My Sewing/Cosplay Projects

[Server Room Gremlin]

Looking forward to learning more about all this. Clothing of this time period is not something I've ever looked into before. :3

 

[d4rk3lf]

oh boy.... that is so pretty.
Kudos for all the hard work.

the work of art.. its awesome...
Great job sowing all of that.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I have something very fun and silly, yet still educational, to share!

Yesterday I was finishing up some improvements to my hoop skirt and I decided it needed a test run. For Science, you know! One thing led to another and before I knew it, I was skipping around in full Victorian dress in 90 degree heat. And I got this idea for a reel. Enjoy!

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Which by the way, I'm thinking I may have finally cracked the code on what Instagram wants from me! Ever since they changed the algorithm in 2020, I haven't been able to reach any new audiences. But I just posted this half an hour ago, and Instagram has already shown it to over 1,500 people, so that's very cool!

I sew because I love it, not for the social media views. But when you work hard on something and want to share it with other people, it's very rewarding when The Algorithm finally cooperates and shares it with new people.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Short and silly definitely gets a lot of social media views.
Some quality frolicking right there. 😂 ✨

Prior to the 1850s, women wore tons of petticoats to achieve a full skirt silhouette. This was very heavy, and the petticoats would get tangled up in the legs. But when the hoop skirt, or crinoline, was invented, women could now have a huge skirt without all those petticoats. This was a lot lighter, and it gave a lot more leg room!

This was not something I had thought about before. Interesting to learn!

And I am glad you're enjoying all the sewing you're doing right now. May the work continue to be rewarding. :>

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Short and silly definitely gets a lot of social media views.

Yeah, I think that's the code. I don't frequently get ideas like these, because my brain is more focused on the deep and educational aspect, so I'm glad I got this idea! (It's sad that so many people won't watch a video on Instagram if it doesn't grab their attention with a catchy hook within the first 0.00002 seconds, but whatever.)

Some quality frolicking right there. 😂 ✨

Ya know, I was in rather a down mood yesterday and felt better after shooting this video!

And I am glad you're enjoying all the sewing you're doing right now. May the work continue to be rewarding. :>

Thank you!


I'd appreciate hearing from some more of you too!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

As some of you are aware, this video really blew up on Instagram, earning over 50,000 views! Those are unheard-of numbers for my little account. And this evening, my video apparently caught the attention of whoever runs the National Geographic History account on Instagram!!! 🤯

(And it is the official account; I checked. It's got millions of followers.)

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

That's really great -- congratulations!

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

As some of you are aware, this video really blew up on Instagram, earning over 50,000 views! Those are unheard-of numbers for my little account. And this evening, my video apparently caught the attention of whoever runs the National Geographic History account on Instagram!!! 🤯

View attachment 49150
(And it is the official account; I checked. It's got millions of followers.)

Amelia:

 

[Deimos]

As some of you are aware, this video really blew up on Instagram, earning over 50,000 views! Those are unheard-of numbers for my little account. And this evening, my video apparently caught the attention of whoever runs the National Geographic History account on Instagram!!! 🤯

View attachment 49150
(And it is the official account; I checked. It's got millions of followers.)

When you are famous and traveling the world showing your creations and giving lectures, you...ummm.... you won't forget your friends here?.....😯

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Don't worry, you guys were here first. Free autographs for everyone! 😂

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Last weekend I was at a Civil War reenactment, and it was a great time, as always! Camping and wearing period clothing all weekend and being in such a busy environment used to give me a lot of anxiety. But now that I've been going to this particular reenactment for the past 4 years, I've developed a pretty solid routine. I know exactly how to set up my campsite, when and where to obtain groceries and ice, how to make the environment as comfortable as possible for sleep, what I can and can't tolerate eating, and so on. That frees up a lot of mental energy to focus on and enjoy the reenactment itself, and now reenacting is a refreshing reset for me rather than something to be nervous about.

Before I share the pictures, I'll share a silly story because it doesn't fit in anywhere else. Modern guests come to watch the reenactment and learn about the history, which is awesome. But one of their favorite activities seems to be... watching us eat! 🤨 I find this extremely annoying because being stared at while I eat is one of my pet peeves. But on Sunday, I was getting my lunch ready and preparing to eat it at one of my friends' tents, and I could sense a crowd gathering around me to watch. That was super annoying to me, so I turned my back to them while I ate. Thankfully, my friend (whom I call my "reenacting mom") came and sat near me so I didn't feel so awkward. I was telling her how I think it's so weird that people want to watch me eat, and she explained that for the guests, it's like feeding time at the zoo! For some reason, they're fascinated when reenactors eat. We think they're thinking stuff like, "Is that real food and is she really gonna eat it?" Um, yeah, I have a real digestive system and I need real calories, so leave me alone! 🤨 I've even had people take pictures of me while I eat, which drives me bonkers.

