Kate Souris

Happy birthday, hubby! And no...I am totally not trading him in for two twenties when he turns 40.

You called him "Moosie" how cute. I can't help it....his hat made me do it! :)

Oh Moosie....that is lovely....can't wait to see how it looks on you!

I do. They're they only ones that I have not had issue with. The clocked ones I have are impossible and I hate the worry of the garters. :)

I've had a pair of ivory silk stockings from Smoke and Fire for going on three seasons now. I bought a few more new pair two weeks ago from them, and I also bought a pair of silk from Weeping Heart Trading Co down at PiP. I've heard that their woolie socks are lovely too, though I have never tried them. I do have a pair of clocked cotton stockings (no idea where they actually came from) that are nice, but require garters as they will not stay up any other way.

You know Mickey and I will be there, Nate. If you're doing another fundraiser will you let me know? I very much enjoyed it and we would love to come to it again. I'll even bring the camera. :)

Thanks for the updates, Cass. But still a bummer.

I tend to agree. Lady Brower gave the best advice possible. I am a huge advocate of doing a mock up out of cheaper fabric before cutting into the good stuff...so that is my only addition to said advice. :)

Liam that kit looks lovely. I mean...manly....manly and impulsive! In all seriousness, I think that you have done a wonderful job on the new gear. :)

I don't think you should just toss away what you've already done, Connie. Even though you think your fabric is a blend of some sort, it's still good practice....like a mock up. I've found that doing a mock up first and getting the pattern right on other fabric (in my case, I use whatever I find on sale or on the $1 rack at walmart that is about the right weight)before I cut into the good fabric. Especially with a new pattern. Just a thought.

Are we there yet? :) I haven't seen any books in months, though I am pretty sure I don't have any more to do. Is that right, Cass??

And of course if you did a shorter train or, in my case, no train, it would take less. I am hoping we can get mine out of 6-7 yards.

And Mission....I think Robyn's dog's name is Ginger. But I like Crumb.

Mission I am still sorry that I could not come pick you up from the airport. And I apologize that the call of the cannon was too much for me to resist. And I am mostly sorry because I know I will -never- hear the end of it....hahahaha.

Sometimes they were covered with a closed front mantua too though. I have a mantua that the front can be closed on or it can be folded back into the 'V' shape. And we looked at a good deal of plates from the Cries of London of common women in closed front mantuas.

I love this one. It's almost exactly what I am wanting when Mickey starts the fancier version of this gown. The first one is going to be a simplified version for Searles, and kind of a test for when we bust out the silk for the other one. Sterling, I think that we have a copy of the page from the Cut of Women's Clothing that you sent the last time I had it in my head to do this. This time, Mickey has it in his head, so it will likely get done. :) We'll post pictures as it goes along.

Connie are you cutting through boning with your scissors? Or is it the fabric that's ruining them? I apologize....I don't understand. :S I am finding myself in agreement with Jack, though. That is how we make my stays.

I use pins, Connie. Pin the stomacher to the stays, then pin the mantua also.

Jack, I'll have to look around again because it's been a while since I've seen the fur lined ones. I do remember seeing something like that though. I have in one of my books a photo of a muff that is silk with embroidery, but it doesn't specify lining or anything. When we get our computer set up (still unpacking the moving mess), I will scan it for you.

Good thing I taught you how to do them then, eh, Gretchen? Just remember that lovely, warm day....us in the sun, Hamish napping quietly, me with my stomach flu....oh it was divine.

Jack- I have this absolutely gorgeous grey fox pelt (affectionately named Alfred, Alfie for short) that I have been considering turning into a muff. I only have a few reservations. Alfred is a full pelt which includes face, tail, paws and I hate to tear him apart like that. Also, in working in the flat pet shop that I worked in (we dealt in hides and full pelts from a variety of animals from rattlesnake to calf to bears), I would do custom pieces with the furs....and I just hate sewing the fur. You're right, it gets everywhere...and it floats around....and gets everywhere else too. I also thought about doing just a fur lined muff and using a nice thick cream colored wool or silk(with maybe some embroidery) on the outside and edge with silk ribbon. I've seen fashion plates with things like this on it.

Side note- What Mickey didn't say about the maple syrup, is that there is another bottle in the fridge and at least one or two unopened in the pantry. I think we will be ok for maple syrup.

I was thinking about emailing you about cafe press, William...just cause they have the zippered hoodie (which I would love to have) and the bags. Let us know if you do that!

Happy Birthyday to my bestest friend. :)

The six pound bronze cannon...omg....not sure I can get past that one.... *pause* *sigh* Alright... Dinner with Mission and Red Jessi and Michael. Cannon. The auction....which men were fighting over my shirt. Wait....I mean the shirt that I am going to make. Cannon. Taking Hamish into the ocean with Salty...despite the wipeout we had. He was a trooper. Cannon. Spending time with the snotties. Did I mention the big-arse cannon? I am sure there are more that I will think of later....