Dad's 55th Birthday Gift

Wow, for once a post about something other than JAFA. Still regency though. I thought that I would share the few pieces that I made up for my Dad for his birthday earlier this year.

Firstly, I made him a brand new regency vest and jacket. The vest is made from the laughing moon mens suit pattern, and the beautiful fabric I found on ebay (and some leftover silk dupion for the collar). I was so proud of myself for going to the extra effort to make up this pattern. In the past I have simply used a modern vest pattern with a couple of adjustments. The thing about the historical pattern is that the shoulder seams are set back, it has a straight bottom and the pockets in the front are actually real and usable.

The next piece I put together was a tailed coat. I picked up the fabric (fake cashmere) at spotlight on a sale rack at the end of winter. I knew that it would be perfect for a jacket. Not only would it be warm, but it looks amazing made up. It took a little longer than some of the other jackets I have put together because the seams end up being very thick, and I am paranoid about getting the pile running all the same way. (I once made a pair of corduroy pants where the pile on the front went down, but went up on the back. They looked funny and felt so weird to touch). I only just took these photos today as I finally put the button holes and buttons on for him (he had to try it on so that I could get them in the correct place). And I am happy with my gold metal buttons, they actually work rather well.

Finally the last thing that I made for his birthday is this adorable cross stitch kit. Orchids - my Dad takes pride in growing them. Kitty - he is a cat person. Perfect gift. I was just pleased to get everything done in time.

And thus you now know the reason I am so far behind on my own projects for JAFA and supanova. While getting two of my dresses completed in the week of leave I took in January, I spent most of my time hurriedly sewing in secret to get Dad's birthday present done. I really am going to have to stop making gifts for my family. It really is too much stress.

Norm's 1850s suit - frock coat

This time, it is my Dad's day suit completely finished. I already have the pants, shirt, vest etc done. It was just a matter of making up the frock coat for day wear. Like the pants, I used the Laughing Moon Frock Coat Pattern. There were some stages in making it that I became completely confused, but in the end it worked out well. It even has 4 hidden pockets - 2 in the chest lining and 2 in the tails lining at the back. Not sure how handy the back ones would be, but they are there and I thought it was worth putting them in. Lincraft drove me up the wall today though. I was buying the buttons for the jacket and I needed two different sizes 3/4" for the front and back and 1/2" for the sleeve cuffs. The hardest thing was finding two different size buttons that are the same pattern. And the fact that I needed 6 of each. Stupid shop sells out and does not replace their stock - most of them only had two buttons in each tube. But I prevailed and found some.

It's a huge relief that I have everything ready for this weekend coming. It's not like I was stressed that I would not be ready, but I did want to be done well in advance. It means that I only have a couple of projects left to do for the remainder of July; and I do have Thursday and Friday off work this week to get them done. Two of the remaining three are almost complete and the other one I have barely started. I see much sewing in my future. Oh and I am planning on taking many many photos at everything this weekend. So far, I think Abbey Medieval is still going ahead, but I guess I will have to wait and see. With rain predicated for the rest of the week, it might not go ahead. I shall be mightily annoyed if I don't get to wear my new dress.

Norm's 1850s suit - evening jacket

And baby makes three. Well, Daddy really.

In particular, his evening suit. It is now complete. Which makes it my third complete costume. I know it sounds like I am super busy and getting so much done in such a short time, but I have really been working on everything at once and now they are all coming to an end as I complete each piece. This time, it is the evening jacket and the cravat.

The cravat fabric colour is called 'smoke'. I was originally going to go with white but then I saw the silver / grey and I just couldn't resist. I really must thank Donna though for the introduction to Eastern Silk. I put in an order last week and got the smoke silk; along with some blue for an upcoming project and an orange colour called sherbert which I have big plans for a corset in the not too distant future.

Other than my sewing, I made a trip out to East Coast Fabrics and spotlight at Morrayfield this morning where I picked up a couple items that I will be needing to finish all my upcoming sewing. As well as some fabric for my new Lolita jacket that I plan to make in the not too distant future. I am hoping to actually get it made while it is still cold and not end up makeing it just in time for winter next year.

Norm's 1850s suit - pants

I have had an exceptionally productive weekend. I got stuck into it and stayed up late sewing my little heart out. I didn't get as many items 100% completed as I had hoped to get, but I did get a lot of work done. First off, my Dad's costume got the bulk of my attention. I just finished his pants this evening. They would have been done on the weekend if I had actually remembered to buy buttons when I bought the fabric. At any rate, I went up to Lincraft at lunch time to get his buttons and finish them off.


I am pleased with how these turned out. They weren't an overly simple pattern to put together, but you get that with mens historical clothing. Thankfully there were actually a few optional points that I could make - like the back pockets. These were only really used in the American west, as since I am dressing my dad up as a gentleman, I gave them a miss. Plus if you put anything in them, it just ruins the line of the pants. I used the Laughing Moon Mens Pants pattern and as a bit of a review, the instructions are fantastic. They go though each part step by step with pictures to help you along. I only had one unpicking moment and that was just confusion on my part rather than the instructions. They give the correct period look. And I cannot tell you how happy I was that they actually fit him correctly. Meaning, no adjustments and no taking them in.

As for the rest of my progress, everything is still coming along. Dad's evening jacket is almost done (bought the buttons for it today too), mum's ballgown got pressed so that I can finish with the hand sewing on it, my medieval is waiting to be hand-sewn together, and mum's belt is also waiting on hand sewing. I will not be running out of the hand sewing this week. Stella can have a bit of a rest while I destroy my fingers with some needles. I am hopefully on my way to more complete costumes. But the best news of the day is that my rec leave has been approved. It's only three days, but that is three days that I can be at home working on getting my costumes done. Some days, I think that I bit of more than I can chew. But I am determined that it will all get done.

Regency Gentleman Part 1

I am now starting to feel a bit more secure about getting all of my regency pieces together. I have even managed to get quite a bit done on my dad's outfit. So far I have the vest.... Thanks to my mum for covering the buttons for me. I have never done it before and was at a bit of a loss as to where to begin. I guess one day I will need to cover some buttons myself, but for the moment : )
And the cravat...

Made of silk dupion and a sort of golden colour to help bring out the golden tones in the vest. I made it super long so that there is enough to go around the neck twice and then knot in front.And finally, the shirt....

I am very pleased with how this turned out. And I am very proud of my little thread button loops (another first for me). I used a nice heavy (but light) 100% cotton, so it should be nice and cool. And best of all, it fits.