So, yeah, if any of you guys here get an opportunity to see a reenactment, please do the reenactors a favor and don't bug them while they eat!!! We love answering questions about the history itself and what we're wearing, and we wouldn't even mind telling you about what people ate in the Civil War. But we're not zoo animals, so don't treat us like one, please and thank you!

Moving on from that silly story/rant, I will now commence with the pictures.

My teeny tent - the setup has not changed, except that I added a little memory foam mattress to my cot. That definitely made sleeping much more comfortable, combined with a battery-powered fan which I hang from a hook at the top beam. I'm a hot sleeper, and even when the night air is cool, it can get stuffy in the tent, so I really need a bit of air movement regardless of the temperature.

Me in my wrapper. A wrapper is sort of like a house dress. It's the Victorian equivalent of lounging around in your sweatpants. (Not that I would know, because I don't own sweatpants, lol.) A wrapper is something you can wear before you're fully dressed, and you don't have to wear it with all the underpinnings like a hoop skirt or corset. I tend to wear mine in the morning while I eat breakfast, and then get dressed afterwards.

I made some upgrades to my wrapper this year: I cut the front all the way open, because I realized a wrapper, by definition, always opens at the front. I also added the red velvet trim for contrast, because 1860s wrappers tend to have high contrast facing or trim in the center front.

Also, my friend did my hair there. She did a great job, especially with the braids in the back, which you can't see. However, I do prefer the way I arrange my own hair, with the fullness being at the top rather than the bottom.

Here's my hair when I did it myself on Sunday-- see what I mean about the fullness being at the top? Also, lighting inside the tent is very flattering for some reason! Probably because the canvas allows light through, but it's soft and diffused.

This is the outfit I wore on Saturday - the dress I made last year, and the bonnet I just finished, using a kit from Timely Tresses! However, the bonnet already suffered some damage, which is extremely disappointing because I spent so much time making it from scratch, and out of really nice materials like buckram and silk. It was raining on and off on Saturday, which was really frustrating for us reenactors. It would rain, and we would close up our tents and cover our stuff. Then the rain stopped and it became sunny, so we'd open up our tents. Then it would rain again, and this happened on and off multiple times. In the afternoon, we suffered a fairly intense storm where the rain was literally going sideways. I was drenched from head to toe, and that was kind of miserable. And so, my new silk bonnet got wet in the progress, and the buckram and silk warped. I think I'll be able to use steam to help it back to the right shape, but still! It's so frustrating to work on something for several weeks, and barely get to wear it even once before it gets damaged.

Those are some detail shots of the bonnet decorations. You can probably see how the shape got kinda lumpy and warped.

I'm very, very pleased with the silhouette of the bonnet. It's a very accurate and highly fashionable shape for 1861 through 1864 or so. This style of bonnet is called a spoon bonnet, named such because it looks like a spoon from both the side and the front. It's tall in the front and comes down low in the back of the head, because popular hairstyles were very low in the back, and often covered the back of the neck. Here is an example of a spoon bonnet in a fashion illustration from 1864. Can you see how my bonnet has the same shape?

Something else I would like you to notice is the bonnet positioning. How far back is the bonnet placed? Is it covering the face or no?

Spoiler: Answer

An 1860s spoon bonnet should sit about halfway back on the head. The ears are visible unless the hair is covering them. Please note that the front brim of the bonnet is NOT covering the face, but rather framing it like a picture. Many period dramas get this detail wrong.

Here's a fun picture of the silhouette of the dress from the back. It irritates me that the cap is all lopsided, but whatever. Just goes back to the point that all this clothing is NOT A COSTUME. We actually live in this stuff! Also, you can see some of the braids in the back. My hair goes down past my hips, so it's very fun to braid it and pile up all the braids in a complicated loop.

Last but not least, this is my favorite out of all the pictures from this weekend. It is showcasing the frilly cap I made. I started it last year, but didn't finish all the details until earlier this summer. I'm thrilled with how it came out! I made it using a kit from Ensembles of the Past, and it's probably my favorite accessory in my whole Civil War wardrobe. I had a lot of fun making it, too. If you notice the seams, such as where the lace is attached to the net, those seams are only about 1/16th of an inch wide, and I sewed all that by hand. Some people find tiny hand sewing to be boring, tedious and frustrating. Not me, though! I think sewing tiny things is my specialty, and I find it therapeutic and relaxing.

Also, a bit of history about the frilly cap. This would have been worn indoors, most likely during breakfast or visiting. I put my bonnet on top of it when I leave the campsite, but I'm not sure if they would have done it back then. Regardless, women in the 1860s were expected to always be wearing some sort of head covering. It could be as simple as a hairnet to cover your hairstyle while you were inside, or it could be fancy like this cap. Bonnets and hats were required any time you left the house. While I'm very glad we as a society have moved on from that sort of stifling legalism, I very much admire the beauty and fashion of Victorian headwear.

