Two Sets of Mitts

This is a catch-up post, as I recently realized that I never blogged about either of these pairs of mitts. 

I made the first pair back in 2016: 

They are linen (I'm 90% sure) lined with silk at the tips. 

I made them from the same pattern as my red wool mitts, this time adding seam allowances to all the pieces. 

These are my summer mitts, which are more for sun protection than warmth. 

The second pair may look incredibly similar, but they are completely different fabrics, pattern, and method of construction: 

These are the mitts that I started in the Mitts, Muffs, and Hoods workshop last February - and finished in December! 

They are entirely sewn by hand, and the method is rather interesting.  You finish the raw edges of each piece before attaching the thumbs to the body, and the lining to the tips. 

It was very interesting constructing them in this way.  But they are very comfortable and warm. 

These are my (for now) best pair of winter mitts, but I plan to make more from this pattern soon! 

Red Wool Mitts

As previously mentioned, I have finally finished my wool mitts.  I had to piece the lining because I didn't have enough black satin to cut them on the bias, but of course this doesn't show from the outside.  The satin feels very nice against my skin, and makes the mitts slip on and off easily.  Also, having worn them unlined once, I know that the lining helps keep them from stretching and/or sagging.

They fit very nicely, too.  Here are some bonus photos of me wearing them in Williamsburg last weekend:

And my Facebook page has even more pictures!

Winter Wonderland for Real!

I expect you're all sick of seeing me in the exact same outfit every time I visit Williamsburg, but it totally snowed!  I had to get pictures!  Also, I lined my mitts finally, so I needed a chance to wear them out and about.  Wait, I have that backwards...  I had a chance to wear them out and about, so I finally lined my mitts!

They're so toasty and warm!  

That wind was cold!  I was very thankful that I chose to line the cloak in wool.  

Look at all that pretty snow! 

I love how the cloak is almost camouflage in the woods.  

As usual, there are more pictures to be seen on my Facebook page.

A Colonial Christmas Getaway

So I know I work at Colonial Williamsburg, but it's still one of my favorite places to go on my days off.  As a Christmas present Brian the Engineer treated me to a weekend in the Historic Area between Christmas and New Year's.  We ate some delicious food, sang and danced, and overall had a lovely time.

I do love seeing the fifes and drums.

Of course I dressed up in my Colonial Christmas outfit on Saturday, and we found a few photo-ops throughout the day.

18th Century Mitts in Progress

After Thanksgiving dinner, I had a sudden urge to get to work on some wool mitts.  I had planned on making them as part of my Christmas card outfit.  I was especially motivated to get them done after spending a few chilly hours in CW for a photo shoot without them!  I had my beautiful muff to keep my hands warm, and my nice wool-lined cloak to protect me from the wind, but of course the cloak doesn't stay closed very well and there was nothing covering my forearms.  So I resolved that the next time I go out in 18th Century clothing in the winter, I'm going to have some mitts!

Let me in, my forearms are cold!