Current and Future Projects

This is the last weekend of my summer vacation.  It has been a good one, and I'm not looking forward to it ending.  I've enjoyed spending time with my daughter, sewing more than I usually get to, and relaxing at home....in general, going about life at my own pace.  But, life is about to speed up a bit....and my blog might be slowing down some.  Monday, I have to return back to work.  I will be starting my 9th year of teaching art.

I'm listing in this post some of the projects that I am either currently working on, or will be working on over the next few months.  I will try to update you on the progress of each project as they come along.

This is a photograph of a late 18th century Short Gown.  It comes from the book "Costume Close Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern, 1750-1790" by Linda Baumgarten.  I have been wanting to recreate this garment for a while now.  But, before I buy the expensive reproduction block print fabric needed to complete this, I decided to make a "modern" version of the short gown out of some fabric I had in my stash.

I used an olive green cotton blend that I had laying around, and made the modern version un-lined. The original garment was made as a working woman's garment.  It was made for every day wear as they were cooking, cleaning, mending, ets.  I plan on wearing this garment in real life, just as it was intended.

Front View.

It's not exactly the fanciest of garments, but I really like how it turned out.  It has a drawstring at the neckline and waist, and it opens in the front.  It's very comfortable.

Back View.

It gets pretty cold in my classroom, and this will be the perfect thing to wear over top of another shirt or blouse. 

But, even though it's cold in my classroom, I don't like to wear long sleeves. The reason is, my job is a pretty messy one, and I always end up getting paint, glue, pastels, etc. on long sleeve cuffs.  This garment has 3/4 length sleeves.....which are perfect for my needs.

Now that I've had the chance to try out this pattern, I am looking forward to one day making it up to look like the original.  I already have some fabric picked out in my mind.  You can view it HERE.  What do you think?

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Now, on to another project....

I found this fabric on sale at Hancock's Fabric Store a couple of months ago, and bought it because I loved the old fashioned look of it.  I know it isn't exactly a historic reproduction of any particular era, but I liked it anyway.  The only problem was, it had yet to tell me what it wanted to be....

......until I stumble upon this vintage 1950's House Dress Pattern I had forgotten I owned.  Then the fabric cried out "Me! Pick me!"  And so I started drafting, cutting, draping.....

....and so far, this is what I've come up with.  I will let you know how it turns out in the end!

(Note: I'm making the collar a bit different.)

(Double Note:  My waist will NEVER be as thin and waspish as the model in the picture!)

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And yet another idea....

I found some SUPER soft brushed cotton "British Invasion" plaid fabric at Jo-Ann's Fabric and Craft store....and it was on sale.  It will make the perfect winter skirt.  I haven't decided quite yet what the skirt will look like, but.....

....I've been thinking about making up this c.1915 skirt for a while now, and wouldn't it look nice in plaid?

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and on to another.....

See the gray Pelisse (or Robe, or Coat depending on what decade or century we are talking about) Marianne is wearing in the 1995 Sense and Sensibility?

Here's the back view of the Pelisse, as well as a gorgeous coastal view!

Well, I've been thinking about making up a version of this Pelisse.  It will be historically accurate as well as I can make it so.  But, I plan on wearing it not only at living history events, but on an every day basis as well.  I just love the flowing lines in it.

I'm in the process of trying to choose fabrics for it...either making the Pelisse with a light weight wool, lined in the bodice and sleeves with cotton velvet.... or a cotton velvet, lined with a light weight silk....I haven't decided yet.  I'm also trying to pick out colors.  So far, I'm thinking about a similar gray-blue as the one Marianne is wearing, or maybe a brown of some sort.  I will let you know when I decide.  But in the mean time, here are some Regency Era Fashion plates that give me some inspiration....and maybe they will you too!

I love this green one c. 1795.

And even though I'm not a big fan of the color pink, I like this version of a Pelisse.

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....and another....

In the near future, I will be making my own version of the SUPER fashionable, Regency Era "white gown." More research is needed yet before I can say exactly what it will look like, or what kind of fabric I will choose.  But what I like about the typical "white gown" is how versatile it is.  You can wear it as a day dress, throw a shawl over it, add a sash or belt, wear a Spencer, Cape, or Pelisse over, or even dress it up by wearing an open Robe over it....

....like the Robe the lady on the far left is wearing.  I've been thinking about the Green Crossover Gown that you saw me wearing to the Jane Austen Festival.  I would hate to see that gown go to waist now that I've worn it out....so, I will save the fabric and do what the ladies of the Regency would have...I will remake it into something new and fresh....I will make it into an Open Robe like this one, and wear it over my new white dress!

What do you think?  Is this enough of a teaser???  I think my plate is satisfyingly full now.  I can rest easy knowing that I've just filled the next several months with a never ending list of projects!  Ha!Ha! Where would I be without projects to look forward to?

Lord willing, I will get them all done!