HSF - #4 Embellish

We don't want to discuss how late I am with this one (ahem, MONTHS).  Although in reality I've done loads of embellishments since then, but this little project only fits this HSF challenge.  I originally made the reticule a couple of years ago when I first made my blue Dickens work dress.  This is the same fabric.  For this project I simply added an applique that I found in my grandmother's stash.  This will be my new everyday reticule for Regency... since most of those dresses are green or red this won't match so it will be perfect.

The Challenge: Embellish

Fabric: none

Pattern: none

Year: Regency Era

Notions:an applique from the stash

How historically accurate is it? weeelll, it isn't embroidered per se but it LOOKS like whitework - right?

Hours to complete:less than one (once I found and cleaned everything.

First worn: For Costume College

Total cost: nada

Raspberry Sorbet Skirt - aka HSF - #6 Stripes

This challenge was due in March, but I'm more focused on completing as many challenges as I can rather than doing it on time.  This was a fairly easy skirt, but with only 3 yards of damaged fabric it posed some complications.  I was able to get 3 panels just under 30 inches long. The pleated ruffle is about 270 inches long (7.5 yards!).

A close up of the pleated ruffle.

Of course I had to add lace!

The Challenge: Stripes
Fabric: Sheer Pink with Stripe
Pattern: none
Year: 1870's (although I may be able to use it elsewhere)
Notions: hook and bar for closure
How historically accurate is it? It's a cotton and the trim is inspired by both Victorian foofy-ness and 18th century froth.
Hours to complete:4
First worn: the Tissot picnic
Total cost: Everything is from my stash excepting the lace which cost about 62¢ a yard.

Lemon Sorbet Skirt

As I'm preparing for the GBACG's Tissot Picnic, I needed to make at least one underskirt.  I will be making two, but I wanted to share the "How" of skirt making (for me).  I usually employ the 18th century technique of altering the already hemmed skirt at the waist.  For this skirt I used two 60" panels that are 36 inches in length.  After building the "tube" of the skirt by sewing the selvages together, I created an opening in the CB which will allow me to put it on.  For the ruffles, I cut out 6-60 inch long 6 inch tall strips and hemmed top and bottom to 5 inches.  Then I pleated the fabric and tacked it on the machine.  I then steamed the pleats down (using a vinegar water spray and let it sit overnight.  While this was cooling, I wrapped the "hem" end of the linen in the bias tape.  This will give me a fun little touch on the inside.  I then pinned the ruffle to the hem of the skirt and draped it on Prof. Sprout to get the waist sorted out.

As you can see above, I raise the fabric at the front so it sits the same distance from the floor (about 3" for this skirt).  For me this means employing a helper to slide a ruler around telling me where to raise and lower the waist. Then I pin the waistband to the skirt and take it off my form to sew.  For me this works well as my dress form is withing an inch of my height so this hem should sit about 3 inches off the floor when I wear it.  Also, I know it looks weird, but I designed this to sit just below my corseted waist as I don't want to add a lot of bulk there.

Below is the finished skirt!  I like it enough that I may wear it to work or a party some day.

      

Fabric: Yellow Linen (or linen blend)
Pattern: none
Year: Bustle Era
Notions: hook and bar for closure and calico bias tape to enclose hem where the pleated ruffle is attached.
How historically accurate is it? I used stash fabric so content in unreliable (most is from the 1980's and 90's).  The pattern is draped on Prof. Sprout (my dress form).
Hours to complete:4 hours (I had trouble setting the ruffles the way I liked)
First worn: not yet, for Tissot Picnic
Total cost: <$3 for thread (go figure, I didn't have a lot of yellow) Everything else is from my stash.

Fabric, fabric, and more fabric...

So on my trip to Texas I got to go through my mom and grandmother's stash to pick what I wanted I'm such a lucky girl that I also received stash fabric from my Dad's wife, Blu and some of my great grandmother's dresses(including the dress that family history says is her wedding dress!) from my cousin Jill..  I've spent the last two weekends cleaning and sorting everything.  Due to how some of it had been stored, I ended up being quite ruthless in my cleaning (barns are NOT friendly places for fabric storage).  ALL of it - from swiss dot organza and leopard print faux fur to dusty rose taffeta (it was bought in the 80's so give me a break) - was washed in HOT water and run through the dryer.  This weekend, we finished up the lace.  Whew! I now have 3 more shoe boxes of lace and 3 more plastic tubs of fabric.  All neatly sorted by base color thanks to my OCD. See below for photos!  I lost my sewing room to a new roommate a little over a year ago and I've taken over part of one side of the garage for my storage, while I do most of my sewing in a little area off the dining room.  Thus continuing a family tradition of having more fabric than food on the dining table (they make WONDERFUL cutting tables!)