Tag Archives: Historical Sewing

The Regulators Reckoning

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The 2018 TN State Championship, hosted by the Wartrace Regulators went off with a bang!

We were blessed with perfect sunshine Friday first day of main match and an overcast pleasant Saturday for the second.

Ten stages with a good mix of movement, choice and action. We commend them again, on another great match!

The range of course was perfectly decorated with its potted 'Mum's', window treatments and little extras on the stage props. I could tell Dodge City Dixie had her hand in this with her sewing and embroidery skills making an appearance here and there.

We had a great posse, with our Posse Marshal's Reno Mustang and Dodge City Dixie, we filled it out with Bama Cowboy, Suttie, Pickpocket Kate, Buford Tanner, Marshal Rico, Scrub Oak Willie, Garnet Gal, Dirty Nerdy, Brada Tat Tat, Boben Weev, Miss Weev, Lacy V. Wildfire, Yellowstone, Dancin' Duelist, Potshot Parker, Jackaroo and myself.

Was a good time had by all, plenty of laughs, cheering, and jobs on the line were hard to find. That's when you know you have a great working posse. Great shooting with y'all! 🙂

The Bell Buckle Banquet Hall is a spectacular little hidden away gem – why we have not gone into Bell Buckle before is beyond me and now we have not had the opportunity to check out their famous cafe and little shops in a cowboy town sort of setting.

The Banquet hall was decked out with covered chairs, tables with cowboy decoration, lanterns with mini fairy lights, chandeliers, blue enamel plates and cups, has a stage for presentations and separate area for the dinner service. I was suitably impressed.

 

Three new Jedi Gunfighters were inducted – Waimea, Brada Tat Tat and Appalucy. Congratulations gunfighter shooting legends!

I won Best Dressed Cowgirl alongside Best Dressed Cowboy, Count Sandor.

 

There were 41 clean shooters for the match from 204 shooters.

 

Jack faired well, shooting the best match he has shot in a long time and he was clean!! He had some stiff competition at this match but his performance certainly proved him 1st place in Elderstatesman!! Congratulations Purly 2nd, Snake Oil George 3rd, Three Deuce Cowhand 4th and Max Payne 5th. C W Knight was the TN State Champion.

 

I placed 1st in Lady Wrangler with Pickpocket Kate 2nd. Congratulations Kate was nice to shoot with you on our posse.

 

This year's TN State overall champions are Blackfish Kid and Dodge City Dixie.

 

A huge congratulations to Mens Overall – Prestidgitator and Ladies Overall – Dodge City Dixie. Well played, great match this weekend Dixie, great to watch you shoot again, you deserved it!

 

Thank you Wartrace Regulators, we had a great weekend catching up with so many cowgirls and cowboys again.

Kat xo

Click on the link above to check scores and the club itself.

 

Colourful Creations

Posted on by kathousekelli70

In between the daily walks along pathways and beachfronts, productivity has still been eventful.

This handful of corsets are ready for grommet setting.

The shirt and arm garters are done.

Finally, an eclectic mix of colour and pattern ready for surprises later. 🤐😉

Other repairs and alterations have been completed.

Now I’m onto some work for a gown that can’t be revealed until much later, I am enjoying this one and can’t wait for it to be completed! It is gorgeous.

Having almost completed some of these tasks as well then it’s back to planning other projects! A few more B-Western outfits and a few more gowns!

Have a good one!

Kat xo

End of Trail 2018

Posted on by kathousekelli70

It's that time of year where cowboys and cowgirls come together for one of the biggest weeks of shooting.

 

The World Championship of cowboy action shooting is the agenda at Founders Ranch, New Mexico. Five countries – Australia, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and United States of America competed for the top honor's in both Wild Bunch and Cowboy matches.

This year, as previously reported, we decided to forego Wild Bunch and headed to Cortez prior to this week.

Monday: picked up packs, caught up with friends and readied ourselves for the week ahead. A pleasant surprise was my picture on The Independent for Cowboy Days in Edgewood/Moriarty. Thanks to Cat Ballou the photo BT Blade took of me during Wild Bunch last year was used for their front cover!

