My Students' Projects (Fall 2006 - Fall 2007):

The most recent projects that my sister Anna and cousin Abi completed were inspired by "Narnia" and "The Lord of the Rings" designs. Here are their beautiful designs.

For Anna's dress we used Simplicity 4940 with lovely results (great pattern - I highly recommend it!), following the view that is based off of Eowyn's "Shieldmaiden" gown from LOTR. She chose a lovely velvety suede looking fabric (sorry, my mind is blank on the right term at the moment ;) and did a fantastic job.

For Abi's dress (which was inspired by Lucy's blue gown in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe") we used Simplicity 9891 with stunning results (another great pattern!). Abi added tiny snowflake buttons and a decorative stitch to the bodice and sleeves. Just lovely!

Anna and Abi are joined by their cousin Emma in the last photo - what a trio of medieval maidens! :)

Family Colonial Attire "Take 2" (Spring/Summer 2007):

A lot happens in two years. By the time 2007 rolled around, most of the family needed updates on their attire (originally made 2005). Unfortunately, I was not one of the chosen ones... :(

• Mom wasn't thrilled with the bodice of her '05 costume and, since having Hanneke, she would need something she could nurse in. I used Period Impressions 1735-1740 Open Front Jacket pattern to make her a top that she really liked - with zippers that opened from the bottom on each side of the stomacher (not an original idea, but hey! It works! ;). Unfortunately, I don't have an good pictures of the jacket! :(
  
• Rebekah also used the Period Impressions 1735-1740 Open Front Jacket pattern to create a fabulous top to go with her original colonial skirt. She chose a lovely home dec stripe and cooked up an incredible outfit! She loves the "rustic" look and she did a great job in capturing it!
  
• For Lydia's new gown we used Simplicity 4092, which is actually decently authentic for a big 4 pattern and went together very nicely, except that the sleeves were rather queer and we ended up needing to shape them near the bottom. Also, the back of the dress was gathered, rather than pleated (cheating!), so I had to do it by hand; not that hard, but a bit of a pain. Lydia likes her dress a lot (especially with a man's hat and belt ;), but was so unfortunate as to come in contact with a fellow that had had one two many fireworks that evening. Riiippppp!!! I'm going to kill him. ;)
  
• Anna graduated to the gown Lydia wore in 2004 and Aidan managed to squeeze into his vest (with a new shirt and breeches) for one more year - YAY!!! :D
  
• Katherine, Maggie, Susannah and Shannon all had new dresses from the same basic McCALL's pattern that I used for K&M in 04. We managed to find coordinating fabric for the twins and Kate and Maggie picked out their own - with adorable results.

For more photos of our family in our updated colonial attire, view City on a Hill: 4th of July Celebration pictures!