One of my interests is family history. I've had an Ancestry account for years, and traced all kinds of branches of the family - it's like following a path in a beautiful hidden garden, then discovering another going off that with all its fascinating details, then a different one off that.... you get the idea I'm sure. The garden can lead you about in an absorbing manner for hours, and it is very addictive. Along the way, you find all kinds of wonderful treasures. This is one of them. Friday 12th February 2021 would have been my mum and dad's 72nd wedding anniversary. They'd met at a party in early 1944, introduced by friends. Dad (aged 20) said that when he first met Mum (aged 17), he knew she was the one for him. She came from a large and sociable family, being the youngest of 13 children (9 survived beyond childhood), he was an only child brought up by his maternal grandmother - his mother died when he was 6 - although he had the company of his beloved adopted br
An accessory that is extremely underrated is the humble chemisette. It was used for warmth, modesty, and sometimes as a vehicle for displaying wealth in the form of fine lace or embroidery. It was occasionally referred to as a 'habit shirt' in the 1830s, with a low necked version for use with dinner or evening dresses called a 'chemisette de vierge'. These simple little garments were worn as a layer beneath gown bodices, showing above the necklines. Chemisette, 1800 - 1825, National Trust, UK Chemisette, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Perhaps most importantly to a modern day costumer in quest of a realistic re-creation, they can elevate a simple outfit to greater authenticity. Here are the details of one I completed recently. The pattern was adapted from 'Patterns of Fashion' by Janet Arnold, and I chose to make mine in fine dotted swiss cotton. Lawn, voile, cotton