tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89879617828291812762024-03-12T17:20:11.871-07:00Crazy Concord ChicksCrazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-52957342232441068562012-03-10T20:59:00.001-08:002012-03-11T21:08:02.669-07:00Mrs. Hancock's Pudding Cap Pattern: Part Two<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IdF658WzP_7eI58t0zdREM5eEt8A9-MW3iD0XDmE-BmHuCwJBH11UfUQWcGoqS06ADVX-0niHwQrqtAUe3Rh5T3mCEvfIfHY9KKr367MUhXHvifaayq_uh6kToIyo2vD14QZfKieAQfE/s1600/pudding+caps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IdF658WzP_7eI58t0zdREM5eEt8A9-MW3iD0XDmE-BmHuCwJBH11UfUQWcGoqS06ADVX-0niHwQrqtAUe3Rh5T3mCEvfIfHY9KKr367MUhXHvifaayq_uh6kToIyo2vD14QZfKieAQfE/s320/pudding+caps.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On the left is the Pudding Cap from the V&A, on the right is the pudding cap I recreated.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm proud to say that the pudding cap is done. Here's how it came together...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7VfCxK00W3wsX5dKhDEgdnjEmcK3BUv-5tA4ub6RTJsnKnEQ_9-2uUW-mhims83jeYjQtl5LEgLSv3TiYbtPRF-lokYgo3pSV4rCpW2s0UC_JaAHKD0BNMw8NRkZ35_ZQNbGK5nyDqGg/s1600/DSC05622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7VfCxK00W3wsX5dKhDEgdnjEmcK3BUv-5tA4ub6RTJsnKnEQ_9-2uUW-mhims83jeYjQtl5LEgLSv3TiYbtPRF-lokYgo3pSV4rCpW2s0UC_JaAHKD0BNMw8NRkZ35_ZQNbGK5nyDqGg/s200/DSC05622.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I sewed the four triangles together using backstitches and lightly stuffed them with lambswool. I then sewed the band together with backstitches. I cut a piece of pasteboard that I slipped into the band and then...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ketmP8pxd4uLWafFoQya3YVMBlaRjBrakztu4XkSwL9-4T0TGlAS7eZ22R_M2r-7gyAaSS1SRr3Qxi4587mA0YWKQVxN8SIuLsPDYMOq6IuFqAOTtSAkgNS0Lvt5reWPS-U_mRo6Bg4T/s1600/DSC05626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ketmP8pxd4uLWafFoQya3YVMBlaRjBrakztu4XkSwL9-4T0TGlAS7eZ22R_M2r-7gyAaSS1SRr3Qxi4587mA0YWKQVxN8SIuLsPDYMOq6IuFqAOTtSAkgNS0Lvt5reWPS-U_mRo6Bg4T/s200/DSC05626.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
...using a tension rod, I stuffed it with lambswool.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYARSbsW40DwUvOq_luTGPaQ1KcDI4m7oywdNYsJJ1XiRhNTyQTHNZllwgfAdj9XMiXf69WK3vdNWlK0w4B_ZJWojg83n_fXjVYvwrjHHYCmOw7W8nptIWr22r6TE4gHEvjhtJOG8bCyst/s1600/DSC05708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYARSbsW40DwUvOq_luTGPaQ1KcDI4m7oywdNYsJJ1XiRhNTyQTHNZllwgfAdj9XMiXf69WK3vdNWlK0w4B_ZJWojg83n_fXjVYvwrjHHYCmOw7W8nptIWr22r6TE4gHEvjhtJOG8bCyst/s320/DSC05708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Next I backstitched the four triangles to the band at regular intervals and applied black velvet ribbon (which is 1/2in thick) straight across the bottom and top seams.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVuxCLzgXIKK_eVjiL85zL9i4XsTaBYrC1OzMYnKSBZHDLt2Bb1YKef0B93mpojeQfrnizhFmzABqBseTA33o7xpNxVJykKrOCyTcsRgOQ1gwKglXlY1QPGENTy-AzJeMG5V-w_xWS2t9/s1600/DSC05709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVuxCLzgXIKK_eVjiL85zL9i4XsTaBYrC1OzMYnKSBZHDLt2Bb1YKef0B93mpojeQfrnizhFmzABqBseTA33o7xpNxVJykKrOCyTcsRgOQ1gwKglXlY1QPGENTy-AzJeMG5V-w_xWS2t9/s320/DSC05709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A view from the inside.</i></td></tr>
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I added ribbon to the triangles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaXvQk3CxlinFv-qj7JY4_nipUKh2qwgU2amR9LuwNqvpS0uO2cZ917iisOf7AAzrj-htM0d_c_z_5PjZafLidN-CShQdyOdNH_DkcpOZJKLAp8d3xUI7SG-mDWCnJoDP4uzxjnVqQ16T/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaXvQk3CxlinFv-qj7JY4_nipUKh2qwgU2amR9LuwNqvpS0uO2cZ917iisOf7AAzrj-htM0d_c_z_5PjZafLidN-CShQdyOdNH_DkcpOZJKLAp8d3xUI7SG-mDWCnJoDP4uzxjnVqQ16T/s320/photo+(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I needed some black grosgrain ribbon to attach to the band to tie it closed. I decided I would sacrifice my trimmed hat...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1d-8vaktM4jTAhIHBggDeyEqspTB3KKAasqzrecx-Xv_yEBKDEUUGm4vBrn3sjth_lPGFpJwWOUSW_Xwc2XYUlwahKpCzxZilVioQ1k_gAVFOBnzRCc0sdTBImVz1iQIbPVphOOHVGHI/s1600/DSC05711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1d-8vaktM4jTAhIHBggDeyEqspTB3KKAasqzrecx-Xv_yEBKDEUUGm4vBrn3sjth_lPGFpJwWOUSW_Xwc2XYUlwahKpCzxZilVioQ1k_gAVFOBnzRCc0sdTBImVz1iQIbPVphOOHVGHI/s320/DSC05711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
....and borrow ribbon from the tie. To close the band, I pinned the ribbon inside the fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53CJY5XPEUNCly2_v4YBQt_cbr8qqa1PIDgEr2DkY5ES_ZqM9Lkb1AfCMbE9Ecr85NWAwS1UBRgkdDsDgMhUceqX1Qkzm2gz6SEWaoMZ9IRg5Yo8JzVU_tzUc1o6ys_Gxk52En3r7LLkA/s1600/DSC05712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53CJY5XPEUNCly2_v4YBQt_cbr8qqa1PIDgEr2DkY5ES_ZqM9Lkb1AfCMbE9Ecr85NWAwS1UBRgkdDsDgMhUceqX1Qkzm2gz6SEWaoMZ9IRg5Yo8JzVU_tzUc1o6ys_Gxk52En3r7LLkA/s320/DSC05712.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I backstitched it closed and then whip stitched the ribbon to the fabric to help ensure that it won't rip out.<br />
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For the silk ribbon ties at the top (which used two pieces of 19in long ribbon that is 2in thick), I sewed them to two of the triangle's points and declared the project done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKUeoynSroAck5vGLe77RL4uNoY_8m4VqJT0u2quRsmih_rUlno3iNx-akI7F6cJSWXMpJaN8Px_CdSrE-DnK83AnlwUckmu7SeR_irueLOCeDYrbgfRZXBS6XYAge2dtvWHhSlR3q5zm/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKUeoynSroAck5vGLe77RL4uNoY_8m4VqJT0u2quRsmih_rUlno3iNx-akI7F6cJSWXMpJaN8Px_CdSrE-DnK83AnlwUckmu7SeR_irueLOCeDYrbgfRZXBS6XYAge2dtvWHhSlR3q5zm/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
To improve this project:<br />
<ul>
<li>The triangles should be more oblong in shape, to better reflect the original.</li>
<li>Using a velvet ribbon that is less than 1/2in thick would also better reflect the original. </li>
<li>I found that the band didn't shrink when stuffed and I ended up cutting about 4in off...it was so big it would have fit my head. </li>
<li>I probably didn't need to have a separate seam on the bottom of the band. It's hard to tell if the original has the velvet trim along the bottom...I'm guessing that it might not in which case I should have cut the fabric to be one continuous piece. </li>
</ul>
To read about the "<a href="http://www.sew18thcentury.com/2012/03/proof-is-in-pudding.html"><b>proof in the pudding</b></a>"--the lambswool and the vintage velvet ribbon trim--visit <a href="http://www.sew18thcentury.com/"><b>my blog</b></a>.Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-87678777564832035142012-01-18T09:31:00.000-08:002012-01-18T09:31:47.799-08:00Mrs. Hancock's Pudding Cap PatternThe next project for Miss Hancock is an essential 18th century toddler accessory: the pudding cap. <br />
<br />
The authors of <b><a href="http://www.18cnewenglandlife.org/children.htm">18thcnewenglandlife.org</a></b> write that, "Pudding caps were common for those learning to walk, perhaps for older
toddlers as well. They are a band around the head, lined, stuffed, and edged
with leather, tape or suchlike, with ties to hold the circle to the correct
size, and other ties under the chin. Some had criss-cross tapes across the
top, forming the crown, others have 4 triangles, lined and stuffed like the
circle, stitched to it and meeting at the top." <br />
<br />
My goal is to recreate this example from the V&A:<br />
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<i>Child's 'pudding' or safety hat of padded cotton made in the UK between 1775 and 1800</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O38483/pudding-safety-hat/"><b><i>Victoria & Albert Museum Accession Number B.81-1995</i></b></a> </div>
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The V&A's description says,<br />
<br />
<i>Child's 'pudding' (a safety hat for a young child learning to walk, and designed to fasten horizontally around the head above the ears). The 'pudding' consists of a sausage-like horseshoe-shaped roll of glazed pink cotton, which has a padded white linen inner stiffened with wire and card, and a black petersham ribbon tying string at each end. Four lightly padded triangular flaps of self fabric, stiffened with card, are attached to the roll at regular intervals (partly covering the crown of the head), two of them fastening together over the head with tying strings of broad black silk ribbon. The edges of the triangular flaps and the top seam-line of the roll are all edged with narrow black velvet ribbon.</i><br />
<br />
Since the cap's construction is basic--a band and four triangles--I'm drafting my own pattern. <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tidings-Eighteenth-Century-Beth-Gilgun/dp/1880655047">Beth Gilgun's <i>Tidings from the 18th Century</i></a></b> includes a pattern, which I'm using as a guide.<br />
<br />
To start, I measured Miss Hancock's head which was 18.5in. Gilgun advises adding four inches as the width shrinks when stuffed, so I created a band that is 23.5in long.<br />
<br />
I'm not the best at creating straight lines, especially long straight lines. To help prevent crafting a crooked cap, I used my picture hanging level to make sure my picture frame was straight, I then aligned the pattern to the frame's lines to make sure it was even. <br />
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Gilgun's pattern calls for four little points on the band, but I eliminated that since the original I'm working from does not have that feature. <br />
<br />
I then cut out a pattern for the tabs, 5in high at the center and 2.5in long. To make sure the triangle is evenly shaped, I cut it the same way you would cut a heart from construction paper in grade school.<br />
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<br />
I then crossed my fingers that this would work and cut the pink cotton fabric. The V&A's pudding cap says it is a glazed cotton. Though my cotton isn't glazed, it has that "new fabric" sheen to it so I didn't wash and preshrink it. (I figured that, once completed, I can spot clean it if necessary.)<br />
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I cut two strips for the band. (Though the other extant pudding caps I have researched have linen for the lining, it appears that the V&A's pink pudding cap has the same cotton for the lining.)<br />
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And I cut four triangle tabs. It's time to start sewing!Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-3490916609925062252011-12-23T05:04:00.000-08:002011-12-23T05:04:27.332-08:00Christmas in 18th Century Boston<br />
Dearest Friends,<br />
As Christmas approaches, it's fun to imagine an 18th century home festooned with greenery and fruit with candles aglow, waiting for the flaming plum pudding to be served. Colonial Williamsburg has pretty much franchised this concept of Colonial America. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, but not representative of the 18th century in the colonies, especially, if you lived in Boston.<br />
<br />
