I was off getting married to Mr. Q! Final planning and execution rather dominated my life for a bit and then it was off for our honeymoon. Settling back into regular life didn’t take too long, but opening gifts, writing thank you cards, life errands, catching up on reading other people’s blog posts, and starting new sewing projects (because of course that didn’t take me long!) has delayed my return to posting. Don’t worry, when I have pictures of the wedding I will share, but in the meantime I have exciting pictures of the usual historical clothing variety to share, partly because I was busy with historically clothed events right up until less than a week before the wedding and partly because I’m already back to sewing more things and attending more events. Regularly-topic-ed posts will return soon!

This past month was absolutely busy! So busy, in fact, that something in my life had to give. Unfortunately, the thing that gave was my time spent sewing historic clothing and documenting it here on the blog. I say this by way of apologizing for my unintended and unannounced silence. I’m sure you understand how busy life can be and that you’ll forgive me!

While I was away, I was kindly awarded the Liebster Blog Award by Asa at Fashion Through History blog. Here is a rather belated “thank you!” I’ve actually been nominated for this award once before, and in turn nominated other blogs, so I’m going to skip that this time and just take some time to answer the 10 questions that Asa has asked as part of the nomination.

#1: When and how did you get into sewing?

My grandmother taught me how to quilt when I was in elementary school, but I didn’t really learn how to sew clothing or use a sewing machine until part way through my undergraduate studies when I took a Costume Construction course.

#2: What was your very first garment (historical or other)? And what did you learned from it?

Well, I “made” things for playing dress up when I was young, but I don’t think those quite count. So, let’s call the first garments those I made in that first Costume Construction class. They were almost entirely failures, in the sense that I would never wear them in public despite the fact that they were finished garments. I learned that fabric choice makes a huge difference in having a garment that’s wearable! Also, you learn and practice skills with every garment, even if it isn’t one you are happy with, so there’s those things, too.

#3: Do you have a dream project? And what it is? (Picture?)

I have a lot of dream projects! There’s so many I really can’t pick one, or even a few! They’re mostly dresses, but also include accessories, outerwear, and occasionally separates. Here are links to some of my pinterest boards of “future project” ideas: 1820-1850, 1851-1869, 1870-1899, 1900-1929, and 1930-1960.

#4: Which of your costumes are your favorite and why? (Picture?)

Favorites are hard…

I do really like my 1815 Tree Gown, because it is super comfy to wear, has a fantastic silhouette, and the fabric is just so perfect and fabulous!

My 1819 spencer is pretty fabulous, too. It’s got such fun details and fits well!

Evie, my ball gown from 1864 is a favorite because she’s entirely hand sewn and stunning.

I really love my outfit from 1917. The style is actually quite flattering, I’m impressed that I knitted my own sweater, I love my spat boots, and my fur accessories are just so pet-able! (Plus, my blouse has neat lace details on the collar and cuffs.)

If I only allow myself one more favorite, it’s my 1953 dot dress. It’s grown up polka dots in shades of pink! And it’s super cute and comfortable.

#5: What will be your next big project?

Hopefully, working on my 18th century court gown for Kendra’s sew along over the next few months.

#6: What part of costuming do you enjoy the most (the planning, patternmaking, sewing, details etc.)?

Oh, I do love the planning… Picking out an inspiration image is just so fun! I also absolutely enjoy sewing and adding details.

#7: And what part would you rather not do?

I have to be in the right mood to enjoy patterning. Sometimes it’s just drudgery! And I really don’t enjoy cutting.

#8: Do you have a costuming role model or muse (historical, fellow blogger or other)?

No, can’t say that I have a singular role model or muse. There are lots people I find to be inspiring out there, though, whom have completed amazing and lovely projects.

#9: What’s the reason you decided to start your costuming blog?

I was trying to figure out who I am and what I do in terms of my interest in historic costume research, construction, and wearing. I was encouraged to share that with others and a blog was one way to do that.

#10: What is your best advice for anyone wanting to get into historical costuming?

Get involved with local groups so you have a place to wear your clothes and people who love the hobby and will encourage you. It can be hard to find those groups, sometimes, though, so reading the blogs of people in your area might clue you in as to what they are. Don’t be afraid to comment on blogs, too! You’re invisible until you comment!

I’ve been holding out on you. Big news, and I haven’t shared it yet! (Though I did rather give it away with the title of this post…)

So many of you dear readers feel like close friends, whether I’ve met you in person or not. And I know you’ll be very excited to hear about my engagement!

The question itself wasn’t a surprise (after eight years we’ve discussed these things in the open quite often), but he did manage to utterly surprise me by showing up at my parents house the weekend after Christmas (3,000 miles from where we live near Boston) after we’d determined that he wouldn’t be able to make it this year. It’s the first holiday he’s been able to come home, and it turned out that he’d decided on Thursday that week that he was going to come and showed up on Friday! He’d told my parents and they were super excited, not only because he was coming, but because he told them his extra little secret: that he was bringing a ring. But they didn’t breathe a word of it to me (and they assisted him in his surprise plan), and as I said, I was absolutely floored when he showed up in the living room!

The answer was also expected, though I did wait to give it for maybe a minute. Hee hee hee! I had to have my fun, too, and he knew the answer, despite me not saying the word. The ring is custom designed: a tanzanite with a diamond on either side set in white gold. I was almost a geology minor in college and I have always liked the idea of a colored gem stone that complements my normal clothing palette of mostly jewel tones. He was quite determined that I needed a modern style ring without a lot of (to him) fussy details, so this is a nice blend between our two styles. Awww…

It’s exciting, but I’m a bit daunted by the actual wedding planning part. There are so many details and so much research to do… and I really just want to skip to picking out color schemes and trying on dresses! Yes, yes, I absolutely have the skills to make my own dress… but do I have the patience to put up with myself? That is the question!

Just a quick post to note that this blog recently hit 100 followers! Yay! I’m so pleased that you’re each reading and following my blog. I know there are some of you who also follow my blog via rss feed or some sort of other thing that doesn’t list itself on my side bar, and I don’t want to leave you out of my thanks. I appreciate each of you for your valuable insight, encouragement, and interest in my adventures. Thank you!