Jan/Feb Sew Along: Accessories!

[Elizabeth]

At the excellent suggestion of our lovely co-members, please accept this invitation to join in our first 2011 Sew Along!

Here are the rules:

1: Pick a project. This might be something you've been meaning to do, something you're already working on, or something that's been sitting in a basket for a frightfully long time. For the purposes of this month's Sew Along, consider an item that falls into the Accessories category. We're all fine with a bit of category-stretching and rationalizing. The project could be for yourself, or for someone else.

2: Make a post in the thread here, sharing your chosen project, and any other details you might care to divulge.

3: Post as needed to get advice, encouragement, or gentle nagging.

4: When your project is complete, post pictures, or a link to your own blog post, etc.

5: Sit back and feel righteously smug about your gorgeous new accessory piece. Participate in the gentle nagging of others.

And, since we have a new platform for the main site: if you're willing for your project to be featured on the main site, let me know!

This Sew Along: Accessories challenge will run until the end of February, at which time anyone with a project still sitting in the Un-Finished Objects pile will be summarily Snooded with the Dampened Rayon Snood of Shame. It is a fearsome penalty.

[Anna Worden Bauersmith]

I'm in, though this may take beyond February depending on what comes up.
My project..... Gloves. Tomorrow is the last day of February.... I never actually got around to this project.
I am tired of trying to find gloves that fit my wide palms with short fingers. It is time to give making gloves a try. Depending on how things go, these will either be cotton or a recyled leather.
Step 1 - Draft a pattern. (There are some good directions at line. I'll be reading back through them. But, in the end I'll be drafting my own to fit my hands and period examples.)
Step 2 - Test drive the pattern & make corrections.
Step 3 - Find materials I like..... This may take a while since I am big on how things feel.

[KayAllen]

My project for January:  A neat collar and cuffs for my new wool dress.  
Step 1 - trace collar and cuffs onto fabric
Step 2 - draw embroidery pattern from Petersons
Step 3 - embroider
Step 4 - Cut out and sew
Step 5 - Gaze fondly at them and feel "righteously smug."

Project for February:  Winter Hood.
Step 1 - Cut out fabric and lining
Step 2 - Quilt to batting
Step 3 - Sew together
Step 4 - Trim with beautiful plaid ribbons
Step 5 - see same step above

It all sounds so simple when broken down into steps.....


Kay A.

[Angela O]

My project is a new silk bonnet in blue and white.  Everything's prepared, just need to get to it.  If I finish the silk, then I hope to trim a straw for the summer.  I do have a question about trimming the bonnet though.  I have read references in Godey's to bonnets being trimmed with Blonde lace.  I did a bit of research to figure out just what it is and what it looks like, but what can/should be used today?

Anna,  I too have plans for gloves some time this year.  I look forward to hearing how yours turn out.  I have the pattern from Threads and was planning on using that.  Does it need to be changed significantly to make it period correct?

Angela

[BetsyConnolly]

My project for January is a smoking cap. I made one for an auction earlier this fall, and two gentlemen got into a bidding war for it. The gentleman who lost out commissioned me to make one especially for him. It's olive green embroidered with violet (hideous/beautiful) lined in a polished cotton with a paisley pattern (also hideous/beautiful).

It's due to be done by the first week of February. It's not an accessory piece for myself, but time is ticking and until this gets done there will be no working on things for myself!

1. Embroider the band (not sure what the technical term for this is, but it's the part that goes around the head).
2. Embroider the top.
3. Cut out lining
4. Quilt lining and batting together
5. Sew together.

[HeatherH]

My projects for January:

First a nice collar and under sleeves for my work dress to dress it up for a Tea Party.  I finished the collar (Thanks to Elizabeth's instructions in The Dressmaker's Guide!) and have moved on to my sleeves.