 

Tuesday: we did 6 stages of warm up and attempted to get acclimatised to the altitude whilst running uphill or across some of the stages.

Tuesday evening we had a great trip up Sandia Tramway with dinner beforehand at Sandiago's grill with the Range Riders (from Australia) – Pearl Starr, Charlie Wagon, Judge Ruger, Tumbleweed Wagon, Sarah, Stan Wellback and Dallas Roarke.

 

Wednesday: Doily Gang Clinic was on, instructing with Honey B Quick, Shamrock Sadie, Lefty Jo, Two Sons. We had 18 ladies attend the transitions clinic, some returning for the 2nd or 3rd time and others their very first.

Plainsman, shotgun clinics and side matches were on. Cowboy swap meet, vendors are open and the crowds are starting to increase.

The evening kicked off with the opening ceremonies, Tumbleweed Wagon carried the flag for Australia.

 

The Wooly Awards were announced with Texas Jack Daniels receiving one as 2017 Governor of the year and The Territorial Marshal's with match directors Missouri Mae and Flat Top Okie took 2017 Match of the Year for Red Dirt Rampage.

 

The class of 2018 Regulators were announced! Congratulations to each and every one!

 

Thursday: first day of main match and we had the late wave start. It's hot, dusty but ready for action! Stages 1-4.

 

Friday: second day of main match, mid wave, stages 5-8, shopping with vendors and we're still having fun!

 

Saturday: it's the final 4! With the cooler very early start we were soon done and all up to the total scores to see where we all finished. We had a great posse – Posse 25 with posse marshal Chickamauga Charlie, Polly Penny Bright, Coffee, Shotgun Boogie, Hell Hound, Rephil, TinTin, Slow Hand Don, Dutch Bear, Justice Ann, Coal Train, Buck Garrett, Chantilly Shooter, Hot Rock, Hud, Hawkeye Kid, Pearl Starr, Charlie Wagon, Jack and myself.

With the posse shoot done, it was lunch, ice cream and head back to get ready for the banquet.

 

I attended the costume contest and was 2nd place in the new Steampunk category. Congratulations to EZGZ in 1st place. Congratulations to all other category winners and placings! There were some fabulous costumes!

 

The beer flowed, the music played and some showed off their dance skills.

The top 8 Wild Bunch men's and ladies were announced, as was the top 16 cowboys and cowgirls. Clancy and I were the only two Australians to make the shootout this year for cowboy match and RC Shot for the Wild Bunch shootout as an alternate.

 

Sunday: the shootout gets under way. Congratulations to Idaho Sixgun Sam and Last Chance Morales for winning not only the shootout but overall top lady and man for 2018 Wild Bunch.

The cowboy shootout is run and final finish was Holy Terror for the ladies and C.S. Brady for the men.

Jack finished 10th in his category with 1st place going to Long Swede, 2nd Hell's Comin, 3rd Silver City Rebel, 4th Angry Tom, 5th Lucky Thirteen, 6th Texas Mean Gene, 7th Fast Eddie, 8th Kansan and 9th El Lazo. Congratulations Silver Senior's on your placings!

 

In Lady Wrangler category, 10th Wild Cattle Kate, 9th Ms. Laurie Darlin, 8th Ex Sighted, 7th Young Lady, 6th Ruby Jewel, 5th Idaho Sixgun Sam, 4th Legally Loaded, 3rd Clancy, 2nd Echo Meadows who cheekily offered to hold my World Championship trophy again. Lol! Congratulations ladies!

 

Out of 22 Aussie's 14 placed, 2 received Spirit of the Game awards, 2 placed in costume and if I remember correctly, 6 or 7 got clean matches.

Overall winners this year were Matt Black and Holy Terror. Congratulations to two fine young shooters!

 

For everyone who attended End of Trail 2018, may it have been with goals achieved. Whether your first ever or multiple entry, I sincerely hope you enjoyed the experience.

Kat xo

 

Land Run 2018

Posted on by kathousekelli70

When we first visited Oklahoma for Land Run back in 2012, we found it to be one of the best matches we had ever been to. We met many amazing, funny and wonderful people, knowing from the start that it was something special.

