No, Really, I've Been Productive!

I haven't been updating for the last month, due to a variety of factors, one of which being serious lack of motivation, considering that no one actually reads this blog. That and a lack of pictures with which to update - but I've at least been using my camera phone to take in progress shots, so I will put together some project posts soon.

For the 1830s project, I have:
-A pair of pockets, one of them artfully pieced, using directions from the WWG and looking at various examples - done but for needing twill tape to attach them, which I bought today
-A "bustle" of ruffled cotton jean, following directions in the WWG - done but for needing a tape threaded through the waist casing instead of cord, which I bought today
-A seashell-shaped velvet needlebook, imitating a red leather one in the OSV - done
-A black velvet pillow-shaped pincushion with a huge white organza ruffle, somewhat following directions in the WWG - done and perfectly ridiculous
-A floral striped cotton quilted petticoat imitating one in the OSV collection - partially constructed, with five rows of quilting done and lots more to go, then a waistband to attach.

Before the semester ends, I really want to make stays and a bodiced petticoat as well, because I'm hoping to make use of them this summer, as I will be interning at Old Sturbridge Village - YAY! Hopefully the costume department will be willing to let me wear my own undergarments. I doubt they issue corsets to the interpretation interns, and I really hate to wear period costume without them. In part, I admit, because the clothes are far less flatting without stays!

Times are very busy, so I'm not sure what I'll be able to complete on time, but even with only a few items done, I will still call the independent study a great success, and an amazing start on research that - let's face it - will lead to a book. I'll keep working on all of this, and will publish while I'm in grad school, or perhaps just after. I love that I'm getting to do real research on this level and with this combination of elements as, roughly, a third-year undergrad student. There's certainly something to be said for a Hampshire education.

So, that's the quick update, but there will be more soon, on the projects I've been working on (including a pattern for the pretty needlebook), the things I've bought, my research, and further plans. Oh, and on the ridiculous amounts of time I've spent scanning images from books onto my computer for a personal-use research database organized by item type - so when I go to, say, draft a pattern for a shift, I can look at ALL my examples of shifts and shift patterns and try to do the most appropriate things, while taking into account appealing stylistic variations.

Plans plans plans! And don't think I'll stop sewing just because the semester ends... ;)