I have been quietly standing in the shade all of my days

[gwendolyngrey]

One thing I will definitely say for my new job, is that already my buttonholes have shown a marked improvement.  This is a result of the hours and hours I've spend doing a buttonhole stitch along worn edges and corners of garments.  In fact, I've done nothing but mend so far, and still have another week of mending ahead of me before I get to progress to alterations. 

Yet whenever I start to get tired of fixing yet another hem or patching another hole, I just remember that instead of sitting in a large, quiet room stitching I could be waiting on customers, and I instantly feel much better about life.  And in a week's time I'll be able to take on more interesting projects, but for the moment I feel like some sort of mending queen. 

Tuesday night I attended dance practice with the Williamsburg Heritage Dancers, and had so much fun!  We did several dances that were way more complicated than anything I'd done at previous balls, and for once I felt like a novice instead of the experienced one!  Every other Tuesday evening is sewing circle though, so I'll only be able to go dancing every other week unless I decide to try Scottish folk dancing which is apparently on Thursday nights... I'm thinking if I'm not too tired I'll go for sure next week.

And my mind is swimming with all the dresses I want to make for myself, but I'm just. so. tired.

I might work a little bit on my wool dress for Gettysburg before going to bed.  The skirt panels are sewn together, and I want to attach the hem facing yet tonight.

Right up after the wool 1860s dress though must be a new 18th cen outfit.

I have some pretty pale pink homespun look cotton that I think I'll make a little pet en l'eir jacket with.  Right now I'm thinking of doing something like this:
 

I also want a charcoal grey robe a l'anglaise, but I don't even have fabric for that yet.  And I absolutely need a cloak and mitts if I'm going to spend the winter in Williamsburg!

Comments

[reine-de-coudre.livejournal.com]

i am so wonderfully happy for you, gwendolyn! it sounds like you're having a lovely time, in spite of all the work! just the opportunity is something awesome. can't wait to hear more of your adventures! :)

[idlewild-grey.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you! And you'll HAVE to come out here sometime and share some adventures!

[pinkdiamond.livejournal.com]

Oh my that is glorious and nice evidence of a very different form of pleating. I wonder if that was ever used in full length robes?

[idlewild-grey.livejournal.com]

I don't know... this is the only example I've seen of this type of pleating. Though I suppose it's plausible that it might have been used for full-length gowns.

[sarahnucci.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're enjoying it. If Jean Hogge is still in accessories tell her I say hello!

I was compleatly exhaused when I wored there as well - it does pass after a while. It gets a lot better when you move to actually doing things, and not just maintaince - but then agian summer is all maintaince all the time.

And yes, silent room - if you have an ipod or mpg player - get some books on tape, they will help immenensly.

[idlewild-grey.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll be sure to say hi to Jean for you!

And yeah, my ipod is rapidly turning into my best friend. Fortunately I've never had a problem with silence, though I can see how it might really bother some people.

[tayloropolis.livejournal.com]

What's your schedule like? Are you free on weekends? I'm going to try and organize a little dinner with a few of the LJ people in the Fredericksburg area. It would be great if you could come!

[idlewild-grey.livejournal.com]

I work Mon through Fri 8-5. So yeah, I'm free on weekends (which I still find so novel), and would love to come see folks in Fredericksburg!

[tayloropolis.livejournal.com]

Why don't you send me an email at taylorshelby at gmail dot com so I can get in touch with you. I'm planning things!