Tiger Lily's Threads

Looking back at all of the projects (sewing and interpreting) I've done this year, all I can say is Wow! Time definitely flew! With that in mind, I wanted to feature some of the top projects I've done as well as the future projects I already have planned and on the dress-form as we speak.  2018 Flashback Sewing Plaid 1880's walking dress 18th century half-boned stays  1770's Silk Gingham gown  Blue Silk Round Gown  1780's "Blossom " Powerpuff Girl Cosplay  1785 Green Pieriot jacket  1790's green linen dress aka "Ona Judge's gown" Steampunk Vest & Skirt 1770's Yellow Woolen Caraco  Interpretation Winter Immersion Weekend (Beck) Journey to Judge: Ona Judge Series Omohundro Institute Ben Franklin's World: Episode 212 (Voice of Ona Judge) Colonial Market Fair (Jemima Banneker) 2019 Projects 1785 Chintz Round Gown 1799 Copper Sari Round Gown 1890's Walking Dress ...

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of reprising my role as Jemima Banneker (Sister to Benjamin Banneker) for the Benjamin Banneker Museum's 2nd annual Holiday Tea.  (Left to Right) Jemima Banneker, George Ellicott, Mary Banneker, Benjamin Banneker (Mannequin), Molly Banneker, Jacob Hall This being my second year semi-hosting the event, to my surprise this year was a little different: I was the special guest. This is mostly because on February 2nd, I will be returning to the museum as Ona Judge to perform the histrionic that I did back in the Fall. My performance is in collaboration with the Benjamin Banneker Foundation in hopes to raise money for their annual Colonial Market Fair  , which I'm also attending as Jemima B. (June 8-9, 2019).  Anyway, with all of that said, I wanted to really get festive for this year's holiday event. The hand-sewn silk gown that I had worked on since October was ready (despite the trim still needing to be attached; I just didn...

Back in October, I was attempting to make two gowns out of silk taffeta. While I was halfway into one of the projects, I realized that the measurements to the blue round gown was a little off and had to send the mockup out to its future owner for a fitting. Now that I have received the mockup and the minor adjustments had been made by adding 1" panels to the front, I am back on track and surprisingly still on schedule. A beautiful gown for an elegant lady The challenging part of working with a bodice made of silk taffeta were two things: everything had to be handsewn (I was told that the sewing machine could chew up the fabric if I wasn't careful), and the second being the setting of the sleeves. I was a little worried with how they would turn out. Would it be forgiving after I set them, pinned in, and sewed them down, or would it look too poofy? I took extra precaution in making sure that never happens, by using what I like to call "the drawstring method...