I had a sewing day yesterday with a new friend and she pointed out that my dress sleeves are probably too narrow to look right with under sleeves.  They're also too wide to look right with a set in cuff, so I'm going to redo the binding on the sleeve edge so that it's narrower and do a simple set in cuff.  (My friend also loaned me a hoop and helped me pin my dress so that I can tailor it a bit and hopefully improve the fit.)

Cuffs:
Step 1: Pull out my sleeve binding and redo it a little smaller.
Step 2: Measure the sleeve and sew simple cuffs.
Step 3: Set the cuffs.
Step 4: Do a happy little dance.

I'm also seriously considering crocheting a pair of fingerless gloves for the party.  Aren't they called muffatees? Does anybody have a very, very simple pattern or is it okay if I just make one up?  I was thinking of using thin cotton crochet thread and doing a shell pattern.  Do they need to be white or can I go for a cream color?  Would black be appropriate if I'm not in mourning?  If anybody has a picture of how these should look I'd be so grateful.  Any other advice is also most welcome!

Fingerless gloves:
Step 1: Measure my hands and crochet a swatch
Step 2: Make up the first glove and see how it goes
Step 3: Adjust as needed
Step 4: Make up the second glove
Step 5: Put them on and admire my work!

I do have a lot of sewing to get done before the party on the 5th, so the gloves may not get done in time. 

Heather

[annmaddox]

This timing is PERFECT!

My immediate accessories list is:
-tucked chemisette to go under cotton dress I just revised to a v-neck
-breakfast cap to wear with my new wrapper
-fancier undersleeves for my blue silk dress

Trying to keep it short in order to keep it realistic.  After this I have to stop sewing for myself and start on my daughters' stuff.  The eldest has actually grown 3.5 inches since August when school started!   

[Marta Vincent]

My accessory project is to finish several parasols for customers:

CW: 1 Cream outer/off white lining (being assembled now) - Need to ship by 1/27
CW: Black outer/black lining & ruffle (ready to assemble) - Need to ship by 1/27  DARN, I cut the cover a HAIR short!  it's a do-over!  


DB:  Black outer/black lining & wide black flounce (being assembled now) - DONE
DB: Cream outer/off white lining  (ready to assemble)
These two finished & will ship 1/22 WoooHooo!

AW: lavender 1890's w wide tucks (procrastinating) - should take to Conference....
AW:  Black 1880's for her friend - should take to Conference....

2 black Marquis' for customer orders.  Both lined & added ruffles.  Due now!

CM: Black/B/W stripe outer/black lining (ready to assemble)  Need to take to Conference!!!!!
This one I've had to re-do also. New cover sewn & it fits right, must do lining tomorrow    Made it, assembled it last night! Yes!!!

MM:  Make (another) lining for original knitted silk parasol (and hope this one fits!) reattach original fringe (sewn)

KS: Lavender pagoda style 1890's  (cover cut)  Way past due!  Her other one is done.

HK: Ivory frame, blue brocade outer/white lining & fringe - Due now
HK  Pink Stripe/white lining& ruffles

Oh!  Parasols for Inventory - should take to Conference....  Think I'll make it?

Modified to add 2 more, plus teaching a parasol covering workshop the 12th of February.
Modified to add:
JM  Black Marquis/white lining (cover, lining & ruffles cut) Due mid February

[Paula]

I have a bunch of stuff to finish by Feb 17th.  But to fit this Sew Along: 

2- corded sunbonnets
1 collar/cuffs
1 Neckerchief

All for other people 

[rrbeers]

I'm definitely in!

DONE!! Project 1: Remake collar that is too wide (forgot to chop the seam allowance off   )
1. Chop the seam allowances off and pick the stitching at the front
2. Iron new seam allowance under
3. Re-hem and re-attach at neck binding[/s]

DONE!!Project 2: Curved collar
1. Cut out
2. Iron under
3. Hem
4. Attach bias binding at inner neck edge

DONE!! Project 3: Velvet belt
1. Sew end #1 under
2. Sew hooks on
3. Put corset and dress on and measure how long it needs to be
4. Sew end #2 under
5. Sew eyes on

[Elizabeth]

Marta, you may need coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

[Heidi Hollister]

As my rapidly expanding size requires support, my accessory for February is an "abdominal" corset.

