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This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was retired in August 2007. It is being provided by “Sew What’s Up,” which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 03-08-2004, 12:18 PM (1 of 46)
As Magot stated, she is doing some work for a re-enactment group. It sounds soooo interesting.

Pink velvet and old gold brocade. I think the bottle green would have been a better match. However, your project is really quite a neat departure from a suit. LOL.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-08-2004, 11:22 PM (2 of 46)
I'm joining Magot in costume designing and sewing. The drama director for our Easter Pageant this year has requested new garments for the Ascension scene so I'm constructing a white satin cape lined with gold lame and trimed with gold sequined cord and the white tunic worn under the cape with bell sleeve lined with the gold lame and the bottom trimmed with the gold sequined cord. I will also be constructing long tunics, long over vests, head pieces and prayer shawls for 2 temple priests. I've just enlisted assistance in sewing the tunics, over vests and head pieces for the children's choir that will singing with the adult choir in several of the scenes as well as having to see that 31 cast members and approximately 60 choir members have biblical costumes by April 4th. As you can guess, the rest of my life is being put on hold for the next month. But, it really is rewarding and worth the hours of hard work when you see all of the costumes on stage.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: MaryW
Date: 03-09-2004, 07:01 AM (3 of 46)
Goodness Patsy. That is a HUGE undertaking.:shock:
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Sherri
Date: 03-09-2004, 09:13 AM (4 of 46)
Me too Me too. I am undertaking 55 costumes for skaters for our skating carnival. I have farmed most of them our but am myself doing 11 little dalmations, one lion and 7 mice. As well as overseeing a bunch of rentals that have to be shipped to us from down south. Very hard because the kids are between the sizes of toddlers size 3 and adult size 7/8 so a large variance there.

Sher
My website
User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001
Total posts: 357
From: Magot
Date: 03-09-2004, 12:38 PM (5 of 46)
Good Grief! All this self inflicted sewing! Me and me little Anne Boleyn cossie seem quite small in comparison. The lady running the group has instructed daughter no 1 ( for whom the costume is being made) that she needs to learn how to make them herself... Last night she hemmed 1/4" seams on the smock to go under it all. My husband had to come in from the office to tell her to stop shouting at me she was getting SOOOOOO cross. She Can't Sew. Has never shown Any Interest. And now is Being Made To. It is Hell. I rather sew Alone.
enough maudlin talk - she has got 2 smocks to make which will require hand finishing that I think It would be best if I did. I do at least like embroidery!
So far I have got the first toile made up and need a fitting session tonight before I embark on the interlining. My town being what it is, you cannot buy boning so will have to wait until saturday I think. I need to think out the sleeves as well.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
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User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-09-2004, 02:48 PM (6 of 46)
I'm moving my sewing area into our living room so I will have more room to spread out plus dh has decided it is now time to start the remodeling on my sewing room. Oh well, I may get tangled up in all those yards of white satin and gold lame and never be heard from again. LOL

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: MaryW
Date: 03-09-2004, 03:46 PM (7 of 46)
I believe that, we might never hear from you again. :cry:

Magot, Me bethinks daughter is not going to sew for much longer.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 03-09-2004, 04:00 PM (8 of 46)
Such luck be not mine, Mistress Mary, she is as Stubborn As a Mule....I know not from whence it came...

Patsy, invest in a snorkel, send up flares, recruit an army of leprachauns before you drown. WHY THE SEWING ROOM NOW? still , I suppose if you have got the living room he Might As Well Do Something.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
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User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 03-09-2004, 04:14 PM (9 of 46)
Magot, now where would this streak of stubborness come from?

