The Giantess of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia - Anna Swan

      2023 - an amazing year - with a 'giant' assignment!!!                    

    

          Making a replica of Anna Swan, Giantess, was a wonderful opportunity to  create a historical replication of the famous Anna Swan, Giantess.  She was born just outside of Tatamagouche in New Annan, August 6, 1846.  Anna's recorded height was 7 feet 11 inches.

        This was an interesting assignment, contracted by the Creamery Square Heritage Society's museum in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia.  This project included a lot of interesting research on the fashion trend of her time period; how to make a mannequin to her size;  designing shoulders, arms and hands; in addition to the underpinnings that were required to give the final gown it's perfect shape, not to mention drafting patterns for a giantess!!!

         During the entire process - start to finish - I kept scupulous notes, and it is my intention to write a complete journal detailing each step along the way. 

            There is a special room on the second floor of the Creamery Square Heritage Society's museum that is dedicated to Anna Swan.  The entrance to this room has an original door from her home in Seville, Ohio!

             Terri Scott, (the gal on the right in the striped shirt), was most kind to help me assemble Anna in the museum.  It was rather amusing carrying her mannequin up the stairs!

Despite all the pieces - mannequin assembly, hooped crinoline, bustle pads, 3 layer under skirt, velvet skirts, apron, bustle, peplum, lace cuffs, 'kid' gloves, jacket, collar and lace jabot - it went together rather quickly... I think it was less than 45 minutes!!  She was ready to make her first appearance on the July 1st weekend, 2023!

            Should you ever be in Nova Scotia, the trip to Tatamagouche is not only beautiful but has some of the best attractions and quaint little shops along the north shore of the province!! 

Be sure to pay her a visit and meet the wonderful staff at the Creamery Square Heritage Society, in their famous museum! 

A NEW ADVENTURE!!

     It's been an interesting 5 years here in Keble, Nova Scotia.  Along with the growth and development of my sewing business, we've enjoyed the homesteading life with cows, goats, chickens, ducks and Guinea fowl ... now it's time to move onward and upward to the next adventure in our lives!!  Oh!!!  I mustn't forget our family dog and cat, and our two "ferocious, feral barn cats" who are the biggest, friendliest, cuddliest cats we could ever ask for!!! (They have evolved into overnight house guests, sleeping in our bathroom sink!)

     Our landlord will be selling this property this year,  and we will be starting a new chapter.  

     It's been a wonderful experience here ... the north shore of Nova Scotia has been a great place to live!  The community spirit is very welcoming, kind and supportive ... we're hoping that we will be able to find the perfect place locally in order to stay in this area.

     I am now finishing my current historical replication of a complete Victorian styled ensemble for the local Creamery museum in Tatamagouche. (Stay tuned for pictures when it's completed) Once this is on display, I will focus on relocating and preparing my Sewing Shoppe for continued service, where ever we might be.

     I am also involved with a sewing workshop at the River John Library, and I am looking forward to continuing this wonderful venture!  The gals are dedicated to our group; and being able to share my sewing/designing skills, tricks and tips is an enjoyable personal experience!  Anyone wanting to learn is welcome to join us at the library, at my Sewing Shoppe (once I get resettled) or online if you are at a distance.  Having Zoom meetings was being considered.

          We all have so much to be thankful for ... 

               There's magic all around ... 

                    There's an adventure waiting to happen ... 

                         And new experiences to be explored!

Wishing all of you a most wonderful day!

SISTERHOOD FIBRES IN BARACHOIS SAVES THE DAY!!

 I visited Sisterhood Fibres today, in Barrachois, just outside of Tatamagouche, on the north shore of Nova Scotia.  I was in search of a special yarn to finish a little project - keeping in mind, that I haven't picked up my knitting needles in a couple of years ... but with all my spare time ... I ended up running out of yarn to finish the last couple of inches of my project. 

Fortunately, the wonderful owner, Faith, helped me to find just the right yarn to compliment the yarns in my project ... now the trick is to get it finished - in my spare time!!  😂

If you have a love of yarns, whether you knit, crotchet , weave, macramé, or enjoy any facet of the world of fibres, you must visit Faith at Sisterhood Fibres!!  Her wonderful shop is as warm and welcoming as she is ... and if you are interested in starting at the beginning of a yarn adventure, Faith has the skills, patience and ability to get you started along the right path!

And, let me add a happy hello to Sue!  She was coming in the shop as I was leaving ... Sisterhood Fibres is a wonderful place to meet wonderful people and enjoy the magic of the fibre world!  I do hope you will plan to visit soon!

Looking ahead - Spring 2022

    With the sunshine streaming through the window, the snow receding to small patches along the fields and roadways, signs of new daffodil shoots popping up under the apple tree - all encouraging signs that spring will be along soon!

   My 'to do" list seems to have grown over the winter, even with a steady pace, I have slowed down since last fall ... isn't it amazing how Mother Nature leads the way with energized encouragement by the slow and steady renewal of spring.

   I am going to be purging my fabrics and supplies - hopefully by finishing up some projects and preparing for some new project requests for this year.  One never knows what adventures can be found when you least expect them!

