A new purse

I finally sewed a thing!

I used this Portmanteau Fashions pattern for an 1831 pointed reticule.

I had received two really pretty cloth napkins as part of a subscription box. I didn't really have need for cloth napkins, but the fabric was so pretty, that I thought they'd be good for a purse. I decided to mix the colors up harlequin-style for fun.  I'm sure this makes it not historical but I didn't really care. I just wanted to try the pattern out.   I probably should have chosen a darker lining, but I wanted something strong enough that I wouldn't worry about. And I didn't have any black cotton on hand, but I probably should have used silk to be prettier. It is what it is.

Here's the result.

I ended up putting piping only on one of the two body pieces because putting piping on both ended up with too much piping and too much thickness. I did pipe the top of the other piece that I didn't pipe the whole way around.  I threaded the ribbon differently for easier gathering. And also I recommend sewing the triangles on the flat body pieces before sewing the front/back together - without doing that I wasn't sure what to do with the piping at the ends of the triangles. Catching them in the seams hides the edges. It makes the side seams a little bulky, but it was the only way to hide those edges. 

Overall, it's a cute purse and big enough to hold a wallet and cell phone, which is great! I have a lot of cute reticules that won't hold everything I need them to!

Some project updates and new things....

I managed to finish another regency drawstring dress that I've had in mind for a while. I always like this dress, which dates to 1800 from the Museo del Traje.

I found a black sari on ebay, so I used this as inspiration. I had to applique some extra trim on the train - and as per usual I made it slightly too long in front.  But it's pretty and perhaps I'll wear it for the annual Pumpkin tea.  Forgive me chopping off my head, I didn't do my hair. These are just quick snaps.

I also managed to snag a pair of one of a kind Robert Land shoes - they have some beautiful stuff up right now,  practially none of it in my size.  But these stripey ones were and they're really gorgeous!

Next up, this Edwardian dress I got from my friend Julia before she moved.  I had to tailor it, but now it fits great! yay! Here are some quick mirror pics.

Last, but not least, my friend Gloria helped me out with a silk fan I had gotten from Spoonflower - the fabric was really thin and I did not have the patience or expertise to make it work. Gloria is awesome and turned this out of my mess.  She is awesome.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/inthelongrun

Mary Russell fan

Check out what "In the Long Run Designs"  made for me! Can't wait to get my hands on it!  It's got my girl Mary Russell on it.

It'll match this:

And this mini one:

And this brooch that my friend Gen made me! Ok, I'm a little stuck on this portrait!

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Since today is Talk Like a Pirate Day, I thought it would be a good day to post about some pirate costume pieces!

First up is the Pirates of the Caribbean "rum island shift." I made mine almost 10 years ago and I was never super happy with it.  It ended up too low-cut and the fabric wasn't even close to accurate.  I had more accurate linen in the stash, but I never got around to redoing it. Mainly because of all the eyelets. The first time I made this, I had a machine that would do eyelets. My current one does not. 

So I did 90 something eyelets by hand in one weekend. Ouch!

I'm much happier with this version, though I used my old pattern and should really have shifted the shoulder seam to the front, in a more 18th century placement. Also, the first time out, I didn't put a center seam down the front (though I had one down the back).  This time I goofed and should have cut on the fold but I didn't.  It's really hard to see in the few pics of the real one whether there are seams. The front sits more nicely with a seam there. But my guess is there isn't one.  So an improvement over the last version, but not 100% accurate. Oh, and mine probably needs some aging and dirtying. :-)

http://costumersguide.com/pirates_plum.shtml

My friends and I are planning on pirate costumes for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party at Disney coming up in October. Last year we did Star Trek. Riding Space Mountain in a Trek costume? Achievement unlocked!  So this year, it will be riding Pirates of the Caribbean in a PotC costume.

But since the shift doesn't have pockets, I bought some accessories on Etsy that I'm really happy with.  But first, pictures of the shift.

 

So... accessories!

I need something to hold a wallet, phone, etc.  So I bought this bag on Etsy - how cute is this? Here's the seller: https://www.etsy.com/transaction/148757548?ref=fb2_tnx_title

Then I decided I needed something smaller to go inside the bag.  So then I bought this.  It's seriously adorable.  Here's the listing: https://www.etsy.com/transaction/149600793?ref=fb2_tnx_title

Both bags are really well-made and I love the pirate map theme.  Hope ye will all have a hearty Talk Like a Pirate Day, maties!