The Buckram Bonnet Frame

[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 This bonnet page is a bit outdated, so I would like to direct you to our latest bonnet-making post which not only includes the straw-hat based bonnets that are described below, but also includes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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Using my new pattern, you can easily create the stovepipe bonnet of your dreams. You start with the buckram frame, and from there, you can go crazy. :)

Here's a quick tutorial on how to assemble a buckram frame for a regency stovepipe bonnet. Enjoy!

You can purchase the pattern here.

Berry Botanic Garden Picnic

Up in the Portland hills near Lake Oswego, nestled in a fancy-schmancy neighborhood of large houses; there is the estate of Rae Selling Berry which is now the Berry Botanic Garden. This location is very informal; a garden of natives with wild looking paths and little nooks and crannies. There is a sedum garden; being grown in cast cement trays, varieties I'd never seen before... and a soft clovery lawn decorated with the occasional mole hill.

It was here where the ORS members shook out their picnic sheets and put down their baskets. Parasols were popped open, and books, sketching papers and pencils were unpacked. Kay Demlow, ORS member and talented costumer, also brought the game of "Graces" for attendees to play; and the sticks and hoops were well put to use.

Tara and Christian brought "Pétanque"; a game similar to Bocci or Bowls, and they too kept various members entertained. A hand or two of whist were played, and there were paths to be explored, strawberries and treats to be enjoyed.

It was the perfect way to spend a sunday.

More photos here:
Lauren's Pictures
Stephanie's Pictures

A Midsummer Night's Dream Masquerade

http://www.oregonregencysociety.com/pastevents/msnd.htm

Amethyst Photography
Lauren's Collection
Stephanie's Collection

What a magical night it was. Click the links above to see for yourself. :)

A Picnic at Pittock Mansion

Portland Oregon cannot lay claim to very many super-old, Regency appropriate sites. It is a sad conundrum for the ORS, living in the 'New World' ~ Especially the late-settled west-coast. However in our state there are a few jewels that seem to invite people to arrive in period costume.


The Pittock Mansion was built by Henry Pittock, a Portland Newspaper Magnate, whose family occupied this magnficent French style chateau until 1958. The Mansion sits high on the west hills of Portland, overlooking the valley, and the cascade range, Mount Hood a gleaming jewel on the horizon. Now property of the Portland Bureau of Parks & Recreation, the mansion gets many visitors all year 'round.


Its grounds are immaculately landscaped, and the perfectly manicured lawns, soft, drooping willows, and colourful tufts of roses and other perennials, makes it the perfect location for a Regency picnic. We spent Sunday afternoon occupying the shade beneath the trees at 'the point', where the garden ends in a sudden sharp hill, opening up the view to the city of Portland.


Roughly 20 ORS members, coupled with about ten ladies from the Portland Ladies Tea Guild; who dovetailed their event with ours, created a sizable spectacle for Mansion visitors to see. Many a strolling soul slowed to observe the genteel group in regency costume, taking full advantage of the spectacular day.



Pittock Mansion volunteer Sherry Uchytil came especially on this day, costumed for the occasion to give a Master Gardener's tour of the Pittock Mansion's fine grounds to members of the ORS and tourist alike.



Members also took advantage of the tours of the Mansion itself. A beautiful museum, it features so many appropriate architectural and decorate touches as to make it the perfect opporunity for photographs.


It was a lovely occasion, one we hope to repeat next summer.


Here are links to some of our members' photos of the day. Enjoy. :)

Lauren's Photos

Aaron's Photos

Steph's Photos

Kim's Photos

Eden's Photos

A look back...

A DVD was sent to me recently by Barbara of Brightjoy Productions. She'd taken this footage at the ORS's first event in August of 2007. It was a nice gift to receive as we approach our August 2008 Midsummer Night's Dream Masquerade ball at the same venue; the Ainsworth House & Gardens. I was thrilled.

I had some trouble figuring out how to convert this video from DVD to make it youtube compatible, and in part, it ended up being squished and only 7ish minutes long (the whole video is 16 minutes). I'll hopefully get a better quality version together at some point, but in the meantime, here it is. Flashback to last year.

ORS is a little over a year old now, but technically; August will mark the anniversary month of the ORS's first Regency costume event. It's exciting. In this short time, our membership exceeds 180 people; and we have a host of wonderful events for them to participate in.

I'm very proud of the Oregon Regency Society. It's such a wonderful thing. :)

The Emerald City Regency Party ~ May 24

The Eugene "Emerald City Regency Party" was a wonderful success. Thea had decked the whole venue out in a riot of flowers and art; the buffet was a colourful array of fruits and cheeses and other delicious tidbits; and there was much dancing.

The full set of photos can be viewed here.