Strolling the streets of this city in the 1770's on Christmas morning, you would be hard pressed to find a pineapple swag hung over the any doorway in the city. Besides being an incredible waste of precious fruit, the residents of this New England city did not keep Christmas as most of us imagine a Colonial Christmas to be. For starters, it was considered a "papist" holiday. Secondly, Christmas, as we celebrate it today, is a relatively modern concept, started in the 19th century and brought to new heights of shopping mania in recent times. <br />
<br />
So for my holiday post, I thought it fitting to share with you a few entries from the diary of Anna Green Winslow to see how she celebrated the holiday in 1771. Perhaps after things calm down this Sunday and I get a peaceful moment, I'll finish the wristband of my shift in homage to Miss Winslow!<br />
<br />
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />
YH&OS,<br />
Mrs. S.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">December 24th</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Elder Whitwell told my aunt, that this winter
began as did the Winter of 1740. How that was I dont remember but </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this
I know, that to-day is by far the coldest we have had since I have been in New
England. (N.B. All run that are abroad.) Last sabbath being rainy I went
to & from meeting in Mr. Soley's chaise. I dined at unkle Winslow's,
the walking being so bad I rode there & back to meeting. Every drop that
fell froze, so that from yesterday morning to this time the appearance has been
similar to the discription I sent you last winter. The walking is so slippery
& the air so cold, that aunt chuses to have me for her scoller these two
days. And as tomorrow will be a holiday, so the pope and his associates have
ordained, my aunt thinks not to trouble Mrs Smith with me this
week. I began a shift at home yesterday for myself, it is pretty forward.
Last Saturday was seven-night my aunt Suky<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #002ce2;"> </span>was delivered of a pretty
little son, who was baptiz'd by Dr. Cooper the next day by the name of
Charles. I knew nothing of it till noonday, when I went there a visiting.
Last Thursday I din'd & spent the afternoon at unkle Joshua's I should have
gone to lecture with my aunt & heard our Mr Hunt preach, but </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">she
would not wait till I came from writing school. Miss Atwood, the last of our
boarders, went off the same day. Miss Griswold & Miss Meriam, having
departed some time agone, I forget whether I mention'd the recept of
Nancy's present. I am oblig'd to her for it. The Dolphin is still whole.
And like to remain so."</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times-Roman;">December 27</span></i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><i><br /></i></span><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Times-Roman;">John Henry so pray mamma, dont mistake me."</span></div>
</i><i><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times-Roman;">"This
day, the extremity of the cold is somewhat abated. I keept Christmas at
home this year, & did a very good day's work, aunt says so. How notable I
have been this week I shall tell you by & by. I spent the most part of
Tuesday evening with my favorite, Miss Soley, & as she is confined by a
cold & the weather still so severe that I cannot git farther, I am to
visit her again before I sleep, & consult with her (or rather she
with me) upon a perticular matter, which you shall know in its place. How <i>strangely
industrious</i></span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman;"> I
have been this week, I will inform you with my own hand—at present,
I am so dilligent, that I am oblig'd to use the hand & pen of my old
friend, who being <i>near by</i></span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman;"> is better than a brother <i>far off</i></span><span style="font-family: Times-Roman;">. I dont forgit dear
little John Henry so pray mamma, don't mistake me"</span></div>
</i><i><div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times-Roman;">December 28</span></div>
</i><div style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Last evening a little after 5 o'clock I finished my shift. I spent the evening at Mr. Soley's. I began my shift at 12 o'clock last monday, have read my bible every day this week & wrote every day save one."</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">December 30</span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I return'd to my sewing school after a weeks absence, I have also paid my compliments to Master Holbrook. Yesterday between meetings my aunt was call'd to Mrs. Water's & about 8 in the evening Dr. Lloyd brought little master to town (N.B. As a memorandum for myself. My aunt stuck a white sattan pincushin for Mrs Waters. On one side, is a planthorn with flowers, on the reverse, just under the border are, on one side stuck these words, Josiah Waters, then follows on the end, Dec<sup style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 1em;">r</sup> 1771, on the next side & end are the words, Welcome little Stranger.) Unkle has just come in & bro't one from me. I mean, unkle is just come in with a letter from Papa in his hand (& none for me) by way of Newbury. I am glad to hear that all </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">was well the 26 Nov<sup style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 1em;">r</sup> ult. I am told my Papa has not mention'd me in this Letter. Out of sight, out of mind. My aunt gives her love to papa, & says that she will make the necessary enquieries for my brother and send you via. Halifax what directions and wormseed she can collect."</span></i></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-54640326398182701202011-12-22T12:34:00.000-08:002011-12-22T12:34:15.916-08:00Miss Hancock Models Her New Stays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rn5ujDmqyMk/TvON88MA79I/AAAAAAAAAV4/Oza5Ruo4exM/s1600/December++2011+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rn5ujDmqyMk/TvON88MA79I/AAAAAAAAAV4/Oza5Ruo4exM/s200/December++2011+081.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Upon completing the baby stays, Miss Hancock happily modeled them. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">While she was not a fan of holding still while they were laced up (what 15 month old wants to hold still?) she quickly adapted and had little trouble performing her favorite activities... </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwXQE1J65QE/TvOJS4seuAI/AAAAAAAAATU/O6Bi6-a-Mxo/s1600/December++2011+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hwXQE1J65QE/TvOJS4seuAI/AAAAAAAAATU/O6Bi6-a-Mxo/s320/December++2011+056.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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Like rearranging mommy's spoons...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agkyagw-LgI/TvOJR2lZR8I/AAAAAAAAATM/v5XLwBoXxPs/s1600/December++2011+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agkyagw-LgI/TvOJR2lZR8I/AAAAAAAAATM/v5XLwBoXxPs/s320/December++2011+055.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahwgumrQtYU/TvOJU-nstsI/AAAAAAAAATk/eJKZmnGor7M/s1600/December++2011+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ahwgumrQtYU/TvOJU-nstsI/AAAAAAAAATk/eJKZmnGor7M/s320/December++2011+059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and banging them on the floor.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ptww1AJ-aaE/TvOJXeEQu1I/AAAAAAAAAT0/x37Sj4dzqYY/s1600/December++2011+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ptww1AJ-aaE/TvOJXeEQu1I/AAAAAAAAAT0/x37Sj4dzqYY/s320/December++2011+061.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-euewuUnNbhA/TvOJYigfDKI/AAAAAAAAAT8/7Jk7z_n-wQM/s1600/December++2011+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-euewuUnNbhA/TvOJYigfDKI/AAAAAAAAAT8/7Jk7z_n-wQM/s320/December++2011+064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She could crawl just fine. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5A3_kYyLdts/TvOJZsvCpbI/AAAAAAAAAUE/DJMAyN2ue_4/s1600/December++2011+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5A3_kYyLdts/TvOJZsvCpbI/AAAAAAAAAUE/DJMAyN2ue_4/s320/December++2011+066.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPilEmBbELQ/TvOJbCgZsxI/AAAAAAAAAUU/qQWcgPonkj4/s1600/December++2011+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EPilEmBbELQ/TvOJbCgZsxI/AAAAAAAAAUU/qQWcgPonkj4/s320/December++2011+068.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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And she quickly partook in her other favorite dining room activity -- organizing the wooden bowls.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fbsf20EVQ4U/TvOJcZeT1qI/AAAAAAAAAUc/XpGJPbuu3C4/s1600/December++2011+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fbsf20EVQ4U/TvOJcZeT1qI/AAAAAAAAAUc/XpGJPbuu3C4/s320/December++2011+069.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_bF5uphoiQ/TvOJe_NyFNI/AAAAAAAAAU0/vZLGO_svN7U/s1600/December++2011+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p_bF5uphoiQ/TvOJe_NyFNI/AAAAAAAAAU0/vZLGO_svN7U/s320/December++2011+075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The only thing she somewhat struggled with was squatting and standing up. But don't we all have those issues when wearing stays? </span></div>
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<br />Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-46514823265984906972011-12-14T05:19:00.000-08:002011-12-14T05:19:13.713-08:00Portrait of the Week - Deborah Malbone HunterDearest Readers<br />
It's back to Rhode Island and artist Cosmo Alexander, we give you his portrait of Deborah Malbone Hunter of Newport for your consideration. This portrait painted in 1769 is owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Deborah was 30 when this was painted, eight years after her marriage to William Hunt (my guess also the age of her daughter in the painting).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOLwohEdJv5abHOth91PDdYLldmP8mRgK6SvRZkGV3QD6FuxhSZ66V6fIL90WoD_cxMlPv70LXND5vjFQuOBC4f_heBN9Lfr0BTvzo0wisHoWNJAC_O0VQl0GpifFj4rHy6-dQx8cG_mB/s1600/cosmo-alexander-portrait-of-deborah-malbone-hunter-and-daughter-1769-approximate-original-size-25x30.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOLwohEdJv5abHOth91PDdYLldmP8mRgK6SvRZkGV3QD6FuxhSZ66V6fIL90WoD_cxMlPv70LXND5vjFQuOBC4f_heBN9Lfr0BTvzo0wisHoWNJAC_O0VQl0GpifFj4rHy6-dQx8cG_mB/s1600/cosmo-alexander-portrait-of-deborah-malbone-hunter-and-daughter-1769-approximate-original-size-25x30.jpg.png" /></a></div>
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Lots of things to notice here. It almost looks like our artist is trying to adopt that "classical studio look" that Copley so often used, but doesn't quite get it. From the neck up, he captures it -- that no jewelry, natural hair look, but from the neck down, we have a perfect example of a period gown rather than the drapey robe you frequently see in the classical type portraits. Who knows whether this was the artist's choice or that of the sitter, but either way, there are lots of clothing details to ponder. <br />
