Stitching My Way To Christmas

So, as I mentioned in my last post, one of the big things that I was busy with during November and December was sewing projects and Christmas presents.

The first part of that was my own 1860's wardrobe. The #1 item on my list of projects was to re-trim my old blue dress. The old trim was in horrid shape after the summer and honestly rather boring; just straight black lines. So, I turned that:

 Into this:

And also put new trim on the bodice:

 Now, you'll notice from those pictures that the bodice is separate from the skirt; that was also a project - separate the two halves and tailor them to fit me perfectly. The reason for doing that was the second project.

Back in September, I got some amazing blue plaid flannel at a reenactment. After much searching and thinking and planning, I finally decided to make a Zouave jacket out of it, and a blouse to go under the jacket. However, I obviously couldn't just wear a blouse and jacket, and I didn't want to make a new skirt. Then it struck me...separate my old dress so that I can mix and match!! So, I made the jacket:

And the Garibaldi blouse, which is covered with intricate embroidery:

One other thing I forgot to mention: I sewed it all by hand. Every seam on the jacket and blouse, every stitch, every inch of embroidery was done by hand. A machine never touched them. And it was awesome!!! So cool to know that I was doing it all authentically!

And thus, my new outfit was born:

Continuing in the world of hand-sewing, for Christmas I made my wonderful man two 1860's shirts and an 1860's vest. That was interesting, trying to make clothes without being able to try them on the actual wearer. I definitely have to thank my brother for being so willing to try everything on, but, unfortunately, my brother is not quite the same size as Stephen. However, all three garments ended up fitting PERFECTLY!

I embroidered his initials on all three pieces:

Again, all three were done entirely by hand. As one of his family members said, "You're either a glutton for work, or you're in love!" Maybe a little bit of both.... =)

And that leads us to Christmas. It truly is a most wonderful time of the year!! Christmas day itself was the best Christmas I have ever had. Stephen and I got to spend the day both with my family and with his. At my house, one (rather new) tradition is to make chocolate covered Oreos:

 Does that vest look familiar? Yup, he loved it so much that he wore it most of the morning....even at the cost of having a clash of plaid on plaid! =)

My mom and brother.....pretending to cross-cut saw? Tug of war? Who knows!

My beautiful sister and her husband:

Some target practice at the Schmidt house!

The whole family together.....it was an amazing Christmas!!