   I think it's almost time to recruit a helper - Thimblelina - or an apprentice to learn the trade ... it seems to be a lost art, and there's so  much to share and teach to those who are interested in the sewing world.  

   In the meantime, I'll continue down my "to do" list and be ready to jump into the spring activities that I have prescheduled!  It's going to be an interesting year!

  Hope your spring is refreshing and reenergizing as we pick up the pace with the longer sunny days ahead!  Enjoy!!

  

A NEW RECORD!!! OVER TEN THOUSAND HITS!! THANK YOU!!

 I am overwhelmed to learn that I now have over 10,000 hits on this blog ... 

I want to say thank you to each and everyone of you for checking out my blog;  for sharing it with your friends and family; for supporting my custom sewing business.

My love to sew has been a life long passion among the various other hats that I have worn!

With 2021 fast approaching, I am looking to have a monthly posting of the growth and development of Alice's Sewing Shoppe ... always a new adventure!  

All suggestions, requests and questions are answered  in a timely manner ... 

Once again, my sincerest thank you for stopping by ... 

Alice

TO MASK OR NOT TO MASK ...

It's no longer an open question ... with government regulations in place, as of today, July 31, 2020, this is the day when masks will be required in public places ... 

So, I take you beyond the debate ... 

What's in a mask??

According to the CDC, non-medical masks should consist of 100% cotton - one of these layers should be pillow ticking - a tightly woven fabric that prevents feathers from poking through a pillow!!

As a mask maker, (one of the many designer hats that I wear), I pre wash and dry all the fabric that I use for masks - actually, I pre-treat most of the fabrics that I work with so that my customers will enjoy the easy care of their finished products!  I have redesigned my masks to give more coverage, closer more comfortable fit and the best protection possible.
Fabric masks react differently than the industrial made masks when the facial muscles move and they therefore require a different fit to provide sufficient coverage and protection.

Polyester and poly-cottons are, in my opinion, poor choices for masks ... they are too hot to wear and not as breathable as 100% cottons.

The wires I use in the nose band of my masks are made of brass!  They are antibacterial, self-cleaning and they are good for your immune system!!!  I use a strong 20 gauge wire that is flexible enough to be shaped - and to hold that shape!!!  It does help a little to prevent glasses fogging up ... but if you're talking a lot or breathing heavily, you might find your glasses hard to see through.  However, I have read, that if you fold a piece of tissue and use it to line under the top of your mask, it does wonders to prevent your glasses from fogging up!!  

In addition to inserting the brass wires, I also curl and protect the ends - much like the end of a bobby pin is protected - in order to ensure that none of my customers are in danger of being poked with the end of a wire!  This is labour intensive, but I feel it's a necessity to keep my customers safe!

Filters .... I have done extensive research and to date, I have not found any filters that are safe, breathable, wearable or comfortable!!!  The CDC does not recommend filters.  I would like to add that coffee filters prevent breathing and they are not safe! ... vacuum filters were meant to filter small dust particles, not viruses ... people are not meant to breath in chemicals or micro fibers from filters and they do not provide the protection that you're looking for!  Because I feel so strongly against adding filters, I do not even include a filter pocket in my masks ... I believe in taking a stand and protecting my family, friends and customers therefore, until there is a safe, breathable,wearable, comfortable filter out there, I will not include them in my masks.

It is currently recommended to have 2 masks - one to wear and one to wash... but of course, you can see where it could become a fashion trend ... there will be many who will want to have fun with different fabrics, prints, styles - from very simple to the most elaborate!!  And, let's not forget the party masks with the flip up spot for your straw! 

At present, I am making 2 styles of makes - with pleats and without (or fitted) - and they come in several sizes, adult to toddlers!   I offer a choice of fabrics to ensure my customers get the right mask for them!  

... I custom make many masks based on individual requests and I will always alter or adjust to ensure the most perfect fit!

As a designer who strives to provide haute couture quality to my customers, my masks speak for themselves in design and quality construction!

TATAMAGOUCHE, NOVA SCOTIA ... THE PLACE WE NOW CALL HOME!

Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia is where we now call home!! After our first year and a half in Nova Scotia, we have finally settled in a charming country home just outside of Tatamagouche!  This is indeed the right place for us!

My sewing room is starting to take shape ... it still requires some tweaking ... but it's operable and I am able to offer my custom sewing, alterations and repair services to my new customers.  It is also so nice to know, that some of my previous customers in Ontario have sent some of their new sewing requests that can be completed here and returned by delivery service.

There's a wonderful window looking out over the back fields and it's perfect to let in the sunshine!  I find it very inspirational  - nature gives us such a beautiful view and a reason to pause for a moment and just enjoy what is around us. 

With the mysteries of winter, and what it will bring, I will be able to focus on preparing for the spring projects, researching the upcoming fashion ideas for 2019, and tuning into the many options and opportunities that will come my way.

If you should have a project that you need some help with, please send along a message and perhaps we can solve it together!  

Looking forward to a cozy winter ... and some creativity by the wood stove!

Wishing you happiness, blessings and love as we enter 2019!