Some of the challenges we choose for the Historical Sew Monthly are meant to ask you to really push yourself, some just call for something big and spectacular, and some of them provide the opportunity for a little breather: the chance to do something small and simple, while you gear up for the next big challenge. Or not! Sometimes people make the most phenomenal, amazing, detailed, elaborate things for the challenges I thought would be small ones.
Accessorise is definitely designed to be an easier, breather challenge, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a whole range of fascinating, fantastic, creations: some simple, some very elaborate indeed.
I made four items for Accessorise, but they were mostly on the simple end of the spectrum (and two of them were rather late too…). First there was a set of Baroque pearl accessories: a necklace (not in baroque pearls) and earrings (in baroque pearls – so they are Baroque, baroque pearls 😉 ). I started my medieval circlet and veil during the challenge, but didn’t get them finished quite on time, but they are done now!
For my favourites I select items that really represent the spirit of the challenge: to complete a period look with the right accessory, to research, stretch yourself, learn more, sew better, and get something made.
There are always amazing things that I can’t show you (because almost all the submissions were AMAZING) I do recommend you check out the comments under the blog post and the photos in the FB album (yep, you do have to be a member to see it, yep, if you ask to be a member we’re going to ask you some questions, and yep, it might take us a few days to answer, but if you are really interested in the HSF, as a participant or active cheerleader, we’d LOVE to have you) to see the rest of the fabulous things that were made.
And now, my favourites! Entries with photos link to FB, entries without link to the blog post of the maker.
- Anna’s medieval aprons: I love that these aren’t pretty but yet they are so beautiful, because they make the whole picture of the outfit look so right. They make me happy through and through (and I want my own!).
- Hvitr’s paleolithic Natufian headband: Every time Hvitr makes something, I learn something. This headband is no exception – I’ve been introduced to a whole host of new techniques and a new culture.
- Allison’s 1840s double night-cap: If you didn’t know, you’d never realise this is a period item, so it’s a great illustration of how little fashion and human needs actually change (and as far too many Kiwis can tell you, nightcaps like this are really useful in period houses without modern insulation and heating!)
- Sharon’s 1780 cap: The details of this make me absolutely weak at the knees! It’s so exquisite! It really, really shows how much really paying attention to the period and recreating the details look make the period look.
- Hana Marmota’s Fichu en Marmotte. Because guys, it’s a fichu en marmotte!
For the rest of the favourites posts see:
Favourites for Challenge #6: Out of Your Comfort Zone
Favourites for Challenge #5: Practicality
Favourites for Challenge #4: War & Peace
Favourites for Challenge #3: Stashbusting
Favourites for Challenge #2: Blue
Favourites for Challenge #1: Foundations
