Picnics and Tea and Bonnets, Oh My!

We've been super busy lately. Throwing together events so that there is a nice, steady succession of activities to keep our members engaged and busy. :)

We have two picnics, a series of stays workshops in the work, a bonnet workshop, a Regency Tea, and we're going to start planning for the Winter ball soon. It's all very exciting.

It's important to keep our site active and dynamic. There are far too many regency groups out there with websites with dead rings, broken links, missing images, galleries of events long past, and no dates later than 2004. That is not acceptable for the ORS. We're trying very hard to broaden our range of acitivities and to widen our scope of members; involving more facets of the period we all adore than just one or two repeating things. We adore Jane, but we want to step beyond the academic study of her works, we want to live them, experience them, all parts of it, from the wars that raged during that period, to the more scandalous side of the period, like the edgy Byron.

So that is why we are increasing our events, and soon we will try to offer some lectures, readings in order to meet the needs of the folks who like to learn new things about the period.

In the meantime, it's a social calendar few can withstand, that's for sure. But we're excited nonetheless.

A Stellar Evening

The "Bring in the Spring" Regency Party was a resounding success! You can find photos of this event here. Short movies of the dancing will be posted soon. There was a beautiful array of costumes and company to enjoy and we all had a wonderful time.

Pictured above is the Demlow Party of Lavender's Green; a historic costuming compay. Kay (in green) made nearly all of the costumes pictured here. There were over 40 people in attendance, all of them in some form of costume. A slideshow of pictures is also available below.

Regency Bonnet-making

[Update 3/16/10] Hello visitors! Welcome to the Oregon Regency Society's blog page. This blog is continually updated. This bonnet page is a bit outdated, so I would like to direct you to our latest bonnet-making post which not only includes the straw-hat based bonnets that are described below, but also includes instructions and resources for making the really nice stovepipe bonnets as well. There is a pattern, there are instructional movies in addition to that one provided below, updated materials lists and links to pictures for inspiration. So please, do read the post below, but also, if you want the most up-to-date information, please click the following link. Thank you!

http://oregonregency.blogspot.com/2010/03/2010-regency-bonnet-workshop.html

Stephanie Johanesen; bonnet enthusiast. :)

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I had a try at making a regency bonnet a couple of weeks ago, and the above image is the end product. I have donated it for the raffle for Saturday's Regency Party, and made a reticule to match. I've also started a second bonnet as well. I documented the making of the first bonnet and the progress on the second one on a thread on the RSA Community Forum. You can see the pictorial by clicking here. The above bonnet is the first post, however I've made a second set of pictorals with much more detailed instructions below, so read on.

Join the RSA Community board and share your Regency costuming projects. :)

Pictures of the "Bring in the Spring" Regency Party will be posted as soon as they're available.

My idea of a good, basic Regency wardrobe

So as we continue to hold events here and there, I am faced with the question as to when to stop sewing... or at least, slow down. How many gowns is enough? What do I need to have sufficient variety to mix and match so I don't have to sew a new gown every three months. I've come up with this little collection, which is what I would ideally like to have. Of course, none of these are ballgowns, but that's not in question right now. What do I need for the parties, picnics, etc, for this coming year? With this collection, I think I can swing about 20 'unique' looks using what amounts to: 2 basic gowns, 2 pelisses (one solid, one net), 2 chemisettes, a shawl and various accessories like ribbons, etc. A sleeveless, cotton 'spencer' or sleeveless bodice would also help to change up the look of the gowns as well.

The two gowns should be either solid or with a very subtle print, the net can dress it up for a fine evening party, the pelisse can be a complimentary print or solid, as could the sleeveless bodice. Chemisettes can make it look different, fichus, ribbons and so much more.

That will be my goal now is to complete the missing items from this list. I will focus on my ballgown closer to winter of '08; and I will create a long-sleeved, crossfront champagne or ivory gown over which I can put a pretty, silken pelisse to change it up each year.

Oh, and I forgot petticoats.

Anyway, that's my idea of what a workable, active regency wardobe should be for this year's events. Anything you think I should add?

A Regency Party in Lake Oswego; Feb 9, 2008

Tickets:

$20 adults ~ Children under 14 $10.00

ORS Premium Members: 25% off all tickets fees.

English Country Dance and Whist lessons.

Regency Costume Recommended;
see the ORS Resources page for costume sources and references.

An Update

Yes, it's been a while since we've upated. We've been working on some events and developing new ones for this coming year. Our P&P marathon was a bit of a washout since it occured during one of Oregon's wettest weekends. However we did have fun, the few of us that persisted, and we certainly plan a do-over at the first opportunity.

In the meantime, we're planning an event in Lake Oswego on February 10th; a Regency Party to celebrate the advent of Spring. We hope you will join us. It will be an elegant affair as usual.

:)