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So then that brings me to-what will I be working on the next two months?
There are the things I want to do and the things I must do. Like my Poor Shift. I pinned the sleeves on last August, and it’s been waiting for me since. I left it because I couldn’t think of a way to attach the sleeves firmly without having a bulky seam. I found an extant shift that had strips sewn to the inside of the seam and folded over and attached to the shoulder area-that appears to be the best way as of yet. I also need to re-hem two petticoats and begin my stays. I’m doing a civil war event in June, and I have a sunbonnet and apron in the works. Bastile Day is in July, and I’d really like to have a Chemise a la Reine. I also have a 1790s cap cut out. I’d love to have a ‘picture’ hat or something, and re-covered shoes, but I don’t think that’ll happen. I also have some block printed cotton to make a friend a summer banyan, which should be pretty quick to whip up. I think the things that need hand sewing will come with me when I volunteer at the Whitall House.
And in case you’re wondering, what have I been working on the last two months since I haven’t been around? Well, not much-the new operating system at work was launched March 30th and then the baseball season started that week. Between setting the system up and adjusting to it, and dealing with baseball game stuff, I worked 10 hour+ days. Then one day, I got to leave at 5:30. It seemed almost wrong, but I had done all my work. I thought it would snow.
After a week or so of a normal schedule, I had the urge to make bags. I had a ‘pattern’ with some instructions on how to make a small sewing pouch with fat quarters. It could also be used for jewelry or other small items. I had a package of fat quarters that my mother unknowingly won at a quilt show, and a bunch others I had picked up at Joann’s over a year ago. I made one for my mother, and 3 others with the other fat quarters I had, two with needle cases for people who sew. I spent less than $5 because I bought cord and an extra fat quarter for one and I had run out of the neutral thread. I don’t have the picture of one I made for my MIL as I had already given it to her at the time. My crazy quilt group is doing “class” work, and we’ll each be making a larger, fancier version of these guys, starting in June.
More bags-I made a market bag out of a scrap leftover from a petticoat that was too big to toss, but too small for anything else. I mostly made it to haul things in at events and to practice some of my hand stitches. I’m not sure if there were any ‘mulberry-coloured’ market bags in period, but I felt it was a good way to utilize a scrap piece. I plan on making a ‘work bag’ out of some period reproduction cotton print-which, I might add, is the most expensive piece of fabric per yard in my collection: it cost me $20 for a half a yard. I need something to keep my period sewing supplies and small projects. Some work bags could be fancier, but I think the calico is nice and appropriate. I think I might line it with some natural/white check linen for strength.
I also picked up a wallet pattern and a pincushion pattern by Turkey Track Designs. They were a little expensive, but they’re a small company who I don’t mind supporting. The pincushion is supposed to be bottomed with a golf tee so you can stick it in a spool of thread. I don’t have any tees and I found that idea a little annoying, so I made a kitty cushion without the tee to match one of the bags. I sewed a lot of things rather than glue them to the kitty against the instructions. He’s in the picture and his name is Chester. I have enough supplies to make three more kitties like Chester. I’ll probably make them later in the week when things here are more settled.