To market, to market to buy a fat pig...

Author's note: I know this doesn't seem like a housewife topic but trust me on this.

We have all been to one in our lives. Fayres or in the modern day fairs have brought excitement to communities around the world.  They can bring new and exciting news and things. Today they vary from county and state fairs, car, sewing, and animal expos. They are fun, entertaining and exciting. Sure there are rides and food but for centuries fairs or market days were more about the new items.

Mother Goose

Most fairs last a few days, while others last months or more. In small rural areas a fair could be a relief. Even a market coming through once a week was something to look forward to. For everyday or once a week market they were like farmers markets today. You might find some jewelry or clothing but most likely you will find fresh vegetables, herbs, meat and local spices. Of that you buy only enough to get you to the next market day with out it spoiling.

Vicenzo Campi, The Fruit seller 1580; Joachim Beucklear, The Country Market,1566

Once a year for a few days to a couple of weeks you might have a larger fair. Locals and travelers would gather to sell there wears and prove they were the  best. You could find food of course but there was cloth, animals, spices, and other treasures from far off lands. There would be dancing, singing, and other entertainment. In some images you find gambling, strangely dressed people and stages with all sorts of acts. 

Peasant Dance and Children's Games by Pieyet Bruegel 1560s;  Aertsen 1500s

Over the years fairs have changed but the purpose remains the same.  Excitement,  new and unusual things and of course entertainment. World fairs, State fairs, County Fairs and farmers markets bring out the best in what our world has to offer. They have been launching points for automobiles, televisions, new comics, and so much more. They display local talent from weavers, to gardeners, bakers and the list continues. We still look forward to them. From going on rides to seeing vendors we haven't seen in a while. Getting homemade relish and jams or wooden spoons you can't find anywhere else.  We love seeing the sewing and knitted items on display and maybe buy some. The sight, sound and smells entice our senses as we bite into funnel cake or Carmel Apple or maybe something we have never tried before. Even colorful posters give us something to look forward to.

So this weekend as I head off to the New England Fiber Festival I look back to the history of fairs and festivals,  and look forward to new gadgets, techniques,  and the excitement...

Home again, home again, doing a jig.....

Painful Pleats

So this summer I was asked to make a 1770s gown for a 12 year old girl. I said yes forgetting that it was the age of volume.  To get the volume needed in petticoats (skirts) of the time most designs required pleats, the bane of any womens' existence.  Figuring out the folds and getting even folds, never mind creating the perfect box pleats or knife pleats, takes forever. For this garment I spent 2 days, in total 24 hours, minus food and bathroom breaks trying not to cry over the dreadful pleats. My roommate,  who does cosplay and was making a extreamly complicated jacket, heard me curse about every 2 hours as I again found myself taking out the pleats and starting over. Finding the right combination of pleats to fit the waist band was seeming impossible.

I love how pleats lay but for labor you get the same effect with gathers and less hair pulling and crying, at least with the trick I showed you last week.  However the pattern called for pleats. Luckily a few weeks prior to getting this job, I visited my mother. I was digging through her sewing cabinet looking for my next blog post when I came across something I haven't found anywhere, a pleating tool. Remembering a skirt I wanted to make (still haven't) I borrowed it. I intend to return it as soon as I find one of my own.

This tool makes pleating a snap. What I can't figure out is why they stopped making them. Made by the Oakville Company of Oakville, Connecticut starting in 1961, it made even pleats 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches. Ajustable and well marked the metal tool works really well. All you do is insert around the fabric you wish to pleat and twist. Once you pin the pleat in place you remove the tool and start over.

I love gadgets that make my life easier but why did they stop making them? Got an answer would love to hear it.

Gathered in cloth

In do it yourself number 3 I want to show you the newest thing I have learned, gathering fabric. A centuries old technique to create volumes but I am also sure the dread of every sewer every where. Getting them even, not giving in the desire to cry as you try over and over again.  Alright it might just be me but still, only thing I hate more is pleats, and that trick I will show you next week. Here is the easy way to do gathers (And thank you to the person who discribed this to me.)

STEP 1 :First choose your fabric and set your sewing machine to the lowest/longest stitch on the stitch gage.

STEP 2: Sew a line where you want to gather the fabric. Do not use the reverse during this process. 

STEP 2 1/2: take off the machine sit in you favorite chair and enjoy the time you just saved.

STEP 3: Firmly grasp the bottom thread of the line you just stitched snd gently pull. Moving cloth as you go to get an even gather.

I did it evenly on both sides towards the middle to not put too much stress on the thread. 

STEP 4: Enjoy the ease of a 4 step process as you add your finishing touch.

There you go. 4 steps, no muss, no fuss, and nice gathers. Till next week.

Why Sew Serious?

I am proud of the fact I make most of my own clothes. I am more confident on days I wear them and that includes my extremely large sweater with bat wings. (It was the first one I made and in true I am completely crazy fashion, without a pattern.  I did and didn't learn from that mistake, the next one was too small.) Although sewing and knitting is job number two, it is enjoyable and relaxing for me. In fact that is why a lot of people do it. The day I stop enjoying the challenge I will stop doing it.

The too small sweater

There are people though who take the art to serious.  They think there way is the only way. I have seen these people at shows. They argue with the vendors that the display is wrong, or try to convince you that the purchase you are making is from the wrong company.  Now I will admit I am a sewing snob. I only sew with singers and viking machines but I have tried brothers and bernas, liked them both. That isn't going to get me to buy anyone soon but still. With my knitting I prefer wood needles. I have less drop stitches but when I sit on them they bend or brake. Medal ones I like but I find I need more band aids and maybe a trip to the doctors.

Now seeing how my mom taught me you would think we knit the same, nope. Last year I was making baby blankets for charity and while I was crocheting trim around the edge of one I had finished knitting she picked up the one I had started on the needles. She started knitting away at a couple then went to help another girl. I finished my trim, put the blanket on the table for donations and went back to the other blanket. Now I hardly ever look at what I am knitting.  An hour later I looked down and there was two rows of twisted stitches. One was where my mom started the other where I started. Some where out there is a child with a blue blanket withŕ two rows of twisted stitches made by a mother and daughter team.

The blanket. In between the yellow lines are the rows in question. 

So whether you sew, knit, make lace, spin, or weave remember it is for the enjoyment. There are all kinds out there and we need all kinds to keep the arts around.  As long as the way is right for you and fun don't worry.