LadyBrower

Thanks. =) Lady Constance, how's your jacket coming along now? That is one of the many things on my to do list. lol.

Sorry! I am dense, and have been having a lot of stress over order fabric since ordered the wrong thing last time! As usual, thank you for your help.

My mother tried to get me to cross-stitch when I was little... I wasn't so good at it because I kept trying to change the pattern... But now 15 years later I am going to try some embroidery. Needless to say, I am not ready for the beautiful designs that you wonderful people have been posting. Does anyone have any suggestions for sources of period technique? like, "18th century embroidery for Dummies"? or any beginning embroidery "how to" and period designs. Many thanks as always.

So is it best to try to order swatches to be able to see/ feel the fabric when ordering online? What qualities should a naive little lady such as myself look for in a wool for breeches or coat? Thank you!

That's what I thought... Thanks. =) And your stays look great by the way.

Welcome, story teller. What a tale you spin! Hot spiced rum with a twist of lime for me, if you please.

One of my crew mates had the opportunity to wear the stays I made for her this past weekend, but by the end of the day, the reed in one of her tabs got really bent. I actually thought she may have broken it. =( My question is... When using reed, do you all put two lengths in per casing, or just one? Or was this simply because it was laced too tight?

Hm... Interesting. The third sketch looks like they may be a little long, but it's hard for me to tell...

That looks great! I haven't gotten into felting yet, but I'm going to have to give it a try.

Oh I did come across that pattern. =) It's bookmarked in my favorites. It's very nice looking and when I have the time I am going to give it a shot.

Would the button holes on breeches be elongated too?

I tried taking pictures, but my camera doesn't like shots so close.. .But I am very surprised about how much nicer that looks than my machine button holes... It takes a hell of a lot longer but it is worth it... And it seems to get easier the more you do. Thanks Captain for the visual, it was really helpful.

Thank you, gentlemen.

what kind of wool is period? My guys are getting gab, 'cause I read SOMEWHERE that it was good... and I got it way on sale. But they will need an upgrade.

The few I looked at have different fastenings... I cant figure out exactly how the Janet Arnold one is done though. It just looks magically arranged. Has anyone seen it up close?

I try not to use a length of thread too long... But other than that, waxing the thread helps me, and when you are stitching, try not to twist the needle as you pull, and every now and again check and untwist the thread as necessary..

Very nice. =)

Many thanks to all of ye for the kind birthday wishes!

Thank you BlackJohn! I should be able to manage that...

So... If Fontages are so ugly, what would be an attractive way to do a fancy period style?

Wow. You are crazy quick! I just found out hubby is taking me to Fort William Henry for my birthday/ Valentines day so I am not getting any sewing done for the next two days. lol. Very nice job on the stays. Wonderful indeed.

Ah yes. I think its just habit... All my civil war skirts went in towards the back. "Looking at the skirting of the mantua...did you pleat the robe?" Well, I wasn't really using a pattern, but looking at one from Janet Arnold "Patterns of fashion" and just draping and pleating, so I don't know if this is going to make sense, but it's not two separate pieces, but I shaped the back and the front, then cut the middle, so there is actually a side seem but the skirt is all one piece... does that make sense? I think the overall style is a little late but It gave me some good practice.... I think I need an actual pattern. All this "winging it" is creating wrongish stuff. lol Thanks for the help.

Cheeky you are GORGEOUS. and the dress is pretty too!

I don't think this is right, but it's what I did...

Has anyone tried rubber cement?