Beautiful Dresses from Bath

 

I'm sorry I've been away for so long; it's really unusual for me. I'm afraid I've been AWOL and MIA whilst I get my collection together for Hugglets on September12th! My husband had 2 weeks holiday, and we went to Devon and Bath.... but I still had to sew y'know. Luckily I have a small folding portable daylight gadget; a Grafilight (check www.colourconfidence.com ) which is invaluable when I go away!!!

Here are some beautiful 18th century dresses from the collection at the Bath Fashion Museum ( joy of joys you are now allowed to photograph those which they own..... although it is still a photographer's nightmare!) I hope they will give something to admire until normal service can be resumed here!

Amazing "court dress". Imagine it; "'S'cuse me - wide dress coming through!!!"

("Sack Back"dress with more exquisite embroidery)

 

Despite all the fabulous handworked embroidery on the others this is my favourite - made from the finest muslin (which was extremely expensive and highly prized cargo on merchant ships) I just can't imagine how cold those poor, fragile ladies must have been tripping around in our climate in these wisps of material!!

I'll be back as soon as I can .... so Ciao For Now! :0) ....
Ruth xx

In The Pink Tissue Paper is.....

Look at my lovely parcel from Sandi; which arrived today, all in pretty pink tissue paper and scented with a divine sachet- which by the way , is such a good idea for all our fabric and supplies stashes :0) I feel very lucky to have received three soft and yummy mohairs, tiny buttons, lovely rusty bells, glass eyes and even some pretty pastel stationery for cards! All of these will be squirreled carefully away whilst I contemplate what they might become. Sandi knows they will challenge me creatively as I have rarely used mohair (and never glass eyes) before!It does do you good to have a few projects lined up which in the future will give your current skills a boost. One day .... and I'm talking far in to the future here...... I'd like to make a big bear, although I think it would be a really steep learning curve and I'd be very nervous! I have made bigger bears from commercial patterns years ago, although none were jointed. Ah! I just remembered all the stuffing involved as well! If you remember I used the "left over" stuffing from (very) past projects for approximately 4 years in my miniatures! :0)

Many thanks to Sandi for her big-hearted generosity, and to Lady Luck for drawing me the winner! Pop over to Sandi's blog right here to see 3 gorgeous little bears just finished; they are adorable!

TaTa For Now,
Ruth xxx