HSF #9: Black and White

This Historical Sew Fortnightly Challenge was to sew something black and white or black or white. Originally, I wanted to do a blackwork partlet for this challenge but then I decided that I hated blackwork. Then I had almost 5 yds of white cotton voile leftover from my secret vacation project so I decided to make a new Elizabethan shift/smock/chemise/whatever you want to call it. (This type of undergarment has so many names! I can never remember which goes with which period!)

The Challenge: Black and White
Fabric: cotton voile (just over 3 yds)
Pattern: Period Patterns #90 view vi
Year: 1580s (English)
Notions: 4 snaps
How historically accurate is it? Well, linen was the fabric for undergarments during this period but I had the cotton already and I figured it'd be a huge step up from my other chemise which is made from an old sheet. I did some machine and some hand sewing because if I'm going to do an entirely hand sewn garment, I'll be doing it in 100% period fabrics!
Hours to complete: 4ish
First worn: Not yet! Just another project for the up coming faire season!
Total cost: about $15

It features a gathered neckline which I figure I can always add a ruff to later if I feel like being brave and making a ruff.

The sleeves are also gathered to a cuff.

Not my most exciting project, I know, but the exciting part comes later when I get to wear all my gussied up Ren Faire costumes!

Florida Vacation Haul

With all of the end of semester craziness and then vacation, I've been slacking on the Youtube videos! But I've whipped up a quick haul video to show you what I purchased on vacation!

Parkside Pictures

I'm finally back from vacation! It'll be a while before vacation pictures are edited (and therefore before I can reveal the secret vacation project!) but I do have some other pictures to share! A few weeks ago, I modeled for the Professional Photographers of South West Ohio.

We went to a local park to shoot all day.

I had a blast posing with different photographers. Plus I was fresh from the salon so my hair was great all day!

These photographs are by L. David Likes Photography

Build Your Own Playsuit Options

You don't have to have a "playsuit" pattern to make a playsuit! Here are some great separates that would be perfect of integrating into your playsuit ensemble.

1930s

(c) Wearing History

Looking for a more modest 1930s option? Try the Smooth Sailing Blouse from Wearing History. It's available an it's own as an e-pattern or with the Smooth Sailing Trousers in a paper pattern.

(c) Wearing History

For a fun and flirty bottom, try Wearing History's Rita Pleated Shorts! I just adore my version! This pattern is great for late 30s-mid 40s.

1940s

(c) Wearing History

Wanting a romper for your playsuit? Wearing History's 1940s Home Front Overalls pattern include a romper option. It's too cute!

(c) Eva Dress

Bra tops were really popular for playsuits. Eva Dress offers this cute multi-sized pattern with four bra tops to choose from!

1950s

(c) Eva Dress

I also just adore this 50s summer top pattern from Eva Dress. I really love the wrap around style in view 2!

Looking for an all in one pattern? Check out this post. Also, coming up are vintage playsuit patterns.

Announcing: The Vintage Playsuit Sew Along!

A few months ago, I mentioned the possibility of hosting a sew along here on the blog. And the day has finally arrived to announce the opening of The Vintage Playsuit Sew Along!

This is going to be a choose your own adventure type sew along. We'll each pick a vintage playsuit pattern and sew them up together. At the end of the sew along, we'll all have cute playsuits to wear this summer!

May is going to be the inspiration month where we'll talk patterns, materials and planning your playsuit.

June will be the sewing month although you are free to start sewing as soon as you have all of your materials! As a mini sew along within the sew along, I'll show you how to draft and sew up your own gathered dirndl skirt with a button placket. This will be kicking off in June.

For this sew along, we'll define vintage as 1920s-1960s but mostly I'll be focusing on 1930s-1950s because that's what I like.

While at least one piece of your playsuit must be you-made within the sew along time frame, feel free build your playsuit around a you-made or ready to wear piece already in your wardrobe. This is a great opportunity to rescue a wardrobe orphan or skip making a more challenge piece like shorts in favor of purchasing.

<center> <a href="http://star-spangledheart.blogspot.com/search/lable/VPSA" target="_blank"> <img alt="The Girl with the Star-Spangled Heart" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/girlwiththestarspangledheart/14044524736" title="vpsa-002 by Stephanie Lynn, on Flickr" /><img alt="vpsa-002" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/14044524736_cc27ef9531_o.jpg" width="197" /></a></center>

So, grab a button for your blog and start planning your playsuit! Join up with other participants on the Flickr page and comment on any pin in the Pinterest board to be added as a pinner.

HSF#8: UFO

This challenge for HSF is a UFO or unfinished object. I didn't have a whole lot of UFOs to choose from but I did pick one to finish. I finished the beading on my Renaissance court dress forepart.

(Please pardon the messy sewing table)

The Challenge: UFO
Fabric: none
Pattern: none
Year: Late 1500s
Notions: glass pearls ($9)
How historically accurate is it? oh, probably not very. I do know that foreparts could be pearled (with actual pearls of course) but I did no research as to patterns or designs. I just made one up that looked nice to me.
Hours to complete: 4 or 5
First worn: not yet
Total cost: $9

 I started pearling this way back in January as part of the Make Do and Mend Challenge since I was doing a major over haul on my court dress but then I ran out of pearls and it sat in the UFO pile for a while. It is now done and ready to wear! I still have more trimming to do on the dress as a whole but faire season is still months away.

I did have one 40s UFO that I started working on but then I didn't have a zipper in my stash that matched and with vacation just around the corner, a trip to Jo-Ann's is out of the question this week. Oh, well. I did get some non-historical UFOs finished too so this challenge was quite inspiring! :D

More on Facial Care: Witch Hazel

I'm still working on discovering my perfect facial care routine. Today, I share my experience with witch hazel.