In the Easter Parade

So, a bit about my Easter dress.

Easter rather snuck up on me this year and I hadn't intended for this dress to be my Easter dress. The inspiration came from a 1911 fashion plate I found on Pinterest. (Pin found here)

 

I bought the material for it a good month or so ago and hadn't gotten around to making it yet, until I found out Easter was only two weeks away! Yikes! I had no other ideas, and not enough stash built to come up with something else so there it was!



 

I ended up choosing a basic mint green cotton, and sadly regretting it...  But it was affordable compared to anything else, so I went for it...

 

The lace was a much better choice! I have found that a husband's opinion is a wonderful thing! I had planned on some kind of crochet lace or a "Woven" ribbon with a pattern, but could find nothing to suit. We tried Joann's, Wal-mart, and even Etsy, but upon entering Hobby Lobby, Joshua found the perfect thing for it. This gold embroidered netting lace. (Excuse my terms... It's what it looks like. lol!)  It worked perfectly, the only downer was it took about 8 yards to finish it. Yipes!!

 

I used my well loved copy of Sense and Sensibility's 1914 afternoon dress pattern.

The cotton was thick, and as I chose to go for a true double layer skirt it made things rather bulky when gathered, as it pictured above. So instead I took the skirt back off, cut a good two inches off the sides of the underskirt and pleated the overskirt to give it a sleeker look.

 

One of the occupational hazards of working with an antique treadle machine is the prospect of oil and grease. Most times I am very cautious about it and am able to avoid it. Sadly this time I was not so fortunate. I noticed at one point I had a little under my nail, so I very carefully wiped it off and checked the dress, it seemed clear... Not so... A nice big blotch on the bodice... someplace I couldn't just cover... So I took it downstairs and used my "Cure-all" of dishsoap... Unfortunately that didn't touch the grease, but it did manage to create a whit spot around it the size of a half dollar where it had stripped the color from the muslin...

 

After some debate of trying another cleaner, my wonderful husband came up with the idea of putting in a dart to cover it. So perhaps it's not a very period correct solution, but it worked! Thank Heavens, and I was able to finish I off just in time to wear to church yesterday morning. :D 

 

But there it is, and I think it quite looks like the fashion plate. :D

 

Although, Joshua says that in the above picture I look like Maria Romanov... And I rather agree...

 

 

So there we are, Hoping you all had as wonderful an Easter as we did, Celebrating the Resurrection of Our Lord with Family and Friends.

 

Until Next Time!

Megan

 

A Bright and Sunny Update

I must say our first Easter as a married couple was a wonderful one. Another grand beginning in our wonderful adventure!

Over the past few weeks we have begun cleaning and weeding around the house and this weekend we started plating. Sadly I know very little when it comes to flower gardening as I lived in the woods my whole life, so Friday on a trip to Lowes I asked if we could browse. We came home with Pansies and Petunias to fill the hanging baskets and snapdragons for the lower beds in front of the house.

Since then, we have added in Salvia and Creeping Phlox, among other things.

 

 

 

 

 

Then, after having practically bought out Joann's entire stock of fairy garden items, and a good lot of Hobby Lobby's we created our own little haven. :D 

 

 

Cutting back the grasses

 

Why, Yes, that IS the Tardis. ;D

 

 I'll update more about Easter itself and this year's dress later. :D
Until Then,
Megan

First Real Update as "Mrs."

So here I am two blocks from home in the glorious historic local library with a shiny new library card, writing to you officially for the first time as "Mrs."

My first month of marriage has been absolutely unforgettable! There is a line from "Pride and Prejudice that I tend to quote a lot lately, from the brand new "Mrs. Collins" upon her friend's first visit, "Oh, Lizzie! It is SUCH a pleasure to run my own home!" I can truly agree!

As we were pulling in the drive from our mini honeymoon, the ice storm from Hades hit and we were promptly snowed in for a few weeks. (Well I was anyways, Joshua is a fabulous winter weather driver)

But since then it has begun to warm up slowly, the "Daffs" have begun to bloom and the snow has long since melted.

My sewing room is now complete and work has begun on several projects that I will post about in the coming weeks.

And as for the photos that everyone is dying to see... well so am I... There have been some understandable delays with them, but I should receive wedding photos in the next few weeks and begin sharing them on with you soon!

Until then, do enjoy these "Snaps" of our first few weeks as "Man and Wife."

 

Our first Breakfast at home, GF blueberry pancakes with blackberry jam... since we didn't have syrup...

 

Ice storm as viewed from inside (sorry about the "Through the screen" view... too cold to go out!")

 

First day as a "Housewife" all caught up on chores and enjoying a few moments of gentle knitting

 

Our first official supper at home. Pasta with a garlic sauce and tomatoes, grilled chicken and homemade bread.

 

Mick's first day home with all of us, waiting on "Dad" to get home from work.

 

 

The last of the snow (Mick is very interested in the spring birds... We have since begun learning the word "Heel!")

 

 

 

The sunshine returns and spring begins! The garden awakens and now it's time to get dirt under my fingers again!

 

Until next time!!

Meggie

And They Lived Happily Ever After!

Just a note to say, we have now upgraded out relationship status. :D

I should be able to be back blogging here very soon. But as of right now, I do not have internet in my little "House of Dreams"

Do keep an eye out though! Posts of my latest adventures are coming very soon!

Photo Courtesy of my Maid of Honour's Mother Mrs. W.

Past Patterns #400 and our "Engagement Photoshoot"

As wedding planning and sewing is now in full swing, there has been little to no time for personal projects.