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We see the ribbon trim on her sleeves -- set several inches above the sleeve flounces - similar to the sleeve treatment we saw in Eunice Devotion's portrait<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHOxVtxEQcX46eaSOk1EIjh5iA7nDt7XD4Qb638-klKWjiPonu3H911IV1cEjDr0xUwxpnkHm8aE60HrG3u8nekonAkRxuL5Z2bOEx0WDqmpfjx7DnXuPr3fw6U_lMaL98UfKm5xCHQUd/s1600/1772+Winthrop+Chandler+Eunice+Huntington+Devotion+Lyman+Allyn+Museum+New+London+Conn+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHOxVtxEQcX46eaSOk1EIjh5iA7nDt7XD4Qb638-klKWjiPonu3H911IV1cEjDr0xUwxpnkHm8aE60HrG3u8nekonAkRxuL5Z2bOEx0WDqmpfjx7DnXuPr3fw6U_lMaL98UfKm5xCHQUd/s320/1772+Winthrop+Chandler+Eunice+Huntington+Devotion+Lyman+Allyn+Museum+New+London+Conn+%25282%2529.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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Again we see the sheerest linen used for her handkerchief, and her very finely made shift sleeves showing from under her sleeve flounces. <br />
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We also have the opportunity to look at the clothing of her daughter. The artist shows us the seaming in the bodice of her back fastening gown and the simple but lovely sleeve treatment. Of particular note is the daughter's beautiful posture and the width of her chest - possibly the result of wearing stays since birth as well as the watchful eye of her mother - making sure her daughter carried herself in an manner appropriate to her station. Her gown is simply adorned and she wears no handkerchief, which is pretty typical in portraits of young girls.<br />
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So are you seeing a trend in the clothing of our New England woman? Over the coming weeks we will look at women from the other colonies as well as to compare them to English women of the same time period.<br />
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YH&OS,<br />
<br />
Mrs. S<br />
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<br />Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-27883704615849648042011-12-12T11:17:00.000-08:002011-12-12T11:17:37.739-08:00Mrs. Hancock's Completed Baby Stays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAGXOiVNt2zyorfI-WnEMJWejALW6HsE6Y9_EVfklGb1kcxq3_a6XGqcsmmYdUzRWFpCJJxDnukMlMT4_bEQIme6JDdolsq25H-yK6crUTtn5XdEnPTa9kmNhn4HFvMi7kAutYTXa327E/s1600/December++2011+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAGXOiVNt2zyorfI-WnEMJWejALW6HsE6Y9_EVfklGb1kcxq3_a6XGqcsmmYdUzRWFpCJJxDnukMlMT4_bEQIme6JDdolsq25H-yK6crUTtn5XdEnPTa9kmNhn4HFvMi7kAutYTXa327E/s200/December++2011+065.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
As you may remember, I have been struggling with the baby stays project. My last conflict centered around the <a href="http://crazyconcordchicks.blogspot.com/2011/11/mrs-hancocks-baby-stays-finding-fashion.html"><b>appropriate fashion fabric</b></a> (I had used green linen which I learned isn't an appropriate color).<br />
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So I removed the green linen...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx1HlWRHUiOgghVlA3t8u1ZaLTgWJCHHXVjrD86AzS4VwlcPTwWTGnusGfT3G27PQ1CpJi8qbEXfoO4CvUCoOaf3jUpKdmrF-dWm5ioRrTJe4Y0VyhUgYQCJ6pHsGfMFUr5uMuaJgueAS/s1600/fall+2011+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx1HlWRHUiOgghVlA3t8u1ZaLTgWJCHHXVjrD86AzS4VwlcPTwWTGnusGfT3G27PQ1CpJi8qbEXfoO4CvUCoOaf3jUpKdmrF-dWm5ioRrTJe4Y0VyhUgYQCJ6pHsGfMFUr5uMuaJgueAS/s320/fall+2011+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and choose Burnley & Trowbirdge's <a href="http://www.sew18thcentury.com/2011/06/on-quest-for-camlet.html"><b>cinnamon camlet</b></a>. It's a more appropriate weight (the green linen was a little sheer) and a more appropriate color.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJoSHNZT-7FSvCVzlfGcaTj5eoBgf7OsfWGTpWBVpFEPFmsBsd2eT1x9eMPiJRqYwllrjEL-oymhpigcyGcFfgOipEcY0UCqRRSrAseXtUwUFibVXCp5dnvIc_m11t9kIxMOl6yyGLm_q/s1600/fall+2011+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJoSHNZT-7FSvCVzlfGcaTj5eoBgf7OsfWGTpWBVpFEPFmsBsd2eT1x9eMPiJRqYwllrjEL-oymhpigcyGcFfgOipEcY0UCqRRSrAseXtUwUFibVXCp5dnvIc_m11t9kIxMOl6yyGLm_q/s320/fall+2011+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I attached the new fashion fabric...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBtvAt3teFoY8bFeiZ6jZFmKo_m7lAnmLKCDUYKDZraVjMR34aT5o0Dwj09hfMzuqWKdF66nM_ZOHH0BVGo8frZM5_-N7xX7LDugm2eW8DZIcxFG0AjDs788aq6kBTwHjffOqq7W2xedD/s1600/December++2011+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBtvAt3teFoY8bFeiZ6jZFmKo_m7lAnmLKCDUYKDZraVjMR34aT5o0Dwj09hfMzuqWKdF66nM_ZOHH0BVGo8frZM5_-N7xX7LDugm2eW8DZIcxFG0AjDs788aq6kBTwHjffOqq7W2xedD/s320/December++2011+034.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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...and whip stitched the panels together.</div>
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I then bought an awl and marked where each eyelet should go.<br />
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Punching the eyelet holes was much easier than I had antiticapted thanks to my new tool. (Which much be the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">best </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">$6 I ever spent!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOMNfWDhGesttCT30cS-g3mg9MgdOaQBwPK0LKC1UopFyR5JWGUh-rXETPpMmXhfkIql_lVVkwwjtL0Mg8EvSJQ4vgtJWrpzJTHb2JK6xlLD7_WfY9ekDCSWAhdieaTjZpy7oFmTvM-G9/s1600/December++2011+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOMNfWDhGesttCT30cS-g3mg9MgdOaQBwPK0LKC1UopFyR5JWGUh-rXETPpMmXhfkIql_lVVkwwjtL0Mg8EvSJQ4vgtJWrpzJTHb2JK6xlLD7_WfY9ekDCSWAhdieaTjZpy7oFmTvM-G9/s320/December++2011+046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For making the eyelets, I basically had to make two eyelets for each hole--one on the front and one inside.<br />
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I then added a scrap of printed cotton on the center front (to create a little cushion for comfort)...<br />
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...and laced them up with some cotton tape.<br />
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The shape of this pair of stays was rather boxy. I bent the pasteboard so it would better reflect a rounded body shape and would be more of a natural fit for Miss Hancock.<br />
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Up next - my little one will model her first pair of stays!<br />
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<br />Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-31353726236940475242011-12-07T04:20:00.000-08:002011-12-07T04:20:41.396-08:00Portrait of the Week - Seeing Double ReduxDearest Friends,<br />
There was so much story surrounding our two portraits last week, that we really didn't take much time to examine the details of these paintings. So this week, let's revisit our two lovely ladies -- The woman in gold being Mary Lathrop and the woman in blue either Susannah Botencou or Sister Botencou Lathrop<br />
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On closer examination, we can see that the artist didn't merely switch heads and gown colors, there are subtle differences -- and if you look close enough, you can play a round of "one of these things is not like the other". For example, one woman wears an apron, one is thinner, one sleeve flounce turns up, one holds a fan, etc., However, lets look specifically at the clothing elements.</div>
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Notice, that even though these paintings are folk art in genre, the artist was still was accomplished enough to show us things like how the fabric fits to the body. There are ripples in the silk around the sleeve and on the robings, illustrating that the fabric did not necessarily fit the wearer like it was sprayed on, giving us a hint as to how our gowns might fit.</div>
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Though the specific item I'd like to bring your attention to, is the piece around her shoulders that looks very similar to one worn in one of our pervious portraits. Is this a lace tippet? is it a kind of handkerchief? mantle? Don't know, but it's really pretty and fits around her shoulders in a very flattering manner with its box pleats shaping it so nicely. Let's keep an eye out for another. Have any of our readers seen another example? And any thoughts as to what it might be called?</div>
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Just another question from two portraits surrounded in questions!</div>
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YH&OS,</div>
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Mrs. S</div>
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<br /></div>Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-58310365332727266872011-12-06T04:21:00.000-08:002011-12-06T04:21:30.864-08:00The Challenge: Save the Date August 25, 2012Mark your calendars -- The Challenge Event - A Muster Day in Concord 1773, will take place on August 25, 2012. (rain date August 26th) at Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, MA.<br />
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What will you do to take your impression to a new level? Some may choose to tweak their existing kit, while others will take this opportunity to create a new hand stitched outfit. Whatever you opt for, if you start now, you have 9 months to make it happen.<br />
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We're finishing up the website and will have all of the details for you shortly. In the meantime, how do you want to turn out at the Muster Day next summer?Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-70973745719527062052011-11-30T04:31:00.000-08:002011-11-30T04:31:09.907-08:00Portrait of the Week - Seeing Double<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dearest Friends,<br />
Our portrait of the week is actually two women presented in the same manner by the same artist and was <i>perhaps</i> married to to same man OR maybe the second portrait is not who it appears to be. So I present to you an identity mystery to solve.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Portrait# 1</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyk1Y3yZAHTnhGG7vh922E1SbjT1eZQriLJkrJ0MCBM4UrhGPwGlaNakktbBXj1bjek0n_g6quTNiqkfPToFL4QGL_QLFkaw5StUfL8ycQzGFdgBI11FTR7pbA4HhPAlfQj-Hw_N584ma/s1600/mrs+john+latrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyk1Y3yZAHTnhGG7vh922E1SbjT1eZQriLJkrJ0MCBM4UrhGPwGlaNakktbBXj1bjek0n_g6quTNiqkfPToFL4QGL_QLFkaw5StUfL8ycQzGFdgBI11FTR7pbA4HhPAlfQj-Hw_N584ma/s320/mrs+john+latrop.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. John Lothrop nee Mary Jones by John Durand, <a href="http://www.nga.gov/">National Gallery of Art</a> c 1770</td></tr>
