Evenstar Designs

I made this dress rather quickly so as to have it done in time for our trip to Colonial Williamsburg. I pleated the back, and added the skirts and sides: One sleeve down: Two sleeves down: trying on a dress with that many pins in it is rather scary... But I survived. After stitching it all down, I added lacing hoops, and tried it on: I was a little worried about how visible the lacing hoops were, but the trim fixed the problem.  Next I made the sleeve ruffles. They are rather simple - just strips of pinked fabric and scalloped lace gathered on a piece of bias tape: I made box pleated trim from fabric that matched the petticoat and stomacher to go around the front of the gown, and around the sleeves. I wore this dress to the ball at the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg.  It served me quite well and was a joy to wear.

April 1st ~ This is quite a lengthy post, but it truly was my favorite day! It was slightly overcast today, but fortunately the sky held back, and it did not rain. We met the other family on the green of the Courthouse. The mom of the other family surprised Kristi and me by inviting us to go on a carriage ride with her girls. Thank you! While we were on the green, we decided to take pictures of us four girls by the cannon for Captain Innes - his “three pound cannons”.  We walked over to the lumber house ticket office to await our carriage ride. Our team drove up. It was a beautiful open red carriage with two brown horses - Eli and Jeremiah. An open carriage - that meant that we would be fully visible in our costumes. Many people were taking pictures and waving at us, so we just keep smiling and waving. The weather was perfect. It was windy, but it wasn’t hot or cold. As we rode up the palace green, Mr. Monroe was walking by. He greeted us and wished us safe trav...

Almost done except for hemming!! :D 

Another 18th century gown for our long anticipated trip to Colonial Williamsburg!! I'm working fast on this one to have it ready for the trip. I have a lot of sewing to get done, so back to work for me!! Later that day... trying on a dress with that many pins in it is rather scary... But I survived. After stitching it all down, I added lacing hoops, and tried it on: Next I made the sleeve ruffles. The are rather simple - just strips of pinked fabric and scalloped lace gathered on a piece of bias tape: More coming soon!

Happy New Year to everyone!!!! Stayed up 'till midnight last night... Sewing :) I decorated my pink  l'anglaise - all that's left is hemming it. I made pleated organdy trim to go around the neck and down the sides. It was very labor intensive, but I like the way it looks. I used white lace, brocaded ribbon and a little rose to decorate the stomacher. Sleeve ruffles with lace:

Just a quick post to let you know that I'm still alive! This time of year is always busy, but somehow I found the time to make this gown. It's coming along nicely! Pleating the back: With sleeves: More pictures to come!

Yes, I have lost my mind. I'm suffering from post-homeschool ball I-want-to-make-everything-18th-century-syndrome. (Quite a common ailment with me, really.) Last Saturday I started on a robe a l'anglaise   , but realized very quickly that I would need a dress form to fit it properly, and a better fitting pair of stays. Wait- did I really say that- a new pair of stays???? Yes I have said many times that I never wanted to make another pair of stays, but here I am cutting out the pieces for another pair! (See? I told you I've lost my mind.) Below are some pictures of what I have done so far on the  robe a l'anglaise: On top of the sewing side of things, I've started dancing around the house with my imaginary dance partner, George (he's really good to :), and my wonderful mother bought me a 40 minute video about Baroque Social Dance, so all this afternoon I've been trying to learn a minute written in 1732.  I'll let you know how th...