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.