This year Land Run had its 25th Anniversary combined with the SASS SW Regional (previously Red Dirt Rampage) with one enormous effort by many of the Territorial Marshal's. It is the third largest cowboy match in the US behind End of Trail (World Championships) and Winter Range (USA National Championship).

 

With 408 shooters from 22 states put into two shooting waves, 10 stages were quickly completed across 2 days.

Thursday was side match day with everything from Wild Bunch, Warm-Up, Long Range, Cowboy Clays, speed pistol/rifle/shotgun/derringer/pocket pistol/duelist/gunfighter and .22 rifle/pistol. It was a feast for play, practice and testing of guns with your first run counting for time. Congratulations to all side match winners!!!

Friday was the start of Main Match and we were met with cool clear skies and sunshine. Eventually we could leave the coat off and enjoy some warmth and less wind.

 

We were with Posse 18 headed up by Posse Marshal, Cooncan. Jack was a Deputy, as was John Bear and the rest made up of myself, Bertie Winchester, Hicock Holly, Dodge City Dixie, Reno Mustang, Renegade Roper, Sixgun Schwaby, Coyote Cole, Loose Cannon, Grady County Kid, Road Runner, Fannie Kicker, Titus A. Gnatsass, Doc Hurd, Silver, Kent and Fort Worth Dallas.

 

Five stages – 8 The Church, 9 Stagecoach, 10 The Range, back to 6 Fort Courage, 7 OKc Corral. Fun, quick and varying.

 

Friday evening ended with an 'all in' shootout. I chose not to enter this year but set to cheer on the fellow lady shooters, opting to spot with Jack and Hurricane Deck for each shooter on the north end. Four ladies and 29 men participated with the winners being 'Ima Quickshot' and 'Matt Black'.

This was followed up with a dinner in the pavilion catered by John Elder's restaurants. No one went hungry and it was efficiently done.

I was introduced to chocolate cake shots too – thanks Complicated Lady!! Yum!

Late that evening (as was expected) it started to rain and Saturday we all awoke to a very, very, wet and gloomy looking morning. Cowboy up we did and headed out to complete the final 5 stages. Hand warmers, coats, scarves, slickers, umbrellas, towels, everyone scrambling for what bit of cover there was.

The final five – 3 Mercantile, 4 The Mine, 5 Livery, 1 The Depot, 2 Saloon

 

Done and dusted! A clean match for me and Jack a few misses, it was up to the scoring system now to see how we faired against a tough pack of players.

The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is the famed setting for Land Run banquets and you couldn't find anything more appropriate for a bunch of cowboy's and cowgirl's. Served meals and waited tables it certainly is in a class of its own and pleasantly surprised a number of new Land Run attendees.

 

The costume contest ran well and whilst I registered and encouraged entrants, my judge's for this year – Cheeka Bow Wow, Two Gun Johnnie, Shotglass and Tacky Jackie did an exceptional job of getting everyone through and we were all sitting down to hot meals with other halves and friends. I sincerely thank you all again for giving your time to do this.

There were many great costumes and some very excited winners in the categories of Couple, Men's, Ladies, Young Man, Young Lady, Military, Silver Screen and Soiled Dove. Congratulations one and all!

The presentations went off without a hitch as Flat Top Okie does an exceptional job of delivery and keeping to time. Everyone's friends and match photographers, Fly and Just L, chipped in for a raffle of a beautiful cowboy quilt Mean Mary had made. Grizzly Dave won it and promptly donated back for auction. On top of the original $3075 raised, an additional $800 by the generosity of Tacky Jackie and Bois D'Arc who then also gave the quilt to Just L and $500 from a rifle Mean Mary won and donated back for auction. Gorgeous people, all of them and that will go a long way to Just L's continued medical expenses.

 

In the Silver Senior category Jack finished 5th alongside Don Jorge taking 1st place, congratulations sir!, Aberdeen 2nd and SW Regional champion, congratulations to you sir also!, 3rd Greasy Creek Slim, 4th Lefty Wheeler, 6th G.W. Ketchum and 7th Creek. Congratulations gents!

 

Jack also came 2nd place in the Best Dressed Men's category wearing his 1890's sack suit!

 

Out of all the shooters there were only 54 clean shooters which goes to show the conditions on the second day probably had a lot to do with that.

