After our last trip down to Colonial Williamsburg which turned snowy, my daughter asked for mitts to keep her arms warm!
MITTS AT THE MILLINER SHOP
While visiting the milliner shop, I asked about mitts.
Cheerfully the milliner produced these assorted options, similar in style yet different in fabric.
The white pair is the leather one from Costume Close-Up, the sage green pair is made of silk, whereas the blue pair is soft wool!
It was fun to handle each one and see how they go together.
FABRIC
Although thinner wool should be used, I used leftover broadcloth wool from making my daughter’s cloak for the outer portion, with red silk for the lining.
DRAFTED PATTERN
While drafting the pattern from Costume Close-Up, a Colonial Williamsburg publication of extant garments, I loved the ease in the directions.
Imagine, a year ago I had absolutely no idea how to use that book.
Now I think it’s one of the most wonderful sewing references I have!
HAND SEWN AND EMBROIDERED
These mitts are completely hand sewn.
After sewing the seams with red silk thread, I embroidered a herringbone and daisy stitch with white silk thread.
FOR CHRISTMAS
Sewing these secretly for Christmas, I finished them just in time!
My daughter will be happy to extend her cheerful cardinal colored costume, which looks quite striking in the snow.
EPILOGUE
Then one day we couldn’t find these mitts anywhere.
Best we could ascertain, my daughter had lost them in the historic area.
Since there wasn’t any possible means for any discoverer to identify the owner, I hope another is enjoying their use!
My daughter also lost a doll baby in Williamsburg.
Perhaps her lost doll baby is having happy 18th century adventures with the long-lost mitts. 😉
For more photos check my Flickr set.
COMMENTS FROM MY OLD BLOG
Rebecca December 23, 2010 at 9:41 PM
Wow! These are AMAZING! They look as good as the CW originals! I am SO impressed, and Miss C is going to love this Christmas surprise. How elegant they’ll look with her cloak! I’m very tempted to commission you to do me a pair one day…;-)
