Monthly Archives: July 2014

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HSF 14: Challenge 14

 

SAM_2432The Challenge: Paisley and Plaid

What it is: a reticule for my 1860’s blue plaid dress

Fabric: unknown fiber content velvet silk plaid lining

Pattern: self drafted

Year: reticules were used through a variety of decades

Notions: ribbon, trim

How historically accurate is it? About 50% Shape is plausible. Lining accurate. Outer fabric is an unknown fiber content. Machine sewn.

Hours to complete: 2

First worn: not yet

Total cost: $0 all stashSAM_2433

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Cooks Creek Medieval Festival or new family tradition

Had a great time at the Cooks Creek Medieval festival.  Not my genre but still oodles of fun.  My son dressed up willingly.  The husband dressed up sacrificially.

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The festival is held to raise funds to keep this Catholic church in good repair.

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This is the interior of the church.  Really quite lovely.

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A bird rescue group had a few birds on display.

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There were plenty of photo ops.

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And some superior costumes out there…

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….unlike my “slightly better than a department store Halloween special”.  I whipped it up from a Burda pattern (didn’t even deviate from the colors on the packaging.)

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The over skirt is a bit on the short side.  When you hurry you make mistakes, but I really don’t mind it this way.  I don’t care enough to research and perfect for this era.  Nor do I care enough to try to fix this, which I think I could with a bit of work.

The jousting was the thing I most looked forward to seeing at the festival! The horses were really quite lovely but they are dangerous and HUGE!  During one of the warm up sessions, one of the knights was thrown by the horse and ended up with a concussion and broken shoulder.  The speaker commented that jousting is not necessarily dangerous…but horses can be.

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Even the armor was lovely!

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The event will happen again in two years time and I will be going again!  Let’s see if I can get my family in on it again!

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Camel’s back

Going through a rough patch here so sewing is slowed right down (if not completely ground to a halt).  I’m going to be keeping this blog running with yet more photographs from the Costume Museum of Canada.  Mentally soothing and yet not challenging for me.  This is a good thing.

In addition to costume pieces, the museum has some books.  I think I want to buy this one!

SAM_2349Which ones are your favorites?  I like the blue one in the photo above and the yellow in the photo below.

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I like the one on the right in the next photo.

SAM_2352Far left for the next one.

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Middle lady with the parasol.

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Priorities

I had hoped that I’d get some sewing done this weekend to show today but it didn’t happen.  I spent my weekend with various family members.  Two are seriously ill, one is planning on moving out of the country and, well, several are just getting up there in age…Time for me to consider if I’ve got my priorities straight.  In my head I do, but is that translating into what I do and how I balance my free time?  Thoughts to ponder.

I’m not saying I should cut back on my sewing-the creativity charges my batteries after all-but perhaps I’d have more free time to sew AND spend time with family if I’d cut back on some of those stupid games I have on my phone.  I probably spend a bit too much time on the computer as well.  Do I really need to watch all of those videos people “like” on Facebook?  Pinterest is a bit of a vortex of time as well.  How many of my “pins” have actually translated into inspiration that translated again into an attempted project?  I’m sure there are other time wasters in my life…ones that I like but keep me away from the people and things I like more.  Why do we do that to ourselves?  I can’t be the only one!

What do you all think about free time, priorities, hobbies, balance, family….