Weekly Letter: Regency and Royal Meetings

Dear readers,
I am so happy to share with you what I did over the weekend.  I know I said my next reenactment was going to be at the end of the month for a WWII, however, one of my good friends invited me to Daniel Smith Days at Rock Castle.  It was wonderful! It felt like I was in a Jane Austin novel.  We participated in the fashion show and modeled wonderful summer dresses and met some amazing people.  Everyone was so nice and was nice enough to offer a spot among their group, Regal. I do love meeting people from all over enjoying reenacting as much as I do. Here is a few pictures:

My first time in Regency! I love it!

Rock Castle and the Camp Tents

What is a reenactment without a historic selfie?





     Moving up a few years to the Civil War era, I am going to start working on my sister's fancier dress for the Fall ball next month.  I really wanted to do a ball gown for her but she is only twelve.  I did some research to find out that the "coming out" age started around fourteen, which happens to be when younger girls were aloud to start wearing ball gowns.  This came about when debutaunts would be introduced to the queen! They would have to be mature, of good families and stature.  Once they were introduced, the young ladies were able to attend court social gatherings and hopfully find a husband within the first two to three years!  If a lady reached the age of thirty and was not married, it was said she would only be a spinster and could not be married off.  Imagine that!
     My plan of action for the Harvest Ball seams to be making my sister a nice day dress with new undergarments for both of us.  (Since it is now fall, we will both need wool underpinnings since I'm not sure if the weather will be warmer much longer.  Off to my local thrift shop I go!) I'm hoping to make a style similar to a Swiss waist with a fancy shirt underneath but I haven't quite made up my mind.  For my dress on the other hand, I either plan to re-do my plum and gold Christmas dress from last year or finish my new Christmas dress early.  So many decisions so little time.  I will hopefully post my final decisions next week I will have most likely started by then.
Yours truly,
Shayla P.

Weekly Letter: Time Traveling to the 1940's

Dear readers,

    I am officially 19! Yay for me.  I am so blessed at all the fun things I recieved for my birthday as well! I received a new lantern with beeswax candles, a few new shirts, a new pair of lace gloves and a longhorn hat, oh, and this wonderful new device I am writing on: My very own laptop!  It was absolutely wonderful day!

     I am so excited for my next reenactment; World War II! The swinging 40’s is one of my favorite eras for music, people, and makeup inspiration.  I have gathered a few outfits that I am excited to wear! I have one simple black dress that I am pairing with a red belt and cute red heels.  My teenager outfit is brown with white polka dots and I haven’t quite figured out the accessories on that one yet.  Then, I have a green coat dress that has the most beautiful embroidery on the sleeves and pocket!  My last outfit is a green long sleeve blouse with a decal just below the collar.  I plan to wear a pencil skirt and black heels with it.  Oh! Let’s not forget the hats.  A lady in the Victorian age never went anywhere without a hat, in the forties the rules had changed quite a bit, however hats of all styles remained an important accessory to a lady’s wardrobe.  

A catalog article about lady's millinery.

     On a Victorian note, I also have a harvest ball coming up in October and I am hoping to take my sister with me.  I will be making her a new dress within the month along with finishing up a few projects and altering a few of my current outfits.  It is all very exciting!

Yours truly,

Shayla P.

Weekly Letter: Battle of Tunnel Hill 2014

Dear readers,
If you have never been to a camp reenactment, please do so.  This weekend was spectacular and if it wasn't for a nice hot shower I wouldn't have wanted to leave!  The best part I must say was the people.  Everyone coming together for the love of history was a wonderful sight! I was lucky enough to enjoy the full weekend including watching both battles.  The experience of camping out plus hearing the cannons roar in the valley as the troops marched on was one I will certainly never forget.
      I must say it became magical at night with the lanterns and the sounds of nature.  The first day was Thursday when we set up, the second was a school day, on the third day we watched the battle and had a dance in the evening, Sunday was the last day when I watched the battle from the hill(a much better spot) and then after taking things down we said goodbye to friends and went home.  It sounds so simple, however, it is full of long days with fun and fellowship.

Our wonderful host an campsite.

 The magical lanterns at night!

The sunset the second evening.

     Well tomorrow is a very important date for me, it is my birthday! Hurrah! I hope every has a magical day and is blessed.

Yours truly,

Shayla P.

Weekly Letter: First Camp Reenactment

Dear readers,
I hope you all had a lovely Labor Day weekend! I spent my time enjoying the company of my  family and sewing.  I managed to make a new dress(not seperates, an actual dress) for my very first camp reenactment.  I am very excited! I will be going with two other lovely ladies to the battle of Tunnel Hill! I hope it is like I imagine.  My new dress was made from unknown material from my grandmother's old stash.

     I used my favorite Period Impressions shirt pattern and made the skirt from scratch then I sewed the two together.  The trim is black ribbon I found amongst the ribbon container.  I am very happy with the simplicity of the dress and I hope it works well during the reenactment!

     As soon as I return I will post more about what is going to come and pictures from the reenactment!

Yours truly,

Shayla P.