Steam Century Mystery Night Is Here!!!!
Mike and I had a great time this evening at the the Mystery. We listened to beautiful music, great storytelling, and made many new acquaintances! The HMA Badger were excellent hosts and we hope to be back for one of the future Mysteries. The next Mystery at Midway Village is set for July 17th. Information can be found on the SCM Page.
We also helped out Gallowglass Academy with the Bartitsu Demonstration this evening. Bartitsu is the martial art style possibly used by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's, Consulting Detective, Sherlock Holmes. Interested in more information? There happens to be a Bartitsu class going on April the 17th. If you are interested you can check out the class information

Mike and I left early, wearing a new corset while still dealing with a lingering cold is tiresome. However, we look forward to crossing into the realm of Steampunk again soon.

Besides getting my new Civil War Dresses done for Naper Settlement, I have my next Steampunk projects in the works.

I think I may put the Jacket aside and focus on something a bit more Edwardian. My mother-in-law gave me The Edwardian Modiste as a recent birthday present and I have picked a dress out of the book.

Or I will go with a dress I just love from Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898, the picture is dated 1889.
I also have a fencing outfit to complete....also from Harper's Bazaar and also from 1889.

Day 12 (Steam Century Mysteries is tomorrow)

Accessories make the dress, so pulled out a hat from my early reenacting days. I purchased the hat before I learned that I should be wearing bonnets, not brimmed hats (save for the swallowtail style and those for riding). So this hat has sat in it's hat box for 15 or more years. Now it has a purpose. I put together some Steampunk Style decoration and hat pins to bring it inline with the outfit I will be wearing on Saturday Evening.

The outfit still needs a few extras, such as googles, but I've not found something I like....I will post pictures of the outfits soon.

Day 11 (3 days from Steam Century Mysteries)

Ouch...okay sewing gremlins I get it! I officially give up on trying to finish my new Steampunk jacket after I drove a quilting pin almost 3/4 of an inch under the nail of my left middle finger. It's gross and I'm bleeding and it HURTS. So I just have to concede and wear one of my backup outfits. I will just have to premier the bustled jacket at Cyphan in June.


I have two backup outfits, one the bustle dress I wear for Bartisu Demonstrations with Gallowglass Academy and the other is a co-pilot costume that is more mid-1930's. Since my husband will also be doing a 1930's style costume I think we should match. I will be sure to post pictures of us on Saturday.


But for now I think I will put the sewing to the side. I leave to visit my little sister in California and I should pack and get ready for that too. This blog will go quiet for a few weeks until I get back and then it will be a race to next dresses finished up for the Naper Settlement Civil War Events. They include a burn out floral day dress and a couple of new calico work dresses.

Day 10 (4 days from Steam Century Mysteries)


It's done...It's done....It's done...It's done....The Corset is finished! There were some headaches and lots swearing along the way. But the corset is wearable. Honestly, I still need to cover my eyelets but that can be done later. Of course, now that this one is done I know where I need to change things to have the corset fit and look better; but that will be for version two. For now I am as happy as I can be.

As for the jacket the test fabric/lining will go together tomorrow. I really think I have a shot to finish as long as the basement stays dry!

Day 9 (5 days from Steam Century Mysteries)

The jacket pattern has been drafted, mostly from scratch and the paper has been clipped away. Tomorrow I will finish the corset and cut the lining/test jacket. We will see if we can finish this for Saturday......

Day 8 (6 days from Steam Century Mysteries)

What happened to Day 7 you ask? It was Easter Sunday was a day of rest, family and celebration. No new sewing to report. Not to mention my head cold sucked!

Today, I helped my friend Donna create her first garment for Civil War Reenacting. A work stay from Past Patterns. It's an easy item to make, requiring no busk or boning and will allow her to acclimate to the tight clothing of the period. When she left today she had the bias/cording and eyelets to put in. I am so very proud that I could help walk her through the process. I also loaned her one of my work dresses to try on.

As for my corset. Most of the fixes are in and I've started to work on the dress jacket. Right now with such a short window I have to consider this may not get done in time. With this in mind, Mike and I created a backup plan for me, just in case my cold and schedule get the best of me.