Patsy, I can think of worse things to come entangled from. LOL>
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 03-09-2004, 04:18 PM (10 of 46)
:mad: I told you already, I Don't Know!:throw:
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
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User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 03-10-2004, 03:07 PM (11 of 46)
ROFLMAO!!!
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 03-15-2004, 07:49 AM (12 of 46)
Well, Mad Sewing Woman (or MSW as I am known about the house) has turned into Mad Boning Woman. The interlining for the dress is basically some old curtains and a lot of boning. I'm attempting to make a corset that will flatten my daughters bust as much as possible and push it up. Scarey! The Lead sewing Lady invited me round last night for a hints and tips session but I am prostrate with a cold/laryngitis etc etc and so cried off. She gave me dome good hints on the phone though. Daughter is convinced that the Leading Lady has the Only Way Of Doing Something and gets quite cross when I suggest alternatives. In all fairness, she has probably worked out the best construction methods but being told I am incompetant my my daughter is going to get her no help at all....so while I am home from school ( how can I talk to pwople with no voice..) my machine is humming.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
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User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-15-2004, 03:40 PM (13 of 46)
A big siggggggghhhhhh of relief!! The white satin and gold lame cape is finished. It is quite awsome, even if I do say so myself. I actually took a cape with a hood from a wedding gown pattern and sized it to fit the man that will be wearing it in the Ascension scene and it fits like I had him standing in front of me as a mannequin as I constructed it. I will try to get a picture dress rehearsal night to send to Mary. Wrestling about 12 yards of white satin, gold lame and gold sequined trim made for some interesting sewing. DH said most of the time he only heard my sewing machine but couldn't actually see me behind the mound of fabrics. Tonight I will start cutting the long white gown that goes under it. After that, I have 2 costumes to do for the temple priests and hopefully, I will be finished. I have been able to enlist the aid of several ladies for additional costumes for the adult choir and the pint size biblical costumes for the children's choir so that is helping with my stress level quite a bit. 3 more weeks of rehearsals and then we sing it twice on Palm Sunday.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: Katharos
Date: 03-16-2004, 02:17 PM (14 of 46)
Stubborn, moi? Surely not! ;)

For those interested in seeing all of Mama-san's aka Magot's hard work, I have set up a page here....

http://www.shin-ra.net/Tudor.html

You can also view my meagre efforts, and have a good laugh at my expense!

As for demanding that Leading Sewing Lady is the only one who knows what she's doing, that's purely out of fear! I don't want to be beheaded for doing it wrong....
Spawn of the Magot!
User: Katharos
Member since: 05-17-2003
Total posts: 5
From: Magot
Date: 03-16-2004, 02:28 PM (15 of 46)
We are very proud of the Bodice! It fits! And Katheros can now use Janome - she is doing well. We now need to arrange a visit to Lead Sewing Lady to work out the next part of the plan of campaign - attaching the Velvet!

