I’m so far behind on blogging that I haven’t shared any images from the Historical Sew & Eat Retreat 2024, much less 2025!
For 2024, our theme was 18th century. We escaped up the coast to the charming town of Foxton, known for its Dutch windmill (imported from the Netherlands and reassembled there), and history of growing and processing harakeke (New Zealand flax), mostly for ropes, in the 19th and early 20th century.
While on retreat we took a drive to Palmerston North to visit Greenhaugh Gardens, where we spent a pleasant (but very hot) day having an 18th century pastoral-inspired picnic, enjoying the grounds, and slowly melting.*
It was a very Scroop-tastic picnic, with myself, Kezia, Nina and Lindsey in Angelica gowns, and Dani in an Amalia jacket.
We all looked particularly splendid thanks to Lindsey, who sewed almost all of us beautiful bust bows and arm rosettes, and lent sashes and jewellery and hats right and left.
I lent a few caps and fichu, but borrowed a cap of my own, and a bergere, from Lindsey to try a new style. I also made the unhappy discovery that my 2022 Angelica gown no longer laces completely closed on me, so my fichu and bust rosette and sash are doing a lot of work. Oh the joys of aging and the effects of a year of no exercise while recovering from covid…
This picnic really convinced me of the brilliance of sashes. They add so much to an outfit, really let you change up looks, and can be worn for so many eras! I’ve now added sashes to my easily-portable-handsewing list.
My aim is to be like the song, with a green one and a blue one and a pink one and a yellow one (but not made of ticky tacky, but they can hang or be folded in a row in my closet).
I also want more aprons, because who wouldn’t have apron envy over this gorgeous embroidered beauty?
And an enormous picture hat! And a View B Amalia jacket for me!
So much costume envy, so little time…
10/10 for beautiful gardens, fun times with friends, and a bit of silliness. Looking forward to doing it again!
* Confession: I took off my 18th century finery in the parking lot, turned my petticoat into a makeshift dress by slipping my arms through the side slits, and drove back to our cottage like that 🤣
Those gardens are just divine! I will have to visit them some day.
Better late than never! I always enjoy reading your blog posts.
You all look lovely! And I absolutely agree with you about having a sash collection and lots of accessories. Last year I made several sashes out of taffeta, and they are definitely so versatile. Also, many accessories can be made with scraps!
Glad to see you back , I have missed your posts. The petticoat into dress idea is a great one in hot weather too
Glad to see you back , I have missed your posts. The petticoat into dress idea is a great one in hot weather too
you all look ravishing, as always.
i completely understand the driving back home in a petticoat-turned-dress due to heat. mmm-hmm. 100%.
i do agree about the sashes–they look so pretty, and really change up an outfit with minimal effort. possibly a great use for smaller remnants of special fabrics, too…
It’s so lovely to see an update from you!
The dresses are gorgeous, the gardens are stunning, and it looks like you all had a great time!
It’s so lovely to see an update from you!
The dresses are gorgeous, the gardens are stunning, and it looks like you all had a great time!
So happy to see you’re blogging again!
Thank you! I really hope to be able to keep it up 🙂
Those dresses, and all the wonderful accompaniments, are delightful. I love the blue floral dress. The voluminous pleats make me suspect that metres and metres of fabric have gone into these outfits.
Everyone looks amazing.
Such Lovely Ladies wearing SUCH LOVELY Dresses! And the SASHES! To Die For! Finally, I, too, hit “Enough!” and disrobe in parking lots! Driving/or riding in a Modern car while wearing a corset or stays is darned difficult. Our under-linens cover Way More than many of our modern clothes so why not drive home in the “unders”?
I had become Genuinely Concerned about you! Welcome back!
Oh lovely! Though ouch about the heat, I think these gowns don’t pair with sandals quite so well as 1790s! 😀 I am a big believer in accessories, although I also don’t have anywhere near as many as I might like… so much costume envy so little time indeed.
Love seeing all the little accessories you ladies added to make each outfit unique or refreshing older dresses.
Val LaBore