An 18th Century "Picnic"

The first weekend of June, we were supposed to have two back-to-back picnics in two different eras, but both in the same general area of northern Virginia.  The Saturday picnic was going to be at Montpelier, with a Georgian theme.  The Sunday picnic would have been at Colvin Run Mill, in Regency attire.  I somehow convinced Brian the Engineer that it would be fun to drive up Saturday morning for the 18th Century picnic in the afternoon, stay overnight in a hotel and get up for the Regency picnic Sunday morning, before heading back home.  All this with an almost-one-year-old.  (I think what convinced him was when I told him he didn't need to dress out for either event.)

However, since it was apparently monsoon season in the mid-Atlantic region, both events got rained out!  :(  The Saturday picnic got moved indoors, but the Sunday picnic was canceled.  Well, less sewing for me, I guess.  :p

We still had fun on Saturday!  The "picnic" got moved into the function room of Janine's apartment building, and we made the best of it.  The spread was amazing: 

Photo by In the Long Run

Photo by In the Long Run

Photo by In the Long Run

Our hosts, Maggie and Gloria - along with photographer par excellence Mike - thank Janine for providing us with the last-minute indoor location option:  

I love Janine's expression in this shot:  

We managed to get this group shot out in the courtyard before the storms rolled in: 

Photo by In the Long Run

Everyone was dressed so gorgeously! 

I met several new friends, which is always a bonus at these outings.  :)

And now for baby spam pictures! 

I had so much fun making her little dress!  I sewed all the tucks in the bodice by hand, but the ones in the skirt by machine: 

She was fascinated by my fan: 

She was pretty popular, as always:

And she pulled off her stockings, also as usual: 

Papa likes making her giggle: 

Dunmore shoe shot! 

My outfit for the day was a reprise of my Floral Jacket and Coral Petticoat.  The mitts and hat are the same as before, but this time I added my new kerchief and a silk ribbon sash.  

The ribbon was one of my purchases at Fort Frederick Market Fair two years ago, which is where I first wore this ensemble. 

Thank you Mike and Gloria for these gorgeous candid shots of me and Reptar! 

Photo by In the Long Run

Photo by In the Long Run

Photo by In the Long Run

Finally, I leave you with a tip for any other new mothers who also do historical costuming:  Boppy pillow bags make great storage/transportation solutions!  I can fit a full set of undergarments and accessories in one, for practically any era: 

One will hold several petticoats, stays/corset, bustle/pocket hoops folded flat, etc.  They're so handy! 

Fort Frederick Market Fair 2016

Back in April, I finally attended the Fort Frederick annual 18th Century Market Fair for the first time.

I already blogged about my ensemble for the day here, but I never got around to posting about the actual event!  I went with two of my good friends, Elizabeth and Carlie:

It's a shame we didn't have any fun.

Since it's rather far from where we all live, we drove up on Friday after they got off work and shared a hotel room.  Elizabeth helped me attach the ruffle to my petticoat while Carlie finished something last-minute on her gown, which she made herself.  It was nice to not be the only one sewing feverishly the night before an event for once!  :p

Elizabeth's photo

We started the day by touring the fort itself, which was very cool.  We met a camp of soldiers inside who were telling us the history of the fort, and pointing out where the walls had been built back up and the foundations of buildings that aren't there anymore.

There was one spot where we could climb up a flight of stairs to look out over the wall, which turned out to be a very windy spot:

Elizabeth's photo

It was so windy, in fact, that my hat blew away!

Elizabeth very kindly went down and fetched it for me, then took this photo of me waving down at her.

Hi Elizabeth!

The view from the wall was very nice, despite the wind.

Elizabeth's photo

Elizabeth's photo

We spent the rest of the day roaming around the tents, browsing and shopping.

Elizabeth's photo

Elizabeth's photo

Elizabeth's photo

Elizabeth's photo

We took a break at midday for a picnic lunch in the parking lot, then hit the tents again.  There were so many vendors, it was impossible to see them all in one day!  I think we got to about 75% of them, though.  The site map they gave us at the entrance was very helpful.  My feet were killing me by the end of the day, but it was so worth it.

Naturally, we got pictures of the sonic screwdriver in action:

Don't worry - I didn't actually lock my keys in the trunk!

Interesting reading...

I purchased several items from various sutlers:

Solid body lotion from Lafayette River Company, ribbon from The Ribbonry, scissors and snips from Mountain Forge, tatting shuttle from Bull Mountain Weaving, and vintage gloves from Turkey Roost Traders - full sutler list here.

And I finally found purple wool!  I'd been looking for some for a while, because Brian the Engineer has requested a purple greatcoat.  I was so pleased to find it, and it was a good price, too!

Purchased from 96 District Fabrics

One last shot of the three of us before we had to head home:

It was such a fun event!  Next time I'd like to go for two days, though.  It really is too much to do in one day.