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I’m still catching up on posting what I’ve been up to lately. I’m going a little out of order, but trying to keep my thoughts organized with the subjects.

I mentioned that I’m making a chemise a la reine (CalR), because I found some cotton voile on sale. I couldn’t pass it up, even though I was originally looking for something else first.

My original plan was to get some fabric to make a talma wrap in time for the February Antique Elegance Show, but the weather has been so warm. Even though the event I want to wear the CalR to is in November, I decided to not worry about 19th century cold-weather garments and go ahead and buy the cotton voile.

The other reason I bought the fabric is it seemed light and gauzy enough to try some pulled thread whitework embroidery (where you make stitches that warp the actual fabric weave, creating patterns and holes that resemble lace).

I’ve been practicing pulled thread stitches, but ended up struggling here and there. The fabric seemed different compared to the books I was using, and it was difficult to count threads properly to achieve the right look. Just when I felt I was getting it correct with a few stitches, I ended up hating it again.

I’ve been spoiled with my regular embroidery website for learning, and haven’t yet been able to find something as good for pulled thread techniques. I do have a few books, but sometimes it’s just not the same as well made videos — I get the feeling sometimes that written instructions miss steps and don’t give enough tips.

I attended the aforementioned Antique Elegance Show with a friend (I didn’t even bother dressing up), and within minutes of entering I found something to buy!

Tucked away in a basket, was an embroidered handkerchief. It had a lot of embroidery on it, some of it was pulled thread stitches, and best of all the monogram was the same as my last name! I just had to have it. I talked the seller down a little, and picked it up on my way out of the show.

The purchased handkerchief. I didn't bother to press the creases out -- it went right into a bag for storage so I can study it when I'm ready.

The other three corners have this design.

A closeup detail of the monogram section.

I have it handy to study, even though it doesn’t have all of the stitches I hoped to try, but already it helped me realize that the photos in the books are very, very close up shots. I’m trying to keep my work very small, but it’s been helpful.

Originally, I was thinking about embroidering ruffles for the CalR, but I’m leaning more towards plain self-fabric ruffles. I may make ruffled cuffs and accessories for another outfit, especially if I find another lighter, gauzy fabric I love even more.

I’m just happy I lucked out with a couple purchases this year. Sometimes I feel unlucky, never finding anything I need or want to buy (and if I come close, I usually talk myself out of it). I also think having a little more confidence with my sewing skills makes me feel like I deserve nicer fabrics!

I never thought I would purchase things mainly to study. I thought photos online, or looking closely at displays would be enough. Sometimes it is, and up until now I was happy just viewing what others shared publicly. This time, however, I must admit it was nice to purchase a handy study guide. I guess I’ll have to keep an eye out for more items that cover even more stitches. I’ll be especially lucky if little details like a monogram just happen to match up like this one though!

A portion of the painting Portrait of M. and Mme Lavoisier, by Jacques-Louis David, 1788 (Metropolitan Museum)

I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with online stuff lately, and have even started cleaning some places like Twitter and possibly some blogs I follow.

I didn’t realize how overwhelmed I was until I noticed a few days of not reading even one tweet, or clearing out the rest of the blog entries I wasn’t even skimming.

The sad thing is, I do like many of the blogs and people I follow, but I’m starting to hate going anywhere near my computer because it’s a struggle to keep up.

I have been sewing, and I even finished a foundation garment. I don’t remember when I finished it, but I guess it’s time to finally post it on my costumes page.

I’m working on a chemise a la reine (CalR), and instead of wearing my usual pocket hoops, I made a false rump to go with that outfit.

I didn’t really care about too much accuracy, and I made it in a day. The funniest part is, it was actually my second version. I tried a bum roll style the day before, and it was too big and full (with my fear of under stuffing things, I think I’m over stuffing them heh!).

So far, I think this false rump will work fine, and I can always make another version if it turns out to have more flaws than I expected.

My CalR is in progress at the moment, and will be based off the painting at the top of this entry, with a few changes. Since this may be my only chance to make one, I’m deciding what little features and details I prefer over the inspiration version.