Go to Paula's house and beg her to help me draft a pattern. Draft Pattern  Thank you Paula!  Now I have to figure out how these crazy pieces go together!
Sew mock up Skipped this step...
Figure out how the heck I'm going to close this thing.  (Don't want to unlace EVERY time and slide over head.
Cut real fabric
Sew side pieces
Sew back pieces
sew shoulder straps
sew nursing gussets
sew in steel stays/ cording
Sew eyelets in back
Sew eyelets in front
Lace corset up
Buttons
Button holes
Wear constantly.

[LissaWilson]

Well, stretching it a bit, my project is a white button up dress shirt for ds 6, complete with a stand up detachable collar and silk cravat.

1. Trace pattern
2. Cut out shirt

I'll have to add more steps as I get working on the project, I actually have to finish a dress vest for dh first, so it may be more of a February task.

[Donna Rowan]

This might be just the proding I need to finish the wool Marquise hood. I started it before Christmas. Its nearly done, but the silk I'm lining it with, is such a royal pain in the donkey to work with that I burned out on it ,relay fast. This probably will be more of a Feb. project as I'm working on a ball gown that must be done before the 29Th.
Update I finished the gown in time for the state house ball, and last night I finished the hood. I'll post pics when I get them printed or when I can figuer out how to get them out of the new digital camera into the computer. Now I can begin on the 1835dress.

[Marta Vincent]

I'd REALLY like to make myself a hood to wear a week from Friday night for the walk from the A L Lincoln Hotel to the Elijah Iles House in Springfield, IL.  I don't have one, and it's 6 blocks.... 6 loooooong blocks....

Liz, you'll love the weather.... 

[Elizabeth]

LOL... I was already considering what I'd need to bring for the walk, and I'm seriously looking at "myself" as the option.

[Eileen Hook]

Maybe this isn't quite sewing, but they are accessories!

1. Pomatum - I promised Auntie B I would perfect the hair pomatum version of my hand salve, so I'd better get on it:
     a. figure out how much almond oil to use
     b. melt beeswax, add oil. allow to harden
     c. test and recalculate as needed
     d. package for sale!

2. hat box - big enough for a real bonnet!
     a. acquire supplies
     b.  determine dimensions needed
     c.  cut, assemble blank box - test for size
     d.  add decorative paper exterior and interior
     e.  if all goes as planned, make more!

[bevinmacrae]

Well, I'd love to make a pelerine for my 30's dress, but I need to have the dress first! (I think I'm following Jessamyn's normal to-do list!) I did a flurry of collars and cuffs back in Decemeber so I have those done. I need to do some dresses, really, and headwear to go with them, so I will pick headwear.

For MAHLFAM Conference:
1. draft pattern for hood based on original
2. make mock-up
3. figure out how I made it and write directions to pattern
TURNED OUT REALLY WELL! JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL!!
4. duplicate.

1830's "poke" bonnet
1. Draft pattern on contractor's paper. Fit on husband's head (he's going to look so cute!)
2. Cut and assemble in Buckram with millinery wire.
3. Figure out what silk to cover it with (this may involve spending money and picking a color)
4. Cut and cover buckram with silk.
5. Add decor and ribbons. (FEATHERS!!)
6. Find out how to make short hair do period appropriate hairstyle underneath.
7. If step 6 fails, make cap.
Bevin

[BarbaraSmith]

Thirties? CAP!!!!!  You need a cap anyway.  Kannik's Korner makes the best pattern. 
B.

[Bethany K.]

I began a reticule, oh, some time last year. It's almost done I just need to:

1. Put in drawstrings
2. Buy a tassel
3. Attach tassel

When finished I may add more items.