Historical Sew Monthly December 2019 Inspiration: On a Shoestring

On a Shoestring: It's an expensive time of year, so make an item on a tight budget

(say, under $15, or less than you'd spend on a reasonable priced takeaway meal for one person in your country - and no 'stash' doesn't count as free:  you still have to count what you would have originally paid for those items ;)  )

The Dreamstress

This will be the final Historical Sew Monthly Challenge for 2019!  What a year it has been and there have been such incredible monthly entries from so many amazing makers!

The 2020 Challenges have already been announced and they carry a common thread of Sustainability.  The wonderful part of Sustainability is that it often results in a cost savings as well.  To inspire you for the final Challenge of 2019 and in preparation for 2020 we can take a look back at past Challenges and find those entries whose final costs were under $15.  At the same time we can see why these are creations worthy of gift-giving, adding to the historical impression of garments, or even for modern use and what the creators did to keep costs in line.

#1 Dressed to the Nines

An Edwardian Reticule created by Amy Randall.  Using fabric remnants, ribbon saved from a received package, and purchased beaded tassels, Amy created this useful item for under $10.  It would be a welcome gift for historical or modern use and the perfect impression for many eras.

#2 Linen/Linens

Audrey Anna Smith recycled a $3 linen shirt to create an 18th century pocket.  Since the linen was off white, Audrey tea-dyed her thread to match.

Taylor Miller used an 18th century pocket as her first embroidery project and created this gift-worthy item for $10.

Katie Cornick recreated an 18th century pocket from the LACMA collection with her amazing embroidery skills and just $10.

#3 Sewing Kit

Vincent Briggs created a Gentleman's Wool Waistcoat using his buttonhole cutter and thimble and just $10 in materials.  The wool came from a thrift shop and is pieced to create the waistcoat front, the back is seven linen scraps pieced, and the lining is pieced as well.  As they say, piecing is period.  And it is a savings too!

#4  Upping Your Game

18th Century Girl's Gown created by Elroy Davis.  Reclaiming a bed sheet kept this beautiful piece under $10.

#5 Florals

After being gifted a lovely handkerchief, Jamie Timmer-Bisek followed an 1857 Godey Ladies' Magazine design and with less than $1 worth of thread embroidered a piece worthy of gift-giving.

#6 Favorite Techniques

Mia Falk gathered fabric scraps left over from previous projects and hand stitched an 18th century Soft Wool Bonding Cap.  Recapturing these pieces of cabbage can result in beautiful projects of their own at no additional cost.

#7  Unexpected

Finding fabric in unexpected places can yield a significant savings.  Alyssa Dawn Wesselmann found the silk for her Regency Turban Cap in a recycle shop in Japan.  She used just a bit of the silk and lined it with fabric recycled from a previous garment she had created.  Total cost is $7.

#8  Out of a Portrait

Of course smaller projects are less costly but larger projects can be thrifty as well when materials are shopped with a keen eye or received as gifts.  Leimomi Oakes created the linen petticoat and apron for under $2 with linen which had been given her over 5 years ago and a $2 piece of apron fabric which was shared with another textile artist to create the aprons for their historical impressions.

#9 Everyday

Marika Brimacombe created a Child's 15th century Camicia and Gamurra with fabric bought through a local not-for-profit that recycles.  She also used found fabric that was "waste" from the film and fashion industry in Vancouver BC.  Her total expense was just $8.

#10  Details

All entries for the October Challenge were above the $15 for this inspiration.

#11  Above the Belt

Johanna Nybelius created Late Medieval/Renaissance Rosaries from both wood and coral.  The wood were $5 and the coral $15.  Perfectly recreated from paintings and excavations.

Share your completed project in the facebook photo album for December and on Instagram:

IG #HSM2019DecProgress for works in progress.

IG #HSM2019Dec for your finished item.

Happy inspiration and Happy Holidays!