Unfortunately, it may be some time before I show the CalR here even when it’s finished because I need to make some other garments to wear with it (a new shift, and two new petticoats), and I have to admit the temptation is strong to also wait until I get the wig!

The reason I chose this particular painting for my inspiration? Her hair (and my favorite color is blue). I have very long hair, past my knees, so doing anything more than just putting it in a bun won’t happen with me sadly! I’m all thumbs with anything more than a plain braid, and that’s a lot of hair to fight with while learning. I’m also very careful with my hair to keep it from damage. The thing I noticed about this painting is that I could wear my real hair in a ponytail gently curled, and plop a wig on top for the rest of it. Everything about this outfit seems like a nice change of pace, even though it still involves stays and long skirts!

I’m hoping to wear this to the next Georgian Picnic in November, so I don’t know why I’m obsessing about it this early. I lucked out and found the fabric on sale, so I guess that’s why I’m working on it. You know how it can be with costume distractions. I do need to find a stopping point so I can get to work on garments with deadlines coming up first!

I also hope to make some other accessories, like a hat. It just depends on what inspires me.

Click the link below to go to the False Rump page and read more about it:

I’m already slow when it comes to finishing a complete costume.

I research the garment itself, I read up on how to do even basic steps (I’m still learning how to sew), I make sure I understand what I need to do, and I fret over making that first cut into the fabric when I’m on a “no turning back” step.

You’d think I would steer clear of anything that would make the process even slower than it already is for me.

Apparently I don’t know any better though.

I’ve been getting into embroidery more and more. At first, it was just a neat challenge for me since I was never able to learn how to do it when I was younger. I didn’t know things like wrapping threads on the back of the work instead of knotting them to start and stop. Even though I knew you shouldn’t cover too much space with long lines of satin stitch, the stitches still weren’t small enough — not to mention, they were definitely not even or smooth.

Then I discovered videos, and other tips online, and realized if you have the right tools and a little patience as well as practice, it’s worth a shot to try those things you thought you could never do.

As if discovering you aren’t a miserable failure wasn’t enough, seeing people’s positive reaction to your finished projects is even more of a confidence booster. 

I keep finding my embroidered mitts on Pinterest boards or on forums (makes me blush and smile every time), and people enjoy looking at them in person. I found that although I don’t reproduce actual historical designs, I enjoy putting something a little more into a project to truly make it mine.

So I guess it’s no real surprise that I have started collecting more books about various types of embroidery and hand finishes (and want even more — I’d love to try tambour, and even try hand quilting some garments). Instead of just adding a purchased ruffle to a current project I’m working on, I’m contemplating hand embroidering my own.

Unfortunately, the practice isn’t going so well.

I’m not sure if it’s the fabric itself or just me. It’s difficult to count close threads for pulled thread techniques — where you use the embroidery stitches to warp the fabric threads themselves, causing patterns and holes to create a lace-like effect. The fabric I’m using is light and gauzy, but the threads are still a little too close together and higher count than I guess I should have used.

Photos of historical garments can be deceptive, because the fabrics in those seem similar to what I’m using. Plus, I’ve already got the fabric — I would hate to have to keep looking and buying fabrics to test, just to find what I need. I don’t like ordering fabric online, because you can’t feel it or get a really good look at the texture unless you’re holding it in person.

I received a few books for Christmas, and found a pulled thread book I’m hoping will help boost my confidence with this style of embroidery.

I wish there were videos and tips that were as good as the ones I’ve learned for regular embroidery, but I’ll just have to make do with what I’ve got.

In the meantime, I’ll keep practicing, testing some things, and coming up with some designs for the projects I’d like to use embroidery on.

I don’t know why I’m so determined to try this. I guess I just want to really make this, and other costumes, truly mine with even more details.

See the link below for more information and photos on this project.

I decided to start making some garments to keep me warm while wearing my costumes.  It’s probably ironic that it was warm enough this past week that the air conditioner broke and the inside of my apartment was around 85 degrees F.

