheartedly stand by it. So, there you go.
I have been asked, from time to time, what is the historical item that is the easiest to make.
There are obvious suggestions, like making a shift (undershirt), or making an 18th century petticoat, but both has a drawback... they are not too practical in our modern lives. Yes, the shift can be used as a nightshirt or a summerdress, and the petticoat can be worn as a boho-skirt, but let's admit, a floor length skirt has its limits.
Now the skirt I am suggesting can be worn in our modern times, and would not stand out like a sore thumb, and would fit into many situation, from office to evening wear.
Repetition. (the the Hungarian phrase says).
I always liked to have and/or make multiple version of things I like (mostly clothing istems). I am not sure if this is just me, or (yet another) sign of -non diagnosed- ADHD, but I have been known to have a certain top in like five colors, knit the same sweater pattern (Like the Rosamund cardigan or the Owl sweater, the Hey Teach or the Amela comes to mind), in more than once.
The same goes for -some- historical dresses, you've seen me sewing the Aidah dress three times, and now here is some things that -once again- made with patterns I already used.
I think I also told you already, how can I build up whole sets of outfits from the tiniest ideas, like a red shoe peeping out of under a long, black skirt or an artificial poppy in a window of a chinese brick-a-brack shop.
This one came about because back in 2023 I made early victorian clothes for a museum (I never actually posted about them, but there is a picture, here), and there was a bit left over from the fabric I made the waistcoat from. I was a narrower than usual fabric (of course, from I Love Textile), most probably originally intended for neckties (?), in lovely blue and blue-ish purple. I kept it, because I wanted to make it up for an Edwardian waistcoat for myself.
I used the Black Snail pattern, and by now this is the 5th, (yes the FIFTH) version I have of it. I started with the dark red/bordeaux, then the dark gray one I made for my first biking set, and I made a black and white one for history-bounding purpouses, but somehow it found its way to my fully authentic historical wardobe (this blogpost was not about that waistcoat, but there is a picture, and I am still planning a full post on it), then the white linen one with the small flowers, and now this one. This time I choose the one with the high collar and one line of buttons (after all, I planned to wear this under a coat, and wanted to have some of the beautiful fabric showing.) for the back and lining I used light blue linen, and a hard horsehair-kind of canvas (both also I Love Textile). This Black Snail pattern is a dream to work with, it fits me like a glove (unlike most their other patterns that require mush more fitting), I am absolutely NOT surprised that this is their most succesful pattern.
The skirt caused me more problem, though it was NOT because of the pattern. I used the same one I used for my bordeaux set (McCalls/Angela Clayton), and I already worked out its quirks (way too long and I use ith without the train). However, when buying the fabric (cotton duftine/duffel/velvetine? I don't actually know which one), I forgot that it has a nap and I cannot turn the pattern pieces in order to use less fabric, which was just a feet shorter than I needed... What was I am to do? Sent a message to the shop I bought it from asking if the have more, and would they, please cut me a piece of it... However, by the time I got to the store, and brought it home 1.) I realized that I don't need the full length of the pattern, and 2.) managed to play enough tetris and fit the pieces on the available length, so now I have another piece of that blue fabric, I might make a regency pellisse out of it... or something else. I did sew the skirt together, in the late spring, and as I mentioned in earlier posts, I've let it languished with half of the hem sewn up, for months. By the time I took it out again, I needed to sew the hooks much further in, but that is one of the wonders of these edwardian skirts, they are rather easy to adjust for size.
The skirt was finished, and the waiscoat was sewn in the fall, when we were preparing for the customed gided tour we did with one of the museums.
Fabrics: I Love Textil
Skirt Pattern: Angela Clayton/McCalls
Waiscoat pattern: Black Snail
Photos: Norbert Varga @ Bodeszphoto
There is a "national hat day" challenge on Instagram, and I thought, even though it is a day late, I'll show you (some of) the hats I use...
Yes, sometimes I write some posts beforehand and time the publication ahead... and sometimes, in a typical adhd way, I miss some small detail... this is how the strong opinion post appeared on tuesday instead of is usual wednesday... oh well...
Also, while I was sewing last weekend I broke the needle in my industrial interlock /overlock sewing machine... I knew I should have another needle (as it works either with 3 or 4 thread but I use it with 3 for most thing, and I took out the extra needle), but I could not find it. So, when Chris came over for dinner I asked him to drop in the store selling sewing machines and a lot of other sewing (and knitting) adjacent stuff (from magazines trough needles to industral steam irons. etc.) and bring me a packet of needles.
I changed the needle, and something is messed up, because it just does not forms the loops the right way. It seems like, though I have not changed the thread tensions, either the needle-thread is too loose or the under-loop-thread is too thight, but no matter what I do it does not changes. In the meanwhile I slid down in a rabbit-hole of getting new thread tensioners for the machine as the original ones it came with are old and broken, and I realized that you can find everything on the internet these days, maybe I can exchange this one to.... And of course in the meantime I did find the one extra needle I had. Still...
I hate not having my basic machines in working order even if I do not plan to use them in the next few days, and it makes me even more antsy when I do... (and yes, I not only have plans, but actual cut out pieces I want to sew...).
Whining is over for today. Thanks for listening. Or reading. Or whatever.
To those bus/tram/trolley/metro drivers, who driving their wehicle, see someone running after them, and then wait a little, maybe even until they reach the door and THEN CLOSE IT at the face of their potential passenger... especially if you do this late at night, when it is really cold/raining/snowing, in the holday times, or when the passenger has packages/children with them...
I've seen that happen multiple times in the last month, from the vehicle, or happen to me, and you know what... it hurt me more to see it from the vehicle to happen to others.
Anyway, if you are such a driver (while all my respect for driving in winter/night etc. conditions) go and step on some legos late at night, kick you toes at the door frame, and shit a hedgehog.