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Mary Jones was born on December 12, 1743, daughter of Timothy Jones and Jane Harris. She married John Lathrop in 1764 and died in 1773, after a "long and painful sickness" at the age of 30. Here is her obituary from the Connecticut Journal 5/21/1773.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrowu1H7nK8j8gh2hBMwMQmV9d20BKlu_n2cb23gLH_NnoKquB9C5-ttNg4KZKoRHpo6diVY-GrZXIy3jys0CViyxLG1joqYwKYESzZuQVyxn0znq2Wxc-N9jAJfs8s4pOOm4z4DQW0P85/s1600/marylothrop-obit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrowu1H7nK8j8gh2hBMwMQmV9d20BKlu_n2cb23gLH_NnoKquB9C5-ttNg4KZKoRHpo6diVY-GrZXIy3jys0CViyxLG1joqYwKYESzZuQVyxn0znq2Wxc-N9jAJfs8s4pOOm4z4DQW0P85/s320/marylothrop-obit.gif" width="164" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Portrait #2</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Lathrop or Susannah Bontecou Lothrop c 1768-1770 by John Durand - Metropolitan Museum of Art<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Deja vu all over again!" The information on this second, almost identical, portrait is a little sketchy. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has it listed as Susannah or Mary Bontecou. Though a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ccording to Deborah Chotner, author of America Naive Paintings (National Gallery of Art), the woman in Portrait #1 is John Lathrop's first wife, Mary and Portrait #2, is Mary Bontecou Lathrop, John's second wife, who he had married by 1774 and John had her portrait painted in a similar style by the same artist. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In checking the Bontecou genealogy, there is a listing for a daughter (name and other information unknown) who was "married to a John Lothrop, cabinet maker". And family lore has it that there was a portrait of her that was said to have been damaged in a raid by the British in 1779. Apparently later, family members fessed up that it was they who had damaged it -- they used to shoot arrows at it when it was stored in their attic. So is this that portrait of Daughter Bontecou who married John Lathrop? And did poor bereaved John Lothrop really have his second wife painted by John Durand in the image of his first wife?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So the plot thickens. I found an article written for <a href="http://www.antiquesandfineart.com/articles/article.cfm?request=976">Antiques and Fine Art Magazine</a> by John Herdeg about a portrait he had purchased. Long story short (read his article for details.) He hypothesizes that the portrait at the Met (Portrait #2) is actually Susannah Bontecou, the wife of Peter Bontecou (married 1762) rather than his sister who had married John Lothrop. And Portrait #2 is the really mate to the portrait that Mr. Herdeg purchased, which he believes to be Peter Bontecou.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.antiquesandfineart.com/articles/article.cfm?request=976">Portrait of a Mariner by John Durand - purchased by John Herdeg</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm with Mr Herdeg. Why would a husband have his new wife painted in the exact same manner as his late wife -- that's just creepy! Unless he didn't actually commission Portrait #2 and it is the Bontecou's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">family's painting of their daughter that was shot with arrows by her male relatives. But if it is Lathrop's second wife, why was it passed down through the Bontecou family rather than the Lothrops as its provenance indicates? I have to agree with Mr. Herdeg, it does look like a partner to the Peter Bontecou portrait. And if it's a marriage portrait of Peter & Susannah Bontecou (m. 1762) , it was done within two years of when the woman in Portrait #1, Mary Jones Lathrop, was married (m.1764). </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What do you think?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Next week we'll take a closer look at what they are wearing - in the meantime, perhaps we can solve this mystery.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">YH&OS, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mrs S</span></div>
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</div>Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-27000284522106734362011-11-24T04:36:00.000-08:002011-11-24T04:36:01.104-08:00Happy Thankgiving from the Crazy Concord ChicksThe Crazy Concord Chicks would like to wish our readers much happiness on this Day of Thanksgiving! We'd also like to share what we are thankful for....<br />
<br />
<i> </i><br />
" Learning a new skill: I've never sewn before getting into this hobby.<br />
Furthering my research skills, which is helpful in my real life.<br />
The opportunity to learn from some of the most amazing, bright, and<br />
helpful people I have ever met.<br />
The infinite patience the more experienced reenactors have for a newbie<br />
like me!"<br />
--Miss Kristin <br />
<br />
"This year, I'm thankful for the wonderful fabric that is linen and my new fancy 18c. shoes."<br />
--Miss Wendy <br />
<br />
"I’m grateful for the wonderful bunch of women and men that make up the living history community to which I belong.... for their research, insight, constructive criticism, willingness to share their knowledge, humor and patience. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to share my love of history with so many people both in and out of the hobby and for the tall guy who started me in this “hobby” so many years ago when he was not so tall."<br />
--Mrs. Glasse <br />
<br />
"I'm thankful for the wonderful friendships that I have developed by being involved with this crazy hobby, and the fact that we all push each other to do the best that we can!"<br />
--Mrs, Derby<br />
<br />
"I am thankful for my 18th century family. <br />I am thankful to have an outlet which addresses so many of my needs all at once! For example, my needs to learn and grow, to disseminate knowledge (to grown-ups), to play dress-up and to escape from my hectic 21st century life! <br />Finally, I am thankful for a hobby in which I found a hubby with the same weird interests that I have!"<br />
--Mrs. Revere<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"I am thankful for the other creative women who are generous with their ideas, which help me participate, despite myriad challenges."<br />
-Mrs. Miles<br /><br />
"Thankful for the many good friends and good people in this hobby."<br />
--Mrs. Peabody <br />
<br />
"I'm thankful for a hobby where there are discoveries to be made around every corner and I'm ever thankful for the friends who make it all fun."<br />
--Mrs. Skinner<br />
<br />Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-22173133819651950952011-11-23T03:21:00.000-08:002011-11-23T03:21:22.792-08:00Portrait of the Week - The Peale FamilyDearest Friends,<br />
In honor of Thanksgiving, this week's portrait is all about family. I give you Charles Wilson Peale & his family painted in 1773 in the collection at the <a href="http://www.nyhistory.org/node/45047">New York Historical Society</a>. There are some nice close-up images on the NYHS site.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTIJC-hiyuftIQ83pLuZ2z2Z-pJdkKF02MpUo2shMuJ-9LR8apzsMwPI4bChytdojssq0Sr5_7FKVP4L2ZNvUYr3_XL4KQUl6jAVRPnf5WPEKzPETT_WSycjVsYC0KKw05S2upHobZpxk/s1600/cw+peale+family+1773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTIJC-hiyuftIQ83pLuZ2z2Z-pJdkKF02MpUo2shMuJ-9LR8apzsMwPI4bChytdojssq0Sr5_7FKVP4L2ZNvUYr3_XL4KQUl6jAVRPnf5WPEKzPETT_WSycjVsYC0KKw05S2upHobZpxk/s640/cw+peale+family+1773.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lots of great detail here ladies and gentlemen, especially the contrast between the older and the younger women -- even the difference between how both grannies are dressed. So hopefully you can take a few minutes to enjoy Mr Peale's family before you are off to enjoy your own.<br />
<br />
YH&OS,<br />
<br />
Mrs. S<br />
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<br />Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-20021098443320376112011-11-21T03:16:00.000-08:002011-11-21T04:30:52.117-08:00The Challenge --Jury Duty<br />
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Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of reenactors like the words, "juried event". It conjures up images of showing up to participate and being turned away by the evil stitch counters because your kit wasn't good enough. Just the word itself is frightful, <b>"jury"</b> it brings to mind being called to jury duty, or an image of 12 people sitting in a box passing judgment on YOU! Being juried by your peers, implies that you have done something wrong and you will incur a punishment or penalty!</div>
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Well, that is not what this is about. Yes, The Challenge will involve a juried event scheduled for next summer. However, all the participants are, in essence, part of the jury. The Challenge is a process designed to push you towards your goal of an impression that meets the prescribed guidelines. Self examination is always hard, but will be the most crucial element of this jury process. If you know what you need to do, or if you know what you have is appropriate, then you are ready for the "jury". If you know something needs some improvement, then this is a great opportunity to make that improvement. If you are not sure, we will help you out, and opportunities will be available for one on one assistance. </div>
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Most importantly, the thumbs up/ thumbs down will be happening all along the way. Questions will be answered, fabrics vetted, details debated during the entire process. The last thing we want to see is someone spending the time and effort on something and have it be wrong. Unfortunately, that happens far too often in this hobby, and it is one of the primary reasons we founded the Hive to begin with -- to be a resource for area reenactors to have access to the latest research as well as a place to learn and get support from others. So jury-schmury, this is about improvement and growth and the fun that can be had in the process.</div>
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Yes, the event is juried, but in the end, the ultimate arbiter will be the primary sources from the period. </div>Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-51365332262913299022011-11-17T03:17:00.000-08:002011-11-17T03:17:47.191-08:00Portrait of the Week - Dedicated to the DevotionsDearest Friends,<br />
Our portrait of the week is actually a collection of paintings, of the Devotions of Connecticut by the artist Winthrop Chandler.<br />
<br />
Meet Eunice Huntington Devotion Lyman depicted with her child in a portrait by Winthrop Chandler dated 1772, located at the <a href="http://lymanallyn.org/index.htm">Lyman Allyn Art Museum</a> in New London, CT.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX7WDUSSu-Zkq5v0fvB9WSk1QBy9sVOGJnhWor5iBAJVfyLreQr3uUhaiLW8qfpJxnwkayCkQevJKp24_uZtStYiDu6bPMQvhAO1Vu1Xb0EMeAY2Od37mzyuli6KWn2Y3XszoI8u67KRI/s1600/1772+Winthrop+Chandler+Eunice+Huntington+Devotion+Lyman+Allyn+Museum+New+London+Conn+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX7WDUSSu-Zkq5v0fvB9WSk1QBy9sVOGJnhWor5iBAJVfyLreQr3uUhaiLW8qfpJxnwkayCkQevJKp24_uZtStYiDu6bPMQvhAO1Vu1Xb0EMeAY2Od37mzyuli6KWn2Y3XszoI8u67KRI/s640/1772+Winthrop+Chandler+Eunice+Huntington+Devotion+Lyman+Allyn+Museum+New+London+Conn+%25282%2529.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eunice Huntington Devotion Lyman 1772 by Winthrop Chandler</td></tr>