I decided to start with a muff, and I used a style where I can change the covers. I liked the way some of them looked, and it would allow me to have accessories match my outfits.

I don’t know when I might have a chance to pose for better photos in costume. I originally was hoping to have the cold-weather garments finished in time for a mid-February event. I have a bad feeling it might be too warm for my tastes to even wear a heavily layered costume, much less winter garments.

At least I’m making progress to add more accessories, especially useful ones, and they will help give me a little more diversity to my outfits as well.  I am hoping to attend more events this year, and although I have plans to sew more outfits, I have a feeling I’ll be getting sick of wearing the same costumes multiple times. Adding more accessories will help give a little something different to the ensemble and freshen it up for me, I think.

Here is a link to the costume page about the first muff version. I’m going to put all the various covers on this same page as well.

Check the link below for more photos!

Finally! I finished another project — one that has been sitting around gathering dust for a while, at that! And just in time for an event this past Saturday.

I was nervous I wouldn’t even finish in time or that it wouldn’t work out, but I somehow pulled it off. I tried it on for the first time as I was getting ready for the event. Whew!

I made a page in the costume section so you can see photos and information on the construction. See below for the link.

The event was the Dallas Ft Worth Costumers Guild (DFWCG) tea at a local antique shop. The theme was hats… you didn’t need a full costume, but many of us went ahead and made something new for it. I still haven’t finished my husband’s 18th century costume, so he had fun shopping around for a hat to wear.

It was a blast, and a great way to have some fun after the past couple of months I’ve had. These folks are wonderful, supportive, and you’re guaranteed lots of laughs.

The food and tea was lovely, and we were there for a few hours. I had hoped to look around the little antique shop, but I didn’t get very far before others arrived and I stopped to chat with them.

After the tea, we went to a nearby park and took photos. I need to get better at taking photos, but we’re hoping to get a better camera. Phones can be handy for some things, but not for event photos (at least for my needs).

I did set up a Flickr account, and I changed the image gallery setup on my blog. Here are the links for the event photos and the costume information and photos:

It was a great time, and I’m already looking forward to trying to make a few accessories before the next event!

To see more photos from the picnic, click the link at the bottom of this entry, or go to the "Image Gallery" on the header above.

The Dallas Ft Worth Costume Guild (DFWCG) had their third annual Georgian Picnic on November 19th at the Ft Worth Botanical Gardens.

I have wanted to attend since the beginning, but sadly did not have a completed costume.  This year, I finally had one!  I wanted to wear another jacket since I have worn this costume before, but I was trying to finish something for my husband.  Unfortunately, a lot of things came up and distracted me every time I tried to make progress on Christopher’s costume, so I didn’t finish it in time.  We decided it wasn’t worth the stress and there would be other events.

We had a blast, and plenty of people dressed up.  I am still a little unfamiliar with some of the members of this group.  When it first started, I was going to join and then had to stop sewing for a few years.  I’m hoping to finally join in the next month or so, and am looking forward to more events so I can wear the 18th and 19th century costumes I make and meet fellow costumers. Everyone we’ve met through the group has been a blast!

My husband was taking photos for me on our iPhones, and he ended up focusing more on me.  He was a little shy about taking photos of people he hasn’t met before, so I didn’t get as many photos of some of the members.  We’ll get better about it over time.  It can be hard to worry about photos when you’re having fun!  Plus, security at the Gardens thought we were professional photographers, when all we wanted was a few snapshots of our fun time out.

Some of us brought period toys and games to play.  There was a period kite, the game of graces, some wooden toys (like tops) for the kids, and even a yo-yo.  The graphic the DFWCG used to advertise the event showed a period drawing with people playing with diabolos.  A member had a smaller, wooden, period diabolo, but we all had trouble getting it to work.  Christopher and I juggle and have a modern diabolo, so we brought ours out and took photos as well as taught some of the members how to use it.  It was definitely a hit, and at least one person is wanting to buy one to practice for next year’s picnic!

