Pinspiration

Recently I've been slowly, but surely exploring the joys of Pinterest! Its such an inspiring site! A priceless resource for storing all my ideas in their own categories. I have very broad interests so it suits me perfectly to find inspiration pertaining to so many different facets all in one places. I find everything from make up tutorials to wedding ideas (not that its anywhere in my near future, mind you :P) to fashion boards. My personal favorite, if you look at my boards, is definitely the fashion ideas... Not to mention the little bits of humor, uplifting words, recipes and house hold care tips. I could go on and on.. Needless to say I've passed more than a few hours on there. :D

Here's a few things I've found that I'd like to recreate.

The flounces on this are INSANE! In a wonderful way. :D

This skirt in black. Paired with a dainty 'vest' and an extremely fitted jacket. Oh yeah! 

Showin' my froofier side. ;) Which isn't very froofy. :s

Love this! Almost origami styled jacket!

I don't know why, but these ARE calling my name!!! I love em! The details around the waist are so perfect. :)

I think this is the cutest dress! Its so bright and cheery! And I love what they did with plaid on the bodice!

Which are your favorites?

If you'd like to check out the rest of my pins go here!!

Love,
Brooke

Modern blouse for Megan

I started this blouse last year for Megan's birthday. I got it part of the way done and wasn't pleased with how it was fitting. So I threw it into pile set it as side to finish some other time. The months slowly ticked by and Megan's birthday came and went again this past March. At the time I new I wanted to go a head and finish it for her, but between work and drivers ed. I didn't have any spare time. All that was left was constructing and setting the sleeves, buttons/buttonholes, and hemming the bottom. So, at last, I finished it!!

I used Simplicity 2501. Its a very straight forward pattern. Very simple to use and I understood the instructions perfectly. A nice accomplishment for someone such as myself. I usually just make up my own... :S :P I love the stand up collar and ties.

The only thing I don't really like about the pattern is the fact that it has bust darts (not sure what the technical name for them is? :-/). I can never seem to get them to lay right. The fabric is a plaid-like homespun that's been laying around for years. It was actually very nice to work with and is very soft, un-like some other homespuns. Thankfully I was able to find 9 matching buttons in our button collection. lol I was surprised to see how many we'd used since I last dug threw them.

As you can see it still doesn't fit to greatly, but maybe someday she'll grow into it. ;)

The back also has 2 darts, but they actually turned out pretty nicely so the don't really show. :)

I love the sleeves. There like cute little puff ones, but only have 2 box pleats on top and 1 on the bottom instead of a bunch of gathers.
Thanks so much for visiting. I've been spending alot of time in the sewing room and I'll have some things to show you soon. So don't be a stranger. ;)

Love,
Brooke

Abounding sun bonnets

Hello!!

 I am, at last, back after my lengthy hiatus! :) I'm now off my job for the summer months. And as of an hour ago we wrapped up the elephantine project of picking up and organizing (sorta) the sewing room! Which pretty much looked like a tornado had hit it. :S So now all the fabric is sorted by color and all the small peices for quilts are separated from the more useful lengths (which to my disappointment are rather limited in both size and quantity). Box after box of knits were hauled to the basement. In every form and color you can imagine. Single knits, double knits, tricots, and well the list goes on and on. I'm now accepting ideas on how to use this mountainous collection. I have to admitt I have very little patience when it comes to the horrible heap of poly esther. lol That type of fabric basically goes against my entire idea what I should be sewing. Never the less, I'd definately like to turn over abundance into advantage. Speak now or forever hold your peace when it throw it all away. :D lol Anyway enough about that... Now that I that I can sucessfully enter my cheery little space and not have to dig threw every one of the boxes to find something specific each time I get an order. I'll be producing more things to show y'all.

 To hold y'all over...here's a few of the bonnets I've made for some of my customers. They're definately the most popular item I sell. :)

                                      

                                     

Until next time,

Brooke

Grand Dames of the 19th century

Here-in you'll find some extremely drool worthy ladies of the 19th century.

 Empress Eugenie -1860 I love the flounces on here dress the must be sooo full and out of a very crisp fabric.

 Countess Csekonics of Jimbolia and Janova -1862-65

The skirt detail is awesome! Her shawl is really cool too.

 

Duchess Marie in Bavaria -1857
by Franz Hanfstaengl

She's so adorable!

Amina Boschetti -1863
by A. Armand & C.ie, Bordeaux.
Quite the hair style. Wish I had the opportunity to wear this... :D

Empress Elisabeth of Ausria
Its interesting how all the stripes have
 a different design on them.

Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia -1869
Can you tell I'm quite taken by very geometric designs?