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She is the wife of merchant Ebenezer Devotion, Jr., whose father and mother were painted by Winthrop Chandler two years earlier in honor of Ebenezer Senior's 56th birthday. <br />
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Interesting handkerchief treatment here and cap similar to others we have seen previously in our portrait gallery. Her gown is more highly decorated than some of our other ladies, perhaps demonstrating their wealth, though oddly, notice a lack of jewelry.<br />
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Here is her husband, Judge Ebenezer Devotion who's portrait is also at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. Nice mole, but not a proper hair mole. Fabulous suit!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJG54IujWWi1ymUm2VJWntkGGYGjAeCjuA-t5dIqTbC4xuEl68huD3KBvHQjWsTF5AvAIj-J2OSsk0dHmubUpM-sNGWJdrSvkQhOt4ZKEw4S2rw6sGDZbPJX3GfIIz5qVtORHwxHZhUt6/s1600/ebdevotionjr.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJG54IujWWi1ymUm2VJWntkGGYGjAeCjuA-t5dIqTbC4xuEl68huD3KBvHQjWsTF5AvAIj-J2OSsk0dHmubUpM-sNGWJdrSvkQhOt4ZKEw4S2rw6sGDZbPJX3GfIIz5qVtORHwxHZhUt6/s400/ebdevotionjr.jpeg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ebenezer Devotion by Winthrop Chandler 1772 </td></tr>
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By the way, here are her in-law's portraits, no wonder Eunice is not smiling</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzodpRscM6JF0u6e137xzOzzAYNcc1PcBAM_Eqaun2Yu66SGhwPsfkK6Xyeh0HSOC_BMyRkAD37QvfSVSXsIgRUJg7pvxOl9mFcEpNcWIf6qSGh5gnsbv2sAJj2mE_9iInge5OYJEyjcD/s320/ebenzer+deovtion+sr.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revered Ebenezer & Mary Lathrop Devotion 1770 by Winthrop Chandler</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzodpRscM6JF0u6e137xzOzzAYNcc1PcBAM_Eqaun2Yu66SGhwPsfkK6Xyeh0HSOC_BMyRkAD37QvfSVSXsIgRUJg7pvxOl9mFcEpNcWIf6qSGh5gnsbv2sAJj2mE_9iInge5OYJEyjcD/s1600/ebenzer+deovtion+sr.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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What is fun about this collection of portraits is that they are more in the folk art style -- very different from the very realistic paintings done by the classically trained Mr. Copley. However Mr. Chandler still takes the time to show us important clothing and accessory details. <br />
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As we prepare for The Challenge, examining portraits is one of several very valuable tools we have to help us define what 1773 fashion really looked like. <br />
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I hope you enjoyed the Devotions.<br />
<br />
YH&OS,<br />
<br />
Mrs. S</div>Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-40359481662090896152011-11-16T08:36:00.000-08:002011-11-21T12:41:37.742-08:00The Challenge --Is "New" Necessary?Do I have to create all new clothes for The Challenge?<br />
<br />
Do you want to?<br />
<br />
Do you need to?<br />
<br />
Some people will, because it is a good excuse to make something new and they have just been looking for a reason to finally get around to using that really good fabric they bought two years ago. Some people just don't have the time or the desire or the money to make something new. <br />
<br />
The object of this exercise is to not force anyone to start from scratch (unless you want to) but to provide an opportunity and a reason for you to look at your existing clothing and make changes to improve your impression. Fix those shift sleeves so they are not down around your wrists, replace that machine sewn apron with a hand sewn one, small improvements can make a big difference and some don't cost a thing except a few hours of time. In addition, we are asking participants to look beyond "generic 18th century" and focus on Massachusetts in 1773, not Pennsylvania, Virginia or Maryland in 1778 or 1783. So what does your current impression look like? For example, do you have a shortgown, that is more appropriate for the mid-Atlantic than Massachusetts? Then consider a bedgown, which is better suited to New England. <br />
<br />
Okay, so you have a impeccably hand sewn, center front closing gown with polonaise style back (vs. pleated en fourreau). Spot on for late and post war but, in this case, too far fashion forward for 1773. Wearing styles that had not yet been invented would not be appropriate for this event. If you participate in Battle Road and other pre-war events, a stomacher front/en fourreau back gown would be in keeping with the fashion of that particular time period and this event could be your motivation to create a new gown that would serve you well for the reenacting you do in this time period.<br />
<br />
This challenge has started us (the Crazy Concord Chicks) on a research path to determine <i><b>exactly</b></i> what women in New England were wearing in the early 1770's, hence the portrait of the week posts. Something we might not be pursuing, if it were not for this challenge. That is what we are hoping will happen with everyone who participates, challenge all the assumptions, question what you think you know, document it and then represent it. <br />
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Another example -- you have a partially hand sewn (you did the unseen seams by machine) stomacher front/en fourreau back gown and you just made it and cannot even imagine trying to sew another at this point. This might be a chance to look at the other parts of your kit. Take a look at the caps being worn in the portraiture of the early 1770's, perhaps it's time for a new cap, new handkerchief or new apron. How can I accessorize my current look to be more in line to a woman coming out to a social gathering where she would want to put her best foot forward so to speak.<br />
<br />
Remember this event is not mandatory, it is a new event especially targeted for civilian impressions. If you decide that this is something you want to do, you won't be out there in the wilderness trying to figure this all out on your own. We will be adding morning Sunday Hive sewing bees, starting in January, for you to get feedback and help with your projects, as well as to share research. In addition we will also have a Facebook page for you to discuss your progress with others, ask questions and post pictures. And you'll have those Crazy Concord Chicks to inspire, motivate and perhaps even amuse you with how they undertake this challenge and see their progress and frustrations as well. <br />
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Coming Next: Jury DutyCrazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-6003428062416747072011-11-15T05:07:00.000-08:002011-11-15T05:07:14.557-08:00Why a Challenge?Because we all need a little motivation. Let's face it, we're human and we are all busy people with jobs, families and life commitments. Most of us use goals as motivational tools. Want to run faster and longer, you enter a road race. Want to improve your handicap, you sign up for that charity match at the local golf course. Have a couple of pounds to lose? Put the date of your high school reunion on the calendar and see what happens. And there are those of us in the reenactment world who look forward to an upcoming event and use the event to motivate them to make something new or add a new accessory to their impression or finally finish that project that is hanging on the chair. <br />
<br />
We all have parts of our kit that need work. Even things we thought were totally correct at one point turn out not to be with the advent of new research. Kitting up for living history is not an exact science. We don't have the same materials available to us, the research is on-going, plus this is a hobby and we need to play within our means and abilities. However, that does not mean we shouldn't strive to improve the things we can and a small local event or a large national event can be the impetus to make those improvements.<br />
<br />
We selected a muster day because it allows for a wide range of interpretive possibilities - from lower class to upper class, military or not. And a specific date was chosen in order to explore the nuances in clothing of a particular year and locale, as well as to get a more focused look at pre-war Concord.<br />
<br />
Some people will embrace this challenge, others will not. There are those who live for the big powder burner events, while some prefer small town programs, while there are still others who just adore roughing it at an immersion event -- that's what make the world go round.<br />
<br />
Those who choose to participate will set a goal for this challenge that is appropriate for them. And since staying on track is easier with the support and guidance of those with similar goals, everyone will have each other to help keep them motivated. Research will be shared, ideas exchanged, and we'll each be challenged to move forward.<br />
<br />
Coming next: Does that mean I have to make a whole new kit?<br />
<br />
<br />Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-92191713903656870052011-11-14T04:09:00.000-08:002011-11-14T04:09:16.424-08:00What's in the Works?Dearest Friends,<br />
This week The Hive will be announcing our very first New England Living History Challenge. We are challenging the reenactment community to embark on a ten month journey with us to raise the level of our individual impressions - culminating in an event in August, developed specifically for you to show off your accomplishment. We'll be creating a muster day in Concord in 1773.<br />
<br />
We've established this blog (and are working on another for the guys) so you can follow several people, from a wide range of experience levels, as they take on this challenge. Everyone will have a different way of going at this, some will go over the top, some will make one new garment while making adjustments to existing ones, while many will most likely fall somewhere in between. <br />
<br />
We're just putting the finishing touches on a website that will answer all of your questions and fully outline the guidelines of "The Challenge". In addition, we'll have a Facebook page for you to discuss your progress, get help and share your experience with other participants. Each Sunday Hive, starting in January, will also include a morning session for you to get help with your projects, ask questions and share research. We'd like to see everyone who signs up to participate enjoy the process and be successful in this endeavor.<br />
<br />
So, stay tuned, there is more to come this week! In the meantime, start thinking about how you might like to look in the summer of 1773.<br />
<br />
YH&OS,<br />
Mrs. S.Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-44451063585185115772011-11-10T19:00:00.000-08:002011-11-10T20:16:13.802-08:00A brief interlude with the uses of Plantain...<br />
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Well, yes, I’ve been “bad” and have not written much
beyond my introduction. Things at my
house often seem to get, um, beyond the normal.