The stubborness is on your Fathers Side - I am but a reed that bends in the wind.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
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User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 03-16-2004, 03:31 PM (16 of 46)
Good grief Magot, do you sell bridges too. LOL.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Katharos
Date: 03-16-2004, 03:37 PM (17 of 46)
You know it's funny, but that was my comment on the amount of boning too....
Spawn of the Magot!
User: Katharos
Member since: 05-17-2003
Total posts: 5
From: Magot
Date: 03-16-2004, 03:43 PM (18 of 46)
We have used much less than Lead Sewing Woman - some of her stuff rivals Isambard Kingdom Brunnel!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: bsisemore
Date: 03-17-2004, 01:16 PM (19 of 46)
You know I made one of those bone thingy's once. It was a brides maid dress, strapless in eyelet, turned out just breath taking. Had the little vee front over the tummy, very pretty. bone has a mind of it's own.
User: bsisemore
Member since: 03-09-2004
Total posts: 26
From: Magot
Date: 03-17-2004, 04:10 PM (20 of 46)
I've boned a wedding dress before - it takes well with all that light weight silk and lining - this is heavyweight furnishing fabric , double thickness, then covered in velvet and then lined. It sure does have amind of it's own! We have to use sprung steel in the farthingale to give it shape.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
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User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: Magot
Date: 03-24-2004, 12:05 PM (21 of 46)
Bodice now covered in velvet and awaiting lining. Gold braid/ribbon is going on. 14 (14!!!!!!) eyelets have to be hand sewed in order to lace up the bodice. Little pearls to be sewn on after that. we then have to make the farthingale in order to meadure fort he skirt. Sleeves will be slashed with a large turn back cuff lined with gold brocade. Then the underskirt and the headdress. Shifts are being made by Katharos (eventually) And still the stomacher to do as well. If I have time I might make some cuffs with blackwork embroidery, but I don'r think that will be done by May...
( deadline Mayday)
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: bsisemore
Date: 03-24-2004, 01:02 PM (22 of 46)
wouldn't you hate to wear something like that on a daily bases. *L* I'd be setting a new style, I tell you I just can't stand anything tight.:sick:
User: bsisemore
Member since: 03-09-2004
Total posts: 26
From: Magot
Date: 03-24-2004, 03:33 PM (23 of 46)
It's the sheer volume of fabric that gets me- corset, shift, farthingale,underdress, overdress and sometimes a surcoat as well! In SUMMER!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
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User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-01-2004, 02:46 PM (24 of 46)
The Easter musical costumes are FINISHED!!! Tonight is the first dress rehearsal. Had to take a break for a trip to the cardiac unit at Baptist Hospital on Tuesday morning.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: Magot
Date: 04-01-2004, 04:10 PM (25 of 46)
Fantastic Patsy, what a marathon! Lets hope they don't suddenly stick in another few players..
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 04-01-2004, 07:24 PM (26 of 46)
Patsy, why did you go to the cardiac unit? What's wrong?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-02-2004, 12:41 PM (27 of 46)
At first, they thought I was in the middle of a mild heart attack but they have since decided that I had a very, very small blood clot that was holding a small valve in my heart partially open. It is truly amazing what a delicate, sensitive organ the human heart is. I was able to see the colored pictures they took of my heart and it is truly an amazing organ. I'm on a restricted diet and mandatory daily treadmill exercise. I was loaded up with blood thinner, which they think dissolved whatever was blocking the valve, and have to be truly careful for a while, but I'm really OK now. Just had a really good heads up about how important diet and exercise are as you get older.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: Magot
Date: 04-02-2004, 12:56 PM (28 of 46)
wow patsy, that must have been scary - I'm glad things are under more control now. be well.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: Magot
Date: 04-03-2004, 07:33 AM (29 of 46)
Sent Katharos into Cambridge to buy MORE boning! This is for the farthingale which I hope to complete Monday and then start the sleeves - woohoo! This is the start of Mad Sewing Week - which looks like it has condensed to 3 days
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: Magot
Date: 04-05-2004, 08:30 AM (30 of 46)
Farthingale is now complete. This is one of those hooped petticoat things that go under your skirts to make them bell out. It used to be a double bed sheet but with Mary's site recommendation and 6.5m of sprung steel it is now hanging around in my kitchen while I attempt to work out the sleeves...
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 04-05-2004, 08:50 AM (31 of 46)
LOL, that must be quite a sight.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 04-05-2004, 09:40 AM (32 of 46)
I'm starting to feel that I might be getting somewhere - dead line is MayDay.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 04-05-2004, 10:41 AM (33 of 46)
Sounds like you have loads of time, you have done quite a bit already.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 04-05-2004, 11:22 AM (34 of 46)
skirt ( lined and interlined), underskirt, sleeves and hat, not to mention the two shifts that Kateros is making.. eesh.
I'm cutting out the sleeves this afternoon, just getting the courage to cut the velvet. I have cut out the lining and the facing ( gold brocade) but Kath is AWOL so cannot check on the fit before I snip.
To snip or not to snip, that is the question...
I have fitted them to me and I am larger than she. added extra ease and tried again. I still don't think I have enough at the sleeve head but I may well just go with it...the sleeves are not attached to the dress, they tie on somehow. I haven't quite worked out how yet. She want's them slashed so that should provide a nit of extra ease (and let the shift out from below).
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: Magot
Date: 04-20-2004, 04:31 PM (35 of 46)
Katheros has a new piccy of the work in progress here, http://www.shin-ra.net/Tudor.html
how was the easter show Patsy? Hope you are still keeping well.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: plrlegal
Date: 04-20-2004, 05:17 PM (36 of 46)
Magot the victorian garment looks splendid even at this point in the construction. I don't think I want to tackle that. The Easter pageant was wonderful and the costumes, in particular, the resurrection garments apparently came off spectularly. We sang the resurrection scene again on Easter Sunday morning and even though my back was to the baptistry, I knew that the man playing the role of Christ was standing in the opening behind the choir as I heard an audible gasp from the congregation when he stepped out into the bright stage lights and raised his arms.