In the Lady Wrangler category, 1st was myself alongside 2nd place Renegade Roper, 3rd Calamity Di Bar and 4th Cheeka Bow Wow. Congrats ladies!

 

I accomplished an overall ladies win for the Regional this year and with a clean match, finished 14th overall! Matt Black won the men's overall, congratulations!

 

To all that placed in their categories, won side matches, clean matches, won guns etc (thank you Bond Arms for the .45 derringer) a hearty round of applause to one and all.

To the Territorial Marshal's, Match Director's – Missouri Mae and Flat Top Okie and all the other Marshal's for your assistance during the past week and weekend, without you all, this shoot would not run like the well oiled machine that it is.

Looking forward to next year and if you've never been here to Land Run, get it on your calendar or bucket list!!

 

See you on the range somewhere.

Kat xo

 

Comancheria Days

Posted on by kathousekelli70

What a sensational weekend with the Texican Rangers for Comancheria Days 2018, Texas State Championships.

Thursday was met with fine and glorious weather. We shot 4 stages of Wild Bunch and then cowboy side matches including the ever entertaining 'Blazing Saddles'.

Jack finished 8th overall in Wild Bunch and I was 15th overall.

Friday we were on the late shift and the weather again proved to be fairly warm with a moderate breeze. Shooting stages 7, 8, 9, 10, then 6. It was all over and both Jack and I had finished clean for the day.

 

Catch ups, drinks and eating BBQ dinner at the range that night with side matches. It was still quite warm and there was a good turn out.

I won a few side matches and decided that even sharing with Jack, I didn't need all the cups I won. My new little mate, Givem Hale was going to get one when I saw him Saturday. That kid just pulled at my heart strings for sure!

 

Our shooters on Posse 14, made up of none other than Tex, Cat Ballou, Chee-ee, Toothache, Texas Mac, Texas Flower, Brett Cantrell, Wild Sage, Ramblin Rose, Mad Dog Too, Ranger Tays, Abilene, Little Bowly, our Posse Marshal – Bootstrap Richard, Mysterious Mc Rae, my new little gem – Givem Hale, Jackaroo and myself. Thanks to Mindy (Givem's Mom) for keeping score for us all weekend!

At times I have attracted 'small gems' as I like to phrase it and Friday when I heard this sweet little voice ask Tex (and you really couldn't get any better than one of the youngest asking one of the founding SASS members!!!!) 'is this Posse 14 sir?' And Tex obliging in telling him it was and if sure was to be on it then he had found the right place. To which an answer of 'yes sir I am' followed.

My head spun and my heart did a backflip when I heard it and I headed over to say hello and find out just how old this little man was. He is 8! Givem Hale is his alias, I love it! and all the while we spoke he had his hat off across his chest and it was yes ma'am, no ma'am, pleased to meet you and all. That kid had me wrapped around his little finger straight away. ❤

I went back and told Jack how sweet he was and headed straight back over to give him an Australian hat pin, his first on his new hat. Might I add right now, Givem has only been shooting for 4 and a half weeks and I think everyone on our posse was amazed at how this young man was shooting his .32 pistols, a .22 rifle and ….. Wait for it…. A 20 gauge single shot shotgun. We were all in awe!

 

We were into it on Day 2, with a stiff cool 20mph wind hitch seemed to get colder as we progressed through stages 2, 3, 4, 5 and back to 1 before the sun decided to come out and stay out. However, we were much better off (extremely!) than those that decided to attend the Nebraska State match!

 

Jack had a few unfortunate events during this half of the match and I finished strong with a clean match. It was now up to score tally's to see where we placed overall.

 

The banquet was held at the Lady Bird Johnson Pavillion, costume contests were held and awards presented. Congratulations to all who entered and those who placed, there were some great costumes and many good stories. (I'm still giggling about Scarlett Mascara and Rhett Valet!! Very clever Hawkshaw Fred and Annie D Vine with your skit!)

It was on to prize drawings, giveaways and awards! To everyone that participated I hope it was the match you were wanting and you finished well.

