LadyBrower

I have heard good things about costume college... And I happen to like "stitch nazis" and wonder if I should refer to another controversial conversation on use of terms in a derogatory manner... I find that there are people who may come off high and mighty, but often this is explained by their passion for their craft.

I also wonder about your assumption that "those poeple cant (or dont) use reason or logic and know nothing about metaphysics and have no concept of how to proceed in the process of argumentation....."

I think this is a very rude statement, especially considering the required use of logic and reasoning in the recreation of historic costumes. I wonder further (well, only a little) about your ideas concerning metaphysics and your Belief that such lowly people as such concerned with achieving accuracy brilliant construction (stitch nazis) could not possibly possess the mental capacity required to understand any philosophy.

Forgive my rudeness.

The lanolin also adds a bit of water repellent-ness to it too, which is great for stockings, hats and mitts...

I love it. :-)

I forgot to mention too, if you know a lady (or gent... no need to be sexists) who likes you a lot there are several good patterns, and "formulas" for knit stockings roaming around....

I found linen wool blend stockings for hubby on ebay for $15. It was awesome.

Waistcoats

28 cotton (cue the arguments about 'cotton')

I think it's telling that none of the shirts are called cotton. Holland cloth I believe was linen, osnabrig I always thought was a blend, and I am at a loss for 'dowlas.' Anyway, it looks as though linen was the most common, by far, according to the sample.

Now, this is just off the top of my head (bad I know- I'll look into it more later...) But I remember reading somewhere about particular wool cloth (not the yarn or fiber) being referred to as "cotton." I can't remember why for the life of me, but I'm just throwing it out there in case anyone else has heard of this.... But it would make sense given the garment- and that "lack" of cotton shirts.

The weather.com tells me it's 7 degrees, but it feels like minus 6. "Then it's minus 6!" <br><br>...No playing out of doors for me... It's snot freezing weather. <br>

Vampire vodka and cherry crush!

Wow! Thank you. How very interesting...

Now we can argue about what things actually meant (cotton not refering to what we know as cotton, etc. etc....) =P

Definitely puts things in perspective. I wish the sample set(s?) was larger to gain a better understanding. BUT, at least this gives good hard evidence of colors and fabrics where they were actually worn. I very much appreciate the time you put into compiling this list. Nice work.

hahaha. Um. Thanks.

Thanks!

I keep meaning to make a duct tape double... But then hubby's not around when I need him. *sigh*

Just be careful- that dummy's shipping was 50 bucks, bringing the total up over $100. You can get a new, adjustable sewing manequin at Joann's for that. Some on ebay are much cheaper (I have one) but they just sort of suck for actual work. <br><br>Also, if they are like the one I have, they are firm, so they are not good for stays (because they don't smoosh), unless they are SO much smaller that you can pad and create smoosh. I can use it for certain stuff and display, but it's not ideal. <br><br><br>

Thank you, I hope my explanation was clear an "helpful."

After thinking on it a hot minute, I figured I may as well post my open front stays and how I did it.

First, I took Kass's pattern and picked the size that was about 4-6 inches smaller than my measurements.

Then, I chopped top- I cut off about two inches or so from that weird side top area, to make a bit of a point (this is were the straps will attach). I left the length at the bottom till I got the pieces together.

I also removed "stuff" from the center (where it would normally be on the fold). I marked about 1.5 inches in from the center line, and tapered in to the center line at the bottom (so there is a substation piece at the bottom).

Mine also lace in the back (my sad hope that I would loose weight.... *sigh*) but if you don't do that, I would almost suggest cutting the two pieces and stitching them together for the center back- or making it narrower from the center.

I boned the front parallel from the cut line, the sides are boned towards the front, vertical in the middle and towards the back, well, towards the back. =P.

Then for the stomacher, I measured across my bust, then the length. I eyeballed the curves and made it a little wide at the bottom (I have a belly and didn't want the front bending too much.) I also used 1/2 inch reed in the stomacher for strength.

And here is what I got.

I have to say, they are super comfy.

Kate is right too, a mock for these sorts of things is a REALLY good idea.... I should do it more often. =P <br>

HAHAHAHAHA

I think you would look lovely in Pink. :-)

Hm... I think I would own a boarding house or something like it (probably not the right term).

Maybe something like this:

And I would do everything I do now, cook, bake and sew for everyone. lol.

I'd be Lady Brower's handyman, gardener, watchman and boat landing keeper as well as the official pumpkin carver for her extraordinary halloween blaze celebration. I could be found in the coach house by the front gate.

Jas. Hook

Well, I would be a most lucky and grateful mistress! How did you know about my "famous" Halloween events?

Oh, and I would build you a lovely little cottage behind the great house, so you could have a place of your own for your family should you like. I am a kind lady to those loyal to me. :-)

I would advise... if you are going to do something from scratch, do it right. Don't just chop up sorta kind, this looks almost right but not really, princess cut something or other.

Kass's stay pattern for this period would be perfect for these.... because she mentions them IN the pattern, and how to do it. :-/ then you can choose a period correct fabric, and do it right from the start. When resources are available, I see no reason to make excuses why not to do it correctly.

Then... once you have done it properly, in the period appropriate way, then you can start chopping up other things and bending the rules. I was long ago taught, in my art, writing, sewing, acting, etc. That one should always learn to do it the original way, appreciate what you are doing and how it was done, and then break the rules (for artistic expression). Even modern artists study classic techniques.

But then again, if you don't want to be accurate, that's another story other story. This area, after all, is not twill, so excuse my assumptions. But that is my advice, none the less.

This is very un piratical of me (but what can I say, I'm a "goodwife")

....Did you try to turn it in or find the owner?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16897092

That etsy seller has some.. You can try contacting that person. Or any of these suppliers:

http://www.tradeindia.com/manufacturers/indianmanufacturers/silk-blend-fabric.html

This company has silk cotton, silk wool, and silk HEMP blends....

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/4567262-AA.shtml

I really like the above company, their prices are great, they ship fast and the products I have received from them are lovely.

Good luck!

Well, hopefully I can help you be less.... bare. =P

haha. It's "available".... but the lowest price on Amazon is $70.17

But I may as for it for my birfday anyway. =P

Thanks for the "revised" information. It is much appreciated.

Thanks for posting all the detail pictures. They are hard to find.

They are a great example of how the boning widths varied. Some pieces in the stomacher look rather large.

Oh I love these stays... Thanks again.

I LOVES! you look BRILLIANT! (but the funny thing is, on my comp it looks pink....) =)

Good questions.

Depends on what you mean by "stocking cap." I'm by no means an expert, but a striped linen workman's cap should be appropriate. There were some elongated knit caps found, but I am not sure if stripes or the very long (think Victorian story book) are accurate.

Slops are a whole argument unto themselves... LOL. I believe there is a whole thread devoted to their authenticity. You might have to dig a bit though, me thinks.

Sorry, I'm not that much help.