From Rags to Riches

Recently I was asked to make a period outfit for a young lady of thirteen.

The outfit began with a trip to Goodwill where I found this checkered bedskirt

 (I actually got two of them).

As you can see Lizzy is helping with the presentation:).

I found a lovely white blouse at another thrift shop.

Here is the final result.

I made the skirt from the bedskirt and then used some blue fabric leftover from another project to make the belt.

I altered the sleeve cuffs and added some lace to the white blouse.

Altogether the price tag is low:

$6 for both bedskirts,

$2 for the blouse,

nothing for the leftover blue fabric.

I am going to make her a matching petticoat from the other bedskirt and a shawl from the leftover ruffles.

What thrifty projects have you completed lately?

What Do You See?

So what do you see?

I see a bargain!

This lovely dress was a find at Goodwill for $5.99.

But I didn't see a dress.

I saw seven black frog closures, a zipper (well you can't see that because it's on the other side:), and lining for a bodice that is being made.

Yup, this dress resulted in frog closures for future projects. These frog closures sell for about $3.50 each. The zipper sells for a couple of dollars. The fabric for lining the pagoda sleeves of my bodice would have cost a about $5. So for $5.99 I got about $35 in supplies.

The best part is that the money spent on the dress is helping others:).

New Suit

After two weeks of battling patterns Christine and I finally finished a Victorian suit for my hubby!

He tried it on for the first time today (it was a surprise) and with the exception of needing a nip and tuck to the trousers it fits well!

The pinstripe fabric was $1.50 per yard from Walmart (it took about 10 yards).

Buttons were discounted 40% from Joann's with coupons.

The vest fabric was $4 a yard from Hobby Lobby (the fabric is leftover yardage from a dress I am making).

We used a McCall's pattern for the trousers, Simplicity for the vest, and a Burda pattern for the coat.

The Burda pattern was very difficult to follow but produced a lovely coat.

Leftover fabric was used for the coat lining.

Hubby will look very nice at the next reenactment in his new pin stripe suit with hat, gloves, and tie:).

We literally saved hundreds of dollars making his suit.

It was a lot of hard work but worth it:).

Pink Brocade and Lace

Well another dress is finished and made it's debut

at our Pick Pocket Plantation tour today.

The pink, actually it's more of a mauve, brocade fabric was on the discount fabric rack at Walmart for $1.50 a yard (the dress needed about 7 yards plus the lining fabric which was also $1.50 a yard but only required about 2 yards).

I used a Simplicity pattern and trimmed the sleeves with some leftover tea stained lace from a previous project.

The frog closures ($3 for both) are also tea stained and the bodice is trimmed in a pearl trim (also leftovers).

The chemisette is an antique piece found at a local antique store for about $12.

 Altogether the dress has about $35 invested and a couple of days time.

 Don't forget to consider leftovers from previous projects when sewing a new project as it helps reduce costs greatly:).

Gone With the Budget!

Gone With the Wind is one of my favorite movies!

I am actually fluent in GWTW being that I can quote most of the film:).

In addition to being a fan of the movie I also enjoyed reading the book as well as reading books about the making of the movie.

Aside from being a big fan I also love the dresses.

Of course, my favorite is the BBQ dress.

So I decided to make the BBQ dress.

 Reproduction fabric is available but at $35 per yard with 18 yards needed another option had to be found.

And so the search began for a fabric close in appearence to the original. I decided to find a comparable green and white fabirc and cover it over in sheer white organza in hopes that it would have the same effect as the original dress.

I finally found a fabric that would work at Joann's on sale for $5.60 a yard.

The organza was also on sale and I chose to use dark green crushed velvet for the belt instead of real velvet (a difference of about $20 a yard:).

The boning was leftover from a dress I purchased at a thrift shop for $1.

I used a bodice pattern from an old Simplicity ball gown pattern and made the skirt without a pattern.

This allowed for only about 7 yarrds of fabric as opposed to the 18 yards required for the actual BBQ dress pattern (yes I have the reprint pattern which can be purchased at the gift shop at the GWTW/Marguaret Mitchell museum in Atlanta).

