Busy

Well, I do try to keep myself blogging, but I don't seem to have ideas or the time most days.
I had a busy summer working and enjoying the very warm weather. Working at an historical village means wearing costumes in the heat, which is not too bad until someone tells me "You must be so hot!"
After working all summer I went back to school. I have been reading so much. One biography a week, 200+ pages on historiography a week and French every day. Luckily I don't have any papers due until December. However I do have to monitor my time and work on those assignments before they all catch up with me.

Also I got a new haircut, which means less historical hairstyling, but an easier everyday style!

Had enough to donate!

My work house! And me. In a costume, when its hot, by a stove... that has fire in it. But I love it!

Historical Hair

Well, I have been kind of MIA from the blog. Busy with all the summer fun and work! So now that it has slowed down (and before I force myself to do a paper for school) I figured I should put up some pictures of my hairstyling attempts.

A 19-teens/1920s era hairstyle.

1880s hair for work. And one that would work as Regency.

Different braided buns.

History Road

I have been very busy in the last bit, having started my summer job. I have been writing a special program about Jane Howse Livingston for Heritage Park Historical Village (Perhaps a post about this later), and in between work and program writing I have been travelling back and forth between Calgary and Edmonton and home. But I love being busy.
Last month I had the opportunity to volunteer at a car show called History Road put on by Reynolds Alberta Museum. I have been volunteering at Reynolds for pretty much as long as I can remember, and have been waiting for an eternity to be given permission to drive antique automobiles - and finally my clean driving record paid off!

 I spent the first day filming a Youtube clip about a 1926 REO Speedwagon G 2-Ton Truck with another volunteer (who is also a staff-members child) and then learning a bit about a 1929 Willys-Knight Model 56A Four Door Sedan and going for what I like to call "educational drives."
The second day I was very excited that I was not only allowed to drive a 1947 Oldsmobile Model 66 Club Coupe (which is an automatic), and a 1965 Ford Fairline 500 Two Door Hardtop, but a 1911 International Harvester Comany Auto-wagon Model B High-wheeler! It was so much fun learning to drive some old cars, and having my dad teach me. Unfortunately I didn't get much practice because it poured rain all day and we had to drive everything back into the warehouse, but it was still a really exciting time for me!  (And due to the rain I failed to really get any pictures...) I feel very fortunate to have grown up surrounded by antique machinery and having had opportunites to learn not only about the cars, but the people who owned them and how great of an effect they had on society and the way we live today. And it is fun too!

The Duster Jacket

A couple years ago I came across this wonderful pattern from Simplicity for an automobile duster. I had to have it of course, especially since I have been volunteering at a car museum for my whole life (my dad works at one). So I tackled the full length duster. The pockets were the worst part, but I eventually figured them out (sort of) and it all turned out quite well.
I put the pattern away, thinking that I was finished with it for a long time, until I went to a musical. I saw my coat, done in pink and green, and it was short! Brilliant! So for the last year, I have been thinking about making a second, shorter jacket from my duster pattern. And finally, I found a plain green/brown coloured canvas type fabric that I thought would make a very nice jacket.

Pocket and cuff trimmings.

Front of duster.

Back of duster.

For my second go at the duster, I decided to for-go all the fancying trims and decided to purchase some nice metal buttons. For some reason I decided not to make it a size or two smaller for a more fitted jacket (which was probably a silly idea now that I am done). I did however use the back tab to pull the fabric to the back for the sake of simple tailoring, and it was the first time that I actually got to use my dress form! (To whom I lovingly refer to as Dora the Dress Form.) The thing works like a charm. I think that it turned out quite well again, and will perhaps make a nice coat to wear on a chilly day to work (with the approval of the costuming department of course). It has a sort of military look to it with the colour and brass buttons, but I enjoy it.

Pre-finishing touches on new jacket.

After finishing touches. Probably should iron it...

The back with the tab.

Very pretty buttons!

The 30 Minute Letter Clutch

Well that was done very quickly! The clutch was very simple, I just chose the size of cardboard, cut the fabric out around it with enough room for seam allowances. It probably could have been done so that it was tighter on the board, but I fixed that by sewing the extra down over the opening edges. Pretty good for a 30 minute project!

Open outside. I chose the gold ribbon. It was my grandmother's and then my mom's.

Open inside. There is potential to add pockets and a pencil holder.

The finished project!

Spring is Here!

Well, I am finally finished classes for the year! HORRAY! I decided I would take this afternoon off before I start studying tomorrow.

So tonight I am going to attempt to construct a clutch/folder. I am planning to use it for keeping the letters we write to each other at work (it is a living history museum, so this is normal).
Anyhow, here are the pictures of the materials.

Cardboard for stability!