Christopher and I also juggled a little.  Unfortunately, we don’t have period juggling props, but we just can’t resist a little juggling at a picnic in the park!  While I was pleasantly surprised that I could work with the diabolo while wearing my costume, juggling wasn’t as comfortable as I would have liked (mostly due to my mitts, which are unfortunately tight on my hands due to the fabric having less give on the bias than I originally thought).  I only juggled three balls, and didn’t bother with the clubs.

I’ve posted some of my photos (including a few from friends) from the Third Annual DFWCG Georgian Picnic here.

We had a blast, and I’m looking forward to attending future events.  In fact, I’m hoping the weather holds up for a 19th century event coming up!

I finally finished and uploaded all of the knotting shuttle videos.

I’m so sorry it took me so long to get them online.  I know there were many of you who were interested in seeing more detail about knotting.  I hope these videos are helpful, explaining more about what knotting and knotting shuttles are, as well as how to go about trying it. It’s so fun and easy — go ahead and try it!

Nervous.

I have to admit, I was very nervous to post any videos. I still am very new to embroidery, and only just started using a knotting shuttle. I am definitely not claiming any historical accuracy with any of my techniques or designs. They’re simply something I have started doing just so I can get practice, and have finished projects as quickly as I can.  I’m very slow at sewing and embroidery.

I’m also incredibly nervous about the format.  

You’ll see that each video has an introduction — all of the knotting videos have the same intro for “Things You Need,” and then the couching video has a slightly different one.  I decided to go ahead and keep it for each video, so that all of the information would be handy and someone wouldn’t have to hunt for it.

I tried thinking of the sort of videos that have helped me, and although I may have made them too long or spent too much time on them, I hope they are helpful.

At least I know how to edit videos now.

Or at least, one way to edit videos anyway. It’s been an interesting lesson in learning to make videos. I’m sure I probably did some things the hard way, but I found a format that worked for me. At least for projects like this.  I would also like to keep them all similar.

Not sure how often I’ll make or post videos.

It definitely took a long time to get these finished and posted. Part of that was the recent health stuff going on, a sewing project I was scrambling to finish in time, and the fact that my computer apparently doesn’t like working with video afterall.  It created a choppy effect that drove me nuts, but I just have to accept that my computer isn’t quite powerful enough to work with video that often.

Videos are in the Image Gallery.

To keep things simple, the videos are linked from the Image Gallery. I decided to keep photos and videos together to make things easier. I will most likely have a link in the side bar directly to the Knotting Shuttle page, but here is the direct link for now.

Juggling this past weekend -- for another photo and some videos, see the bottom of this entry.

I mentioned autumn was here and I’ve been enjoying it.  Since it’s been cooler, my husband Christopher and I made time for juggling this past weekend.

I didn’t know what to expect

Since I have fibromyalgia now, I honestly wasn’t sure I would be able to juggle for very long.  Clubs always smacked me in the hands and fingers pretty hard, and left a sting even before my sensitivity to pain.  Sure enough, I couldn’t juggle for too long.  I would end up shaking a bit if I kept  juggling without a little break.

It’s a shame, and a little frustrating, but I’ll just have to figure out my limits and really focus on what I want to work on so I can enjoy juggling for long enough amounts of time.

It’s been a while

We keep meaning to get back to juggling regularly, but you know how it goes.  There are only so many hours in the day, and we have so many hobbies and things we work on — sometimes things we love get put on hold.

Video and photos

We took plenty of video and photos, especially of Christopher.  It gave me a chance to warm up gradually, and not over do it too quickly.

I’m not posting any videos of me juggling online (especially since I’m not that great even when I do practice regularly), but I have two photos of me from that day on here.  I’ve also included a video of my husband juggling.

It was a lovely day!

We juggled at a park, and during one break I took some video of a duck that kept watching us, and a turtle I saw in the water nearby.  I put it online for some practice. I’m still learning how to edit video.  Forgive any choppiness — unfortunately my computer has trouble handling the HD quality and does that to the final version.  Also, sorry about the sound being so low or muted.  My husband didn’t know what I was doing and walked up talking.  I didn’t want that in the video, and didn’t want to add music, so I faded the sound out to nothing by the end of the video.

