So I Took a Break from Content Creation...Now What?

As the title reads, so I took a break from content creation...In fact, I took a rather extended break, as you'll see between the jump in calendar months from my last post to today's.  And you know what, it's okay to do that, and, even better, I'm relieved that I did.  

As a content creator, there's no shaking the sense of guilt that comes from not publishing frequently, or at least on a more consistent schedule.  We feel the pressures of our #hustleculture, of balancing "the grind" with having a life, and, of course, the ongoing pandemic.  As artists, we get caught up in the production - and in the likes and opinions on social media - rather than recognizing the potential for healing and fulfillment through our expression.  

So, take a break.  When you're feeling burned-out, or preferably before you get there, take a step back to reset and recharge.  This could be for an hour, or an afternoon; a day or days; a week or weeks - as long as you need to feel re-energized and ready to come back.  There is no timeline, other than that which is self-imposed.  Blogging is supposed to be fun, and in order to keep it so, I took a break.  

...Now what?  I'm diving back into my content creation, and more importantly, looking forward to just putting my thoughts on paper, digitally.  In a way, more so than on my other platforms, this blog is mine - it is not, and probably will not ever be "big" - and in this little corner of the internet, I share my authentic self.  Not for likes, or for money, or for anything beyond the joy of expression.  There's always the hope that someone will stumble across a post they connect with, or that is useful for their own projects - and if that's you today, high five!

As for where you'll find me most actively posting right now, I've been participating in the #fallforcostume challenge, hosted by @Redthreaded over on Instagram.  It's become an annual tradition that offers a daily prompt for inspiring a month of posts across the costuming community.  In fact, I've posted every day this month, and you can find me on IG @youngsewphisticate!  

I do also have a few research-heavy projects in the works, both for my day-job (in interpretive program management), and for an upcoming virtual lecture for the Corsets & Cravats, 4th quarter series! 

P.S. Blogger has discontinued their email subscription services, so if you used to receive blog updates through email, please hang tight while I find another service provider...or follow our Facebook Page for notifications & direct links to new blog posts!

She Hath Put Her Heart to School

"'What a splendid day!' said Anne, drawing a long breath.  'Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this?  I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it.  They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one.  And it's splendider still to have such a lovely way to go to school by, isn't it?'" - Chapter XV, Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Well this summer just flew by!  One blink and it was all over...While I felt like I maintained a good balance between work in the interpretation office and around the village, catching up with friends and family, I didn't get to the sewing or blogging that I had hoped.  Nevertheless, summer was still summer with plenty of memories to cherish, and a renewed, refreshed self ready to tackle all that's in store for the upcoming school year!

Perhaps I'm on the road to Kent State University right as your reading this, or settling into Verder, my home for the fall semester, and welcoming the new roommate.  While I'm looking forward to another semester of all things costumes and textiles, the dual concentrations of my self-designed, Bachelors of Integrated Studies program, I'd also like to list my favorite places to visit on and off the main campus.  If you're new to KSU - welcome! - and if you're interested in costumes or textiles - awesome!  See you in the studios!

Here are my top seven "must dos" on and off the campus: 

(1) See the Kent State University Museum -  Located in Rockwell Hall, home to the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, this museum of costumes, textiles and decorative arts features year-round, changing exhibits in its eight galleries.  I've been studying the images in their fabulous, online and fully digitized collection for years, but nothing comes close to seeing the extant garments up close and in person (which was one of the main reasons I chose KSU)!

The Kent State University Museum

Favorite exhibits from the past year include the permanent Fashion Timeline, which spans two centuries of historical fashions and rotates the featured garments every semester, or more:

My favorite from Fall 2017:
Evening dress of 18th-century-style silk brocade, 1840s

My favorite from Spring 2018:
Black silk faille dress trimmed with velvet and lace, early 1870s.

Another favorite from Spring 2018:
Brown silk taffeta dress with patterned velvet trim, c.1889 

The Fashions of the Forties: From World War II to the New Look exhibit, Fall 2017 semester:

Fashions of the Forties: From World War II to the New Look

Fringe Elements, which showcased exquisitely fringe-trimmed garments from around the world:

Brown plaid taffeta dress, 1850s

Pink and white silk taffeta evening dress, c.1855-1860

Gold silk dress with tiered tasseled skirt, c.1879-1880

There were two new exhibits in the Spring 2018 semester - Katharine Hepburn: Dressed for Stage and Screen and For the Birds, which is all about birds, their cultural significance and representation in Asian, European and American fashion, textiles and other decorative arts.  (No pictures, sorry!)  For sure, I'll be making a stop this week or next to see the new displays.  It's free to students, so come once, come twice, come every single day if you choose!


(2) Visit the many libraries on campus!  I recommend the 12-story University Library, which is open 24 hours to students on weekdays, the Fashion Library, which has thousands of historical costume and fashion books to pursue, and the Performing Arts Library.

