First Post Costume College 2018 Sewing Project

Post CoCo 18 I felt kinda down about my sewing skills. My ballgown didn't turn out as I was wanted and I kept seeing these amazing creations that I couldn't duplicate. But then I remembered something Kate said at CoCo and she said we were each just at a different point in our development. So it was kind of funny that I started this apron when I got home from a piece of fabric I got at the Bargain Basement. It helped to pep me back up even though it's such a small project. I did sew it completely by hand.

The pattern from the apron came from the Workwoman's Guide  Plate 11 Figure 14

I used the bib measurements as they were because of the fabric I had left over from cutting the skirt and the waist band.  The ties of the apron ended up being as wide as the finished waistband which isn't how it's supposed to be but it works. The bib pins to the front of your dress so I'll be looking for HA pins in the near future. The leftover fabric will be used for a housewife or other small item. 

The Facts:The Challenge: Extant OriginalsWhat the item is: 1830’s / 1840’s Cooking Apron
Which extant original did you copy: Plate 11 Figure 14 of The Workwoman’s Guide by A Lady
Material: Checked Cotton
Pattern: Plate 11 Figure 14 of The Workwoman’s Guide by A Lady
Notions: Twill Tape Ties and Two Straight Pins
How historically accurate is it? I’d say 85%. I’m sure about my ties being the right size, or color and the Workwoman’s Guide assumes you know stuff we don’t now so the bib size may be out of proportion. Checked linen may also have been more appropriate than cotton but cotton is mentioned in other apron descriptions as being used.
Hours to complete: I think from thinking up the idea to completion is was about 4 hours. My hand sewing is slow.
First worn: Not yet. Have to finish an outfit to go with it.
Total cost: Free. The fabric was from the bargain basement at Costume College 18. The ties and thread were in the stash, so they cost something at some point but it is no longer remembered

Down the Rabbit Hole We Go (HSF #18)

So I've been flirting for years with the 18th Century and I've finally jumped. I ordered some lovely linen from fabric-store.com (use coupon code ilovelinen for 7% off) and immediately started to work. I drafted a pocket pattern based on Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern 1750-1790 by Linda Banumgarten & John Watson with Florine Carr. I used my fabric swatches from fabrics.com for the (uneven) squares and then linen from fabric-store.com for the lining and the back of the pocket. I'm going to bind the pocket with 1/2" linen tape from wmboothdraper.com once I know how long I want the waist tape. The pocket also qualifies for the Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge 18: Poetry in Motion because of this little poem:

Lucy Locket lost her pocket,

Kitty Fisher found it;

Not a penny was there in it,

Only ribbon round it.

The poem was written during the 19th century and is possibly about two courtesans in King Charles II's court. So without further ado here is my first completely handsewn (with linen thread mind you) 18th century project.

Sorry for the poor photo I'm away at school and I only have my iTouch to take pictures with. The waistband is sewn on yet because I don't want to make it the wrong size because I don't have my stays made yet (or my shift for that matter). But I'm pretty proud of it for being my first completely handsewn item.

The Scoop:

Fabric: White Linen and Linen from fabric swatches, sewn with linen thread

Pattern: Costume Close-Up

Year: 1740-1770

Notions: Linen tape for a waistband (not applied yet), beeswax for the thread

Hours to Complete: Sewn over 5 days

First worn?: not yet

Make again?: Yes but I think I'm going to try and embroider one

Total cost: The swatches cost $5.25, and a whole yard of linen cost $6.37 but I might have used a little under a quarter yard for the backing and lining so about $1.50 coming to a total of $6.75