Historical Sew Monthly: January and February: A blue foundation garment...

So here they are finally: the details for my first HSM challenge.

The Challenge:
I decided to combine January's Foundation Challenge and February's Colour Blue Challenge for my first project and so I chose to make blue garters.

Fabric:
I chose a Rowan pure wool 4 ply yarn in a shade called Blue Iris.

Pattern: 
The pattern is an original from Godey's Ladies' Book (1861) that I found here. It is very simple and easy to follow.

Year: 
1861

Notions:
The great thing about this project was that, unlike most of my costume projects, it required only a small amount of yarn and a piece of cardboard to make to pompom, so very economical.

How historically accurate is it?
The end result is quite historically accurate as the pattern was original. I suspect that the yarn is probably spun differently nowadays but I deliberately chose pure wool to keep the fibres as authentic as possible.

Hours to complete:
Only a few. I haven't actually completed the second garter yet but this first one only took a couple of hours, split into 10 minute bursts here and there whenever I had a chance.

First worn:
I haven't worn this yet as the second one isn't finished, but as soon as its partner is complete I want to test them out on my period correct stockings. I am dubious about how effective they will be but it is the look that counts and I can use them during costume demonstrations.

Total cost:

Almost nothing. The wool cost about £4 but I have only used a small amount - there is plenty left for more garters or another small project.

The proof that being over ambitious does not always pay off...

Back in February I decided for some reason that it would be a good idea to join the Historical Sew Monthly. I knew then that in the middle of studying for a Masters Degree in Dress and Textile Histories that I was unlikely to have a lot of time for sewing. However, as it turns out, I seriously underestimated just how little time I would have for anything else once I started researching and writing my dissertation!

After spending March and April on a museum work placement, I then launched into my research into Victorian bonnet ribbons and from April until August I hunted down, photographed, analysed, read and wrote about ribbons from dawn to dusk, seven days a week without fail! But not once in all those months did I even get close to so much as sewing a ribbon onto anything!

Now though, with my masters complete and the dissertation submitted I am eager to get back to my sewing. Sadly, however, I have to report that the progress on my first HSM project currently amounts to one lonely garter!

And here it is...

See my next post for the full details...