On New, Old Hobbies... (CP)

(Cross posted)

I have been curious about tatting since the first time I saw one of those strange little shuttles at the craft store next to the embroidery floss. I have always kind of know I'd get around to trying it. I have a passion for historical crafts and lacy, dainty things. Hah. 

So this past week I picked up a shuttle and some ecru colored thread and went about learning. I quickly found that while it's numbingly abusive to the finicky, detail-oriented part of my brain, the part of my brain that does math and manages my OCD was intensely satisfied. What could be better than counting and having to pick out little tiny knots every few minutes? Did I mention I love to untangle knots?

http://www.thisntat.com/lessons1.html

Above is the link to the tatting tutorial that I used to learn. I think I also pulled up a little video on youtube when I learned how to join picots, but I honestly can't find the link.

Needless to say, I am hooked (heh) and I urge anyone who has a mind for patterns and hand-work, and who can understand tension, to give it a shot. I've been making bits of tatted lace to trim some of the projects I've been working on and it's so satisfying to complete!

This is a link to my next project. http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2002/bridal/docbridal.html

Have you ever tatted? Do you find yourself tatting in your sleep now, like I do? Haha!

On Something Old, On Something New

Well, here I am!

I've finally decided to dedicate a separate blog to all of my silly historical fashion, crafting and sewing musings. I finally have a place to post current projects, inspirations and aspirations, relating to historical fashion and culture.

 

I suppose you might be wondering who I am. My name is Emily and I live in South Eastern Michigan. I've got a nicely seasoned farm blog over at A Pinch of Something Nice and I blog regularly with some other fantastic bloggers over at Not Dabbling in Normal. I am a farmer and horse trainer, and I run my own horseback riding program in Plymouth, Michigan, and I am married to my best friend, Jeremy Bastian, who is an all ages comic book artist/creator.

I've started this blog to share my love of historical clothing, cloth, craft, costume and culture. My current favorite time periods for fashion are 1912-1923 and 1929-1938. Basically I find myself obsessed with any great change in fashion, and wars (1914 and 1933) have a real habit of creating lots of change, very quickly. I love the intense flow of the Victorian era, but it's the practicality of women's clothing during late Edwardian, war-era England and America that really get me. The great depression leading up to the second world war is another time of great change - lots of practicality and thrift.

There are entire sections of my closet and library devoted to antique and reproduction clothing, and over time I'm sure you'll get to see most of it. I love to share the things I make, and I love to make reproduction dresses. Sooo, I suppose you'll be seeing plenty of those as well.

Stay tuned!

What is your favorite historical period for fashion?