The textile section is located on the 7th floor of the University Library

The stacks in the Fashion Library...
Never have I ever seen so many books on historical clothing!

(3) Spend some quality time in the studios!  The campus is full of fashion, costume, dye and textile studios for the majors and minors to work.  If you're like me, plan to never see the sun and drink lots of coffee on those late nights...

(4) Attend a free lecture!  There's always something going on, and I mean always.  Most, if not all of the colleges (and some clubs) invite visiting speakers, artists and professionals for workshops throughout the year.  I had the opportunity to attend a few of the lectures, including the award-winning costume designer, Paul Tazewell of Broadway's Hamilton, and costume conservator, Cara Varnell, whose incredible career has included corporate, private, museum and archival collections all over the world.

(5) Catch a theatrical production, concert or dance!  Again, free to all students, there's almost always a production - be it a stage play, one-acts, musical or dance - in the works at the School of Theatre and Dance.  The School of Music also offers nearly 200 orchestra, band, choir, chamber and world music concerts and recitals each year.  So, if you're looking for something to do in the evening, stop by the box office in the Center for the Performing Arts or online.

Outside the Roe Green Center for the Performing Arts

(6) Explore the campus - It's HUGE, like a city within a campus!  Very pretty too, especially at the front of campus with the older, historic buildings.  There's also a lot of art installations, including my favorite pathway which is lined in bookshelves with bench-style alcoves, a seasonal waterfall fountain, and a giant brain!  Be on the look out for black squirrels...

My favorite of the art installations

(7) Head downtown, or off the campus for a while - There's a great local cafe a few blocks away called Scribbles, a historic cemetery (if you find that peaceful or are morbid like me), and the neatest, kettle-hole bog with a half-mile boardwalk. 

Tom S. Cooperrider-Kent Bog
State Nature Preserve

If you're able to drive, Kent is near many other museums and big cities, including Hale Farm, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, to name a few.  After discovering that Greenfield Village is only about a three-hours drive as the crow flies, I'll be dragging some friends to see it with me! 

So with that said, I hope any new or prospective students may find these suggestions helpful.  I know (from experience haha) that it can be difficult to find an institution that supports such obscure, niche-specific interests like historical costume construction and textile production, but the opportunities are out there!  If you're thinking about majoring in a similar area of study, feel free to drop a line - I'm always happy to chat about our shared passions.

Here's to a fantastic fall semester!

Presenting on Fashion: "The Underwear Under There"

Unpacking from another "Underwear Under There" presentation this afternoon left me thinking about several things...so I thought I'd write a little blog post on both my fashion talk and related personal observations.  

Display of reproduction Regency Era underthings.

For me, the making and wearing of historical fashions has become more than simply an interest and hobby to pursue in spare time.  It's become my focus at both school and work, and a passion I hope to turn into a full-time career.  Nothing makes me happier than sporting the latest creation, or researching and sharing new discoveries with others.  Through this niche, I've met so many interesting people (both online and in person), formed friendships, gained confidence in public speaking and acceptance for my unusual interests (and odd appearance to the general public haha!)  

Over the past few years, I've been very fortunate to have several opportunities to develop and teach historical fashion education programs, including a walking tour, summer camp and general practice in front of school and senior groups, scouts and the general public.  I've started recording notes and folders for different presentations, in hopes that I can continue doing and expanding on these offerings.  I'd love to find more outlets and audiences, and am always open to suggestions - so please, suggest away!  

I enjoy working with children of all ages: 

Photograph credit:
Ruby Foote, GCV&M photographer

And even dressed and undressed for a college fashion history class: 

But, in the meantime, I'll be happy with my walking tour at the Genesee Country Village: "The Underwear Under There."  The first time I gave this presentation or "gathering" as our museum calls it was last summer.  In one hours time, visitors and I make three stops - first to the Dressmaker's Shop, then the Foster-Tufts House, and Romulus Female Seminary - tracing the dramatic changes in fashion and undergarments necessary to create the silhouettes during first half of the 19th century.  

At each building, I opened with the fashion tastes of that decade and a brief historical context.  It really helped to have the interpreters there to model the silhouettes from the outside, then to talk through the underwear layer by layer with reproduction examples.  To keep things entertaining and engaging, I added period anecdotes, fashion plates, satirical cartoons and a slew of terribly punny jokes, as well as passed around a majority of the undergarments.  People of all ages enjoyed trying on the sleeve plumpers and lifting the weight of several petticoats all at once.  (I even let several interested visitors try on my corsets and cage crinoline afterwards to bust some common myths!)  Finally, I took questions throughout the tour and referred to other attractions and events in the village, including the Susan Greene Costume Collection.  

Pictures from last year's walking tour: 

Every visitor receives a day sheet at admissions
with special programs, highlights and other information. 

