"Exciting" Discovery with late 1780s/early 1790s Jackets

I had planned to save this little nugget for when I posted about the outfit I'm making for a party on Saturday, but I already spilled the beans on Facebook. You may end up finding this less exciting than I do, but I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to this kind of thing!

I've spent the last few weeks studying late 1780s/early 1790s jackets (specifically 1787-1790). The two jackets I've taken as core inspiration are very similar in style. The striped jacket belongs to the Met, and the taupe brown jacket was sold by Auction House Coutau-Bégarie (and has been floating around Pinterest--unfortunately the link doesn't take you to the actual jacket).

Last night I was staring at the precious few images of the taupe jacket, thinking about how to attach the under bodice, when I noticed two triangular inserts in the back of the jacket, on either side of the "skirts". That's when I got really excited, because the same triangular inserts are on the striped jacket!! Two different jackets, undoubtedly made by different people in different places, but the same technique was used. It's a subtle addition, but would allow the skirts to flare out just a bit more from the rest of the jacket, since they're cut in one with the bodice pieces. 

Even though my jacket is pretty much done (one more sleeve to attach, and buttons...), I'm going to figure out a way to put the triangular inserts into it.

So yeah. Excuse my geekery! ;-)


Screenshot of the Met jacket, showing triangular inserts:


Picture of the back of the taupe jacket, showing triangular inserts (harder to see because the fabric is solid, but they're there!):

Colonial Williamsburg Tent Crew in Action!

Check out the new vodcast on the George Washington marquee to see us stitching and setting up the tent! My fingers are featured prominently ;-P

http://www.history.org/media/videoplayer/index.cfm?cat=vodcast&file=WashingtonsTent

Plus we were on the front page above the fold of the Daily Press! You can read the article online and watch a video here:

http://www.dailypress.com/features/family/dp-nws-evg-washingtons-tent-20131219,0,1063687.story

A Bittersweet New Year: The End of the Tent

I write this from the sickbed, being plagued by what seems to be the flu...

The tent project ended on New Year's Day, and yesterday the shop was cleaned out. I didn't think I'd be this sad to see the project end, but I do feel a strange emptiness now that it's all over. It was incredible to be a part of such an important undertaking, one that hopefully will last just as long--if not longer--than the original artifact. I have to remind myself when looking at the tent that "I made that!!" because it is so surreal to see the great big marquee standing, and to think that it will stand in a museum for all the world to see!

But more than that, I got to work with some of the most talented people I've ever met. And even more than that, I am lucky to call those people my friends. I've never experienced such camaraderie in the workplace before, and I don't know if I will again for some time.

Here's a handful of images from the past 4 months, taken by us at The First Oval Office Project. Click on the link for more information about the reconstruction of George Washington's marquee.

Journey to the 1920s

Later in January, Mike and I are attending a Jazz Age ball. It's my first official foray into the 1920s and I'm really excited! I've always loved robes de style with their fun silhouettes, so that was unquestionably the dress I was going to make. Simply searching for "robe de style" on Pinterest provided me with a ton of visual inspiration. Instead of recreating a particular dress, I came up with my own design based on what I was seeing in originals. 

The silk taffeta is a tiny portion of what Katie and I bought on super sale ($3.99/yd) from Fabric Guru. We got so much that I can use it not only for what we've got planned, but also these little side projects! All I needed was silk tulle for the trim and a bunch of beads (Swarovski crystal rhinestones too).

Here's where I am on the skirt. The flowers will have rhinestones on them as well, once I get the stuff for setting them. I'm having a lot of fun! Maybe the 20s are my new thing... We'll see!

I've also got a hair tutorial planned, since I think other ladies would be interested in how to turn long hair into a cute 20s style.

Merry Christmas!

I STILL haven't gotten to take pictures of my new print gowns! Soon, I promise...

But in the meantime, here is a gown I made as a commission for a friend. It was lovely to work with such pretty fabric, and very easy to fit and make since we are the same size. I just made the gown to fit me, and it fit her perfectly as well! Her mother contacted me about having the gown made up for Christmas, completely without her knowledge. Needless to say, she was very surprised. ;-)

I have a lot coming up in the new year, including the Felicity Christmas gown and a robe de style! Maybe even a polonaise-in-two-weeks for a 12th night party. Not to mention working on my paper for the Colonial Williamsburg millinery conference in March!

I really am sewing! Gowns for work...

Here's a sneak peak of what's been keeping me busy, other than working full time on George Washington's marquee tent.

There's a discussion about period 18th century prints coming...

Fashion Copy Cat!

I've been swooning over this coat from Modcloth for a while...

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/coats/luxe-y-in-love-coat



Turns out it's a copy of an original 1930s coat in the collections of LACMA! Crazy!!!!!!!!!! No wonder I liked it so much! ;-) 

http://collections.lacma.org/node/249923