Finished Sarah's Dress and Bonnet

Voiala! Sarah's dress is finally complete. I used homespun cotton, which would be period correct for the era the dress was designed for. I was trying to go with the 1830's-1840's. Most all the photos I found were very basic and plain, or so complicated I was afraid to attempt it. I didn't use a pattern, I just looked at some images from google images with a search of 1830's children's clothing and looked into some of the fabrics that would have been available then. Everything is fastened with hooks and eyes. I machined stitched everything I could. All the gathers on the bonnet were hand stitched. The cuffs were almost too small to machine stitich, but, I made it work.

I used about two yards on the dress, almost a half yard on the bonnet and trim. I could add some more trim to the bottom of it possibly, but that can wait till later. I added in some growth seams, so she could wear this dress for the next 3 yrs and not grow out of it.
A view of the front and back of the outfit. I made some modifications to the bonnet, so it's not exactly period correct per the historic pros, I've been reading about. But, I bet the mom's back then made some changes as the were sewing too.

A side profile, my most favorite pose.

Don't the Ugg boots add the right touch? I bet they wish they had those back then!

It took much longer than I had anticipated. But I am very pleased with how it turned out. The petty coat is a bit heavy and perhaps a little too long, I will probably go back and make some changes, in my spare time.

Maggie's bonnet is finished, it looks like Sarah's, I am just getting ready to start her dress, after my hands stop hurting. I actually have blisters!!

It was all for a good cause, she looks addorable, even if I do say so myself. :)

I love sewing. As soon as cold weather hits, I start looking for fabric. There's not a safe sheet or curtain in my house!

Sarah was studying the Civil War in a co-op class, so I felt it was time for her to watch Gone with The Wind. Not that it's very accurate exactly, but it's a great movie to make you fall in love with the gowns.

The next night we were still working on her dress when a late night channel had a special on Carol Burnnette, Sarah cracked up when she saw her do the scene from Gone with The Wind and Ms. Ellen's Portiers, with the curtain rod sticking out of her back. For those of you who watched the Carol Burnnette Show you know what I mean.

I love to sew. I tried knitting a blanket for Maggie while I was pregnant with her and it was a painfully slow process. Sewing is so much faster. I am now looking at doing a small quilt out of some quilting squares I have had for almost 2yrs. I just couldn't find the right design I wanted. I think I may do a sampling of squares. I am a very novice sewer, so I don't know a lot of terminology, or really how the details work. A wonderful lady at our church, Ellie, has given me tons of advice and answers all my silly questions. I know that you piece the top together, you add some soft fluffy stuff in the middle, and a backing. Stitch it together with a neat design and its a quilt. I'll post some pictures of this quilt from beginning to end. We'll see how it turns out!

Historical Clothing

Here is my daughter Sarah wearing the outfit I made for her last year. I am trying to make another dress for this year. She is studying around the 1800's just before the civil war. It has been difficult trying to find the appropriate pattern for the date.

I will add a photo of the dress for this year. It needs to be finished before friday, so I will have it done soon!

Biology

My oldest son, Jacob, is doing 9th grade biology this year. It is really challenging for him. He seems to really like it now, the last few weeks has been slow going and he has been less than enthusiastic about the class. We have gotten to a point that he enjoys. I think he will really enjoy the lessons that include the dissections.

We are using Apologia Biology. I really like it as well. We use the CD-rom Book. It's nice because you can print out the study guides, tests etc. without having to worry about copying them.

Botany - Bean Sprouts

One of the kids in our Co-Op decided to put his bean sprout project in his light hut. It was great because we got to see a rapid progression of growth.

I was very impressed with how well the kids did with their projects, and how well they maintained their growth charts.

Of course some kids could have cared less, but, that's typical at this age.

Overall, my kids have really enjoyed this way of studying botany. I would have to say it has made it very interesting to me too.

