...to add to the already long list of works in progress...
At General Conference last Sunday, President Nelson reminded us all that next year--2020--is the BICENTENNIAL of the First Vision!! And he said that General Conference next April would be different than anything we've seen before.. Very exciting. And suddenly a new project was birthed in my mind: 1820's outfits for me, Joel and Alice <3
I realize I have a lot on my plate.
Firstly, I have Alice.
Second, I'm helping Mexican artist Karima Muyaes with her upcoming book. I am editing the English of the essays and writing a forward.
Third, I just made up my mind to work on Elizabethan embroidery stitches and start working through the 17th century clothing patterned in the book 17th Century Women's Dress Patterns, Book 1.
Fourth, I have plans and have started cutting up fabric for a quiet book for Alice (i.e. a fabric book with little activities that she can play with quietly) that details the process of turning natural fibers in to fabric!! I'm super excited about it ^^
But I've been participating in Redthreaded's Fall For Costume challenge this month and I'm getting really jazzed up, seeing all the cool things I've sewn in the past <3 I've gotten so stodgy, recently, with my sewing. I think "when will you ever wear it?" and "don't you already have one?" and "isn't that just a waste of time and money??" and I haven't been creating the way I used to. The way I wish I were. So I don't care about the answers to those silly questions anymore. I have zero events to wear these outfits to. I don't have all the fabric I need. I just know that I want to do this. So I will.
*rubbing hands together and grinning with crazed excitement*
Here is what I want, if I could have everything I want (though, let's face it: I can't and I probably shouldn't. Since when is that good for anyone?):
1. a dress form. I'm actually going to ask for this for Christmas. This is a thing I want and kinda even need. :D
2. silk stockings and regency shoes for me and Joel from American Duchess *le sigh* They are beautiful. I would want
these blue stockings and
these blue booties (though
these are also adorable and maybe I would wear them in real life). And Joel could have
these boots or
these shoes.. (probably the shoes bc the boots literally cost over 300$$$$$$$!)
3. the following outfits, aiming for working class New England:
Alice:
little pantaloons and shift
little dress, I think I have the printed cotton I would want to use
little pinafore
little bonnet with deep brim
little stockings and shoes
*adding little to each noun makes it so much cuter
Joel:
shirt, probably white
long pants, maybe I have enough grey flannel? or maybe use the hand woven cotton I found in China?
vest
coat, short and tailored
stockings and shoes
Me:
shift, probably the one I have will work just fine
corset, I already have fabric and a failed short regency corset I can use for a pattern, and I have a busk
petticoat, probably can use fabric from my stash
dress, I think I need to look for just the right printed cotton for this
tucker, maybe with a ruff!
apron
neckerchief and/or shawl
stockings and shoes
4. a place and a photographer for an amazing family photoshoot...
5. an event to wear this all to!!!
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| detail, La Dame du Cafe, 1820, by John James Chalon |
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| detail, The Brioche Seller, 1821, by John James Chalon |
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| detail, The Nannies, 1822, John James Chalon |
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| Bonne d'Enfant, The Workers of Paris, 1824, by Georges Gatine |
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| detail, A Canonier and a Vivandiere, likely c 1815, artist unknown
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Here is the obligatory pinterest board with extant garments, contemporary images (including watercolors, prints, and fashion plates), and links to a couple costumers whose work and research I will reference!
yay!
