I usually make it a policy not to post full pictures of myself here on my blog. However, the actual chances of something bad coming of a picture of myself posted here are, I believe, fairly low. So this once, here I am in my first 18th Century outfit.

History Festival, Here I Come!

We are two days away from our big event, the Providential History Festival. I have been working for months studying the American Revolution and sewing with yards and yards of material; around 16 yards, to be exact. My costume is finished except for those few last minute touches. I'd like to list for you what all I will be wearing this coming Saturday, my introduction to historical reenacting(and I'll post a picture as soon as I'm able):

• A chemise, a simple garment like a big shirt that(in this case, because I made the opening too big) gathers at the neck.

• Two white cotton petticoats that tie at the sides.

• My stays: three layers of thick material, half-boned using heavy duty zip ties. One thing I wish I had done differently was making these stays with straps. Strapless would have been better, because the straps tend to inch towards my neckline and show. My stays lace up the back, which I don't mind because I am getting pretty good at lacing and unlacing myself.

• Next comes my colored petticoat, fuller than the others. I was confused about whether or not all my petticoats ought to go under the stays or not, but since my stays might show otherwise I put it on top.

• Then my gown, made with the J.P. Ryan English Nightgown pattern using four yards of material. It's a floral pattern which I'm afraid isn't very accurate for the time period, but it was on sale and I gave in. I also splurged and bought an authentic Williamsburg striped print for my next project, even though I said I would never sew with stripes again. I am having some trouble getting the front flap over the hooks and eyes to lie flat, so I might have to pin it. The hook and eye tape was 75% off, and it still cost around 6$. Apparently the Hancock's here isn't going to carry it anymore, so I don't know what to use on my next project. Probably have to order it over the Internet.
  

Everything is made with 100% cotton. I would have loved to use linen, but it's the off season and way too expensive. I didn't do any of the sewing by hand, but I am hoping to learn how to sew by hand in the future. I didn't have time to make ruffles or a cap before the event, but I plan on having them done by the next one. My family has really teased me about my passion to be as authentic as possible, especially since there's no chance to do real 18th Century historical reenacting here in the midwest(obviously, since we don't live anywhere near the first thirteen states). I do hope to someday travel to the east coast and visit all the historical museums and parks on my ever growing list, and maybe then I'll get to wear my dress in a correct setting.

As far as a hairstyles, how about one of these?

I'm just kidding- I'm going to put it up in a bun is all. We leave in two days- I'm excited and really hoping it will be fun and not as stressful as it could be with all the little details and responsibilities I have to remember. Whew! History Festival, here I come!

A Little Space

I would not have the restless will that hurries to and fro,
seeking for some great thing to do, or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child, and guided where I go.

This hymn by Anna Letitia Waring(1820-1910) is one of her most popular songs. It was also the closing hymn for our Church service last Sunday. It really struck me as interesting, especially the last line, since I have been so frustrated lately by people treating me as a child. For all my quiet nature, I am twenty-one years old, and I am really offended when people, consciously or unconsciously, see me as too young to be called an adult, and therefore write me off as irresponsible and untrustworthy. To be fair, some people don't mean to; and I look younger than I am, which makes it easier to mistake my age.

This whole song seems a good reminder to strive for humility and trust in God. Hopefully I will remember it the next time someone asks me why I'm not in high school.

I ask thee for the daily strength, to none that ask denied,
a mind to blend with outward life, while keeping at thy side,
Content to fill a little space, if thou be glorified.

Poor Jonny

Yesterday was an interesting day. Not really a good sort of interesting. It was the sanctifying sort of interesting, which seems to have carried into today as well.

One interesting thing that happened, is that Jonny now has a terrible black eye. Apparently the boys usually stop at a nearby country church while on their long bike rides, to ride down the handicap-accessible doorway ramp. Jonny was on Caleb's bike this time and he forgot it had handlebar brakes. So down he went off the handicap ramp, across the lawn, over the road, and down into the ditch. The Church may ban us from being on church property after this!

A Great Deal

1776: Grandma bought it for fifty cents at our local library.
The Glorious Cause: Mom bought it for a few dollars on Amazon. Reason to rejoice!

Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814)

Mercy Warren's involvement in the political scene began when she was still a child. Mercy's father and brothers were noted patriots, and she was “raised in the midst of revolutionary ideals.” Growing up in a politically active family providentially prepared Mercy for a part in a great nation-wide drama.


Mrs. Warren was an early advocate for the patriot cause, and one of the great Pamphleteers of young America. Mrs. Warren wrote to John Adams regarding the coming war, “I have my fears. Yet, not withstanding the complicated difficulties that rise before us, there is no receding; and I should blush if in any instance the weak passions of my sex should damp the fortitude, the patriotism and the manly resolution of yours.”

Mercy's husband James told her: “God has given you great abilities; you have improved them in great acquirements. You are possessed of eminent virtues and distinguished piety. For all these I esteem I love you in a degree I can't express. They are all now to be called into action for the good of mankind, for the good of your friends, for the promotion of virtue and patriotism.”


Patriotic meetings were often hosted at the Warren home and James Warren quickly became involved in the war for Independence, serving as a delegate to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and later as paymaster to the Continental Army. Mr. Warren's position strengthened Mrs. Warren's influence in the political scene, and he valued her advice. During the war Mrs. Warren and her children were often compelled to move from place to place to avoid the British.


Mercy Otis Warren helped to arouse American citizens with her written descriptions of British wrongs- in short, she was a female Thomas Paine. Her description of wrongs done to Fanueil Hall in Boston called many to action: “The desk, the pews, and other encumbrances are taken down in the old south church to make it convenient for General Burgoyne's light horse... I cannot wish to see the sword quietly put up in the scabbard, until justice is done to America.”


A lively correspondent, Mrs. Warren wrote to great men such as Thomas Jefferson and Samuel Adams, John Adams and his wife Abigail, along with several other signers of the Declaration. So greatly was she admired for her judgment, that these prominent men asked for her opinions on political matters. Mercy Otis Warren was part of God's great plan for America, a strong voice for the young colonies, raising men to action and inspiring women to sacrifice.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:26

This is a page from my Providential History Festival Project. Any thoughts?

Man can make his plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands

We used to play a board game called Soloman's Treasure(which seems to be no longer made) where one of the game cards had you memorize that verse, Proverbs 16:9, to get to the next level. I guess I really memorized it.

All my plans lately seem to be foiled. For example, a plan to campaign for Dan Quiggle in Florida was taken out of my hands, and then canceled- and that was particularly crushing because we would have gotten to stay at the beach. My latest attempt to get a job didn't go through- though I can't say I'm too sorry about that. I only need the money; I've got enough work without a job at present. That's what comes of doing so much volunteer work- poverty! I even gave up a museum visit in Omaha to see artifacts from the Charles Dickens museum in England because we had family visiting!

Anyway, I know that there are no accidents in life. I just wish all these dead-ends weren't so upseting. Maybe some chocolate will make me feel better.

My 18th Century dress is almost completed. I've really been enjoying researching the colonial period, so much so that maybe I won't want to stop after the History Festival is over. Take a look at these authenic 18th Century cosmetic products! I have half a mind to make some, even though lotion is the last thing I need. I've also started a list of historic places relating to the Revolutionary War I'd like to visit someday, and this is the latest place on the list.