It’s that time again (actually, I’m a couple of weeks in)!  We’re almost halfway done with the Historical Sew Fortnightly, some amazing things have been created, and here is my round-up of my favourites from Challenges 6-10.

As I did with my favourites from Challenges 0-5 I’ve chosen the items I thought best represent the spirit of the Historical Sew Fortnightly; the quest to explore history, raise our skill levels and standard, stretch ourselves (or sometimes just get something done, rather than just procrastinating);  and  the spirit of the individual challenge.  Once again, there were so many more beautiful pieces I could have featured!

Challenge #10 — Literature

1. Lisa’s blackwork cap for Ophelia – Exquisitely worked with all of poor Ophelia’s herbs: rue & rosemary, pansy & columbine.  A beautiful interpretation of the challenge, and integration of literature, textile, and history.
2. Cation’s Victorian deerstalker cap — Inspired by a detailed description of a hat in Farmer Boy, and Sherlock Holme’s headgear, this cap get’s both inspirations spot-on.
3. A Most Peculiar Mademoiselle’s mid-19th century Swedish dress — Sarah’s dress involves some really inspiring piecing, very in keeping with her literary inspiration – a book about impoverished Swedish immigrants.

Challenge #9— Flora & Fauna

1.  Seditiosus’ zibelino  — I just about cried with happiness when I saw this.  It’s fabulous.  It’s a zibelino!
2. Festive Attyre’s Regency/fantasy fairy leaf vest  — A beautiful combination of historical accuracy, research, and fantasy, with an amazing use of flora.
3. Frolicking Frocks’ Gibson Girl roses gown  — Sooooo pretty!  So beautifully made too – do read back in her construction posts!

Challenge #8 — By the Sea

1. Loran’s 1870s Grecian inspired swimsuit— It’s based on one of my favourite Victorian swimsuit fashion plates, and it has Greek keys, and she really committed with the styling and madness of it.
2. Beauty from Ashes’ 1910s sailor dress — A beautifully made replica of a period garment that she studied in detail.  Inspiring!
3. Scene in the Past’s 1860s hat veil — A very simple project in some ways, but such exemplary research to really understand what would be ‘right’ for this item.

Challenge #7 — Accessorise

1. Ã…sa’s pretty green handsewn Regency mitts – Because I desperately want to make myself a pair of mitts, and hers are beautiful!
2. Genoveva’s 16th century goldhaub (golden cap) – Thousands of pearls, thousands of hours of research, meticulous work, and it is beautiful.  And inspired by Cranach paintings.  I love everything about it!
3. Fabric of Time’s mid-19th century slat bonnet — I like this both because it’s not that traditional pretty that we usually aim for in accessories, and because Kaela has put so much research into developing the perfect slat bonnet pattern.  So inspiring!

Challenge #6 —  Stripes

1. Caitlyn’s 1870s pink & white striped picnic skirt – It’s so very stripey, and one of those projects where you just can’t wait to see what the rest of the outfit will look like! (and all of Caitlyn’s stuff is such a beautiful representation of the spirit of the HSF)
2. Mouse Borg’s furry stripey muff – Such a clever, novel interpretation of stripes!  And it makes me warm and happy just looking at it.
3. Sarah Lizzie’s $2,018 striped Regency dress  — Why was it so expensive?  Oh, it makes my heart just bleed since I’ve had a similar (albeit much cheaper) experience.  And the dress is so beautiful, and I’m so impressed with her soldiering on to finish it, despite everything.

What do you think?  What projects inspired you most (you can see them all on the comments for each individual challenge page, through the HSF main page, or through the Facebook group albums).