Summer of 1774

Within the last couple of months (okay, maybe the last year), I've made headway on a number of new projects, and like most sewers, the majority of them are half finished. The majority of these projects stemmed from my work this past summer as a historical interpreter at 1770's fort in northern Michigan. Over those six months, I "lived" as a 1770s british woman, dressing in the appropriate clothing and answering visitors questions, all while cooking over a hearth or working in the gardens. With the need for appropriate clothing 5 days a week (with most of the supplied options not well fitting to my petite frame), I made the decision to make a jacket of my own that I could wear at work, as well as bring home with me to Massachusetts for future reenactments.

To make the jacket, I borrowed the forts copy of JP Ryan's 18th century jacket pattern

and ordered 2 yards of historically correct fabric from Williamsburg (which ended up taking nearly a month to reach me since Williamsburg doesn't ship to PO boxes...). What I later realized was that this particular fabric was printed from a jacket that they have in their collection.

For those of you that know me, you'll realize that decisions are not my strong suit, but I really love this fabric. Two yards ended up being just enough fabric to make a jacket with a shorter peplum, not following the cutting layout in the pattern. With the leftover, I made a simple pinked trim for the neckline. 

Not my favorite photo, but one of the few I have 

an action shot a photographer took one of the days I was tying lavender sachets

With this jacket (and the petticoat, cap, and kerchiefs I made this summer), I'm hoping to get involved with some local reenacting groups and attend Battle Road (or the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington and Concord) this spring. I have a couple more projects in the works for April, so keep your eyes peeled!