Upcoming Plans for Historical Sew Monthly, and Other Various Things.

I have several ideas as to what I might be sewing this year. The historical sew monthly is proving challenging; I have no idea what in the world I will be doing for several of them. Here is the list, and some of my ideas:

• January – Foundations: make something that is the foundation of a period outfit.

Let's see, for January I already finished my corset. Yay! Will make a post as soon as I get pictures....

• February – Colour Challenge Blue: Make an item that features blue, in any shade from azure to zaffre.

I'm thinking a bonnet of some kind. I have a pattern for a beautiful drawn silk bonnet that uses silk dupioni. The slubs disappear in the many folds of the fabric. Or one of those ugly slat bonnets. Ugh. 

Swiss belts are super cute. I really love the idea of this one in blue, but I don't think I should spend the money on something I have no use for at the moment:

• March – Stashbusting: Make something using only fabric, patterns, trims & notions that you already have in stash.

Again, either a bonnet, or something easy like a chemise. I also have a length of dotted swiss which I might use for a white bodice. A burn test is in order....

Oh yeah, I also have all the supplies to make a corset cover/detached lining for a sheer something or another.

• April – War & Peace: the extremes of conflict and long periods of peacetime both influence what people wear.  Make something that shows the effects of war, or of extended peace.

This is a challenge in which I have a couple ideas, but not very good ones. I may end up skipping this one; there are several other things I need to have finished before the May reenactment.

• May – Practicality:  Fancy party frocks are all very well, but everyone, even princesses, sometimes needs a practical garment that you can DO things in.  Create the jeans-and-T-Shirt-get-the-house-clean-and-garden-sorted outfit of your chosen period.

I love the idea of making either a corded corset, or a corded petticoat! I don't have a particular use for them, but saving them for later costuming sounds good to me.

• June – Out of Your Comfort Zone: Create a garment from a time period you haven’t done before, or that uses a new skill or technique that you’ve never tried before. 

I really would love to make something either Regency, 1840's, or Edwardian. Or maybe I could use this challenge for the corded things, if I haven't done that by then. 

The idea of using a new technique isn't exactly novel for me, it's just recognizing it isn't something I've done before will be interesting. If I have instructions it never occurs to me that I haven't done it that way before. 

• July – Accessorize: The final touch of the right accessory creates the perfect period look.  Bring an outfit together by creating an accessory to go with your historical wardrobe.

Oh, options abound! Bonnets, belts, collars, cuffs, you name it! At the moment I have no clue exactly what it will be.

• August – Heirlooms & Heritage: Re-create a garment one of your ancestors wore or would have worn, or use an heirloom sewing supply to create a new heirloom to pass down to the next generations.

Ummmm????  Stumped. 

• September – Colour Challenge Brown: it’s not the most exciting colour by modern standards, but brown has been one of the most common, and popular, colours throughout history. Make something brown.

Nothing comes to mind at the moment, but I like brown well enough to come up with something.

• October – Sewing Secrets: Hide something in your sewing, whether it is an almost invisible mend, a secret pocket, a false fastening or front, or a concealed message (such as a political or moral allegiance).

All of the dresses I have are in need of pockets. That would be really handy for various cell phones and whatnot. I also do invisible hemming all the time. 

• November – Silver Screen: Be inspired by period fashions as shown onscreen (film or TV), and recreate your favourite historical costume as a historically accurate period piece.

Ooohhh, boy! This might be my favorite challenge to dream about. The Downton Abbey costumes never cease to stun. Deciding which one would be the hard part!

Another idea I had was to do something Gone With the Wind-inspired (heaven forbid an exact replica!)

• December – Re-Do:  It’s the last challenge of the year, so let’s keep things simple by re-doing any of the previous 11 challenges.

I'll use this one to finish any challenge I never decided to take on, as nothing else will be due by then.

And one last random plan:

I have been dreaming of a nice dress for forever. I really need one this year; just something cooler than my heavy cotton dress. I think I have decided to go with a barred sheer, but I would like it done by May and it doesn't fit in with any of the challenges. Here are several reference photos of ones I like:

(The one on the right, with long sleeves)