Another year of life and blogging has passed… and wow was it busy! It was actually less busy here on the blog on my end due to the immense busyness of ‘real’ life. I didn’t post as much as I wanted to in an ideal world, but I did maintain a pace of 1-2 posts a month, which feels like a small accomplishment. I really appreciate each of you who has read and commented on my posts with encouragement and appreciation.

Projects I completed in 2022

February: DIY Weighted Pillow Doorstop Tutorial and a doorstop for friends!

March: 1837 Blue Cotton Print Dress #1

May: Snowshoe Pads

June: 1850s Ivory Quilted Winter Hood (HSM #5)

June: Homemade Slippers

December: c. 1785 Green Stays (HSM #11)

General Blog News

I participated in the Historical Sew Monthly for the tenth year! This year, I only completed 2 out of 12 challenges, due mostly to the fact that I just didn’t sew as much as I wanted to or have done in the past, and that some of my sewing projects were modern.

Additional Opportunities 

I finally posted about an invitation to visit to the Lippitt House in Providence, Rhode Island in historical clothing. I say ‘finally’ because the visit occured in 2019!

Event Recap

Small and medium sized events started to occur again, which is really exciting! I attended 3 balls (some as part of a weekend event), 4 other events (picnic, croquet, outings, etc.), and participated in 3 weekend events (that included dancing, games, teas, picnics, winter activities, and grand house tours).

To Do Lists

Last year, I only posted a ‘maybe’ to do list. Of that list, I finished the c.1785 Green Stays that were intended to replace the Stays of Fail. Yay! And I mostly finished the 1790s Stays of Fail (started early in 2018). I also started assembling the 1836 Blue Print Cotton Day Dress #2, though it is by no means complete.

This year, my ‘definitely-do’ list includes:

• Finishing the Stays of Fail!
• Completing updates to my 1933 Dramatic Evening Gown (started in December 2022 but worn with safety pins… I’d like to sew the things that are pinned!)

The ‘maybe’ list includes:

• 1790s petticoat
• 1790s dress
• 1930s burgundy crepe blouse
• Finishing the 1836 Blue Print Cotton Day Dress #2

Who knows what else I’ll be inspired by. Mostly, I’d just like to find (or make, I suppose) the time to slow down, relax, and sew something… anything, really.

I hope that you, too, find and/or make time to slow down, relax, and find beauty in the little things in 2023.

2021 didn’t necessarily go as I had hoped, though I still have many things to be thankful for. Compared to other years, the following list of completed projects seems short, but for a year of continued turmoil, few events, and other things occupying much of my time I think it’s a reasonable pile of accomplishments.

Projects I completed in 2021

January: Vintage Inspired Black Wool ¾ Circle Skirt

January: Gaiter Masks From Old T Shirts

February: 1950s Lady’s Raglan Cardigan

March: 1884 Plaid Wool Dress

April: 1885 Wool Mantle & Accessories (HSM #5)

May: New Grey SweatpantsJune: 1880s Blush Duchess Satin Corset

September: 1836 Chemisette (HSM #3)

September: 1838 Bodice (HSM #4)

November: 1928 Egyptomania Inspired Green & Teal Dress (HSM #2)

December: 1920s Star Fancy Dress

General Blog News

In September, I published my 500th post on the blog, which shared details about about my 1836 chemisette. That’s quite a bit of writing over the years!

I participated in the Historical Sew Monthly for the ninth year. This year I completed 4 out of 12 challenges. That’s certainly not my most participation over the years, but given that I made fewer things this year it makes sense.

Additional Opportunities 

This year I featured one of my commissions here on the blog. The commission, from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (NSCDA-MA), was for two dresses: one from about 1810 and one from about 1845. You can read my post about the dresses here.

Event Recap

We all know that events are still few and far between. (Oh, how I wish that wasn’t still the case! But, we carry on…) Given that, the year contained only 1 dance (not quite fancy enough to be a ball, though it did have live music and I did get to dance) and 6 other events (a mix of picnics, outdoor trekking, watching 1860s baseball, and volunteering to interpret quilting).

To Do Lists

Last year’s modest to do list is entirely complete! I love the results of my 1885 plaid ensemble. The 1838 yellow bodice is also wonderfully detailed and enjoyable. I guess it pays to be a bit reserved in the goals if you want to complete them!

