red cloak at Gunston

[jennylafleur]

Here are some pics from the Gunston Hall event today. I had a really great time. The weather was perfect, the autumn leaves were at their peak, Gunston was gorgeous as usual and the event was a lot of fun. The day was a good reminder of way I bother with this reenacting thing. :>


We set up on the front lawn and demonstrated period dances throughout the day. Attendance was low but the people who came by were genuinely interested and we had lots of volunteers for our mini dance classes. After the grounds closed to the public, we were treated to a candlelight dinner that had been cooked in the period kitchens. The food was wonderful and it was great fun to have the place to ourselves. Gunston Hall is one of my favorite old spots in Northern Virginia. It was such a treat to be there in costume and eat in the courtyard - under the stars no less. Towards the end of the day I took a solitary ramble through the gardens and just enjoyed the beauty around me. I feel like my batteries have been recharged a bit and that is a nice feeling.


I got my cloak made in time - yay! A miracle considering that I didn’t really work on it until yesterday! I just couldn’t get myself to work on it this week for some reason. Luckily the construction couldn’t have been simpler and I was able to put it together in a very short amount time, handwork inculded. I used the pattern from Costume Close-Up as my guide. I ended up shaping the front of the cloak and deepening the curve in the center back – all to avoid gaping at the neck. I’ll be drawing up a diagram with all my finial measurements and such soon. You'll notice some pics show ribbons on the cloak and some don't... I added them on during the event. :> Actually they are just for show, the cloak is really fastened by two large hook & eyes. :>

A couple of websites I found helpful along the way:
New England Life
Southcoast Associates

To save time, I did forgo lining the hood. I plan on adding a lining at some point though. I have another event with RCHS next weekend so maybe I’ll try for that. There is a length of pretty baby pink silk in the stash that I think will work. If there is enough fabric I may try eeking out a muff for next weekend as well - another simple project. A muff, mitts and some decent shoes are definitely the next things on my 18th century accessory list!

Comments

[girliegirl32786.livejournal.com]

O so lovely! Now we must call you little red riding hood. ;)

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Yeah that name has been mentioned a few times since I finished the cloak! :>

[koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com]

I love it! Cloaks are so fun :)

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks! They are fun - at least I had alot of fun wearing mine! :>

[lacomtesse.livejournal.com]

*sigh*. Everything looks beautiful...Those shots of you in the cloak against the autumn leaves are postcard worthy!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was definitely the perfect day for pictures. *sigh* It's such a pretty property this time of year...

[tonyadmay.livejournal.com]

How pretty! You, the cloak, the scenery, everything. :-)

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! :>

[misscrabtree.livejournal.com]

Jenny, the Cloak is soooo pretty. I just love the hood. WOW, such a pretty garment and made in so little time. It's Magick I tell ya!!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks Elizabeth! Yeah, the hood is my favorite part. *hee hee*

[elegant-musings.livejournal.com]

Yummy!!! I just love the red color and do not think it's too short at all (despite all your worries to the contrary that I heard earlier this year ;). I get to try it on when I visit, right?! ;)

Making a muff should be fun!! I'm thinking I eventually need to take apart the oversized 1940s minkrat jacket I have and make a decent fur muff. I think if I size it right, I might be able to make it work for both the 18th and 1910s. :) Anyway, glad to see you got this project done in time!!

Oh, and I'm so totally envious that you got to enjoy the lovely weekend weather! Both L and I really, really wanted to come see you, but stupid homework took up too much time... :p

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks Luv! The cloak came out much longer than I thought it would. I love this pattern - it is such an efficient use of the fabric. It's almost too big for me!

Oh a real fur muff - I'm jealous! I'm sorry you couldn't come down - it was a lot of fun. You will just have to come next year!

[among-hedgerows.livejournal.com]

oh ... lovely cloak! One more thing to add to my wish list. :)

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was so simple, definitely put it on your list!

[katequicksilvr.livejournal.com]

Looks like a wonderful day, Jenny-Rose, and you look lovely!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!