Urbrae House Vintage Picnic and Other Celebrations

This blog has helped me to appreciate how lucky I am. I am always finding inspiration from other bloggers and from the support and encouragement provided on this blog. When I started this blog it was my way of making a diary of my sewing and events that I would not loose when my computer crashes (which it does bi-yearly). This time of year is our busiest and I would not want it any other way. Summer is finally starting and we have been blessed with many interesting and fun events. These also inspire me to sew more. I am hoping to post a completed 1830s frock coat in the next week (fingers crossed) and start on an 1840s or 1850s sheer dress (Im still deciding on the design). I also have a few other bits and pieces that I have been making in the evenings, which I have yet to photograph and blog about (including my lovely new 1830s chemisette that can be seen in my Port Festival post).

The big news for the week is that Nic and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. This year the traditional gift is leather... so we had our first horse riding lesson. We were a little disappointed that  I was unable to learn side saddle, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves anyways. We finished the day with a tapas lunch and a Tuscan dinner. A truly spoilt and luxurious day.

Today we attended the Urbrae House Vintage Picnic. Urbrae House is my favourite historic house in Adelaide, followed by Kingston House. It is amazing and the volunteers are wonderful. We recently went to a Tea Dance in the Urbrae House Ballroom and it was hugely enjoyable.

Today we sat outside under the shade of a tree and had a picnic lunch, followed by a walk around the gardens and we finished by joining the tour of the house. It was great to again see some of the volunteers that we know and also a few of the Colonial Dancers that we have met previously at Balls. 

 Today, due to the continuance of the Port Festival and the heat (33C which normally does not bother me except that it has been cold up till now so it has been harder to acclimatise) we only had a few people in attendance.

 Left to Right - Me, Nic, Ben, Kelly, Sandy and Mandi.

I was very happy at how my work dress fits wonderfully over my largest crinoline (at 123") and raises itself up to a perfect height for walking in gardens. You may also notice my sun hat (another item I should photograph in detail). It was becoming shabby from use and rain, so it has now had a face-lift and is looking gorgeous (or so I believe anyways).

Barossa Goldfields Historical Society Open Day 2013

Yesterday was one of my favourite events of the year, the Barossa Goldfields Historical Society Open Day. Located only 15 minutes from Gawler is Adelaide's own goldfields. Each year at Bowden's Cottage the society holds an open day with demonstrations of steam powered engines, a hand tool wood working display (on previous years also blacksmith displays), damper making, a museum, nature and gold mine bush walks, two person log sawing and gold mining.

This year the invitation was opened up to include the Victoriana Society as well as the Noarlunga Volunteer Rifles/Adelaide Regiment. Nic and Danee were our volunteer riflemen presenting a drill and musket firing display. Unfortunately, our NCO Bob was unable to attend this year due to illness. We all wish him a speedy recovery. Representing the Victoriana Society, Mandi, Jessie and Lynne attended for the first time. Hopefully next year the word will spread and the event will continue to grow. This year they estimated over 200 guests attended the open day, an amazing achievement.

 Jessie enjoying the free damper and tea available to all guests. They make a delicious native berry jam.

 Nic and Danee on parade

 Danee demonstrating the standing firing drill.

 Mandi and Me using a two person saw.

 Nic demonstrating the kneeling firing drill.

 For lunch we went on the nature walk and found a shady spot to have lunch. As we ate, guests walked past to provide entertaining conversations. One of my favourites was a couple that asked what we were reenacting? I responded with 'lunch' and Nic added '150 years ago'. At the completion of lunch we taught Mandi how to play whist.

The Completed Wedding

I know that I have posted all about the outfits previously, but when they are put together and in the context of the wedding itself they come alive. The day was amazing and all that we could have hoped for. The state sunday newpaper also featured a half page colour article on our wedding including 4 photographs. Many people have mentioned it in the week since.

The Ceremony in an 1869 church that Nic's parents were also married in.

Me and my new husband Nic and one of the page boys.

The Noarlunga Rifles provided a guard of honour.

Nic was a real gentleman when it came to helping me into the carriage.

 My bridesmaids Mandi and Wendy looked stunning as always in new silk dresses.

Many of our guests also came in period, most even made new outfits for the occassion.

Sunday Mail, October 17th, 2010. South Australia.

Nic's Wedding Jacket

We have decided to set our wedding in 1861, which is one of our favourite periods for clothing. Nic wants a South Australian Volunteer Rifle Officer's Uniform. This has been quite a challange for me however as I have never made a man's jacket before or worked with melton wool. We had a lot of difficulty sourcing the correct wool, braides, trims and badges, but we are very happy with what we ended up with. Nic purchased the Period Impressions - Enlisted Man's Frock Coat, which is close to the desired shape with only a few alterations. I also had 2 photos and the military tailors description to assist.

The original photo of a South Australian Volunteer Rifle Officer.

I had to trace the Austrian Knots on the sleeves with silver and red cords.

The sleeves are mirror images of each other.

Trying to work out the collar decorations.

As the wool is so thick I had to stich it down to flatten it.

After the wool was flattened I Pinned then slip stiched the linning to the collar.

Finished lining

Finished Collar.

Buttons on the shoulders, I hand sewed it on through the wool only using the gap in the sleeve.

.... There will be more as I finish it

Well it has been hard and taken longer than I would have liked but it is finally finished. Unfortunately I broke my arm 3 weeks ago and have only now been able to get enough movement to finish the hand stiching needed to finish the sleeves, hook and bars and the skirt hems.

The finished Jacket being modelled by the handsome Nic.