Bodice done

The bodice is done. I so wish I could share photos, but not yet. I'm very pleased how it turned out; very closed to the inspiration. So now to finish the skirt and the rest of the workshop bags. Busy next few months. This will give me some sewing to do while I volunteer at Pioneer Farms the next couple of months.

Henkel Square Sale

Henkel Square was a collection of historic buildings in Round Top, Texas. We had held several events there staying in the structures. Last year the site was sold and redeveloped into a kitchy, cutesy collection of shops. I have not visited any of the structures since being renovated with electricity, don't really want to. The buildings contained a wonderful collection of furnishings and other items. They are all now being sold off. http://www.henkelsquareroundtop.com/bybee_sale.php. To me this is bittersweat as I am glad to know that they were not destroyed, but hate to see them probably go to overpriced antique stores rather than be preserved and saved for research and education.

Progress

Basic bodice and both sleeves done and in. I think, however, my cat will be with me permanently in form of fur on this dress. Awaiting the conference with anticipation. We may have a couple of new Texan attendees. I really need the break the conference will provide.

Volunteering Weekend

This Friday and Saturday I spent volunteering. Friday I was at Pioneer Farms for school day. We had an unexpected school come for the day, so after everyone got signed in I went down to the German farm and docented there for the morning. In the afternoon I helped out at the store as 120 kids spent their money or whined because they had none.

Saturday was Christmas at Winedale. We had several visitors throughout the day. I was stationed at the Lewis-Wagner house in the parlor.

Lewis-Wagner House

Lewis -Wagner Parlor

The parlor of the house is upstairs and has great galleries. It is assumed the parlor is upstairs because the house was used as a stage stop at one time and the upstairs parlor allowed for private family space. I like this house, it's comfortable. More pictures can be found here.

And yes, I went by Henkel Square, no didn't get pictures. I didn't recognize most of the structures. Let's just say it's "cutesy" and looks just like the rest of Round Top.

Dye job

As promised here are photos of the cording and crocheted medallions I dyed over the weekend. The tassels were already that color.

Dying

Since I couldn't find the exact color of cording I wanted for the trim on my dress I decided to dye some. The first cording I bought was apparently treated with some thing that wouldn't allow it to dye. Didn't realize it. So ended up using drawcording, which not only held the dye better but looks more like the triming on the original, it's just not as large as I would like it to be. I also dyed the medallions I crocheted that goes with the tassels in the front. Pictures once they all dry.

Another Day at the Farms

Spent another day at Pioneer Farms. Started out rainy but cleared up in the afternoon. Finished the mock up of my conference dress bodice while there. And since I had my corset on anyway tried it on when I got home. Just a few changes. Need to take the corset in a bit. Also have the conference travel set. Looks like there might be 3, possibly 4 from Texas this year. Plan to visit Gettysburg again Sunday afternoon. It should be a nice trip; really looking forward to it.