Making the New Year's eve costumes reminded me of how much I love making costumes.  Although I had resolved to making some apparel this year, my mind kept going back to costumes.  I got interested in 18th century women's dress.  There is a Facebook page for 18th century dress and some sewing patterns.  I've decided to start with the shift.  I will be making mine out of linen.  Everything should be hand sewed.

A shift is a long shirt (or chemise) worn as the innermost layer of 18th century women's clothing. The basic shape remained the same from the 16th until the early 20th century. It was worn by all classes and served as vest, drawers and nightshirt.  I will be using Simplicity Pattern #8579 for this garment (View B).  I also bought the American Duchess book to guide me on how to sew the dress.  However, it does not cover the undergarments so I will be relying on information found on the Internet for that.

I haven't posted anything in nearly a year.  For Rick Gossard's New Year's eve steampunk party, I made a brocade waistcoat for Dave and a brown brocade jacket, a tiered lace skirt and a hat for me.

Here's my last block for On My Window Flowers Bloom.  I see now that I should have chosen a lighter brown for the vase or used a brighter purple for the flower so that it would have stood out more.

I'm trying to keep up with Queen's Garden at the same time working on OMWFB.  Here is block 6 of Queen's Garden.  This is the quilt that I'm doing in solid fabrics.

Here are blocks 3 and 5 of On My Window, Flowers Bloom.  I have some leaves, petals and buds left to be stitched down.  Then on to block 4.

Here's what I've been working on during the past 6 weeks since my last post.  I've tried to keep up with Queen's Garden (except for the stitching which I can work in during small bits of time) and the first two windows of On My Window, Flowers Bloom.  I'm working on the third and fifth (?) windows now.  They are mirror images of each other with, what I'll call window 4, in between.  I've haven't decided on colors yet, but I think they'll be pink.  I have the templates done and the fusible ready.

I have all the pieces fused down, but I won't be able to get it all stitched down this weekend.  The weather is great and I need to get some garden work done before I go to Reno on Monday.  Also laundry, grocery shopping, etc.