Hello Again & 2020 Plans

Hello stitching & non-stitching friends!

I know it's been quite a while since I last posted, and I know the world has kinda fallen apart since I last wrote. Unfortunately, school has kept me quite busy and I have barely put in more than a dozen stitches or so into my projects since I began back in January. Horrifying, I know.

However, since everything has transitioned to online, and with the quarantine, I've had more time at home. Therefore, I've been able to do some research and plan out my next few steps for my 1860's dress.

I finally received my hoop skirt! Since I like in Alaska, I don't have access to the supplies to make a crinoline and obtaining said supplies would be prohibitively expensive, so I purchased a custom crinoline from a German tailor. As I type this, I am just now realising that I have taken exactly zero pictures of said crinoline, so I'll be sure to get them up just as soon as I take some.

However, I have to report a loss in my sewing room which has wounded me deeply: my petticoats are no more. Long story short, we needed something to cushion our dog's kennel after her surgery and my petticoats provided plenty of clean, fluffy material. The good news is I'll be able to write a post showing how I make my petticoats, and I get to pick some new materials and supplies for my new petticoats! Since I prefer to have at least two petticoats for my mid nineteenth century attire, I'll be making two identical petticoats, so plenty of teaching material there.

In the meantime, I'm debating whether I should purchase a custom 1860's corset. If you've read any of my blog, you'll know that I made an 1860's gored corset in a lovely galaxy print, however, this dress will be made out of a light, lovely yellow cotton lawn. If you've spotted the problem (pun very much intended) well done, you did better than I did. I'm afraid the very dark corset will peek through my very light and then dress, even with all the layers.

I'll wait until I'm a bit further along to determine the extent of the corset bleedthrough, but I'll be sure to keep you, my loyal reader, updated as I stumble along.

My next goal (other than ordering supplies and hoping the fabric stores I work with are still shipping) will be to work on my skirt and petticoats. Furthermore, with a hoop skirt on hand I will be able to properly measure and drape my petticoats this time!

My current plan, as it stands, therefore is: obtain petticoat supplies, make said petticoats and share them with you, and make my skirt. Once I do that, I need to make up my blouse, and I want it to fit neatly over my skirt, which is why I'm making it first. After that, I have everything I'll need to finish my dress.

A final option is gloves. I have some antique, white gloves which should work just fine, but I've been looking into vintage patterns and I may have some other ideas. But I'll save that for later.

Thank you again, and may your projects keep you busy in this hectic time!

 -The Victorian Alaskan