What follows is a good example of
this.</div>
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Things that happened since I’ve attempted this project
include preparing for the MMNP Preserving the Harvest Day (will write that one
up soon! Really!), getting ready for an
event HM 10<sup>th</sup> did at Wayside Inn called Battle of Red Horse Tavern –
that one even included some sewing. I’ll
be writing that one up as well. More
typically, this is what goes on:
Saturday night after the MMNP program I get home, change my clothes and
notice a funny black spot on my calf. It
itches and burns. It’s obviously an
insect bite but it doesn’t look like a tick bite, which, unfortunately, I’m
overly familiar with. Plus, there’s no
tick. I put some salve on it and a bandage
on it. Overnight it gets larger with a
spreading irregular red patch below it. I have a digital microscope to check
out the bite with. I can see two brown
fang marks amidst some infection. I also
have a day-long odd feeling headache and really stiff shoulders, which is odd
since I didn’t sleep in a bad position or do anything out of the ordinary to
make me feel that sore. It’s a funny
kind of stiffness as well. I have a
hunch (I was standing right by an old woodpile at MMNP) and check it out – hunch verified.
I have a brown recluse spider bite.
The headache, sore shoulders and bite appearance match the symptoms described
and images on several medical websites. Good thing I was wearing my thick wool socks! I don't think too much venom got through the wool. </div>
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So, I get some plantain, which I had talked about to so
many people the day before. I often
found myself explaining how plantain, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Plantago
lanceolata</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Plantago major</i>, is
not related to the plantain banana-thing you find in the grocery store. It's a plant that grows pretty close to the ground in compacted soil. Brought with the English settlers to North America. Now I get to use plantain in one of the ways
it was actually used in the 18<sup>th</sup> Century, as a poultice for drawing
out infection or venom. I smashed it up
and applied it to the bite, holding it on my 21<sup>st</sup> Century
Band-Aid. It worked, and drew most of
the poison out but not all. It reduced
the itch and completely got rid of the red area spreading from the venom. I didn’t end up with any necrosis, but the
infection wouldn’t go away, either, even with Bacitracin. By
Friday I was at the doctor’s office where the doc put more Bacitracin on the
bite and wanted me to take systemic antibiotics for a bit the size of a pencil
eraser that was clearing up. Um, no.</div>
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In the midst of all this I’m making my younger daughter a
Boudicca costume for Halloween out of some unusable-for-18<sup>th</sup>
-Century wool someone gave me, having an almost-fight on the new 18<sup>th</sup>
Century Life list about women riding horses (more on that one, too), getting
ready for the Battle of Red Horse Tavern on the 29 Oct,<sup> </sup>and making a
craft for the local homeschool group Halloween party (ghosts made from circles
of white cloth, cotton balls and string.
Very popular.). By this time, snow’s in the forecast so I’m busy making
a new kerchief for extra warmth and adding some length to a wool flannel gown I
made a wee bit too short in April for Battle Road. Also,
I have to exercise the horse five to six days a week and homeschool the
girls. The horse is highly amused with
the 18<sup>th</sup> Century kit when she’s seen it, but that’s another story. Of course, the next thing that happens is the
snow storm, no electricity, now this week, several trips to the dentist for a
lost filling. I live in Mendon and the
dentist is in Sudbury. That’s been a fun 4+ hours of driving.</div>
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And the spider bite?
It’s much better, especially after I put a paste of green clay and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Echinacea purpurea</i> tincture on it to draw out the
last of the venom and dry up the infection (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Echinacea</i>
would be the Native American remedy for venomous bites). It’s almost gone and barely hurts now. Most brown recluse bites take four to six
weeks to heal, so I’m very pleased with two and a half weeks to three weeks of
healing. It also looks like I’ll have
minimal scarring. I’m hoping it’s back
to normal family chaos next week so maybe I can squeeze in a blog post about 18<sup>th</sup>
Century or reenacting type things!</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Deb aka Mrs. Cook</div>
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</div>Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-44429021553451513052011-11-09T07:15:00.000-08:002011-11-09T07:15:34.328-08:00Portrait of the Week - Meet Elizabeth Lewis GoldthwaitDearest Friends,<br />
Last week you were introduced to Elizabeth Goldthwait, the younger, this week her mother Elizabeth Lewis Goldthwait (1713-1794) is our portrait of the week. Completed in 1771, this portrait by Copley was billed to the Goldthwaits at 19.2 pounds and 9 pounds for the frame. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzo4_ZZso9vWKO8rPu7-p5i7UIIqNR2Fv4HSH31w_Cy0Tmpo2YIIffX5LbCwgPqUD4xzvDSdQD_bEL5Y1xsa8y4lyVOhVapojl4VvWz1cDyJEX6P-CAOXXTALKjvb5LTSzKZ99zK4f2lF/s1600/elizlewisgoldthwait1771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzo4_ZZso9vWKO8rPu7-p5i7UIIqNR2Fv4HSH31w_Cy0Tmpo2YIIffX5LbCwgPqUD4xzvDSdQD_bEL5Y1xsa8y4lyVOhVapojl4VvWz1cDyJEX6P-CAOXXTALKjvb5LTSzKZ99zK4f2lF/s1600/elizlewisgoldthwait1771.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Elizabeth, who is 59 years old here, wears a brown silk satin sacque, with very little ornamentation other than sleeve ruffles. Notice -- no apron. Her cap is similar to Margaret Manning's -- a heart shaped cap that fastens under her chin - set off by some lovely pearls at her neck. What is notable in this portrait, is how it appears that Mrs. Goldthwait is wearing two handkerchiefs or is the second a lace mantle? <br />
<br />
Here is the portrait of Elizabeth's husband. The two portraits were painted to complement each other.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f7DUG0bnklGERBcq-QQMH5cM7rIhsRoQxFLV1l7fv3u4DH4qWSkO_IEFQbbvQwnjST3oh_WggOGcIRPV_GShmsOSbGe_splPLDCC4x5_EuKTRJR8bbzKR8p2-r8mdt71USTtnjXcApXL/s1600/ezekiel-goldthwait-1771.jpg%2521xlMedium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f7DUG0bnklGERBcq-QQMH5cM7rIhsRoQxFLV1l7fv3u4DH4qWSkO_IEFQbbvQwnjST3oh_WggOGcIRPV_GShmsOSbGe_splPLDCC4x5_EuKTRJR8bbzKR8p2-r8mdt71USTtnjXcApXL/s1600/ezekiel-goldthwait-1771.jpg%2521xlMedium.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ezekial Goldthwait, by Copley 1771</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Elizabeth died in 1794, outliving her husband by 12 years. Here is her obituary.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdFOrr9qzH4pF73UbHUr6ENQSUWopC4pgKFUOsDMmXVrtQR6Fn3AZXDJsBMu3wyIIdInqBrwhI0nFQgWodoQ0EkJu69bDmaYsGM4UqOjG79xNuVAxXcwHd0jIvLIUM3Udznt6qucz-8vC/s1600/elizgoldthwaitobit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdFOrr9qzH4pF73UbHUr6ENQSUWopC4pgKFUOsDMmXVrtQR6Fn3AZXDJsBMu3wyIIdInqBrwhI0nFQgWodoQ0EkJu69bDmaYsGM4UqOjG79xNuVAxXcwHd0jIvLIUM3Udznt6qucz-8vC/s400/elizgoldthwaitobit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A wonderful model for any of our women of "a certain age" who would like to portray a lady of means - and who looks good in brown.<br />
<br />
YH&OS,<br />
<br />
Mrs. SCrazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-67099710218884568272011-11-06T18:01:00.000-08:002011-11-06T18:01:55.997-08:00Mrs. Hancock’s Baby Stays: Finding Fashion Fabric<br />
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As you may remember from <a href="http://crazyconcordchicks.blogspot.com/2011/10/mrs-hancocks-baby-stays-part-one.html"><b>my last post</b></a>, the baby stays need
fashion fabric. The wool I had intended to use was a bit too bulky, so I
searched my scrap stash (that is, fabrics leftover from previous projects) and
I decided to use a scrap of dull green linen because: </div>
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<br /></div>
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a) I have plenty of it.</div>
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b) It’s a fairly lightweight fabric so it should work well
for the summer. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In a quick scan of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's collections I found this
example: </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASRmSnR_X0WQYfjrfD0IGbVM7rQPy5PJpLZKBfJhYojiRAty1p2x8YGdwCW0rJRf_mjCtHCPO09xCJGWzNvkPKImhimcnzkdYIxtl-_ilcRJoOT7_ynZp4QLI64Mp2mn5_8YRWawFZuig/s1600/1903-135v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASRmSnR_X0WQYfjrfD0IGbVM7rQPy5PJpLZKBfJhYojiRAty1p2x8YGdwCW0rJRf_mjCtHCPO09xCJGWzNvkPKImhimcnzkdYIxtl-_ilcRJoOT7_ynZp4QLI64Mp2mn5_8YRWawFZuig/s1600/1903-135v2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women's stays, mid 18th century <a href="http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/38664.html?mulR=27156|7"><b>Accession Number 1903-135</b></a><br />The fashion fabric is a glazed wool that is the same kind of green as my fabric.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And I found this...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLa2Q-DZm-Gpn9FGKQEH1dJqb8Td6XezeB9NxNgLuPSSGav63rPayz6cDFvdgnBYf2RCxUwvcFVKPAsQiKgT0ixmHS3Nm52pBDS-sS4WEsUnegIudqBzObGEoLSP2o_-6UudK8IP5MLtE/s1600/1988-15-1-pma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLa2Q-DZm-Gpn9FGKQEH1dJqb8Td6XezeB9NxNgLuPSSGav63rPayz6cDFvdgnBYf2RCxUwvcFVKPAsQiKgT0ixmHS3Nm52pBDS-sS4WEsUnegIudqBzObGEoLSP2o_-6UudK8IP5MLtE/s1600/1988-15-1-pma.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Child's stays, c.1770-1790 <a href="http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/83935.html?mulR=17041|1"><b>Accession Number 1988-15-1</b></a><br />The fashion fabric is a gold coarse, plain weave linen. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you consider that the green lady's stays are the same color as my fabric, and the child's stays are the same type of fabric that I have on hand, it would seem sufficient to use my dull green linen, right?<br />
<br />
