So…I did make a pocket. It only took me 7 months to complete because of my intrepid laziness when it comes to hand embroidery.
Luckily, flying on airplanes is a perfect time to embroider. TSA allows scissors 4 inches or less, so I found some little Fiskars fold-ups at the craft store that worked perfectly, and packed all the pieces of the unfinished pocket into my carry-on.
It took me the whole two flights out to Virginia, but I got the thing done, binding, ties, and all, and was mighty grateful for it when it came time for playing dress-up. Mom and I spent most of our be-costumed time digging around in our pockets for this or for that.
My pocket used the pattern from Colonial Williamsburg’s Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern, 1750-1790
That’s it, that’s all, that’s m’pocket. The end.
12 Comments
Cynthia Griffith
October 14, 2012 at 9:13 PMAww, how sweet and pretty!
Anonymous
October 14, 2012 at 10:07 PMI say to keep your colors bright and clear. We are used to seeing Colonial objects after 200+ years of use and wear so they don't look new. As re-enactors we are supposed to look like our things were recently/newly made and should not yet have the patina of hundreds of years. Just my opinion, 🙂
Lauren Stowell
October 15, 2012 at 4:46 AMI suppose it's best to let it age over time, if it will. I like to add patina to gowns an clothing items because I want them to feel lived in and authentic, but as just a pocket, I suppose it doesn't matter, nobody will see it!
Maggie
October 14, 2012 at 10:52 PMThat's so pretty! I wouldn't dunk it, it looks great as is! You're a fast embroiderer too! 🙂
Lauren Stowell
October 15, 2012 at 4:47 AMFast!? It took me 7 months! lol
Laura Morrigan
October 14, 2012 at 11:13 PMI've been toying with the idea of making a pocket, although it wouldn't be as pretty as yours. It amuses me that a lot of modern women's clothing is devoid of pockets, so creating a historical item such as this would actually help me out. Having said that, I want to change all my modern clothes to more historical inspired styles anyhow 😛
Lauren Stowell
October 15, 2012 at 4:47 AMYou're right, we are low on pockets (usable, practical ones at least), though have the big purses to act in the same way. I'd rather shove it all in pockets, honestly.
Rachel
October 15, 2012 at 12:49 AMThis is so cool. You're just full of surprises. I didn't realize you were so adept at embroidery. Maybe you should try your hand at a stomacher some time.
I do have a question. How did you eventually decide on the era of history that was your favorite to start making clothes for?
Lauren Stowell
October 15, 2012 at 4:49 AMI wouldn't consider myself very good embroidery – maybe this design makes it look that way, but I'm terrible at satin stitch and don't even know how to do a French knot! I do think maybe I will try a stomacher at some point, though it might take me ages (years) to finish something more complex.
For your question, I think maybe I will write up a blog post to answer. 🙂
KittyKatt
October 15, 2012 at 1:42 AMI think that Rachel has a good question – I would be interested in how you "found" your era. And seamstrix has a valid point about patina and age. Also, she has a great screen name. I know because that's my Yahoo handle. 🙂 You really did a nice job on the embroidery, Lauren. What were the colors of the original?
Katt
Lauren Stowell
October 15, 2012 at 4:51 AMI think I will answer your and Rachel's question in a post. The original pocket is this one: http://emuseum.history.org/code/getimage.asp?filename=1963-11.jpg&type=full&mediatype=Image
Unknown
September 23, 2016 at 9:05 PMThe link above no longer works, but believe this to be the correct link now. http://emuseum.history.org/view/objects/asitem/classification@12/419/title-asc?t:state:flow=5bf7de50-0044-4ab1-95f5-2370cdda64fb