It took some creativity but I think the overall effect is very similar to Scarlett's BBQ dress.

Instead of spending $600+ to make an exact copy, my dress came in just under $100.

Frankly Scarlett, I saved some money!

What's your favorite GWTW dress?

Thrifty Reenacting-Accurately!

For some reason this post disappeared from my blog so I am reposting it.
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Over the past few weeks I have shared several of my thrifty reenacting moments.
For those entering this hobby I thought I would share some helpful hints.
First and foremost-know your stuff!

This is cheap to do since we now have access to so much information with the Internet.

One of my favorite places to find pictorial information is the 'images' link on Google.

It's free and there are thoussands of antique photos and fashion plates from the different eras.

There are also many websites with historial information to accompany photographic documentation of fashions.

I am going to refer to the mid-19th century era on this post but all of this applies to the era of your choice whether it be Regency or the Roaring 20's.

In my opinion photographic evidence is important as it does not fall prey to personal opinion or speculation on fashion.

Antique photos and pictorial excerpts from sources like Godeys and Petersons magazines are indisputable as to the true fashions of the day.

Another wonderful source are museum exhibits like the one currently at the Charleston museum.
Once you have researched and studied your fashion era then begin the hunt.

Learn the styles well so that you will not mistakingly purchase something that looks the part but may not be accurate. Purchasing historic reproduction clothing can be very expensive so you do not want to invest in the wrong thing.

Do not rely on movies or TV shows as your resource! There is nothing worse than showing up to a living history event after spending a fortune on a movie style dress just to learn it is incorrect.

So lets begin with the basics.

Learn your personna. Determine if you were rich, middle class, or poor.

Your class level determines the fashions you wore (that's why I portray a wealthy woman-the dresses are prettier:).

Next, choose a style of dress that appeals to you.

If you are purchasing a dress find a reputable vender.

If you are making a dress find a suitable pattern for your sewing level and that is historically accurate.

Truly Victorian, Past Patterns, and Simplicity are some of the ones I have seen used (I use Simplicity but may try the Truly Victorian line of patterns after getting the recommendation from a friend).

Now you need to find the right fabric. Do not choose a fabric just because you like the print and color as many of todays bright, bold colors and wild prints may not have been available back then.

 Generally speaking plaids and calicos are the safest bet. Basic colors like blue, burgundy, brown, green, and gold are a good place to start.

Although many reenactors insist on historic fabric make-up (cottons, silks, taffetas, wools) I often go for the blends that have the same look. It's up to you:).

Check your local fabric store for sale fabrics but don't forget that many people donate fabric to thrift stores too ( I found 11 yards of red tartan for $6).

Also check thrift stores for lace collars and trimming like silk or grosgain ribbon.

Belts, buckles, and shoes can also be found at thrift stores and yard sales in period styles for a low price tag.

It is important to know your style before you begin so that you can recognize similar styles that can be adapted from modern day clothing. This is how you save money!

Learn your style and your personna...

but most important is to have fun!

All photos were taken at the Charleston Museum.

Battle of Columbia

Today we attended the Battle of Columbia.

A few ladies relaxed at the encampment before the battle.

Hubby and I enjoyed the lovely weather.

After visiting with some friends we headed to the outdoor theater...

for an historic accounting by the Generals Lee, Jackson, and Stuart.

After learning the history of these famous gentleman I was honored to have my photo taken with them.

Following the performance I joined the ladies who had been making silk card cases.

This was the first time I wore this dress which is a summer sheer dress.

I made the bodice while Christine made the skirt (Simplicity Pattern).

This dress was another thrify endeavor.

The fabric was a great buy at $1.50 per yard.

The white belt was found at a local thrift shop for $1 (see above pictures to see the belt) which happened to have a period correct look.

The hat I made on the way in the car with a $2 straw hat from a thrift shop and some silk roses and trimming from an old hat.

Altogether the dress and hat were just under $40.

Hmmm...maybe I should start a show called $40 a Dress:).