Deanna at My loves, my life got me to thinking the other day about how long I've been sewing. I too, started at about 12. I loved 7th grade home economic class. We either sewed or cooked, both of which I loved to do. From that point on I made most of my school clothes.
Mom used to say I probably would have made my winter coats, had she bought the fabric. I remember one time she took me to the woolen mills in California Missouri. There we bought yards of 60 inch herringbone black and gray wool for a $1 a yard. How I wish I still had the poncho with fringe, or the A-line skirt, or the lined skinny leg pants, that I made from that wool.
I made my prom dress my Junior and Senior year. I also made my formal when I was a sophomore and went to prom with a Senior. (Don't worry I married him!)
I made not only my wedding dress, but the 2 bridesmaids and 2 flower girls dresses too. Oh, I also made my light blue polyester going away dress.
Shortly after we were married, we got into muzzle loader rifle shooting. Back then a lot of the competitions required period dress. I got out my Necchi machine and started making outfits.
Here is one of my first calico dresses. Jeremy shows off the calico shirt and blue overalls that I made for him. Somehow, I still have his little outfit hanging in my closet. This was probably 1979.
I remember this match very well. I took 2nd place, shooting among some great guys and a few women. Here I am throwing a tomahawk. The target was probably a playing card mounted on a big wooden block. This match was at Arrow Rock State Park. I still proudly display the hand thrown dated crock that I won, on my mantel. I also have this red calico dress hanging in my closet, and I can still get it on! I just can't breathe! LOL
And what goes around comes around. The blacksmith is doing a show this month that requires us to wear period clothing. I pulled out an old simplicity pattern. 6 1/2 yards of calico and 12 buttonholes, later this is what I came up with.
For the blacksmith, I found a Green River Forge, Ltd. pattern, that I used way back when. For the 18th -19th century dropped sleeve shirt, I used hop sacking fabric in natural color. 3 yards of fabric, 6 pleats, and 8 button holes later it is finished.
I even made the blacksmith a pair of dropped front pants. 2 1/2 yards of fabric and 16 buttonholes later they are finished.
We are now ready to sport our newly made clothes. All 36 buttons have been sewn on!
What shall I sew next?
