An interview with the ORS Founder (me!)

Barbara Wright of Brightjoy Productions has once again provided us with a lovely movie of the ORS... featuring an interview with moi. I'm being as silly as is required of me. :)

A new movie of the ORS Winter Ball 2008

Barbara Wright of BrightJoy Productions has provided this movie for us. How kind of her! It really gives a nice picture of the whole evening, from the beginning, through dinner ot the end. And lots of special moments showing the lovely venue are also included.

Part Two of the Stovepipe Bonnet Tutorials

[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 This bonnet page is a bit outdated, so I would like to direct you to our latest bonnet-making post which not only includes the straw-hat based bonnets that are described below, but also includes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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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 This bonnet page is a bit outdated, so I would like to direct you to our latest bonnet-making post which not only includes the straw-hat based bonnets that are described below, but also includes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.

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 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. :)

How to Make a Regency Poke Bonnet.

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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This is a little video I made to accompany the upcoming workshop. It's not exactly oscar-worthy, but it still serves a purpose. I say 'um' a lot and I also sound like I have no personality... but it still gets a point through. ::hee hee::
I hope this encourages you to go ahead and to make your own poke bonnet. :)
You can download the materials list by clicking the link provided below.

Materials List

This bonnet was made using the same techniques described in the video.

Tips that were left out of the video:
1) sew your ribbon ties on for additional strength.
2) I lined the inside to keep hair from getting caught in the straw.
3) How you cut your sun hat will determine what angle the brim will be at. So try it on and decide beforehand.

The ORS Winter Ball was a great success!

We were thrilled with the way the ball turned out. There were about 40 people in attendance; and they filled up the floor to dance the better part of the night. The ball began with the tea on Friday; which was well attended by 16 people; almost all of whom were in costume (ironically, the only people who weren't were myself, my husband and my aunt, who'd arrived in town too late to find a place to change clothes).

The group of organizers spent a good part of Friday evening preparing the venue, the food and in my case and that of Lisa, our husbands' costumes; which were significantly more work than our own. To top it off, I had made an extra tailcoat (and handed down the green trouble-waiscoat to the 'livery'), and a second waistcoat for my husband. I hadn't sewn on a single button on any of these items. So I sat down Friday midnight, and sewed and sewed and sewed. I had prepared two costumes for some people we had hired to be 'servants' (neither of whom bothered to show up, what a surprise). I'd also finished the drop-front breeches for my husband; and I dare say the pattern, although not for beginners, was very easy to modify to my needs, and made a fine pair of breeches. I recommend that pattern very much. Portraits will be posted as soon as they are available.

On Saturday morning, we had breakfast together, and we all charged down to the temple to finish things up. We brought our sewing, of course, and finished up details, like folding the napkins into lotus flowers, adding last minute touches, and Robert made sure the food was ready to go. We rushed up to the hotel to change, and were back in time to see that none of our 'servant staff' had shown. But we made do... and we greeted arrivals, and ferried them into the portrait room, where we captured them in their Regency Finery.

The musicians had already arrived and were practicing during the meal. Everyone had a lovely dinner, and a dessert and then onto the dance-floor they went; and there was dancing right up until Midnight.

Click here to see images and more.

It was lovely.