I left a sign with a few items in the Dressmaker's Shop to interest visitors.
The interpreters were also so kind to advertise it!

Pictures from yesterday's walking tour:  I really hope I'll get to do it again, soon!  And maybe I'll convince a friend or the sister to take a few pictures during a future tour...

A new description and time!

For those who are interested, here's my outline:

1800s: Regency (named for the Prince of Whales and later King George IV) or Empire in France (after Napoleon crowned himself in 1804) 

• Neoclassical revival and the popularity of the "little, white Regency dress"
• Examples of undergarments: clocked stockings, chemise or shift, short stays, strapped or bodiced petticoats 
• Fashion plates 

1830s: Romantic Era (named for the artistic and literary movement that focused on emotion over industrialization)

• Transitional period, Gothic influences, popularity of fashion magazines (like Godey's, Peterson's, etc.)
• Examples of undergarments: stockings, chemises and split drawers, long stays with wooden busks, sleeve plumpers, pockets, small supports and layers of tucked or corded petticoats
• Fashion plates and satirical cartoons - here are two of my favorites: 

"Modern Oddities" by William Heath ("Paul Pry")
Hand-colored etching, published June of 1829
(Image source: The MET)

"The Toilet of a Modern Belle: Inflating a Lady"
Hand-colored etching, published July of 1829
(Image source: The MET)

1850s: Crinoline Era (named for the crinoline, of course!)

• Textile advancements like the Singer sewing machine, mass production and expansion of ready to wear clothing 
• Examples of undergarments: chemise and drawers, stockings, corset with slot and stud busk, cage crinoline and petticoats 
• Fashion plates 

And last, but not least, I have to share this picture as a teaser for the next blog post:  When I saw this other the day, there was a screen shot and much squeeeeeing! 

❤ ❤ Costuming idols ❤ ❤ 

Jumping Back on the Blogging Bandwagon

At last, it's summer vacation, and I am so ready for it! 

Hello blogging world, I'm baaa-ck!

This past year has been quite a whirlwind as I decided to return to college as a full time student.  For those of you who know me in person, I can be quite a perfectionist and tend to like to bite off more than I can chew, as the expression goes.  The combination of the two has left this poor blog rather neglected, and its writer feeling a little overwhelmed.  I was so focused on projects, essays and exams, I feel as though I've let any personal sewing and blogging fall to the wayside, and even fallen out of touch with many friends.  

This summer, however, offers the chance to make amends and pick up those unfinished projects and unpublished posts.  (The sheer amount of pictures and ideas for content that have amassed are quite alarming!)  While I've made peace with the fact that I'll never be able to finish everything, I am content to simply get back to writing and am jumping back on the blogging bandwagon.

Moving Forward on Blogger

I love what Ray Bradbury said: "Write what you love and love what you write."  To me, blogging is all about the personal experience.  It's a space where any individual may write about whatever makes them happy, capture memories and share passions.  We as bloggers should free ourselves from self-imposed expectations, deadlines and guilt, and instead, give ourselves permission to do exactly what Bradbury said: write what we love. 

What does this mean for the blog?  You may see me writing more about past projects and events, including a year's worth of school sewing projects.  Never fear, though, there will also be new historical sewing and living history posts too!  However, I will be focusing more on publishing finished works, and keeping the in-progress updates to other social media accounts. 

Also, a note about restoring pictures to previous blog posts: there are still many past blog posts missing pictures, due to problems with the switch from picasa to google image hosting.  Ideally, I'd love to restore all of the images, but doing so has been slow going.  So, for now, unless there is a want for a certain post (please let me know by requesting in the comments), this project has been put on hold.  

Onto Facebook & Instagram

  

Speaking of other social media accounts, you can find us on Facebook, Pinterest and now on Instagram too!!  I will probably be most active on the Facebook page, posting about in-progress works, events and previews for upcoming blog posts.  Pinterest is reserved for collecting research and inspiration images. 

I'm still trying to figure out Instagram and how best to use it, so please bear with me there.  Suggestions are always helpful and appreciated...

Other Summer Plans 

This weekend is the opening weekend for the Genesee Country Village & Museum's 2018 season!  While I am sad to have to miss this year, I am pleased to announce my return for a fifth season as the interpretation office assistant and historical interpreter!  If you have the chance to visit our lovely historic village, please say "hi!"

Also, my "homework" for the summer is to practice sewing.  Practice, practice, practice has been the advice of professors and fellow sewing friends (Kaela, cough cough) alike, as I know there are many areas where I need improvement and sewing confidence.  Several opportunities this semester have made a future, yet not so distant, career in costume construction and living history seem all the more real and exciting...so be on the look out for more sewing projects like these:

First project I finish when I get home!

I will make you, squiggle dress!

Almost there...

This year's birthday dress?

