'Writing Vigorously'

It has been a few weeks since my last post. I have been writing vigorously to combat the looming 5000 words needed by June. I have written just over 2500 words so far. Of course what I have done is only a first draft but I am finding out what it is like to be on a deadline. I have tried to write this project in the form of a book because I know that is how I work best. Each section is set out and I have started with the introduction and continued from there.

So let's run through where I am up to: I have finally finished the costume; bought several items of interest such as ink wells; quill; wax seal; a cast iron; copper wash tub; washboard; paper and now I have bought a trivet to stand the iron on. I have taken a few inital photos and am now contemplating the fully dressed versions of the tasks.

I know I have talked about 'preparation' before but this project has turned out to be all about preparing. What seems to be happening at the moment is that I am preparing more than I am doing, but I guess it is warranted. I was hoping to get some of the photographs and writing done over the Easter break but it seems like it has flown by and now I have run out of time.

I have had to move my internal calendar to compensate for not getting some of what I wanted to get done. All it means, for a organiser such as myself, is that I will try to get the first task (writing a letter to a friend) done as soon as possible.

The other thing that has been held up is the interview process; no fault of mine or the interviewee. The person I am interviewing has been busily preparing and delivering all her duties towards the ever popular Jane Austen Festival in Canberra. Whilst jetsetting off to the U.S.A she had started to do my questions but unreliable wireless internet prevented her completing it. Then when she returned the festival was in full swing and needed her undivided attention. So after some emailing back and forth, we finally were able to catch up and she can now complete the questionaire I sent her.

As you can see,  I am slowly getting things done and I hope to get stuck into the fun parts of this project soon.

Stay reading!

Dearest Elizabeth,
It is with great regret that I tell you of my troubles...

'The Costume'

It has been a while since my last post, but be confident that I have been working hard to achieve my goals. Here is a photo of the finished product. This costume has been made with love but it has also been made from a lot of hard work!

The cutting of the material was the easiest part to do; it was harder to put all the small fiddly ties and making button holes from scratch.

Again I reinterate, that I am not a sewing enthusiast and that this has been a very big learning experience for me. I must say though that I have loved every minute and that each step that I progressed I got more and more excited.

One of the best feelings was simply that I had achieved what I set out to do, even if the costume is not to seamstress level. Once done I was able to try it on and see if it fitted me properly!

I thought before I set out on this journey, that the costume would be somewhat freeing!

My first thought when I finally put it on: I cannot believe that women in the 18th and 19th Centuries wore such heavy and confining clothes. The bodice is tight and restrictive, yet the skirt is literally the only part you are free to move in.
The most important thing to know: I couldn't get into it without someone helping me. I now can see why a dress maid was needed because without them it wasn't possible to dress yourself or de-robe at all.

What I love about the costume: The wooden buttons; the ties that puff each sleeve and the way the dress falls and lines your body. I do love the material!

Now that I have achieved this step of the project, I can move onto photographing my first activity. Writing my dear friend Elizabeth a letter!

Dear Elizabeth,
It has been far too long since my last correspondence. I hope this letter finds you well....