Cream and rust coloured fabric for the outside cover.

Cream Lining.

I am going to use a ribbon or leather lace to keep tie the folder shut. I am leaning towards the gold ribbon.

Liesl's Dress

 A while back, I purchased a pattern for Liesl's Dancing Dress from Edelweiss Patterns.  I love Sound of Music, and Liesel's scene in the gazebo is one of my favourite's.   

http://www.edelweisspatterns.com/patterns1.php

This is the pattern:

I was recently feeling rather inspired by Wendy from "Peter Pan", as well as Alice from "Alice in Wonderland" and Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" after I watched some Disney movies. 

 I was thinking I would love to make something that was similar to these dresses for everyday, and thought that I could combine them with the Liesl Dress.  I went to Fabricland in attempt to find Alice Blue chiffon, but had no luck.  So instead I got a brighter blue/teal chiffon.  The pattern requires ribbon, but I think instead that I will use white lace for another change.  So right now, I have the fabric and notions, but no lace as I decided to use lace after purchasing the fabric.  I have not started the dress yet as I am waiting until I am done school in April.  I am super excited to get started on the dress, and it is providing some motivation to get all my papers done early so I can start sooner.

Pretty Earrings and Hair

I went to Micheal's Craft Store last night with a friend.  There are so many wonderful beads there!  But I managed to get out with only one string, and today I made some new, simple earrings.

The findings.

The finished product.

 I also had some fun with my hair recently.  I added a braid to my traditional "Gibson Roll."  I say it worked pretty well!

Playing around with photo editing.

Everyday 1910s

My absolute favourite period of history is from 1890-1920.  So much happened in those years.  I also greatly enjoy the clothing of that time, particularly from the 1910s.  So, I have been browsing the net to see what is out there for costume patterns and such, and came across this:


http://www.vintagedancer.com/how-to-make-a-titanic-swim-dress-on-a-budget/

I also realised that my style of dress in everyday can in some ways mirror the fashions of my favourite decade.  (Vintage/Retro is super easy right now, but the whole Edwardian Era doesn't translate to modern day as well)
So today I tried to imitate the "Kimono Style" of the early Teens, but in a modern way.  Here is how it turned out:

It was terribly difficult to get a clear picture of the entire outfit, I may try again sometime.

I tried this pretty tunic over top of one of my long dark brown skirts, and it turned out to look pretty good.

 So basically, I have been wearing dresses (or tops) with Empire waists, with belts, and layer things either over or underneath.  They still look pretty modern, especially when the dresses aren't too long.  I also wear stockings, my oxford shoes or button up boots to add to the look and accessorise with my watch necklaces and vintage looking necklaces and wear vintage hair accessories too.  It is great fun trying to find ways to bring in historic style into my everyday clothing!

Pondering Titanic and Tea

So, I am currently working on a paper for a the History of Canadian Popular Culture from 1850.  I am writing about tea and its implications on Canadian society.  It is proving to be interesting, as I am drawing from etiquette and respectability as well as imperialism and the popular notion of Canada as being "British Canada."  Hopefully I get a coherent paper and an thesis that makes sense - and perhaps I will drink more tea, as it seems that writing about tea fuels the desire to drink tea.

Also, my parents sent me reproduction newspapers about the sinking of the Titanic.  I got them last night and have not had the opportunity to look intently at them.  I did notice in my skimming though, the disparity between the different newspapers and their reports on the same incident - one paper claims that everyone on the ship was safe, and that other ships will be coming to the passenger's aid.  More papers proclaim the number of dead, although the numbers vary greatly from 800 to 1800.  I find this altogether very intriguing.

Edwardian Inspiration

I was watching a show on the Edwardian manor houses yesterday.  They showed some fabulous period footage and, of course, the people's clothing gave me inspiration.  I am typically not that great at drawing my ideas for costumes (or lets face it, anything), but it happened to work out for me last night.   So, here are my costume inspirations, that I would love to one day have the time and resources to create.

A Creating Spree

So, I did not get to create a fantastic Edwardian gown over the holidays, there will be time for that in the spring.  Instead I made a few small projects.

I made some fun earrings, and a cozy head band, using some of my favourite colours.  

I bought some peacock feathers and gave a go at creating my own earrings. 

I added some lovely peacock coloured crystals.

I also crocheted a headband for the mildly cold winter days.

I added a "flower" and buttons to make it more fun.

The pattern for my dress.

I spent this past weekend in creative bliss... first with cookies and wafers, and then finally sewing together my 1950's style dress Saturday afternoon.  It is a bit large, but I can fix that later; I am super excited to have finally finished it!  It can be worn jumper style or not, and looks casual with my knee high boots and dressy with my heels.  Versatile and very cute.

The Finished Product.