A Visit to Hale Farm + Ginny's Green Sheer Dress

Posting about the Ohio Regimental Ball last weekend reminded me that I never did share the pictures from the first, period adventure that Sarah and I went on, or Ginny's green sheer dress, which was made special for the outing...this must be rectified immediately!

Just a girl and her doll.

Last semester when I began at Kent State, I was welcomed by a lovely lady and fast friend, Sarah, whom I had met once before at the Genesee Country Village & Museum and befriended on Facebook.  We immediately hit it off over fancy coffee, sewing and all things historical clothing, and parted with the promise of future exploring and period events.  And, from that day forward, the rest is history as they say...As a side note, I must include a small story of coincidence.  When I moved to Pittsburgh, I was welcomed by another, fellow living historian, classic novel reader, and seamstress extraordinaire, who I had just so happened to meet at GCV and reconnected with through Facebook.  In fact, even more eerie, both Kaela's and Sarah's professions involve languages...moral of the story, I must have a type in friends haha!


Part I: A Visit to Hale Farm & Village

Celebrating 60 years at Hale Farm & Village
(Image via: Facebook)

When I saw that Hale Farm & Village was having their annual Harvest Festival, I asked Sarah if she'd be interested in joining me.  Not only did she agree, but we decided to attend in period attire, of course!

My well-dressed traveling companions - Sarah and Ginny -
in the Jonathan Goldsmith House. Love that yellow!

The three of us - Sarah, Ginny and me.

The site was beautiful, and having a personal tour guide made the day trip all the more memorable.  Hale Farm & Village was created to reflect a typical town in the Western Reserve, and the buildings collected and preserved represent a variety of architectural styles, built before or fitting with pre-1850 styles.  There, the historical trades, farming, gardens, lifestyles and stories of the families of early Ohio are brought to life daily by costumed interpreters and community events.  The village itself is made up of 34 historic structures and an array of guest facilities situated on over 100 acres, and entrusted to the care of the Western Reserve Historical Society.  

In short, I was very impressed with what I saw there - the interpreters were very knowledgeable and engaging, especially with the many families that day, and the restored buildings and artifacts were evidently well cared for.  In fact, several of the homes reminded me of ones at my museum.  The log cabin resembled Hetchler, the church, our Brooks Grove, and the stenciling in the study upstairs at the Jonathan Goldsmith House is similar to that at Hosmer's Inn! 

Stenciling in the upstairs study at the Jonathan Goldsmith House,
Hale Farm & Village. 

Stenciling in the upstairs ball room at Hosmer's Inn,
Genesee Country Village & Musuem

Of all the village attractions, my two favorite houses were probably the Jonathan Goldsmith House, mentioned above, and the Jagger House.  The latter had some of the prettiest wall stenciling I've seen yet!

Intricate wall stenciling in the Jagger House.

Ginny coordinated with the mint paint in the formal parlor.

Someday soon, I would very much like to go back for another event or just to walk around again...thanks so much for the wonderful day, Sarah!

Ginny putting her feet up after a long day of being carried around.
Being so popular and smiling for pictures wore her out ;)

Part II: Ginny's Green Sheer Dress

Ginny, the blog's official traveling doll, was greatly in need of another, exciting adventure and new dress!  So, she came along with us to the village where Sarah helped me pose her for pictures.  I was so happy to bring Ginny, as she ended up being very popular and had her likeliness taken by other visitors, several times.  In fact, since it was a family oriented event weekend, we had the chance to meet many other young friends and their AG dolls.


As for the new dress, it was inspired by an original sheer gown from the personal collection of K. Krewer.  While I would have loved a new dress of my own, creating garments in doll scale is much more practical, and presents its own challenges and rewards. 

Sheer gown from the K. Krewer Collection.

Sheer gown from the K. Krewer Collection.

My reproduction, 18" doll scale.

Construction:  The first step was to drape the bodice.  I wanted the front to have a half lining and "v" neckline like the original.

Draped bodice pieces. 

Next came assembling the bodice.  I chose to dart the fabric, rather than gather like the extant example.  Both the ends of the sleeves and top of the front lining were finished with small rolled hems, while the neckline was encased in a narrow bias binding.

Bodice ready for the skirt.

Bodice, interior view.

After adding a small waistband, I ripped and seamed two panels for the skirt.  I finished the hem with a wide facing, and gauged the top before attaching it to the waistband.  

Gauged skirt with hem facing.

Back, full view.

Finally, closures and ruched trim were stitched to the bodice and sleeves. 

Ruched bias cut trim at the center front.

Side and sleeve front detail.

Side and sleeve back detail.

Completed Project Shots: Please excuse the less than ideal background...

Styling her hair was so much fun!

Silk belt with doll-sized, vintage mother of pearl buckle.

And that's all...'till the next adventure, thanks for reading!

Ginny in the pumpkin patch.