Welcome gentlefolk to the Flying V-S farm Maker’s
Podcast. You are listening to Season 1 Episode 1. I am so very glad you could join me today.
Please, pull up a chair and allow me to pour you a cup.
{Water pouring}
Introduction
Hello dear ones. My
name is Ms. B- one of the makers on the Flying V-S Farm and the host of the
Flying V-S Farm Maker’s Podcast. This podcast is an opportunity to share more
of the creative side of our urban homestead. This includes projects related to
gardening, farming, sewing, fiber arts- the list goes on.
Why do I call myself a
maker? A maker is defined as a person that creates or produces something with
their hands or tools. Many of my crafts are done with my hands and the tools
which aid them and referring to myself as a maker encompasses all of them. You will hear a little bit more about me later
in the Spotlight segment.
Segments
As this is the
inaugural episode of the podcast, I wanted to take a moment to share a little
about the structure with you. In each episode, I will be sharing current &
finished projects, books, tools, and other resources used in the creative arts
here on the farm. Each episode will contain the following segments:
· {Today’s
Cup}
I almost always have something nearby when I am working or Crafting- usually
tea or infused water along with the occasion specialty drink.
· {On
the Farm} The goings on of the farm often have an impact on
the creative projects in progress. This segment will be a short summary of
what’s happening on the homestead.
· {WIPS}
aka works in progress. This is used to refer to projects which are currently
being worked on.
· {Finished}
This segment will be for all the finished projects. And when I say finished, I
mean finished.
· {UFOs}
UFOs are unfinished objects. They can often be see lurking in the corner of a
craft room or closet. These projects are often abandoned for one reason or
another.
· {On
the Mend} As a part of the old-fashioned mindset here on the
farm, mending is a big part of the maker’s process. I try to keep things going
for as long as possible. Projects in this segment can include clothing to
fences and everything in between.
· {Bookshelf}
This may or may not be self-explanatory. I’ll be sharing a variety of the books
used for the projects on the farm.
· {Acquisitions}
There are always things to be acquired for the creative. This segment will be a
way to highlight new tools, books, stash enhancements, and more.
· {Spotlight}
My intention for this segment is to highlight other makers and creatives as
well as places to purchase tools and materials.
Now, since that is settled, let’s move on to
today’s episode. Stay tuned for a look at some of the fun projects from here on
the farm.
{Today’s Cup}
Today I
have a glass of water infused with Spearmint and Strawberries sitting beside me
as I record the episode. In the warmer months, it important to stay hydrated
and adding flavors to my water helps me to achieve that goal
{On the Farm}
· Its
August in the high desert which means it is hot! Recent week have seen quite a
few days with triple digit temps up to 105. The result of these temperatures
has prompted an adjustment to the way we work around the farm. Chores and
outdoor projects are done as early in the day as is possible with plenty of
crafting hours in the afternoon. Unfortunately, it has also prompted a slow
down with the laying hens- I can’t blame them one bit. As the seasons change,
so does the focus of the crafting. The kitchen garden is non-existent, and the
front garden is hanging on in this heat.
{WIPS}
· Mums
Sontag
o
I made a sontag for myself a couple of
years ago. Mum really liked it and asked if I’d be willing to make her one. I agreed
if she was willing to purchase the yarn. That way it was made from yarn she
wanted to wear. I started this project last year and have put it aside for a
longer period of time than was necessary. I am picking it back up in the hopes
that I can finish it for her as the weather turns cooler.
o
I have completed the back/body and one
of the sides. I am hoping to finish the second side soon.
· Designing
a 19th century inspired wardrobe for day wear.
o
I am working on creating pieces for my
day-to-day wardrobe that are based on historical fashions. This is often
referred to as historybounding. The patterns I am using are focused the mid to
late Victorian period. I hope to add earlier decades as well in the future
§ I
did a wardrobe inventory to see what I already have and what I want to add to
it.
· Eiley
Orrum Bowers Chautauqua
o
Recently as a part of my living history
palette, I have started my journey into Chautauqua presentations. My first
character is Mrs. Eiley Orrum Bowers. I
am continuing to collect and organize research for a full script which I will
present at some point in the future. Presently, I am volunteering as a docent
at the mansion she and her husband built and called home near Virginia City, NV
which has given me the most wonderful access to information about her and her
life there. The curator at the mansion is a fount of knowledge.
o
As a part of my presentation, I am sketching
and planning an outfit based on one of the few existing photos of her that I hope
to complete by the time I do my first proper presentation with her.
· 2022
Planning Journal
o
I have really cone to enjoy the
creative planning style combined with bullet journaling that I picked up a
couple of years ago. I started out using a DIY creative style journal. However,
over the past couple of months I have come to discover that I don’t interact
with it as much as I would like to. I feel it is because of the constant having
to create it all from scratch each month and then keep up with the planning. I
have had dated planners in the past which I incorporated the creative and
bullet journal styles into and decided to do use this method once again. I found
a planner from the company The Happy Planner. This planner is their dashboard
style which will allow me to plan as I like to and add stickers, stamps, and
other creative elements. It really is the best of both worlds. It is also and 18-month
planner which will allow me to finish out 2022 and move right into 2023.
