I hate mornings...
I am awake, actually, still up, from the 5:30am wake up yell from Maurelle this morning. So, unable to shut my mind back off, and with Rob taking a shower, I figured I would try to wake up my brain fully and read some email before the kids wake up.
I've been sewing away on my gown skirt. I have to say I really like the way the black velvet guard is looking at the bottom of the skirt. It has also added a lot more weight and heft down there as well. I should be finished hand sewing the inside segment of the guard this afternoon, as I am over halfway done. I would have finished last night, but my back needed a break from being bent over the needle. Besides, I enjoyed catching up on some CSIs, and sitting near my husband; something I should enjoy more often.
I also remember why I dislike working with velvet/een. The nasty black specks and small fuzz that have landed all over my sewing room. Even my drape lining sitting behind me has it. Once I am done with this, I will be vacuuming it all up, including in my machine, but until then, I have to deal with.
I have decided to add black silk to the edge of the gown sleeves. I keep debating with piping vs small binding, and at least at the moment, the piping idea has more merit in my mind. However, I did not like how the silk piping puckered a little on the gown neckline, so I need to figure out how to make sure it doesn't pucker on the piping. Perhaps some hand basting might help. Then again the binding will go faster and smoothly, although I will probably have to do as much hand sewing to finish, if not more. Hmmm...
Which reminds me... I love sewing with silk threads, I really do. I am using black sewing thread, just one thickness on the velvet guard, and it disappears from view. I really like that.
After I get the skirt done, I will do my final fitting on both bodices, so I can finish off the straps, and sew those into place. Then it will be sewing up the gown sleeves and sewing that into place. Then add a silk fabric girdle, and a warm winter partlet, and it will be all done. Considering I plan on the high necked partlet that needs some canvas and hand pad stitching to keep the collar standing upright, that may have to wait till after the Yule dinner.
And when I am not sewing, or doing stuff around the house, including watching the kids, I've been reading that book on Costuming in the age of Shakespeare book, and man, I am learning a lot!! It gives full info on the colors of the period (including what shades of blue was for livery, or "flame" color which I hadn't heard of before), the fabrics used (like the different types of wool made, or linen, or that there was indeed hemp canvas used for clothing, and when cotton calicoes started to be imported or made in England), the various items of dress, head wear, shoes, etc. And they are all detailed from actual contemporary accounts which makes for a lot of foot notes. I love the book, and only wish I had found it earlier. I am only about a quarter of the way through, but I am learning a lot.
Oh, and on Tudor Rose. We have a new president, Beth Cottrell from St. Gregory's. I am willing to see what her vision for TR will be at January's meeting before I decide if I will stay to help, or decide to leave and focus on other things.
And I spoke with Helen Jane who was at the meeting, and she's doing ok. Jolly Tradesmen will be leaving TR for various reasons. Helen Jane says she's been cleaning up all of Pam's stuff around the house, which she is still working on. Pam's family started telling Helen Jane where to send Pam's stuff to whom within 36 hours of Pam's death, but Helen Jane is collecting all of Pam's notes around the house, and will deal with her things after those notes are collected in full and compiled. And that Pam didn't want a funeral, so there will be a memorial service in May, since now is not a good time to be in the mountains. Besides, Pam was a gardener, so best to do a service when plants are in bloom, according to Helen Jane. Also, money should be sent to the American Cancer Society in rememberance of Pam. And apparantly Helen Jane's mother has Ahlahlzeimers, which makes me sad since her Mom is a wonderful woman who used to know so much about so many things. She was also an accountant/bookeeper once, and used to be TR's treasurer at one time. Helen Jane has a lot on her plate, but she keeps going.
Well, kids are waking up, so time to go away for awhile.
I've been sewing away on my gown skirt. I have to say I really like the way the black velvet guard is looking at the bottom of the skirt. It has also added a lot more weight and heft down there as well. I should be finished hand sewing the inside segment of the guard this afternoon, as I am over halfway done. I would have finished last night, but my back needed a break from being bent over the needle. Besides, I enjoyed catching up on some CSIs, and sitting near my husband; something I should enjoy more often.
I also remember why I dislike working with velvet/een. The nasty black specks and small fuzz that have landed all over my sewing room. Even my drape lining sitting behind me has it. Once I am done with this, I will be vacuuming it all up, including in my machine, but until then, I have to deal with.
I have decided to add black silk to the edge of the gown sleeves. I keep debating with piping vs small binding, and at least at the moment, the piping idea has more merit in my mind. However, I did not like how the silk piping puckered a little on the gown neckline, so I need to figure out how to make sure it doesn't pucker on the piping. Perhaps some hand basting might help. Then again the binding will go faster and smoothly, although I will probably have to do as much hand sewing to finish, if not more. Hmmm...
Which reminds me... I love sewing with silk threads, I really do. I am using black sewing thread, just one thickness on the velvet guard, and it disappears from view. I really like that.
After I get the skirt done, I will do my final fitting on both bodices, so I can finish off the straps, and sew those into place. Then it will be sewing up the gown sleeves and sewing that into place. Then add a silk fabric girdle, and a warm winter partlet, and it will be all done. Considering I plan on the high necked partlet that needs some canvas and hand pad stitching to keep the collar standing upright, that may have to wait till after the Yule dinner.
And when I am not sewing, or doing stuff around the house, including watching the kids, I've been reading that book on Costuming in the age of Shakespeare book, and man, I am learning a lot!! It gives full info on the colors of the period (including what shades of blue was for livery, or "flame" color which I hadn't heard of before), the fabrics used (like the different types of wool made, or linen, or that there was indeed hemp canvas used for clothing, and when cotton calicoes started to be imported or made in England), the various items of dress, head wear, shoes, etc. And they are all detailed from actual contemporary accounts which makes for a lot of foot notes. I love the book, and only wish I had found it earlier. I am only about a quarter of the way through, but I am learning a lot.
Oh, and on Tudor Rose. We have a new president, Beth Cottrell from St. Gregory's. I am willing to see what her vision for TR will be at January's meeting before I decide if I will stay to help, or decide to leave and focus on other things.
And I spoke with Helen Jane who was at the meeting, and she's doing ok. Jolly Tradesmen will be leaving TR for various reasons. Helen Jane says she's been cleaning up all of Pam's stuff around the house, which she is still working on. Pam's family started telling Helen Jane where to send Pam's stuff to whom within 36 hours of Pam's death, but Helen Jane is collecting all of Pam's notes around the house, and will deal with her things after those notes are collected in full and compiled. And that Pam didn't want a funeral, so there will be a memorial service in May, since now is not a good time to be in the mountains. Besides, Pam was a gardener, so best to do a service when plants are in bloom, according to Helen Jane. Also, money should be sent to the American Cancer Society in rememberance of Pam. And apparantly Helen Jane's mother has Ahlahlzeimers, which makes me sad since her Mom is a wonderful woman who used to know so much about so many things. She was also an accountant/bookeeper once, and used to be TR's treasurer at one time. Helen Jane has a lot on her plate, but she keeps going.
Well, kids are waking up, so time to go away for awhile.