Botany

Today we completed lesson 2 in Apologia's Botany Book. I am very impressed with this curriculum. We are currently using it in a Co-Op atmosphere, and it's working well, but, I would almost prefer to go at it on our own. The level of detail is great. It really allows for different grades and interest level. My K-1st grader, Noah, does a large amount of observing, not always completing the notebooking assignments, but he enjoys the projects and definately has a hands on approach. My older child, Sarah, amazes me with the amount of detail she retains. This book provides enough for her to get a good solid foundation on the subject, but keeps it simple enough so Noah doesn't get overwhelmed. Plus, I don't have to use separate texts for each of them.

Loss of homes in California

My heart really goes out to the families who have lost everything in the fires. I'm sure nothing can be said that would provide any comfort. They will continue to be in my prayers.

View from the top of the mountain

This is one of my favorite places ever. It takes some time to hike up there, but it is worth it. This time we found a huge fishing spider and a real walking stick.

Hiking for perspective

This weekend I had the opportunity to take a little hike up, Lilly mountain, a small mountain in Kentucky. As I am not in the greatest shape, and was very unprepared for a hike in the woods, it definately offered some renewed perspectives,(besides the fact that I need to get back on my treadmill):

• I couldn't imagine the imense fear of the being among the first settlers here in America.
• They could not have survived without the Hand of God.
• We Americans revolted, standing up for what we truly Believed. We would have faced certain death if we had failed.
• Our country was built on the foundation of belief in Christ alone, no other gods.

I topped off my weekend with a rainy day read of The Frontiersmen, by Allen Eckert, a historical narrative of early settlers in the Cumberland Valley, and some genealogy research, as my family was of the first settlers in that area, and I still don't know how they survived.
And as usual this type of thing leads me to think of the current state of demise that our country is in, and the reason we had to come home early is because I had another endorsement meeting for the Republican Party.
During my drive home, I began to think about the candidates I had met and which ones I should endorse, and how could I really know if they believed what they said they believed.

In Psalm 11:3, the Bible gives to us a most vital message for the times in which we live. In this Psalm, David says, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
Then in Luke 6:47-49, the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of two men who set out to build two houses. The first man digs deep and lays his foundation upon a rock, but the second man carelessly builds his house upon the earth, without digging and laying a sure foundation. Then when the storm came, the first house stood strong, "for it was founded upon a rock." However, the second house immediately fell, "and the ruin of that house was great."
The forefathers of our nation were well aware of this profound truth. Unlike most of the current leaders of our country, the men who established our Bill of Rights were, for the most part, men who BELIEVED in something and STOOD FOR IT. These men lived in a time when people still had RESPECT for good moral standards and godly living. They weren't all Christians, but there was still a reverence for God and the Bible. This was a time when Americans had a FEAR OF GOD before their eyes, and sin was kept down to a minimum. This was a time when God the Holy Spirit could move about and find some men to get a job done. Friend, this was a time when some SOLID FOUNDATIONS could be laid for our nation.
So they were laid. One only has to read Benjamin Franklin's appeal to President Washington for a National Day of Prayer to realize the truth in the above statements. Franklin's appeal reads in part:"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine Protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard -- and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. . . . And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need its assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow can not fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?
We have also been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that 'except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.' (Psalm 127:1) I firmly believe this, and I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. . ."
Our nation was built by men who knew that an empire without a solid foundation could not stand. Our nation was built by men who knew that we needed God's help if we were going to become a strong nation. In 1789, both Houses of Congress requested that President Washington recommend to the American people a day of public THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, and he did so. Washington himself, from the very start, knew that our young country must have the blessing of God for survival. After placing his hand on a Bible (not the Koran) and taking the oath of office on April 30,1789, President Washington made his views very clear concerning the source of authority:
"It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this official act, my fervent supplication to that Almighty Being, Who rules over the universe, who presides in the council of nations, and whose providential aid can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States. . . Every step by which they have advanced seems to have been distinguished by some providential agency. . . . we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained."
Good foundations were laid. Our liberties were built upon basic Bible principals, and it is for this very reason that we have become the great nation that we are today. However, if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

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