So I did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq2iwvBdKNWDg0cMWaSRjgLVEzz3JL1ekAj4K79SHPuhzLP_lmAjsE-cx7c8BavaJ5R5H7BoL2KWg8RB_VY56r-lfKs6S6loANpJK_pHwl3iBbV-aivZxuSvkh71Mvrp8N8W6QEG7l6Wa/s1600/fall+2011+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq2iwvBdKNWDg0cMWaSRjgLVEzz3JL1ekAj4K79SHPuhzLP_lmAjsE-cx7c8BavaJ5R5H7BoL2KWg8RB_VY56r-lfKs6S6loANpJK_pHwl3iBbV-aivZxuSvkh71Mvrp8N8W6QEG7l6Wa/s320/fall+2011+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I covered the outer part of the stays...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-3gtiZoV39QXTpAzJauJlTZlrWSCmcqBMyXkI4Zc-xBeQt_NNJPwN82Lkv-jeVv7AVSo3TP0Fq-lDeCHPMUG8d9p0hwjSdb_qkrBYzZJGTuml6Fb89A4dQ9Wg1dmBiuWYEf1MAFAzsGe/s1600/fall+2011+014000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-3gtiZoV39QXTpAzJauJlTZlrWSCmcqBMyXkI4Zc-xBeQt_NNJPwN82Lkv-jeVv7AVSo3TP0Fq-lDeCHPMUG8d9p0hwjSdb_qkrBYzZJGTuml6Fb89A4dQ9Wg1dmBiuWYEf1MAFAzsGe/s320/fall+2011+014000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had to piece the fabric together at the bottom front since the fabric was a little too short.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7INUiQj4EDh4cOMioWuEwhudr2OVVsUvsR8Xzjzx3TkaScoREGb7BkajOw51kbhQAKCGt2ERrZO_JPLRX45yt74sd7zHZ_6GbjqKRDQ8xLuFy_ron9CoACXRHiWphbMeEglWHD688hcv/s1600/fall+2011+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7INUiQj4EDh4cOMioWuEwhudr2OVVsUvsR8Xzjzx3TkaScoREGb7BkajOw51kbhQAKCGt2ERrZO_JPLRX45yt74sd7zHZ_6GbjqKRDQ8xLuFy_ron9CoACXRHiWphbMeEglWHD688hcv/s320/fall+2011+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I whip stitched the fabric to the lining.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUsVf58NY2Xt-Vc2lrmsFo9Kx36VIuMbstDV0SD-pQHA84ZS41yw4VAYl4KAmVVM9We7t2HvMRioWw0bqTQkopEY44x6VAOjt5GPjZqoKHvY8M624hxzcYDZoaWl7KSdZQbEP9J9pbxXg/s1600/fall+2011+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUsVf58NY2Xt-Vc2lrmsFo9Kx36VIuMbstDV0SD-pQHA84ZS41yw4VAYl4KAmVVM9We7t2HvMRioWw0bqTQkopEY44x6VAOjt5GPjZqoKHvY8M624hxzcYDZoaWl7KSdZQbEP9J9pbxXg/s320/fall+2011+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And whip stitched each panel together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3SolUM3cBZIchkp9nOhWBUAaDBVdOThvntUsBAJnRyW2O7n-ueMCt9hv9WWodYYGmHkpBTaqyE7UKT9_PyT28SasgF2-7yOmE5W48O2yhNuzApN3kNoQvA__AFa60KaoQFZmHHLP8cM0/s1600/fall+2011+015000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3SolUM3cBZIchkp9nOhWBUAaDBVdOThvntUsBAJnRyW2O7n-ueMCt9hv9WWodYYGmHkpBTaqyE7UKT9_PyT28SasgF2-7yOmE5W48O2yhNuzApN3kNoQvA__AFa60KaoQFZmHHLP8cM0/s320/fall+2011+015000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And I thought that they were almost complete, that I just needed to make the eyelets. </div>
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However, Mrs. Peabody recently blogged in her post <a href="http://thegoldenscissors.blogspot.com/2011/11/textile-thoughts.html"><b>TextileThoughts</b></a> about ceasing to use linen colors that are not documented, such as
green. </div>
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This is a bummer because: </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->a)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span>I had thought that the project was nearly complete.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->b)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><!--[endif]-->I
made a petticoat with this linen that I'll have to retire. And I used a scrap to line my absolutely
favorite accessory, <a href="http://www.sew18thcentury.com/2011/05/needlework-bag-part-two.html" style="font-weight: bold;">my needlework bag</a>, which will have to take apart and redo. : (</div>
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<o:p>Sew. Does it seem too much of a stretch to use green linen for baby stays? Or should I snip it off and start over? </o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<br />Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-27650567770583622072011-11-04T05:05:00.000-07:002011-11-04T05:05:53.201-07:00Sleeve RufflesOn Mrs. P.'s recent journey to study all things 18th century, she spent many hours in many places looking at many things, but also chose to focus and ask to examine certain things. One of which was sleeve ruffles.<br />
<br />
Those necessary and yet so often overlooked accessories that can often make or break an entire impression. I saw a large number and variety of ruffles. Plain, laced, dresden work, simple and fancy whitework of all sorts and one pair that had a lovely array of eyelets worked around the edges! Fabrics were muslin, linen, dimity and net, and yes, I said net. (the net pair will probably be the first that I will try to reproduce). Loved, Loved Loved!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BNa5iJI-jv4Yuk2CyW-ZiSx2c-MNANIIsquCNo1gUIGfyB1GHZr2FTtryQNWz5ujFbz9ZZYp_PY0KbYOCMlkV6aM-9G1s-0itUPallFEuCMjo7T7YRCrfj4tqiGB72gMopnk-XSFUOJK/s1600/1760-double_muslin_ruffles3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BNa5iJI-jv4Yuk2CyW-ZiSx2c-MNANIIsquCNo1gUIGfyB1GHZr2FTtryQNWz5ujFbz9ZZYp_PY0KbYOCMlkV6aM-9G1s-0itUPallFEuCMjo7T7YRCrfj4tqiGB72gMopnk-XSFUOJK/s320/1760-double_muslin_ruffles3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.antique-textiles.net/">Antique Textiles</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This example from Antiques Textiles is very similar to those plain muslin ruffles that I examined. The construction is as I have always thought and use today when I make sleeve ruffles, the fabric is gathered with whip gathers, and attached to the linen tape. That was the universal way of attaching the fabric to the tape regardless of the style of the ruffle. Not up for discussion, incontrovertible evidence of a sewing stitch not previously thought to be used in the 18th century. Whip gathers allow the fabric to actually be hinged to the tape, which lets the fabric flair out and stand proud of the tape. It is always nice to be validated, but it is more important is to find documented evidence of a useful technique.Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-59012765851038371802011-11-02T06:10:00.000-07:002011-11-02T06:11:53.753-07:00The Return of Mrs. PeabodyMy Dear Friends and Correspondents,<br />
<br />
It is wonderful to return home to Massachusetts after my absence over the sea. While the voyage is always a trial, the metropolis of London has much to offer to improve one's knowledge and expand the mind.<br />
<br />
It is so nice to read the posts of Mrs. S. so illuminating and Miss K. who is full of good questions. I am happy to report on several items of interest to us all.<br />
<br />
First I have found no general difference in the methods used by us here in Concord to those in England of making gowns and other items. If one were to place a garment made in Boston next to one made in London or Leeds, you would be hard pressed to choose which was which.<br />
<br />
In dressmaking the usual conventions were seen; shoulder straps, white linen linings, cuffs and sleeve flounces similar in all respects. Hems and seams the same, all methods known and used by us here, were also used in the height of fashion there! <br />
<br />
One of the highlights of my journey was an examination of this gown. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk398pNM8ybJL2xbL2MSfk5fyLNyRel6aRW-T1hfHrlq5uuVJaSr3fcgAbW6D-HVQblrdjy5GpnEV_LZHYmW-9ovG-aTCAnaLrUGJI-wajd62-SN1DcP2h9iy61x0pzZlwTMwV5i_z3Kl/s1600/damaskLEEAG.1949.8.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk398pNM8ybJL2xbL2MSfk5fyLNyRel6aRW-T1hfHrlq5uuVJaSr3fcgAbW6D-HVQblrdjy5GpnEV_LZHYmW-9ovG-aTCAnaLrUGJI-wajd62-SN1DcP2h9iy61x0pzZlwTMwV5i_z3Kl/s320/damaskLEEAG.1949.8.2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.leedsmuseumscollections.co.uk/code/emuseum.asp?style=browse&currentrecord=25&page=search&profile=objects&searchdesc=damask&quicksearch=damask&sessionid=8698F251-17B7-463D-8096-7E7083FCA060&action=quicksearch&style=single&currentrecord=28">Leeds Costume Collection</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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This gown is in reality a deep shade of raspberry and not the scarlet shown in the image. A rare example of a highly decorated damask gown. In almost all instances, damasks are usually undress gowns and as such not lavished with passementerie. There is a damask gown at the MFA (and one at the MET) that does have some trim as well, but by and large they are not often found with this extent of trimming. There is no doubt in my mind that not only was the trim purchased at the same time as the gown but was also dyed to match the fabric, probably by the same silk dyer. The color of the trim is exactly the same as the gown, not a bit of a shade off color -exact- and the abundance of such is lavish to a degree of lavishness not to be believed. This gown was made to be worn over hoops, thus displaying the gown to full advantage. <br />
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So that brings Mrs. P to her own personal goal setting for the upcoming winter, I am determined to divine in detail many of the trims made with silk. Simple flies are not a challenge, but the other elements that are usually so combined with them really will be more complex to duplicate. One has to have goals to endure the long, and cold winter ahead.<br />
