New Reenactor Website is Here!

I have decided to go ahead and make the new 'Historical Help' webiste public!

This is designed to be a 'jumping off' point for new reenactors, not a complete and exhaustive website. I hope to give correct information on basic clothing questions, and get people pointed in the right direction towards reputable resources and merchants.

As you will notice, not everything is complete yet.

I have yet to finish the 'Farby Gallery' the 'Inspiration Gallery'.  Thank you to everyone who has offered pictures for the galleries! I am hoping to add these soon. If you have pictures you would like included (good or farby outfits), please comment and let me know! I have been having the best time laughing at my own horrible farby pictures. I'm sure you will laugh too! :^) But, hey. That is what this website is all about. Learning from other's mistakes and helping newbies!

Also the 'Accessories' and 'Extras' pages are not written yet. (if anyone would like to help with this - that would be amazing. On those pages I plan to discuss aprons, collars, shawls, outerwear, quilted petticoats, jewelry, gloves, etc. Things that aren't strictly neccessary for a first-time outfit, but that greatly improve an impression)

I have a few specific pictures I would like to feature. If you have either of these, please considering sharing!  1. A picture of a period-correct silk ballgown  2. A picture of a period correct white sheer waist (garabaldi shirt) ensemble 3. Pictures of straw or silk bonnets

As you view the site, please feel free to let me kow of any improvements that need to be made - or just your opinion. All constructive comments and critisism are welcome!

If you would like to link to the site, grab one of these buttons!

 

Need Help with Reenactor Website

If you reenact, or are knowledgeable about the 1860s fashions - I need your help! I am putting together a website for reenactors that are just starting out which includes advice on getting started, what not to do, all relevant reliable authentic online links and shops, picture galleries, etc. (in other words - all the things you wish you had know when you first started reenacting!)

What I need from you:

-Research Articles (if you have written, or would consider writting an article to donate on anything pertaining to 1860s dress. Can be on a specific topic such as bonnets or knitting, or could be general. If you have posted something like this on another website or blog, I would love to link to it! All info must be period correct and well researched.)

-Reenactor Horror pictures (your first farby garments! Don't worry - I have contributed my fair share for the general good and learning of new reenactors. Faces can be cropped out if you wish :^)

-Authenic Recreations pictures - (Your correct historical garment pictures - to be put in an inspirational gallery for newbies!)

You will be given full credit/link for anything contributed. If you are interested, comment and let me know, and we can get in contact via email.
I'm hoping this will be an excellent online resource for 1860s costume fanatics as well as new reenactors.

Any ideas are vastly welcome! My part of the website is almost completed and ready to go up - I just need to know if you have anything to add!

My Grosgrain Guest Giveaway!

Many of you follow the lovely and popular blog Grosgrain. I always love her sewing tutorials and beautiful dress giveaways. Well - today my Etsy shop - Bonny Blue, is hosting a guest giveaway of one of my Red Riding Hood fairytale dress-up cloaks! So hop on over to Grosgrain for a chance to win!

Ideas for a Presentation on 1860s Clothing

I'm honored to have been asked to give a presentation about 1860s dress to the local chapter of  Daughters of the Confederacy this fall. This is super exciting! I'll be preparing my talk this summer.

During the event, I want to have my 3 dress forms dressed in various examples of period dress. One dressform I plan to have dress in undergarmrents - chemise, drawers, petticoats, corset, and cage. I will also be wearing period dress. I plan to mostly stick to the basics of fashion, fabrics, dress styles and purposes, undergarments and accesories. I don't want to get into overwhelming details for the people who have never studied period dress before. Also I want to dicuss common myths and misconstructions about 1860s clothing.

So - my question for any of you who would consider themselves 'newbies' to period correct dress - what questions would you like answered? I would love input - because having learnt the 'basics' years ago, it's hard to remeber what questions I had myself when I was first beginning. :^)

And for the period dress experts - have you done this sort of thing before? Advice?

I'm truly excited about this oppurtunity!

On another note - thank you to everyone who has entered the giveaway! Keep them coming!

Strawberry Limeade Smoothie

One day last week it was 105. I really really wanted something cold and scrumptious. So - time to invent a new recipe!

Strawberry Limeade Smoothies

Ingredients:

1 bag frozen strawberries

1 can of frozen limeade concentrate

Milk

Place 6-7 strawberries in the blender. (if they are really hard frozen, you may need to cut them in half) Add two spoonfuls of frozen limeade. Blend until the berries are smooshed up and smooth. Now add a little or a lot of milk. (1/2 c. to 2 cups) Depends on if you want thicker ice cream texture, or thinner drinkable smoothie! (directions are for 1 large smoothie - unless you have a really large blender, you'll have to repeat for each person)

Really yummy. If I do say so myself.

I love strawberries - the limeade makes it sweetly tart, and the milk smooth and creamy. 

The perfect cool treat for a summer afternoon.

You could subsitute any type of frozen fruit with any type of juice concentrate that suited your fancy! 

Have fun and let me know if you try the recipe!  

Latest Project: Regency Corset

Pictures to share of my latest sewing project!

This is the second regency corset I've sewn. The first one was for myself, several years ago. As I had remebered - the pattern went together extremely well. (it's the S&S short stays pattern) I enjoyed every bit of it! And I love to do cording! It always looks so cute and decorative!

Lining and interlining two layers of cotton drill - outside layer of white cotton broadcloth.

Steel boning at centerfront. Laced with flat cotton lacing.

Both from Corset Making.

Available at the shop!

From My Hopechest: Blue Rose Dishes

I'd like to share with you my main collection of dishes from my hope chest:

I've always loved blue and white dishes. They look so classic and elegant - yet retain enough rustic charm to keep from being too formal.

I orginally had my eye on a set of Wedgewood bone china dishes that I discovered in a magazine once:

The collection was 'Blue Plum' and they were simply gorgeous.

Then I looked them up online and found a not-so-gorgeous price. Ouch. Seriously. They were so expensive that I couldn't even afford ONE of the dinner plates.

Nevertheless I've been keeping a sharp eye out at antique stores to see if I could find something similar. Last fall my vigilance was rewarded. A 6 place setting of dishes for only $65! Each setting had a dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, cup and saucer. In the most delightful blue rose pattern!

Each dish stamped 'EIT England'. Stands for English Ironstone Transferware. I don't think they are incredible old - but they are definately 'vintage' and seem to be of very good quality.

I didn't have enough cash to buy them at the antique store that day - but a month later on Christmas morning - there they were under the tree! My Mom had secretly gone back and purchased the dishes! I was super excited.

How do you like them? Do you have a set of dishes on your wish list - or do you already have one tucked away?