And yes, I was lying on the ground shooting video while Christopher juggled over me.  Got nailed in the shoulder really hard during one drop, but I trust him, and I’m used to getting hit by juggling props. *laughs*

I definitely need to practice more again, I'm so rusty! We also need to repair our poor old juggling props.

The outfit I wore to the Antique Elegance Show. Photo by Jen Thompson of FestiveAttyre.com

I attended a show this weekend called the Antique Elegance Show. I met up with fellow costumers, and we had a great time shopping and taking photos. We all dressed up in some of the items we’ve made, and I put the photos we took into the gallery (including some photos Jen of FestiveAttyre.com let me share). You can see the photo gallery here.

I’m feeling a little rushed and clumsy today, so I’m keeping this entry short. I still need to make a page for the new bodice I made to go with the old bustle skirts I had, but I’ll get that up soon (I probably won’t do an entry announcing it).

I also need to start loading those knotting shuttle videos. I’ve been so busy sewing the bodice that I didn’t get to edit the very last video. Unfortunately, they’re so large I might have to do one video a day so I don’t go crazy (especially if I have issues with everything).

Also, there’s no time to rest! I’ve got to start sewing Christopher’s 18th century garments if I can, and maybe finish another project before November. Whew!

An old project I've been working on -- time to finally finish it!

As I posted recently, I’m taking a break from social media, but that doesn’t mean I logged off completely.

How is it going?

It’s been very strange not being connected with people so easily.  I have to say that the addiction to wanting to check updates constantly was pretty easy to get over, but there are those times I miss the updates.

What am I missing?

Someone I know (and there may have been others) went to a big convention and I always enjoy seeing updates and photos.  I haven’t seen any yet and wonder how it was.

I’m sure I’ve been missing big news, too.  Everything from people who finally got that job they were looking for, to finishing a cool project.  I hope I can catch up on the important things I’ve missed.

I’ve even missed certain news items.  I follow certain people on Twitter especially for updates.  I could always go to their webpages and see what is going on (things like power warnings for those really hot days Texas has had), but it’s hard to remember everything I wanted or needed to follow. That is what’s so handy about putting everything together in one feed, I guess.  Of course, I have to skim a lot and I’m sure I miss information that way, but it worked for me most of the time.

What have I been up to?

I’ve been trying to take care of some things with the extra time not spent online.

My husband took a week off and we ran errands, hung out, and worked on a few projects that we needed to focus on.  He’d been working on a crazy project at work and a lot of things were on hold.  It was nice to have a relaxing break even though we didn’t go anywhere special.

Sewing Progress.

I’m currently trying to finish an old project that has been sitting around for several years.  It’s going a little slower than I’d hoped, but I don’t want to mess up or end up hating it.  I’m also trying a few things differently to see if I like that finish better.

I still have a lot of things on hold gathering dust, so I’m hoping to hurry up and get to them.  I definitely need to start my husband’s 18th century costume soon.  I’m running out of time and don’t want to rush those.

Knotting videos status.

I’m still working on the knotting videos, but they’re almost finished.  I’m hoping to post them next week if things continue going smoothly.

There is a lot of webpage stuff I need to take care of with them.  Even though they’ll be hosted on YouTube, I want to keep them together and handy on my website.  Although I don’t see myself making tons of videos, I want to make sure however I organize them will leave room for a variety of subjects.

Happy birthday to the Juggling Writer!

I also want to wish my husband’s website/blog, The Juggling Writer a Happy Birthday!  He started that site two years ago, and it was a big reason for my starting this website.

We made a fun video for his blog’s birthday, so go check it out.

Sorry for the lack of updates.

I do apologize for the lack of updates lately.  It seems so funny — I feel like I’ve been busy and doing a lot of different things, but interestingly don’t really have much to show for it yet.  I guess that’s the way it goes sometimes.

I’ll definitely post when I do have finished projects to show, whether they’re sewing-related or video projects.

Best wishes!