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The first and most important hurdle will be to find the right fabric, since the trim is always secondary to the fabric. Oh, wait. I may have some in storage. Will have to check my trunks for a suitable length as I have laid aside many for future use. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Mrs. Peabody</span></span>Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-52803681243549874192011-10-31T06:05:00.000-07:002011-10-31T06:05:12.679-07:00Miss Kristin - Finding Fabrics<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">One of the things holding me back as a new reenactor is good, quality sources for good, quality fabrics and notions. I've found this to be the biggest reason why I've hesitated to start another gown project, and to committing to a gown for our garden party in August. Besides this event, I have two other gowns that I need to make; one I have the gown fabric for (a really lovely yellow taffeta), and the other I have nothing--no fabric, no inspiration. Why? Because I have no idea where to get:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<ol style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">good linen lining (so many questions: what weight? what company?)</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">really good quality taffeta</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;">and really good silk thread.</li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">I think this is an extremely common problem; newbies don't know where to buy, so they end up going to the "same ol' same ol'" or end up using materials that may be readily available at brick and mortar stores but are not authentic or accurate, not real silk/linen/wool/cotton (hello, people, you are hanging around open fires, artificial fibers</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><b>can melt into and burn your skin</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">! A 911 phone call can really put a damper on the weekend, not to mention</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><i>your life</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">), and are of generally poor quality.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">For example, I wanted to make a drawstring work bag out of linen to carry around my sewing things with me when at events, and use it as a practice piece before I made one out of silk. I went into my local fabric store that begins with a J and bought 2/3 of a yard of linen at $14.99/yd. At that price, it better be good linen--it was utter crap. I purchased Irish linen from Burnley and Trowbridge for $12/yd to make a petticoat out of and it is lovely stuff. So guess what? I totally wasted my money and have not made the work bag; I borrowed one from Mrs. Winthrop instead (thank you! again!). Even the heavier linen that came with the pocket embroidery kit I purchased was better quality!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">So, I'm putting forth a plea, for newbies everywhere, asking our more experienced reenactors amongst us to tell us where to go! Where should be buy our fabrics from? Who has great linen for linings? Where can I buy a good amount of yardage of taffeta that is maybe not Scalamandre but is still quality (though for this project, I will invest in something as amazing as Scalamandre)? Where can I buy good silk thread that I can handsew with?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">If vital information such as this doesn't get shared, we can all expect the newbies to never get out of their newbie-ness because of a lack of education. A poor foundation (and let's face it, the materials you use for garments are the foundation!) will cause a house to fall. So share! Open up and tell us so we can get better! The hobby needs you to!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><b>Back to my fabric quest -</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">--Miss Kristin</span>Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-75914481117427646282011-10-26T06:47:00.000-07:002011-10-26T12:41:10.445-07:00Portrait of the Week - Elizabeth Goldthwait Cummings BaconDearest Friends,<br />
I'd like to introduce you to our sitter of the week, Elizabeth Goldthwait Cummings Bacon. This portrait, completed by Copley in 1769 is in the <a href="http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/">Brooklyn Museum</a>. She was the daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth Goldthwait who also sat for Mr Copley and we'll be featuring her mother's portrait in a future blog. She was 37 when she sat for this painting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF2M4dwKor05Pe7-wcdT-WKiskiUWH0xpuIzy3nmyotJ4VNKLtwAAz1oKoRos5R5uuMH_vc1hyphenhyphenvUtgsCbrUPY2odKG4CAm_MmXEgNaBIJyfgvIUNu3IN0jjQIiXVY8k2H6DsZFc2wNoiv/s1600/500px-Brooklyn_Museum_-_Mrs._Alexander_Cumming%252C_ne%25CC%2581e_Elizabeth_Goldthwaite%252C_later_Mrs._John_Bacon_-_John_Singleton_Copley_-_overall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF2M4dwKor05Pe7-wcdT-WKiskiUWH0xpuIzy3nmyotJ4VNKLtwAAz1oKoRos5R5uuMH_vc1hyphenhyphenvUtgsCbrUPY2odKG4CAm_MmXEgNaBIJyfgvIUNu3IN0jjQIiXVY8k2H6DsZFc2wNoiv/s640/500px-Brooklyn_Museum_-_Mrs._Alexander_Cumming%252C_ne%25CC%2581e_Elizabeth_Goldthwaite%252C_later_Mrs._John_Bacon_-_John_Singleton_Copley_-_overall.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Goldthwait Cummings Bacon by Copley from the Brooklyn Museum</td></tr>
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Elizabeth was married twice, both times to ministers. Her marriage to Revered Bacon was announced in the Boston News Letter on November 11, 1771<br />
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She is wearing the heart-shaped cap seen in the late 1760's / early seventies. Her handkerchief is exquisite - and once again, we see this lovely sheerness that barely hides her decolletage. And that lace trim!!!! Is it me or does the neckline of her gown seem really low?<br />
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She has about her neck a terrific multi-strand seed pearl necklace, tied in the back with a bow, it's so big it covers most of her neck. Anyone see a pattern here with the gowns we are seeing? Stomacher front, this one silk satin, with sleeve ruffles and appears, little other ornamentation.<br />
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Another wonderful look to strive for! Enjoy<br />
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YH&OS,<br />
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Mrs. S<br />
<br />Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-19400641992791161572011-10-21T12:27:00.000-07:002011-10-21T12:27:49.533-07:00Mrs. Hancock's Baby Stays, Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-xM-nx9IvWTWtohFc7Bt9uRsRygtErNI8nMhzOmgz-b2fdFvAmfNx9jIpyqGtXF3H-qugMeYsDk86jB4BB5Vas_WlDq2dWs8vkzkDCdXzDml8KtOhpTNwftBq4_masWKTG3U0WSW43hg/s1600/fall+2011+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-xM-nx9IvWTWtohFc7Bt9uRsRygtErNI8nMhzOmgz-b2fdFvAmfNx9jIpyqGtXF3H-qugMeYsDk86jB4BB5Vas_WlDq2dWs8vkzkDCdXzDml8KtOhpTNwftBq4_masWKTG3U0WSW43hg/s320/fall+2011+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I've been working on creating a small pair of stays for my little one. (If you are of the mindset that this is wrong to do to a child and that I must be an evil mother, I encourage you to learn a bit more about my baby stays before jumping to conclusions.) <br />
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I'm modeling my baby stays after the baby stays in Colonial Williamsburg's collections (with some help thanks to Mrs. Peabody), and referring to photos of the baby stays that the Margaret Hunter Milliner's Shop created from the same set. (The photos can be found on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.238925719460606.66711.121002921252887&type=3"><b>MHM's facebook page</b></a>.)<br />
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For supplies: I need pasteboard, a few feet of reed for the boning, fabric scraps and some heavy linen thread.<br />
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I started by tracing my pattern, created from the baby stays that Mrs. Peabody had made, onto a sheet of pasteboard. After cutting out four pieces...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrdmzV3CSdwpjRmJj8uEez2BM_AdKNzElepHIQdN0isI7UV6I-ESTtK6WGXraZ7M28MsOXCJ6hJU2pRZa7en873ghk9bz7BelXRAxPWI5n8wS8ToUOl1Gui9f5CKKJK2S1Ina7FZvvfuh/s1600/fall+2011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrdmzV3CSdwpjRmJj8uEez2BM_AdKNzElepHIQdN0isI7UV6I-ESTtK6WGXraZ7M28MsOXCJ6hJU2pRZa7en873ghk9bz7BelXRAxPWI5n8wS8ToUOl1Gui9f5CKKJK2S1Ina7FZvvfuh/s320/fall+2011+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...I went through the dreadful process of making large slightly sloppy stitches to attach the reed to the pasteboard. I had thought I could use running stitches for this part to spare my fingertips (I'm not a fan of thimbles), but that wouldn't hold the reed in place as it kept slipping around. So I had to backstitch the reed. By the time this process was complete, my fingers looked like the header image from our friend Kristin's blog, <a href="http://stuckinthe18thc.blogspot.com/"><b>Stuck in the 18th Century</b></a>. (If this set of stays doesn't fit her by next summer, I will be tempted to research 18th century glue receipts to try and justify gluing the reed to the pasteboard.)<br />
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From there, I used a scrap of striped linen to cover the pasteboard and act as the lining.<br />
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I then grabbed some wool for the fashion fabric, but as I tried folding it I realized that it was too bulky and probably wouldn't be comfortable to wear.<br />
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Time to dig through my fabric stash and find another scrap for the fashion fabric!Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8987961782829181276.post-38759246007861813612011-10-18T06:43:00.000-07:002011-10-18T06:43:35.660-07:00Portrait of the Week - a Beauty from BrownFound another New England lovely to add our portrait collection -- though she is a transplant - originally from New Jersey. This one is from <a href="http://dl.lib.brown.edu/portraits/">Brown University</a> in Providence, RI. She is <a href="http://dl.lib.brown.edu/portraits/display.php?idno=249">Margaret Stites Manning</a> (1740-1815), wife of the first president of the college painted by Cosmo Alexander in 1770.<br />
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<a href="http://www.simonpg.com/d309.htm">"James Manning......it is said that his wife, who had been Miss Margaret Stites of Elizabethtown, was lovely in person and possessed of those "elegant accomplishments and superior qualities which well accorded with her husband's character and happily fitted her for the discharge of duties inseparable from public positions of honor and usefulness."....."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-small;">*</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">*</span>The New England Magazine' May 1899 Vol XX No. 3, pg's 293-314 - 'Brown University' by Henry Robinson Palmer.</span><br />
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She was born in Oct 16, 1740, so she was thirty when this portrait was painted.<br />
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She's dressed a bit more conservatively than our Boston beauties (could that be an 18th century Jersey girl thing or just that she was a Baptist minister's wife?) with her lappet cap fastened under her chin, but her gown is similar, complete with a rosette fastening her handkerchief. Her shift and cuff ruffle peak out from under her sleeve flounce like our other subjects. I just love how sheer her handkerchief is -- covering but not quite covering. Too bad we don't see whether or not she is wearing an apron and if that apron is tied over her gown -- rats! Lots to emulate here. Enjoy!<br />
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YH&OS,<br />
Mrs. S.Crazy Concord Chickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18162445506926070144noreply@blogger.com2