Catch up, not Katchup

Hello stranger!

It was Summer, I had no time nor ambition to post. That's all there is to it.
Here are some of the things that I was up to earlier this year.

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This past year I have started volunteering at the High Desert Museum in the living history department (if you read my blog you should know this already...)
I have one skirt and a bodice. only.. one.. bodice...

This would not last long.
I found this fabric at JoAnn's. and I love it so much I can't even tell you.

I had no pattern that I liked enough for this fabric and what I had in mind.

So I drafted my own pattern.

Here is the finished product.

 

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A little foundation...

For...

....A cordedpetty coat!

At reenactments I have found that I hate having to wear a ridiculous hoop skirt. That I am constantly bumping into things, knocking things over, nearly catching myself on fire.

So this year I made a cordedpetty coat.

It is about two panels in width.

Instead of using cord by the yard witch can cost up to and beyond $3.99...A yard.. I took a cue from a good friend and used cotton cloths line instead! it took two 100 yard bundles at $4.99 apiece.

The only down side that I have with this petticoat would have to be the sheer weight of it. When wearing it (with all my other layers as well.) I am a good ten pounds heavier. I'm not kidding.

So to combat this (literal) pain in the back I did a few different things. First- the butt pad. Not only does it give me that lovely hour glass shape, but it helps support the skirt. Second- a WIDE waist band.

Despite the fact that it is rather heavy ( By the end of the day you can't really feel the weight anymore. It's not that bad.. )

I LOVE this pettycoat!!! I did not even wear my hoop for most of  the events!

I may never wear a hoop out to a reenactment again, in fact!

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Before each event I had to put a little TLC into  the petticoat, IE- Iron and starch the heck out of that thing!!!

when packing for McIver ( our last event of the year:( ) I found that after just two events and three starchings your petticoat WILL in fact stand by it's self!

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Croquette dress and matching shirt for my Father.
( Gotta love the looks on our face's )

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Hats

I love hats.

Here are some hats that I made this year for reenacting.

My porkpie.

My all time favorite hat.

It is made of royal blue velvet over a buckram base.

It is just a plain, round, flat top hat.

My Glengery.

Made of dark red empress velvet over a cotton and soft felt base.

I especially like the swallow tail back..

Can we please bring hats back into fashion?

I hate that I can't wear these hats for another nine months..
Cue sad face.

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Some repair work.

I finally gave in this year and got a pair of Toms

And I don't know why I waited so long, they are SO comfy!

Well this summer I wore them pretty hard.

So in September, when I looked down and saw that my toe was about to pop through the end if I wasn't careful.

 I was rather upset!

They are not the cheapest shoes out there and I was not about to throw them out when they DID get a hole!

The lining had a hole already and my toenail was now working on the outer layer.

So I thought. I can sew! why not just put a patch on them?!

Found some fabric in my mothers stash.

Cut out the bits I wanted, pined them onto the shoes...

Then sewed it on. And POOF they are like brand new shoes again!

They are a bit dirty in this photo as I had worn them to McIver set up day,

and it had rained so it was very wet.

I am glad that I was able to pump some more life into them!

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And there are some of the things that I have been up to earlier this year!

Happy Catch up~

Kacie