Me at age sevenish. I wish I still had that lunch pail.
Me at age 29ish *wink*. In grandmother’s skirt.
No offense to Grandma, but I nearly froze to death in her skirt during the Covered Bridge Festival. So I’ve been hitting the sales to pick up period appropriate fabrics to make a more appropriate costume. I’ve chosen wool and silk for a cloak and reproduction calico and muslin for a dress and apron. I also found a pair of old glasses at an antique mall.
Now all I need is a fairy godmother with a magic wand to turn all this into something beautiful, because I don’t have a clue what I am doing! The last time I sewed a garment I was in junior high. I keep telling myself it can’t be that difficult. Then I open the pattern, start to panic and then fold it back up and put it away. Garment construction is a completely different thing than quilting. I’m not sure I’ve got what it takes, but I’m heading out this week for a quilting retreat and some of the ladies have promised to provide moral support. I think I’ll start with the cloak; it has fewer pieces. Or maybe I’ll procrastinate some more and just knit a shawl.
14 comments:
I vote fot the knitted shawl! But really, the skirt should be well within your sewing skills. I think piecing quilts is harder.
kim
You can do it, Christine! Those 5/8 inch seam allowances will look huge after sewing a 1/4 inch seam. I sewed clothing for 30 years before attempting quilting. Each has its challenges!
Ohmygosh, in that first photo you look *just* like Carrie Ingalls from the tv series! :-)
Adorable.
I'll help you with the shawl, but you are on your own with the sewing!
Oh my, way too cute! I tell my parents that the reason I have this farm of animals is because they forced me to sit during "family tv time" and watch every episode of Little House on the Prairie......and secretly I still watch the reruns because there are no good shows like that today! I say be strong!!! You can make that outfit then play Laura in the winter as your trudge out to the barn in a blizzard;)
I saw the most gorgeous cloaks at a Civil War Reinactment a few years ago; if I went to more fancy events I would have bought one! But alas, they aren't very practical for chores...
Don't forget some long bloomers to go under those skirts!! Will do wonders for keeping you warm. I can just see them now with those rows of ruffles on them!!
I was going to suggest that under that long skirt you need to wear some long johns. I wear skirts year around and I wear legging under them in the winter and usually I am more than warm enough! Flannel material or something thicker would be better too!! But its cute and Good luck sewing more!
Also your grandma would have had several layers of petticoats!Lol
Take it step by step and the next thing you'll know it will be made!
About the glasses....can you see with them on? :)
Oh how fun!
I can't wait to see how it goes.
I've always wanted an old fashioned outfit like that ~ but I. Don't. Sew.
;-)
Tonia, I have to admit I did figure out to wear long underwear half way through the week and it was quite comfortable.
Lori, I can actually see out of them but I'm going to have the lenses replaced with my own prescription.
Don't forget to make a red flannel petticoat for cold weather - wear it instead of or in addition to whatever petticoat(s) you would usually wear under the skirt. For some reason the red flannel just feels warmer than any other color!
Cheryl
Orlando
I just found your blog because of the Laura Ingalls Wilder type costumes and I fell in love with it! I was also curious about what kinds of chickens you have because I want to start a flock this spring :)
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