American Revolution Museum Opening

Back in February I was recruited to work as an 18th Century interpreter for a day, as part of the dedication of the newly-opened American Revolution Museum at Yorktown on April 1.

Myself and two of my former co-workers at the Colonial Williamsburg Costume Design Center, Nikki and Melissa, set up a work table where we demonstrated sewing and trim-making throughout the afternoon:

Nikki had samples of wool, cotton, silk, and linen for guests to examine while she hemmed strips of silk to make ribbon trim, and Melissa demonstrated the use of a box loom:

I worked on a kerchief, demonstrating a hand-rolled hem.

I had all of my period-appropriate sewing supplies handy in my housewife, most of which came from Burnley & Trowbridge.  Since I first blogged about the housewife, I have added the bone creaser, awl, and bodkin, plus a hand-marked measuring tape I made from linen tape - all from B&T - to my kit.  I got the scissors and embroidery snips last year at Fort Frederick Market Fair, and I already had the wood threadwinders (B&T), needle case (from CW), and the pincushion and lump of beeswax.

I also had some pockets and cravats that I had made, in case any visitors wanted to buy something. 

As we worked, we were occasionally serenaded by strolling musicians, such as the lovely Kaylan:

She played the Baroque flute, quite beautifully I might add.

Brian the Engineer came to visit partway through the afternoon, and as a visitor was able to actually experience the museum (whereas I was working and needed to stay in my designated area).  I gave him my camera and asked that he take pictures of the festivities.

I'll let Brian tell you about it in his own words:

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is an excellent resource for immersing yourself in the period of the American Revolution. Throughout the museum, children and adults can view real historical artifacts, including British and Continental swords, guns, and muskets. The main galleries are full of great interactive displays, including a copy of the constitution that you can read in parts. There’s plenty for the kids to do, as almost all the displays seem designed for young kids to enjoy as well as their parents.

Outside, the living history portion of the museum is equally engaging, with interpreters in full costume engaging with visitors and telling them about life in revolutionary times. One very pleasant surprise was the overt effort to include the stories of historically disenfranchised groups in the museum. I was excited to see a great number of books in the gift shop focused on the African American experience. All in all, a great trip and definitely worth a second visit!

On a break, I took a few pictures myself.  The basket-maker was right next to our tent, so I got to watch her work on this basket throughout the day:

Here it is almost finished!

Another musician and a dancer joined Kaylan at one point:

On our other side was a tailor, demonstrating his craft:

And beyond him was an apprentice tinsmith, who was quite fascinating to talk to:

She made all of these pieces:

After we wrapped up for the day, Nikki was kind enough to take some photos of me in my 18th Century maternity wear:

The only new pieces to my ensemble were the apron and kerchief.  I used the stomacher I made earlier this year to expand my jacket to fit over the baby bump:

A few more pictures of the day - these were taken by my friend Zöe:

Not sure what I was reacting to here, but it's a fun picture:

Someday soon I will have to go back to the museum and experience it for myself!

New Project - Blue & White Housewife

I've been meaning to make myself a historically-accurate sewing kit for quite a while now.  It's become quite necessary, as evidenced by the number of times I've ended up sewing in public while in period dress:

 

Lately I've been using this little basket, which works fine:

But it's a little bulky to carry around, it doesn't fit in my reticule, and it has no divisions to keep things neatly in place.  A simple fabric housewife solves all of these problems, and is perfectly historical!

Winterthur Museum

Victoria & Albert Museum

Museum of Fine Arts - Boston

I found a great tutorial on Pinterest, and modified it to my preferences.

First I pieced the outer layer, using scraps from the first two gowns I made for Colonial Williamsburg last year, when I was working at the Costume Design Center.  I kept the extra length that I cut off the hems of both gowns, because I'm sentimental.  I felt this project was a good use of these long strips that were straight-of-grain along one edge and angled on the other: 

I sewed them all by hand, partially because I wanted a really authentic housewife, and partially because my husband and I were binge-watching Netflix and I didn't want to leave the room to go use my machine.

When I had a 4 1/2" wide strip long enough, I cut off the top corners and trimmed up the slightly irregular edges using the pattern I had made.  I wanted five pockets, so I added length to the suggested pattern from the tutorial.

I cut another layer from a scrap of medium-weight wool for the interlining:

I cut and hand-hemmed pockets from more scraps of the two gowns, and used scraps of a striped linen for the inner lining.  Here I have my pockets laid out in the approximate position I wanted them in:

I wanted to avoid raw edges altogether, so I started layering the pockets and lining onto the interlining like so:

Starting at the top (pointed) end, I laid out a layer of lining, my hemmed pocket, and another layer of lining, matching raw edge of pocket.

Then I folded the second layer of lining down and pressed it below the pocket, encasing all raw edges. 

Another pocket was then layered over this lining piece, and the process was repeated down the line until all pockets were attached: 

(I trimmed away excess from the bottom layers of lining before folding down the new one, to cut down on bulk.)

This photo shows how the pockets and inner lining were attached to the interlining:

Then it was a simple matter of sandwiching the outer fabric with the interlining/inner lining and pockets, and binding the raw edges:

I used another striped blue linen for the binding.

When it was finished, I added a tie at the point:

And stuffed the pockets with sewing tools!

The scissors will soon be replaced with an authentic 18th Century embroidery scissors replica.  I also want to add a hand-marked measuring tape.

The thread-winders are from Burnley & Trowbridge. 

A few more pics of the finished product:

 

Now I can sew in historically-accurate style and comfort!  :)