Now, I want to hear from you! If any of this info stood out or surprised you, let me know!

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

I do prefer the way I arrange my own hair, with the fullness being at the top rather than the bottom.

I absolutely love this picture of you! I agree the fullness at the top suits you very gracefully. You look like you are in your natural element and simultaneously remind me of those sweet, demure Victorian ladies seen in old daguerreotypes. And I love the color contrast in your clothing, something you don't often see due to the black-and-white nature of old photographs. We could put you on the cover for some historical fiction book, just like you were on the cover of the reenactment program a couple years back!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I absolutely love this picture of you! I agree the fullness at the top suits you very gracefully. You look like you are in your natural element and simultaneously remind me of those sweet, demure Victorian ladies seen in old daguerreotypes. And I love the color contrast in your clothing, something you don't often see due to the black-and-white nature of old photographs. We could put you on the cover for some historical fiction book, just like you were on the cover of the reenactment program a couple years back!

D'aww, that's so sweet, thank you! 🥺

 

[Starbrow]

I am awe of what you have done. You put so much effort into making this historically accurate and your knowledge of fashions for different time periods is incredible. I've done a little sewing and needlework, but I would never dream of trying to do what you have done. Very impressive.

 

[Captain Boromir]

You have done an amazing job with the period clothing! I also really liked your camp setup! Besides the weather not always cooperating, it sounds like you had a wonderful time!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I am awe of what you have done. You put so much effort into making this historically accurate and your knowledge of fashions for different time periods is incredible. I've done a little sewing and needlework, but I would never dream of trying to do what you have done. Very impressive.

Aww, thanks! It took a long time and a lot of work to get to this level!

You have done an amazing job with the period clothing! I also really liked your camp setup! Besides the weather not always cooperating, it sounds like you had a wonderful time!

Thank you, glad you liked it! And yep, we reenactors won't let a little bad weather ruin our good time!

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

For some reason, they're fascinated when reenactors eat. We think they're thinking stuff like, "Is that real food and is she really gonna eat it?" Um, yeah, I have a real digestive system and I need real calories, so leave me alone! 🤨 I've even had people take pictures of me while I eat, which drives me bonkers.

I'd imagine many of them don't have much knowledge of what re-enactors do. Perhaps they're under the impression you're like actors in a movie or a theme park, where everything is done 'for show'. But in actuality, you don't have a backstage area like actors do for your breaks: you're basically just going camping with different clothing and equipment, and not acting at all.

That would also annoy me to no end. I would escape and find a solitary spot to eat, crouching among the trees and bushes. >_>

Here's my hair when I did it myself on Sunday-- see what I mean about the fullness being at the top?

And it suits you very well! You know what looks good on yourself. :3

This is the outfit I wore on Saturday - the dress I made last year, and the bonnet I just finished, using a kit from Timely Tresses!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
*slaps desk*

This picture. This one.

You would not look out of place in a collection of old photographs. I would not bat an eye at seeing you in a history book. The outfit is lovely, you look lovely. Love it.

Last but not least, this is my favorite out of all the pictures from this weekend. It is showcasing the frilly cap I made. I started it last year, but didn't finish all the details until earlier this summer.

This picture really caught my eye when I saw it on Instagram. The colours are so pretty! I love looking at bright colours, so I think the colour-and-pattern scheme of this outfit is my favourite.

Both your bonnet and the cap are so well made. Congratulations on the massive achievement of finishing all this, and getting it both wearable and beautiful to look at.

Also, a bit of history about the frilly cap. This would have been worn indoors, most likely during breakfast or visiting. I put my bonnet on top of it when I leave the campsite, but I'm not sure if they would have done it back then. Regardless, women in the 1860s were expected to always be wearing some sort of head covering. It could be as simple as a hairnet to cover your hairstyle while you were inside, or it could be fancy like this cap. Bonnets and hats were required any time you left the house. While I'm very glad we as a society have moved on from that sort of stifling legalism, I very much admire the beauty and fashion of Victorian headwear.

It is indeed all very lovely to look at! And the headwear completes the look, really. It would look a bit odd to have all this elaborate pretty clothing, and wear nothing on your head, which would look comparatively 'plain' and undecorated.

I am definitely happy I'm living in the modern day. I can't help but feel I'd be regarded as an uncouth gremlin in many eras of the past. xD

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I'd imagine many of them don't have much knowledge of what re-enactors do. Perhaps they're under the impression you're like actors in a movie or a theme park, where everything is done 'for show'. But in actuality, you don't have a backstage area like actors do for your breaks: you're basically just going camping with different clothing and equipment, and not acting at all.