Jack finished 6th in his category, congratulations to his fellow Silver Senior competitors, 9th , 8th , 7th , 5th , 4th , 3rd , 2nd and in 1st place and the 2018 Texas State Champion – Aberdeen.

 

Congratulations to all my fellow Lady Wrangler competitors. In 4th Okie Fenokie, 3rd and the 2018 Texas State Champion is One Chance Fancy, 2nd Misty Moonshine and 1st was myself.

 

I finished 1st lady overall and 6th overall from 318 shooters. Was very happily surprised to hear my name in the top 10!

Jack was also awarded 1st overall out of state champion at 36th place, so he was pretty pleased that we were able to have a photo together.

 

Congratulations to the 2018 Texas State Champion's – 1st overall men's Matt Black and for the ladies Panhandle Cowgirl.

 

A huge thank you to the Texican Rangers for hosting another fabulous Comancheria Days!

Kat xo

 

1890’s for me!

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Yes! I'm doing a gown for me! Yay!

Thanks to Annie Hicock for passing on some check flannel fabric and for an inspiration photo that I found on Pinterest I felt a new 1890's gown would be the go for me.

My inspiration – this sweet little, simple looking skirt and bodice. Now the hat I had already made on a trip to Texas last December?! It just needs the finishing touches of brim trim and a dead bird or feathers as such.

 

Meh, still thinking about that decoration seeing as I didn't get to the shop in Mount Tamborrine that has the most divine hand constructed velvet flowers.

Back to the main construction and I started on the skirt using a Buckaroo Bobbins pattern of the Primrose Skirt. That will work but I didn't want the semi check plaid running straight across. Nothing like making work for myself. (She says rolling her eyes)

The fabric had that much movement in it I was almost tempted to give up and construct something else. Always up for a challenge, I persisted after I got to match the front panel how I wanted. (Now with somewhat gritted teeth)

Eventually I got all the panels around the skirt to match as close as possible and I got to thinking about how much fabric the pattern matching was using up and whether I would have enough for the bodice. I also had some black velvet on the shelf and decided the inverted pleat section in the rear of the skirt would look good using this. It will certainly match in with the use of it for the waistband.

 

With the saving I made using the velvet I had enough of the plaid fabric to definitely play with further pattern matching on the bodice.

It's time to use the old noodle and work out how in the world I can create the look I want with the bodice and the hidden closures required to get in and out of it.

I got that semi worked out, fabric's cut and pieced together in order for it to look like a blouse (shirt waist) and short jacket. So far, so good.

 

For now, I'm on track. I need to do some more deciphering of the inspiration photo and research closures to see if anything matches with the idea in my head.

Brain power required.

Kat xo

 

End Of Trail 2017 Cowboy Action World Championships

Posted on by kathousekelli70

The 'town' has filled with more cowboy's and cowgirl's from all around the world, ready to test their skills and compete for their World Championship ranking.

This year there were 17 from Australia, 7 from New Zealand, at least 2 from the Netherlands and Canada, and a few from Germany. My apologies if there were more from other countries.

The match this year 'A Tribute to Clint Eastwood' westerns. The NRA Firearms Museum had a fabulous display of all guns used by Clint Eastwood in films or by others in films he had directed. Such a neat display! EMF Firearms also had some excellent firearms and a beautiful piece fully engraved and gold plated from The Museum of Confederacy Spirit – an edition of 500.


Thursday was a great start to the main match, starting on the late wave with Posse 29. On our posse led by Shamrock Sadie, we had Knot Hardly Dunn, Christian Mortician, Trail Bandit, Randy Saint Eagle, Papa Dave, Reno Mustang, Dodge City Dixie, Wild Horse John, Trigger Happy Ted, Misty Rider, Avery Wade, Tombstone John, Red Johnson, Pancho Sin Lefty, Lucky Boy, Jackaroo and of course me, Kathouse Kelli.


Most of the week but particularly Thursday and Friday were hot! Think the statistics for this year's match was 1800 gallons of water (?) and this one I do remember 97 gallons of Gatorade. A personal thanks to Dusty Garnet and EZ-GZ for your medical aid and driving up and down the range keeping everyone hydrated, to the rest of the waddies for keeping the water containers constantly topped up. Even though we always have some with us, it's never enough and we so appreciate it.