Tsarina Maria Alexandrovna, Winterhalter -1857.
Must have been very wealthy. :P And very fond of pearls. :-. lol

 Princess Royal and Princess Alice -1852
by Theodore Brunell
They look like little angels and their dresses are to die for.

Hungarian coronation dress -1867
One of my favorites... ♥

 Elisabeth dressed for the cold in a fur-trimmed paletot -1865
 by Emil Rabending
A nice little peek into fancy outer wear. I can't imagine how heavy this whole outfit must have been. Even tho velvet was probably lighter in the 1860's. There's still alot of yardage there and then add the coat which looks quite girthy... wow

Infanta Isabel, Princess of Asturias, Countess of Girgenti nicknamed "La Chata"
Is that one heck of a gown or what? lol




Duchess Sophie Charlotte of  Bavaria -1867
I'm sure most of you are thinking this is probably one of the most ugly dresses you've seen. lol But I'm draw to its angular lines. Its simple beauty is quite my style. :D



Isabel II Queen of Spain -1860

Her dress is so pretty! I'd love to make myself

a dress like that someday. :D Its so feminine. 



Duchess of Wellington

She is like ultra graceful, in my opinion.



 Princess Alexandra of Wales  -1866

Isabel Alvarez Montes, Duchess of Castro Enriquez and Marquise in Valderas -1868
I'm loving all the tulle or whatever you want to call it.  It must have been alittle nerve racking to wear, so fragile. The trim on the skirt is such a cool design as well. 



Princesses Helena and Louise -1856
by Roger Fenton
They seem really impressed by getting the dag taken don't they?! :P Their hats are really cute and I realllly like the jackets.  

Elisabeth as Queen of Hungary

This is my personal favorite. I think its probably the most beautiful 19th century ensemble I've ever seen. I'd really like to make a reproduction of it some day. *heres to one's dream*

You can find many more at the source. :) I hope they inspired y'all as much as they did me. Which ones are you favorites?

Until next time. ♥

Love,

Brooke





1860's toddler strapped petticoat and chemise

Awhile back I had the pleasure of working with my dear friend, Paris. She needed a few undergarments for little boy, Asa.

 First off is the strapped petticoat. It was a blast to make. Everything was squares or rectangles thus making it super easy.

It consisted of the waistband, straps, and 2 skirts. I sewed the two skirts on as one thus giving a the look of multiple petticoats, but they're all one piece. Anyone with little kids know how difficult it is to get all their layers on correctly. ;P 

The chemise is shaped the same as Elizabeth Stewart Clark's ladies chemise. A simple raglan style. Both of them are of course 100% cotton. All the gathers were hand sewn. It makes them so much finer and I'm able cram alot more fabric into smaller areas. :D

Here Asa is with his whole ensemble on. Paris did an awesome job on his dress. Makes me wish I had a little boy to dress. He looks picture perfect and is one the cutest little boys I've ever seen. :)

Love,

Brooke

Christmas dress 2011

 This past Friday was my work places' Christmas party. I've wanted to attend this particular party for 3 or so years. Needless to say I've been brain storming for awhile about what I want to wear. :) This year it was held at the Embassy Suites in large town near here. We were super excited about the chance to wear fancy-ish dresses. :P So this is what I came up with.

 I used this pattern many thanks to Aunt Kristi, who gave it to me for my birthday. :)

 The fabric is from my always enlarging collection. :S lol Michelle thought the color suited me okay and it kinda looks like the one on the pattern cover. :D Always a plus so I know what it will kinda look like when its done. ;)

Its was fairly simple to construct, but the neckline was quite difficult to get straight.

I also had alittle trouble getting the ruffle on the sleeve to lay down right, but a little or should I say a bunch of steam got it to behave correctly. :P

I had to add 2 inches of length to the skirt. It turned out the perfect length!!! :) YAY. ;)

I also sewed the neckline about an inch higher then it would normally be. That went really well. Which was a relief as I was sure how that was going to come out.

The belt "buckle" is actually a broach that my Grandma gave me on my birthday. :) Are we seeing a trend here? :P There's also matching earrings. Which I wore to the party. :)

And for the record. My 4 year old brother Matt gave me the flowers. :) He calls me his girlfriend. :) So the first flowers I've ever been given were from  my little brother. How cool is that? :D

Over all I couldn't be happier with it. I love it sooo much. I've already worn it several times and I plan on making much more good use out of it this season. :D





 On a side note. Amanda is have 2 awesome giveaway's on her lovely blog. The first is the stunning Shabby Apple dress 'Ski Bop' and secondly is Modest 4 Me high cut camisole. So go check them out. :)

Love,

Brooke