But, before everything was so hectic I threw together this blouse from Past Patterns 400.

It goes works really well with the skirt from "Western Emporium" that I was wearing in my engagement photos, not to mention, anything else I pair it with.

These photos were taken a few weeks after our engagement. We took a Sunday trip to my grandparent's farm to make introductions. My Handsome Fiancé seems to have made a lasting impression on my Grandmother, who has Alzheimer's. Every week since then, when my parents visit, she reminds them that if she were a bit younger she would give me a "Run for my money." lol!!


I consider this to be our "Engagement shoot" so do please enjoy the pictures!!

But What Was She Wearing?

Well now that we have the "Introductions" out of the way, I thought I would show off a few of our Engagement photos and talk a bit about my outfit. (Any questions about his attire, and I'm afraid you'll have to ask the man himself. ;)

Moments after we were "Official"

First off, I must explain that having started dating a fellow "Edwardian-at-Heart" I brought all of my early 20th century clothing back out to the front of my closet. I sadly found that some of my pieces had worn out, and some were just way too big, as I had lost quite a bit of weight.

I made the "Mistake" of lamenting that fact to Joshua, and that cunning devil went to one of his favorite online "Edwardian" stores and bought several outfits to update my wardrobe. (I was quite humbled to sat the least...) You'll have to ask him what store he went to, I don't think he ever told me..

Anyhoo! Back to the story...

When he first asked me to go on this "Photoshoot" I knew I would have to come up with something fancy and "New." I decided, as I only had a couple weeks, that I would simply put together a new shirtwaist. I had two options in mind, one of which would mean buying a pattern, the other I already had.  I did end up ordering the pattern, but as it didn't arrive until a few days before we went, my choice was made for me.

 

 

My second choice was Folkwear's "Gibson Girl" blouse. I had made it up several times before, so it was a breeze to put together. It ended up being the better option with it's 3/4 sleeves as the day ended up being quite a scorcher...

 

To switch it up a bit from the other times I had made it, I decided to add a wide ruffle to the cuff. I forgot to compensate for that and did end up having to cut the sleeve down a few inches and re-set it.

I then added some simple "Cornflower" blue embroidery to the yoke. It's from an original period design, but as I can't remember where online I found it, I won't be posting the picture.

The skirt is from a company called "Frontier Classics" and though I don't know where you could find that brand name, I will highly recommend it! The skirt is extremely well made from a sturdy cotton. I'm sure it will last me for years!

 

I think the hat is my favorite part of this ensemble. It was also part of the aforementioned "Gift" but it was vintage from Etsy. Though I would say it is certainly "Mid- century" being a basic "Boater" it works. Sadly, it was in rather "Vintage" condition, and was dull and dirty. The original sad velvet band was completely worn out.

 

Once it was cleaned and set back into shape, it quickly re-gained it's sparkle. I took inspiration, when it came to the décor, from original fashion plate images.  Though I didn't follow any one in particular, I did remember this "Layered bow" effect from one image. The flowers came from Joann's. I had used the "Ranunculus" on another hat project I had done several years ago, so I went back on purpose for more. Once I saw the cornflowers though, I couldn't pass them up! ("Cornflower" just so happens to be Joshua's nickname for me.... long story) I then added the "Baby's breath" as an accent. I think it almost has a "Mary Poppins" feel to it now.


From here I think I'll just let you enjoy the rest of our engagement pictures. (If you are visiting from Facebook, there are plenty here that didn't end up getting posted... oops..)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until Next time!

Meggie 

Reason for Radio Silence

I have been trying for almost two months now, to put into words the joys that have been bestowed upon me this summer.


I had almost given up. It's just beyond words! 

Earlier this year, Through my Etsy shop, I was introduced to the son of one of my schoolteachers. A fellow Edwardian, and a former navy officer, among many other things. As much as I was trying to avoid talking to a "Stranger" online, I couldn't help it, He was so interesting! We talked about the Edwardian house he had just bought in a nearby town, The research involved in the novel he was writing about the last Czar of Russia, OH! And Sherlock Holmes.

One day, in mid May, he stopped by our business. If you know me at all, you know I'm not a "Cliché" type person, and I try to avoid them at all costs, so when I say it was "Love at first sight" I mean it. Though at the time I had no idea.

Since then we've both come to realize that God has been working throughout our entire lives to prepare us for each other. We have walked side by side for many years, and how we were able to go that long and not meet I'll never know.

On September first we made a trip to "Biltmore Estate" in North Carolina for a "Photo Shoot" in full Edwardian style. We supposedly had a "Set Time" to get into the house and as we arrived a little early Joshua wanted to stop and "Look at the Horses."

I saw, but didn't take much notice that the attendants in the stable were hitching up a Victoria style carriage. A few minutes later as we were walking back towards the parking lot, one of the attendants stopped us. She informed us that the couple who had ordered the ride had not shown up, and they had been unable to contact them. She stated that it was a shame as they were now hitched up and had paid the driver. She said it was all already paid for, would we like to take the ride?

I gave Joshua a look and he readily agreed. For almost over an hour they had me fooled, for as we topped a hill overlooking the house, and paused for a "Photo op" this happened.

Of course I said, "YES!"


I am eagerly looking forward to this new "Epoch" in my life and will try to post more pictures and  things in the coming weeks. Though, things are really beginning to get busy as we have set a date for February. (Apparently one is supposed to take a year or more to plan an event such as this... go figure!)

Until next time!
Meggie