Side match awards were held on Friday night in the main tent and I must say again thanks to Santa Fe Brewing Company for sponsoring SASS, the bar was frequented often. Congratulations to all side match winners. I picked up one for the .22 pistol – thanks Dixie Bell for allowing me to use yours!


It was a great mix of side match winners this year!

Saturday we had the early shift. With an overcast sky and much cooler temperatures it made for a pleasant start of the final shooting day. All wrapped up! What's done, is done now and Sunday would see what the outcome would be.

Saturday evening for the banquet and best dressed costume contests started well. There were some sensational entries this year with myself, Texas Flower, Shotglass and Dixie Bell placing in the Best Dressed Ladies. Jack had entered his first costume contest ever as Thomas Durant (Hell On Wheels, S4, Ep1) but I should have had him in the Silver Screen category. 😦 Never mind, he did a great job, we just need to get the right hat sorted for him and he will enter again. Got Artie from Major Photography to work his magic and subsequently he has this amazing photo now.

 

After the costume contests were done and the band was on, it was a quick change up and Mary-Lou July made her first solo appearance at EOT. She said she'd been to the Doily Gang Clinic, had her own badge and she had learnt some gun twirling skills from Lightning Buck McGaw (learnt that and practiced in 2 afternoons). Mary-Lou July helped out Sassy Dancer, Shamrock Sadie, Ruby Jewel and Hey You with the announcements of the Top 8 Mens and Ladies Wild Bunch and Top 16 Cowboy's and Cowgirl's for the shootout.

 

The band played, Mary-Lou danced and danced. People had a great time, Jack was busy trying to sell land plots as his Thomas Durant persona and having a few drinks at every stop I'm guessing. Haa Haa Haa! Got him home, just before midnight and I think he had the best nights sleep he'd had in a long time!

 

Shootout took place Sunday morning. R C Shot from QLD, Australia made it in the Wild Bunch and I made it into the Cowgirl's. We used a magnetic board this year, with Sadie and Sassy having done most of the work on this one, it was fantastic, everyone had been randomly drawn and paired up the night before when announced. Then as each one dropped out we could re pair them for the next round and everyone could see who was shooting against who.

The winners of the Wild Bunch Shootout were Captain Sam Evans and Texas Tiger. For the Cowboy Shootout it was Matt Black and Texas Tiger (she is the First Lady to have won both shootout's at the one match)

 

Down to the nitty gritty and it's a huge congratulations to all who placed in their respective categories!

Let's start with the Aussie's:

  • Clean Match – Sam Balin, Chuck, Ex Sighted, The Trapper from Oz.
  • Posse Spirit of the Game Award – Chuck, Deadwood Gunslinger.
  • Category Placings – KT, 4th Place Junior Girls. Sam Balin, 3rd Place Silver Senior Duelist. RC Shot, 6th Place Wrangler. Kathouse Kelli, 1st Place World Champion Lady Wrangler. Ex Sighted, 6th Place Lady Wrangler. Sister Sarah Carnegie, 2nd Place Lady Gunfighter. Pearl Starr, 7th Place Lady 49ers. Chuck, 7th Place 49ers. Jackaroo, 5th Place Silver Senior.

 

This is where we cross over into the Oklahoman's – The Territorial Marshal's faired well and we will include Deadeye Dillard as well 😉

  • Clean Match – Bashful Kate, Greenhill Bart, Highland Scottie (and forgive me if I didn't take note of anyone)
  • Posse Spirit of the Game Award – Grady County Kid
  • Category Placings – Grady County Kid, 4th Place Buckaroo. Roadrunner, 4th Place Frontier Cartridge Duelist. Lady Roadrunner, 10th Place Lady 49ers. Greenhill Bart, 4th Place B-Western. Deadeye Dillard, 3rd Place Cowboy. Jackaroo, 5th Place Silver Senior. Three, yes three World Champions – Kathouse Kelli, 1st Lady Wrangler. Missouri Mae, 1st Lady 49er. Roy's Creek Dan, 1st Senior.

 

Congratulations to the 2017 World Champion overall winners – Matt Black and SASSkicker!

