A long absence...

Hello my dears!

Happy Tasha Tudor Day!

I always think of this blog and all of you on Tasha Tudor Day. We've had some lovely ones together! So I thought, what better day than this to take up my pen, as it were, to say a little hello to you! 

It has been much, much too long! 13 months since my last post! That is the longest break I've ever taken from blogging. I do apologize.

I have finally begun a Regency Era outfit! Here is what I have so far!

Just the petticoat! But it is hand sewn. *oh happiness!*

This blog has been so fun for me! And I intend to continue to blog. Whether it will be more often or not... I cannot say.  Life is busy and I treasure these moments when I do get to do things like blog. The point is... I still do enjoy it very much and will continue to post.  I hope you enjoy it as much.

It is not for profit, nor for education... simply for a bit of fun and diversion! Therefore, I will be here occasionally pasting up photos or short stories or poems and any other thing that i find amusing and uplifting. I hope you will enjoy it and let me know if you do have any ideas or suggestions of what you would like to see.

This is not just my blog either. Although i am the one who does most of the posting. If you are a member of this blog (you know who you are...) please feel free to post directly on the blog. I'd love to see what you've been up to! Or if you're not a member and have a similar interest in historical dolls or the like, leave a link in the comments and we would love to see what you do!
If you are still reading this, thank you! Thank you to all of you who have continued to be followers of this blog even though it has been rather touch and go! I appreciate and love you all!

Happy Tasha Tudor Day! And may you Take Joy!

All my love, 

Emaline

Wash Day

There's nothing like doing your laundry on a sunny, Summer day and letting the clean linens billow in the breeze. 

 Aren't the tiny clothespins darling?

And, you should have seen the color of the water after I had washed all the clothes. 

Oh my! It was filthy I tell you! 

I had no idea doll clothes could get so dirty. I was quite shocked. But then, when I thought about all the traveling and long walks in the rain and not to mention just plain dust... it started making sense. 

 Afterwords, my clothes looked so much better and smelled so good from being dried on the line. It was all together a very pleasant experience.

All my love, 

Em

1750's underpinnings continued...

Hello my dears! 

Here are the 1750's underpinnings. The chemise I already posted here.

Here is the corset.

It is Linen, lined with cotton. The straps have a patterned satin ribbon over the top for decoration. The embroidery and top stitching was all done with hand-quilting thread. It is also boned in the front to make the most accurate 1750's look on *ehem* my particular shape! And, of course, I made it too big like I always do on corsets, so it overlaps in the back. But then, you may as well be prepared for all those macarons and petit fours, oui?

And here is my favorite... Paniers! Or Pocket Hoops as some call them.

These are a MUST for any wardrobe because they are just so delightfully charming in their peculiarity.

I can't believe I forgot to take pictures of how they work...

But they are not complicated! They have a drawstring waist, casings for the boning, flat string connected to the ends of each bone and tied to form a semi circle. You see? It is quite simple!

And of course, there is a slit on the top of each side so you can reach quite through your skirts to find your hidden pocket in cases of extreme urgency!

And... here is the pocket! Made for me by my sweet cousin Olive. ♥

It ties on around the waist.

Now for petticoats...

Here, I have put on my 19th century petticoats to see the effect. Pretty, but not quite... well, poofy enough.

So instead I am using this blue petticoat (also made by Olive)! Isn't it charming? It is made in the same way petticoats were made in the 18th century. Here is an excellent tutorial on how to make an 18th c. petticoat!

The edge, instead of being hemmed, is pinked. It was a little bit short to begin with so we decided, "Why spend so much time hemming when you can spend a very little time.. pinking?" There are MANY, many gowns from the era with pinked edged trims and ruffles, so it is quite accurate. Though, I'm not entirely sure whether they did it on petticoats... hmm...

It too has openings on the sides.

Well, that is all I have for now. I hope you are enjoying my 'dress journey'.

Next up... stockings and shoes!

Thank you everyone for following our little blog! You mean so much to us!

All my Love,

Emaline

1750's Chemise

Here is the first post of my 1750's dress!

Well, to be precise, I'm starting with the underpinnings. 

I'm always saying, "If the underpinnings are not right, the dress will not look right." And so I finally took my own advice and made her the right chemise.

 via

This is not the exact pattern I used, but very similar. As you can see, it is mostly square pieces. So it was very easy to figure out without an actual pattern. I did not, however, use any drawstrings or gathers as this pattern suggests. This is the basic idea below.

 Under arm gussets...

 Side gores and crocheted edge around sleeves...

 ...crocheted edge around hem...

  ...and neckline.

And here it is under her corset.

Here is an interesting article (and some lovely pictures) about corsets in the 18th century.

Hope you've enjoyed these pictures. 

Coming up next... More 18th century underpinnings!

Love, Emaline

1890's Bicycling Outfit

 Bicycling is one of the great enjoyments of life! 

I simply love pedaling down the lane to say hello to the neighbors or to look at the horses or to search for signs of Spring! Just feeling the wind in my hair puts me in a more amiable mood.

And of course, if one is to go out for a bicycle ride, one must have the proper attire. Like these lovely pieces from the era.

 And here is my bicycling outfit made for me by my witty friend Kacie. She actually made it for her own doll Ophelia, but I oohed and ahhed over it so much that she decided I should have it. I will be forever grateful. ♥ She also made the 1894 Tailor Gown that I posted about.

 Here is the chemisette. Soft cotton with a beautifully delicate trim around the collar, tiny pearl buttons (actually, seed beads) and a luxurious red satin bow tie! Oh, happiness!

It ties neatly around the torso and is so much less bulky than a blouse would be.

Then the bloomers. What can I say but, fabulous...

The jacket is so sophisticated and beautiful. I love the gold buttons. 

It has a large collar, sewn down for perfect practicality. 

 How much better can it get than "Leg o' Mutton" sleeves!?

The waist points in the front and the back which makes it so elegant. ♥

And of course, the hat! A Tam was very popular to wear with Bicycling garb as you can see from the 1890's illustrations and pictures. And they're so cute!

Thank you Kacie! And thank you all, dear readers for coming to see me!

I hope you may all get out and go for a ride this spring! And if you haven't read the "Don'ts for the Lady Bicyclist", you must go and read it! It is simply hilarious!

♥Emaline