I also completed a few modern items, including my black wool skirt, 1950s raglan cardigan, and grey sweatpants.

I don’t really have ‘definitely do’ list for this year. There’s nothing needed for any particular event that I know of and I have many life commitments on my plate that are likely to take up a lot of my free time. Instead, I’ll list my ‘maybe’ to do items, some of which are carry-overs from last year:

• The replacement of the 1790s stays I started in the winter of 2018 and have since decided are a failure (the new stays are super close to being done… I just need to finish the binding and add a lining)
• 1790s petticoat
• 1790s dress
• 1836 blue print cotton day dress (this is all cut out and ready to be assembled)
• Modern dresses, pants, and skirts

Despite this year’s challenges and sorrows, I still have so many things to be grateful for. The lower number of events has allowed me to spend a lot more time trying to be active in modern ways, including hiking, biking, and rock climbing. While not in historical clothes, the exercise is great and it’s quite neat to be able to watch the seasons change and see the beauty of the outdoors at all times of the year.

I hope that you are also able to find joy and express gratitude in your life.

I think it’s fair to say that 2020 was a year of unexpected challenges. Despite that, I remain grateful for many things, including the ability, materials, and motivation to sew. The motivation came and went, if we’re being honest, but it was more often present than not. Keeping my hands busy while making things helps me, sometimes.

Let’s look at what I turned out this year!

Projects I completed in 2020

January: c. 1855 Wool Cape

February: Burgundy Wool ½ Circle Skirt

April: Regency Shoe Revive (HSM #2)

May: The Amazing Balayeuse (HSM #8)

May: c. 1880 Petticoat (HSM #5)

June: New Dotty Tap Pants

July: 1875 Hat (HSM #7)

July: 1875 Reception Dress (HSM #10)

August: Updated 1953 Dot Dress

August: Updated Anne Adams Dress/Skirt

September: 1830s/1840s Corded Petticoat

October: Plum Pants With Pointed Pockets

November: 1831 Bonnet

November: 1834 Yellow Dress (HFM #9)

December: 1925 Coat

General Blog News

The blog had its 10 year anniversary in November! Wow! I guess I have plenty to say! Also, the blog hit 400 followers this year! Thanks for reading and joining me on my sewing adventures!

I participated in the Historical Sew Monthly for the eighth year. This year I was able to complete 6 out of 12 challenges, which is more than I’ve done in the last few years. Yay for that!

Additional Opportunities 

The year’s main highlight in this area was joining Maureen Taylor on her podcast The Photo Detective in February. We discussed the 1885 summer ensemble I was wearing when we met, the apricot 1863 dress I made last year, and other historical clothing topics as well.

Event Recap

This year’s event season was cut short, but before things shut down I attended 3 balls and 1 other event (tea, picnic, outing etc.). I’ve also been grateful to attend 3 socially distanced outings in the later part of the year.

To Do Lists

Last year’s to do list was completed by July! It was great to finish off a few projects that had been sitting around the sewing room for a few years: namely, my 1925 Coat and an 1885 wool dress that I don’t have photos of yet. (It was far too warm in July to consider photos of a heavy wool bustle dress!) The 1875 ensemble was a big project that I had fun making. I’m looking forward to getting more photos of that in the future.

I also did a pretty good job at the things on the ‘maybe’ list from last year in the form of my 1875 hat, 1830s cotton day dress, and some modern dresses, pants, and skirts. Some of those were remakes, but I think they still count.

So, for 2021’s ‘definitely’ to do list, we’re keeping expectations modest in scope (Is that cheating? Can you cheat on your own to do list?):

• 1885 wool mantle (already done in the first days of the new year!)
• Small muff to go with my 1885 mantle (already done in the first days of the new year!)
• Updating a hat to go with my 1885 mantle (already done in the first days of the new year!)
• 1838 cotton day dress bodice (this is close to being done!)

The ‘maybe’ to do list:

• The 1790s stays I started in the winter of 2018
• 1790s petticoat
• 1790s dress
• 1836 cotton day dress
• Modern dresses, pants, and skirts

I’m so grateful to continue to find joy in sewing. I hope that joy continues and brings sparks of inspiration to each of you in some way, as well. Wishing all of us joy, gratitude, and good health!