 

Thanks must surely go to Lassiter and Deuce Stevens for a great match, to SASS, the Wild Bunch, Misty, the girls and just everyone who helps 'git er done!' Sensational work as always.

 

That's it…..goodbyes are said, tears are shed, friends will be missed. Safe travels to each and everyone know matter how far you came.

 

Kat xo

 

Threads from Aus

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Unraveling the fabrics, lace and trims, patterns etc from the suitcase's meant jumping into a whole heap of new projects this past few months.

SKIRTS: There were a few basic shooting skirts to try and what a neat one this cowboy skeletons was to do for Belle Vaquera.

 

Mustang Toni's cute little layered skirt in cowboy paper dolls print kept me amused and her corset – to be done – has been cut out and pattern matched of course!

 

SUITS: Crossdraw Jac got his sack suit which I was over the moon with how it turned out!

 

This pattern was a 'size the pattern from 32″ chest 28″ waist and little instruction' type of gig. (Jack's getting one, it's 2/3rds done) I managed to work it out upsizing to a 44″ chest and was extremely pleased during the process.

Being a plaid wool, I got pattern to match! I did more research and have made the best welt pockets yet. Called on my costume resource Aspen Filly (thank you so much) and asked about pockets in trousers for the era *sigh, so they both got pockets in their dacks!

More research was done to find out about trouser lining – to the knee or long? Went with the 'to the knee' option.

In the meantime I found a snippet of information regarding the weird little pocket that was shown on the black and white drawing. It sits just above the usual coat flap pocket on the right hand side. Some would jump in and say “is it for your pocket watch?” Well, no, that usually is situated on the inside attached to the vest. It is in fact a pocket for your train ticket. This fascinated me and therefore now had to be included in the construction of the coat.

Of course with my eye for detail, how could I possibly give over this suit without getting a train ticket to go with?! Thanks to Duke Canon I asked if he could print me off a couple of 1890's tickets I'd found and Ta-dah! we now have train tickets!

QUILT: Might as well throw something totally different in the mix with a quilt to head to a friends grandson Thomas.

 

FROCK COAT: Getting back to another 'Thomas', as in Hell On Wheels' Thomas Durant, this coat was asked for by Jack. It was about time he got something new and I'm pleased he is looking at something different, and of a particular character. So that's what he got!

More watching of the series to get it right plus we had seen it in the exhibition at the Cowboy Museum where I had taken many photos. Patch pockets and even welted button holes. Although I'm none too keen to do those again any time soon.

 

Now he has the shirt to match and I have the vest cut out for him. Pants to go and I already know where he needs to go for the right hat. (I'll be in touch Linda – I know Workin' Ranch have one that is perfect for it!)

What's next?!

STEAMPUNK: Oh yeah! A fun fabric given to me from Singin' Sue probably 2 years ago now. Coloured cotton reels and thread print was just begging for me to attempt a steampunk styled outfit. It sort of just morphed as I was making it.

From a polonaise pattern as it hung on the mannequin, the front bodice lay open revealing the cheeky red flat lining. Hmmm my mind went into overdrive and I said to my daughter, “I think I shall have lapels and leave it to reveal the corset underneath”. Then I thought, “I don't need sleeves, how's about some cap sleeves?” She still needs some work and accoutrements but here is 'Steampunk Seamstress'.

 

1890's FASHION: Ahhhh the beautiful 1890's gown for Tacky Jackie. Previous feats for finding the perfect colours were achieved. It all started with a trip to a little town called Custer, South Dakota, at the foot of the Black Hills. Jackie came back with a gown she had seen in the Museum there. It just so happened that that Summer, Jack and I were headed for the same territory. One photo was not enough, I needed more and before our time in the Black Hills came to an end I was determined to find the right museum and this gown.

The last day came and we found it – mind you we had driven past it twice in the previous day's. Never mind, got in their on opening and managed to grab some more photos.

Skip forward and now it's time to reproduce this beauty, simple yet elegant in its design.

Basic skirt and bodice pattern, make scalloped caps, work out and set in silk – okay, ready for bead work.

I drew up the bead design according to the pictures, acquired the beads (even though the lady wanted to sell me pre-made trim) and set about to recreate. I had envisaged making the trim before attaching and had Dad make me up a 'rough loom' for how I thought I would do it. After attempting to do that for about half an hour I ditched that idea and went for working the beads straight onto the bodice.

