Tiger Lily's Threads

Six years ago, I made my first pair of stays and wore them to every 18th century event I've participated in. Overtime it was starting to become very evident that there was some wear and tear and in some serious need for adjustments. For example, bones were sliding out of their channels and jabbing me in sensitive areas, the stays tabs never really sat on my hips but above them and I had to keep adjusting the stays, and the size of the stays were bigger than how they're supposed to fit and needed to be taken in a few inches...Needless to say, it was just finally time to hang them up and make a new pair.  My 1st pair of stays Yes, I should be wearing an under-petticoat and neckerchief for modesty, but I wanted to show you the outcome of what it looked like once it was finished.  Unlike my first pair of stays from J.P.Ryan, I wanted this pair to have straps and to be half-boned stays. I opted to try out the new American Duchess pattern... I was not disapp...

I swear, this is the last time I augment this gown.  When I first created this gown for the Braddock's Day Ball in 2014, it had a high neckline and red bows on either side of the sleeves and in the center. Then I augmented it by changing out the bows for green ones and adding a matching stomacher. Needless to say, the outcome was horrible. Then I changed the front part of the bodice using the J.P.Ryan Robe Anglaise pattern which lowered the neckline, and it seemed to work wonderfully…but then, the perfectionist in me had to take it a step further. . . .  I cut off at least 6 inches of the train so it wouldn't track dirt when i walked, and created trim to put all over the gown to create a zone front (well to give the illusion of one) as well as the sides of the gown for symmetry.  In retrospect, I absolutely love this 1780's style more than anything else I've done with this gown and have no regrets with its final form.  Wasn't 100...

With so many 18th century events coming up in June, I had the urge to make several new things for the Summer. Handmade neckerchief out of pure cotton fabric Handmade/Machine sewn Cotton Batiste apron  1790's -1812 Open Robe gown out of the Waverley curtain fabric  1770's Jacket with a swallow-tail peplum, out of Waverley curtain fabric (with a matching stomacher) Green stomacher out of scrap fabric I bought in Historic Ellicott City back in January 2 drawstring bags (to store knitting and sewing demos during reenactments) Yellow Petticoat with flounce out of pure cotton fabric  Rosette to decorate my caps (Should be making a tutorial soon) When I can, I'll post pictures of each item including the details of how I made them. But for now, gotta get back to planning out what to put on the exhibit tables for the market fair in two weeks at the Benjamin Banneker Museum! 

                Last month, I decided to try something a little different to challenge my sewing skills; boy was I right on the money. I've never made a spencer jacket before and while I've often considered making one in the past, I'd end up not going through with it. So, this time I decided to challenge myself by jumping in and doing it. Besides, with all of the other things I've made in the past, this couldn't be hard to do right? Aside from that, I just love the silhouette it gives when it's put over the day or evening dress.                  The fabric I chose for this project was the black Waverly print from Lowe's  for $27. When I paired the fabric together with a 2 of my regency dresses, it matched wonderfully. The colors absolutely popped when I paired it with the brown empire gown, and the Chemise La Reine I made back in September; it just gives it a great fall/winter fes...

What the item is: 1779 Jacket The Challenge: #8 Heirlooms and Heritage Fabric: Waverly Curtain collection Cotton Fabric, muslin fabric (lining), interfacing Pattern: J.P. Ryan 18th century wome's Jacket Year: 1779 Notions: none How historically accurate is it?: The pattern is pretty accurate, but as for the print itself, it's possible; large floral prints like this, were popular back during that time. Hours to complete: 2 days for the muslin construction, and once I got the Waverly fabric, it took me 3 days to cut out the pattern, sew the whole thing together, and make all of the trim by using a loose running stitch and gathering it up tight enough for that ruched effect. First worn: I will be wearing this to the Battle of Red Bank reenactment in NJ Total cost: $20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS!  Working on the stomacher Before the final result, this was what it was originally going to look like. The trim was on the stomacher only as a resu...

It's been a VERY long time since I've last revisited the "Waverly" gown. Originally it was for the Braddocks' Day Ball in May 2014, and since then it had been sitting in my closet or in storage. Before my husband and I moved to our new place last year, I did spend a little time with it to do a little revamping and changed some things out. I made a matching petticoat, removed all of the extra frilly lace off the sleeves and shortened the HUGE red bow in the middle by cutting off the tails, as well as tightened up the neckline so it wouldn't sag at the shoulders when I wear it.  Before After  Fast Forward to 2015 ~~~~~~~~ After I revamped it a year ago, I still wasn't 100% happy with the turn out. The trim was ragged and needed a little more attention. So last night, I re-revamped it. Luckily I now have a pair of pinking shears (Love them!) and went to work on carefully cutting the trim of the neckline and the sleeves. I also removed the fl...

So, I'm a little behind on my sewing and knitting mostly due to work however, I do have a few things on my "to do" list that I'd like to knock off before the month is over. 1. Get my sewing corner established. A couple of days ago, I spoke with my mom about using the spare room she keeps her things in as a sewing room mostly because I just don't have the space like I used to back at my old apartment. 2. To finally finish my 1809 Regency Day dress. It's been on my short mannequin for a while now mostly because I've left my regular dress maker's dummy in storage. All I have to do now, is just add the skirt, and the buttons and voila! It'll be ready for the spring/summer Regency event(s). 3. Get started and finish my Historical Sew Monthly project for April. The French Revolution Cockade 4. Redo my husband's 18th century waistcoat. Right now, it's a hodgepodge of different fabrics with very different prints. I don't' know what...

It all started with the curtain-along, 9 yards of Waverly fabric, 24 hours, and a crazy idea that I had no idea would work. I wanted to make an open robe gown for an upcoming reenactment that involved the war of 1812, and given the pattern that I had ( a basic 1809 day dress)  I knew that I would have to make some adjustments in the front in order for it to work. It took me at least 3 tries, but I did it. With that being said, the robe does looks a bit snug on the mannequin but given my anatomy, it may work out just fine. :D  Next, is pleating and attaching the train to the back of the robe, finish sewing the arm holes, and then voila!

Now that the Ball is over and reenacting season has started,  I've been doing some thinking. I'd like to make another chintz gown from the leftover 9 yards of Felicite-Waverly fabric I have from when I made my ball gown. At first, I pondered about what era I should make this one for, and what style of dress?  So, I checked the Internet for ideas (Pinterest, Google, Blogs, etc.) They were all very intriguing and inspirational. However, after reading one of the blogs that I follow, I felt inspired by American Duchess's black Robe Royaliste gown that dates back to the Regency/Federal period. It looked incredibly elegant something that I'd like to try something similar myself. I was thinking of making a bib-front gown or an open robe. But here's the kicker: I've never done this before; I'm so used to making 18th century English gowns, that I somehow feel reluctant with going forward with this. But at the same time, I'm relentless. I'll figure out a way...