Busy, Busy!

I am in the midst of so many projects right now! Making a hat and reticule to go with my red wool caped pelisse, which I will be wearing when my friends and I visit the HMS Surprise. I am also making a new petticoat, since my old one finally came apart in the wash! I also have my 1938 dress to make. But I'm really anxious to get started on my Regency shoe experiment. I have all the materials, I just need to dive in!

My lovely wool arrived today from Fabric.com. I am torn between 1860s and 1880s, but 1860s is definitely MUCH more practical for me... *sigh* Someday I will have a beautiful bustle gown!

A Hint of Things to Come...

 

A Dress from 1938

Ever since I saw this pattern come out, I've been longing to make it. I finally found the perfect repro fabric (on sale!) for it, and I can't wait to make it. However, I've got a couple things to finish before I can start, like a commission and a couple 18th c things for this weekend's regimental Christmas brunch. Busy, busy!

Gettysburg Remembrance Day Weekend

This past weekend was truly wonderful, mostly because I got to spend time with one of my best friends doing something we absolutely love! Nothing beats that. :)

I made a new dress and for the occasion, which turned out quite well. Really makes me miss Civil War reenacting! It's mainly War of 1812 for the next couple years, but I will do everything I can to get my Civil War fix. It is where I started, after all, and I feel "at home" in the era. I think everyone has an era like that. What's yours?

Regional Differences

I am very amused at the hubbub surrounding this weekend's Civil War event back home in Southern California. The forecast of rain was threatening to have the weekend canceled and pushed back to a later date, causing much commotion among the local reenacting community.

A year or so ago, I would have agreed with staying home. But I've now been to multiple events in the pouring rain or near-freezing conditions here in Michigan/Canada. And not only did I survive, but I had a pretty darned good time! Even more amazing than the reenactors who are completely un-phased by getting a little wet are the scores (yes, scores!) of public who are willing to drive out and pay to walk around in the rain and cold to see an event.

I guess rain and cold are just something that Southern Californians are not used to! I'm certainly not! It's been an adventure learning how to cope with real weather and I wouldn't flatter myself to think I'm fully adjusted. But with good friends to hang out/commiserate with, the storm can be weathered. And it's kinda fun to wear period outerwear and furs! Soldiers didn't get to go home because it rained (although, granted, they set up winter camp in the winter!).

Yellow Wool Dress

It's done! Well, it's been done for over a week now, but I was only able to take pictures this past weekend. I wish I could have gotten better shots of the skirt, but oh well! You can read my notes at my LiveJournal.

Sneak Peak!

Just a little something to tempt you with...

Inspired by this original:

Mississinewa 1812

You can read my little write-up about the event here if you'd like, but here are some pictures from the weekend along with a couple (bad) pictures of my new spencer! Must get better pictures with better lighting...!

Picture by Danielle Lewerenz

Blog Award!!!!

Hello all! The awesome Lauren R has bestowed the Duchie Award for Excellence in Historical Costuming and Bloggery upon the Couture Courtesan! This is such an honor to come home to, after an excellent weekend at Missessinewa. There will be a lengthy post about it soon! ;-)


But first, the award! 

When you receive a Duchie Award, post on your blog (in any order):

• Five things you love about historical costuming/wearing vintage clothing
• Three (or more) blogs to pass the Duchie Award onto
• A link back to the blog who awarded you the Duchie

My facts:

1.  I love getting to learn about the past, and living the past.

2. I love feeling like a princess sometimes!

3. I love getting to meet amazing people who share the same passion for historical costuming. Many of them have become my best friends!

4. I love the events I get to wear my clothing to. So much fun!

5. I love being able to honor the woman who first taught me how to thread a needle, my Oma.

My picks:

1. mantuadiary.blogspot.com Nicole is insanely talented and takes incredible care to get every detail right. An invaluable reference for everything 18th century.

2. katiejacobs.blogspot.com Katie not only makes gorgeous clothes but writes insightful and clever tutorials on everything from hairstyles to pinballs. 

3. kleidungum1800.blogspot.com Sabine creates some of the most exquisite Regency-era clothing I've ever seen. She inspires me so much! 

The Grand Tactical Giveaway Gift

Here is a picture of what I bought at last weekend's event as the prize for the giveaway I had. Nereida, I will mail it to you soon!

And here is the only picture I have of me from the event since I forgot my camera! I will not make the same mistake again this weekend...

In Lieu of Actual Content...

Here are a couple pictures from the Civil War muster that I went to withe Katie a couple weeks ago. It was small but fun, and we took the opportunity to visit the beach at Holland as well. :)

An old dress and an old bonnet that you've all seen, but I left my camera at home this past weekend, so I have no pictures from the Grand Tactical in Canada! I know, I'm a horrible blogger... But I WILL have lots of visual goodies for you after this weekend, when we go to Mississinewa in Indiana.

We Have a Winner!

Thank you so, so much to everyone who participated in the giveaway. I absolutely loved getting to learn about you! There will definitely be more giveaways in the future.

We had 26 comments (25+ Kana's comment on my introductory post). The random sequence generator created a random list of the numbers 1-26. The first number it gave me is the winner.

...and our winner is #20, Nereida! I will contact you for your mailing address, and send you the prize I purchase this weekend in Canada. :)

PSA: Giveaway Comments Fixed!

Sorry for the craziness! Brooke alerted me to the fact that a lot of people with Google accounts couldn't leave comments on my posts because of the format the comments were in. I have since changed that so everyone should be able to comment now.

She also let me know that she had so kindly given me a blog award!!

The goal of the award is to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. The rules of the award are:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun! 


My picks are.... *drumroll* 

• http://historicalclothinganduniforms.blogspot.com/
• http://kleidungum1800.blogspot.com/
• http://katiejacobs.blogspot.com/
• http://idlewildgrey.blogspot.com/
• http://maggerymile.blogspot.com/

It's Giveaway Time!

Well ladies and gentlemen, Lauren R has got us up to 100 followers! Hurray! You can now begin leaving comments with a little introduction of yourself, to be included in the giveaway drawing. I will close the drawing at midnight tomorrow (Sept. 28) Eastern time (in case there's any confusion....). Your gift will be a little something I purchase this weekend at the Grand Tactical 1812 event in London, Ontario!

100 Followers Giveaway!

As of this writing, I am only one person away from 100 followers! Wow! Thank you so much to each and every one of you. Once I hit 100, I'd like to do a giveaway to show my appreciation. I'm not quite sure yet what the prize will be, but you can bet it will be historical and fabulous!

I will make a post to open the giveaway, at which point I'd like you to leave me a comment introducing yourself. Then I will use a random number generator to pick a winner. Good luck, everyone!

And thank you. :D

1812 Black Wool Gauze Mourning Dress