Some 35 and 1/4 hours later, I got it looking like the real deal. If you look really closely there are a couple of differences but as Mum says, “a blind man on a galloping horse wouldn't notice!”

 

Think I can safely say Tacky Jackie is going to love it.

 

SALOON GIRLS: A quick little purple and gold number for me needs a little more lace that's waiting in OK. Tried out a new corset pattern – gores and me don't exactly fit. We will see how that goes when I get to finish it with steel etc.

 

However, the rich red satin and cotton lace number is out of this world!

No lace I could find was the right colour or the right feel so I decided that I would embark on a journey into the world of dyeing. Crazy? You bet ya! Others have done it with success, might as well have a crack at it myself.

So with Miss Curstin at my side we tried 4 different methods on some samples, making notes as we went. Thank goodness that child helped me sort through that and we had fun doing it. Another few days and I do the bulk lot, still slightly freaking out as to whether I would achieve the perfect colour. Finally washed out, set and dried I was happy with the result.

 

Made up the French drawers – divine!

 

Then it was onto the ultimate corset construction (to date)! Another new pattern to trial AND throw in power mesh that I've never used before. Of course it worked, why I doubted I could do it, I am so excited at the result.

Hand stitching the gorgeous liquorice black scallop trim and appliqués to complete this corset had taken 23hrs. It is totally divine and will be loved by her new owner.

 

Adelita's

Of course the trip wouldn't be finished without a couple more Ad Ita skirts and tops. 'Mint Slice' I called it, for Emerald and a gorgeous turquoise pallet for Trixie.

 

That's it! Did a few catch ups with OK Carrol and got her started again, Joyce (the mannequin) went back with her and things were getting packed up.

From the sewing desk

Kat xo

P.S. If you didn't get it, this is a catch up, sewing done while in Aus! I'm getting there! I'm getting here. Couple other tops and bloomers thrown in at the last minute just for good measure!!

 

Diary of Desire Part 8

Posted on by kathousekelli70

After many hours of trimming, beading (1,216 to be precise) and hand stitching embroidery I finally finished 'the' gown, culminating in the most exquisite piece I have yet produced.

For one very happy client, Texas Flower is in love with her gown to which I am extremely pleased.

The McDowell Drafting Machine and its book of instructions were indeed true. It states that, if correct measure is taken then a gown should be produced and ready to ship to your client without inconveniencing the wearer with numerous fittings.

Despite my misgivings, I now believe every written word in that book! Having made the gown in Australia and finishing it here, Flower had not once tried the gown on until we met in Moriarty last Tuesday. It fit perfectly!

I had a minor conniption when I realised I had not bought any boning with me to add stays to the bodice but am happy to say it did not require it.

This makes it even more like the original really where it was noted (in an article by Peaches O'Day and Miss Tabitha, SASS Chronicle 2012) unusually, did not have any.

Finally, on Friday evening all hand stitching was done and I could hand the gown over to one very excited and happy lady.

The 'Diary of Desire' was worn to the banquet Saturday night and to all our delight Texas Flower was EOT 2016, 1st Place, Best Dressed Lady.

Under the evening lights of the Belle Union Saloon those little Czech glass beadlettes shone bright like stars and the smile on Texas Flower's face!

 

True satisfaction from a yesteryear seamstress.

Kat xo

 

She’s ‘Armless

Posted on by kathousekelli70

Well she won't be for long I guess we are at Diary of Desire Part 6?

I'm cutting it fine but something take careful thinking and consideration. Some might call it procrastination ……in the quest of getting it right.

This morning I've completed all the hand cutting out of the embroidery and now a day of hand stitching and beading!

Just look at her! She's beautiful. The gold thread changed colour when I washed the soluble backing from it (note to self – ask Mum why) but it is delicate and going to look sensational once beaded.

 

20 hours just in embroidery and trimming to this point.

Soon she will be ready to hand over for her first reception.

Happy cowgirl seamstress

Kat xo

P.S. I haven't forgotten the sleeves, just want to do the triple/quadruple check again.