Yeah, that's a great point! We're not eating for show. We're eating to, ya know, eat. 🙄

*slaps desk*

This picture. This one.

You would not look out of place in a collection of old photographs. I would not bat an eye at seeing you in a history book. The outfit is lovely, you look lovely. Love it.

Aww, that really means a lot to me! 🥺 Authenticity is my biggest goal here, as you well know!

This picture really caught my eye when I saw it on Instagram. The colours are so pretty! I love looking at bright colours, so I think the colour-and-pattern scheme of this outfit is my favourite.

Both your bonnet and the cap are so well made. Congratulations on the massive achievement of finishing all this, and getting it both wearable and beautiful to look at.

This dress got a lot of compliments when I wore it on Sunday! That made me feel good, because I had kinda been considering retiring it. It's the first day dress I ever made, so the quality of construction isn't quite as good as my newer dresses. But it was perfectly comfortable and functional to wear, and the color and pattern got so many compliments. So, I'm not done with this dress yet!

And thank you, that cap is definitely my proudest Civil War accessory.

It is indeed all very lovely to look at! And the headwear completes the look, really. It would look a bit odd to have all this elaborate pretty clothing, and wear nothing on your head, which would look comparatively 'plain' and undecorated.

That's a great point! Hey, period dramas, take notes.... 🤨

I am definitely happy I'm living in the modern day. I can't help but feel I'd be regarded as an uncouth gremlin in many eras of the past. xD

It is nice that people are more accepting nowadays of a wider variety of personal style and dress. I'm glad you get to be your authentic self!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Also, I have another fun picture to drop! This was posted on Facebook somewhere and my friend found it. Here I am dancing with President Lincoln! 😂

One thing to keep in mind about dancing in the 18th and 19th centuries is that it was a social activity, and not necessarily a romantic activity. It was considered very rude for a man to stand around and not dance with any ladies at these things, because a woman couldn't ask a man to dance. So it was considered a very polite and gentlemanly thing, and not a weird creepy thing, for a man to dance with as many ladies as possible during a dance. It was a way of making sure everyone got included. (Fun fact, George Washington made a point to dance with as many ladies as possible for this exact reason!)

Also, I like this picture because it shows the dress in motion (I was trying to teach the President how to box step, lol) and so you can catch a glimpse of my shoes and underpetticoat. An underpetticoat is worn underneath the hoop skirt as an extra layer of warmth and/or modesty. I used to think that was overkill, but uh, let's just say it's really not overkill when you're wearing open drawers and moving around a lot. It's nice to have an extra layer of protection for when your hoop skirt is swinging around a lot.

And those shoes are actually modern shoes, ballet flats with elastic around the ankle, which I've had since 2020. They are extremely well-loved and beat up, since they've been a staple in my everyday wardrobe for many years. And they're close enough looking to 1860s ball shoes. Since they're so old and beat up, I don't mind wearing them in the muddy grass for these outdoor dances. I do hope to try to find an exact replacement for them sometime soon, so I can have that look in my modern wardrobe again but less ratty, lol!

 

[Vardarianna]

Also, I have another fun picture to drop! This was posted on Facebook somewhere and my friend found it. Here I am dancing with President Lincoln! 😂

One thing to keep in mind about dancing in the 18th and 19th centuries is that it was a social activity, and not necessarily a romantic activity. It was considered very rude for a man to stand around and not dance with any ladies at these things, because a woman couldn't ask a man to dance. So it was considered a very polite and gentlemanly thing, and not a weird creepy thing, for a man to dance with as many ladies as possible during a dance. It was a way of making sure everyone got included. (Fun fact, George Washington made a point to dance with as many ladies as possible for this exact reason!)

Also, I like this picture because it shows the dress in motion (I was trying to teach the President how to box step, lol) and so you can catch a glimpse of my shoes and underpetticoat. An underpetticoat is worn underneath the hoop skirt as an extra layer of warmth and/or modesty. I used to think that was overkill, but uh, let's just say it's really not overkill when you're wearing open drawers and moving around a lot. It's nice to have an extra layer of protection for when your hoop skirt is swinging around a lot.

And those shoes are actually modern shoes, ballet flats with elastic around the ankle, which I've had since 2020. They are extremely well-loved and beat up, since they've been a staple in my everyday wardrobe for many years. And they're close enough looking to 1860s ball shoes. Since they're so old and beat up, I don't mind wearing them in the muddy grass for these outdoor dances. I do hope to try to find an exact replacement for them sometime soon, so I can have that look in my modern wardrobe again but less ratty, lol!

WOW! Your work is awesome! The photos take me back in time! Love your dance with Abraham Lincoln!