Patsy
Patsy
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001
Total posts: 318
From: MaryW
Date: 04-22-2004, 02:31 PM (37 of 46)
Jan, it does look awesome. You both sound like you have been busy. I would have loved to have seen the cape make his entrance.

My little prairie dresses are coming along nicely. Nothing as complicated as your projects, the bodices are lined, lots and lots and lots of gathering in the bodice and skirt. I had to make quite the alteration for length. The girls measure approx. 31" from shoulder to finished edge. The skirt alone was 36" for a size 8. Good grief, where do they get these sizes from?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 04-22-2004, 05:10 PM (38 of 46)
Mary, there are some mightily unnatural shaped people out there! At least they think that children are very odd shapes.

I have cut out and lined the skirt and sure enough, put the lining on inside out. I refuse to take it apart - there are so many pleats in this thing I can just pretend and french seam over my mistakes! Tomorrow I have to pleat and reduce 3m of material to 70cm (my DD has a small waist) and attempt to attach it to the bodice. It's looking really exciting now. After that it's hemming, underskirt and all the hand finishing. I'm not happy withthe way the headdress has turned out but I dobn't know if I will have time to redo it before next weekend... we still have all the shirt bits to hand sew...and Katharos needs to be taught how to hem...
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
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User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 04-23-2004, 08:16 AM (39 of 46)
3 m. to 70 cm. that is more than 3 - 1 fullness. What fabric is the skirt made of?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 04-23-2004, 10:37 AM (40 of 46)
..... old rose velvet.....
.......the skirt is on.....
.........I'm exhausted.....
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 04-23-2004, 12:28 PM (41 of 46)
oh, good grief. Relax Jan, have some wine and sit back. Quite a job, that is.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 04-23-2004, 03:27 PM (42 of 46)
It is going to look magnificent - I told Katie she'd better get plenty of wear out of it, she can use it for a wedding dress if she ever gets married!
(wine finished, Tom Cruse on the DVD...ahhh)
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: Magot
Date: 04-29-2004, 01:14 PM (43 of 46)
Yay Me! I've finished!
So in 6 weeks we have made:
1 farthingale ( steel boned hooped petticoat,3m diam)
2 calf length shifts (Katheros made them and I hand finished cuffs and collars)
1 gold brocade underskirt
1rose red velvet overdress/kirtle laced at thee bodice and open down the front to show the underskirt. Trimmed with matching ribbon 'pearls' around the square neck.
1 bodice front in rose red velvet trimmed with old gold cord to hide the lacing
1 set of trumpet shaped rose red velvet sleeves with an old gold brocade turn back cuff
1 white cotton headband/fillet to go under
1 rode red coif attached to gold brocade lappets trimmed with the ribbon and pearl combination to match the bodice.

I am amazed - I would estimate it cost about £100 all in all, not counting time. It has been a terrific learning experience - we only had drawings to work from - and the help from the lady who runs the re-enactment group has been SO valuable. I hope to get pictures for you soom as I am so proud. Katie needs it for this weekend to go a-Maying. The leader of the group has sewn acres more cloth than I in the same time, but then, I do have a job as well!

I'm off to the pub tonight after I have delivered daughter and dress to lead Sewing Lady where they are making May Garlands. Yesterday the house smelt fantastic as she made pears in syrup to a tudor receipe.mmmmmm
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 04-29-2004, 04:16 PM (44 of 46)
Yay for you Jan. Such a huge job!

I am also finished up with my little prairie pinafores. They went to school today. :bluesmile
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
From: Magot
Date: 04-29-2004, 04:26 PM (45 of 46)
Is that like "little house on the..." It's fun doing for little girls so Go You!

Thanks for the compliments- I'll e-mail you a piccy, I don't have a web presence of my own but we hope to get Katies site uploaded with the rest of the making process.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us
Cells a Speciality
DNA to order.
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002
Total posts: 3626
From: MaryW
Date: 04-29-2004, 06:10 PM (46 of 46)
Yes, that's it exactly. Little house on the prairie pinafores. complete with big gathered skirts and long ties in the back. I haven't sewed for a little girl in years and really enjoyed it. :bg:
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005
Total posts: 2542
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