· Pickles
o
Even though we didn’t have a kitchen
garden this year, we can still support our local producers at the farmer’s
market. We bought pickling cucumbers, onions and garlic. The first batch of
pickles were bread an butter pickles, which included the sliced onions. Then we
moved onto sliced dills which were made specifically for putting on hamburgers
and sandwiches. Up next will be garlic dill pickle spears for snacking.
{Finished}
· Glengarry
Cap (TSA-554)
o
I have always wanted to make this style
of cap. They are based on Scottish dress uniforms. This was my first go at hat
making. Again, not as intimidating as I thought it might be! This mock-up will
be working towards one that will be included in my Chautauqua costume as she
originally hailed from Scotland. The color combination of this mock-up is so
lovely, and I really enjoy the details.
· Self-Drafted
Skirt Mock-up & finished skirts.
o
I was so intimidated by the idea of
self drafting a pattern. I came across a great tutorial by Rebecca from Pocket
fFull of Posey’s on YouTube. Watching her video took the fear out of the
drafting process. I enjoyed making the skirt and the muslin mock-up has become
a staple in my wardrobe and it has become my daily casual farm skirt. I hope to put a more
detailed post about the construction process up on the blog soon. In the
process, the skirt has been mended many times
since finishing it. I’ve made three additional skirts in so far and have plans
to make many more.
§ The
first skirt I made from a red and gold floral fabric that I picked up from a
dear friend who passed away last year. I originally made the skirt in honor of
her for the holidays. I want to add a pinafore front to the skirt for the
holidays in 2022, which can be removed or added as it suits.
· While
wearing the skirt, I came to realize that I hadn’t drafted the front panel
correctly. I decided to go back and fix the pattern piece. I then recut the
fabric and inserted the new panel. I kept the fabric from the original panel,
using it to make the pinafore piece- which I am still trying to figure out.
 |
This beautiful floral fabric came from a dear friend of mine.
|
 |
| The pleating detail on the back of the skirt |
§ The
second Skirt is a beautiful, polished cotton (or at least I think it is) with a
purple and yellow pansy pattern on a black background. The fabric for this
skirt was in my stash- I have no recollection of where it came from. I worked
up fantastically and pairs nicely with my vintage velvet wide brimmed hat with
a large pansy on top. I wore them in combination for Easter 2022. Just lovely.
 |
My Easter 2022 outfit minus the hat.
|
§ The
third skirt in my wardrobe is a dark navy-blue cotton with tiny tan fleur-de-lies
in a repeating pattern. The fabric for this skirt was also a stash mystery. It
was originally in two larger pieces, which made up enough for the pattern. I
was quite pleased with the result. As it happened, it matches the Glengarry cap
I mentioned.
· Chemise
and Drawers set (TSU-031 & TSU-020)
o
This set of “underthings” is my first
attempt at making a wearable mockup out of a set of thrifted bed sheets, I
enjoyed the slightly stressful process of figuring out what direction the
pattern pieces needed to be cut out in order to make sure there was enough
fabric. I even managed to make it so the waistband of the drawers is headed the
same direction as the legs.
§ In
addition to being worn as underthings, this set will function as lounge clothes
when at home during the summer months.
 |
The detail of the pattern.
|
· Guimpe
Blouse (TSB-121)
o
This is another wearable mock-up I
made. This blouse has a looser fit and is very comfortable. The only downside
is that the bishop sleeves give it a bit of a pirate shirt vibe when worn with
a dark skirt. I have found that wearing it with a vest or something on top is a
little less pirate or renfair shirt. I have plans to make this bodice in other fabrics.
· Flying
V-S Farm critters
o
While this project was from Christmas
2021, I still wanted to share them because they turned out so cute. These were
stuffies I made times 8 for all the littles in my family as Christmas presents.
They were extremely fun to make. I used scraps from the quilts Gran has made
for the bodies and bits from my cabbage patch cut up as the stuffing. I will be
making a few more in the future.
· Culottes
from Split Skirt Pattern (LMM #150)
o
Just before leaving to go to Baltimore
on a business trip in July, I finished the mock-up and first pair of culottes
pants using the split skirt pattern from Laughing Moon Mercantile. I am happy
with the way these pants turned out. I made the second pair out a lightweight
denim which was perfect for travelling. They were comfortable to wear on the
plane and in the airport during long waiting periods. I also wore them with a
camp shirt for a casual day whilst in Baltimore and on a boat tour of the Inner
Harbor. I will have more on these pants in an upcoming project article on the
blog.
 |
Secret Pants
|
 |
Back detail
|
{UFO’s}
·
Double Irish Chain Quilt
o
This UFO was started by Mum. I came
across it when going through things that I had in storage. It is a double Irish
chain pattern. The center part of the quilt was already finished. I added the
outside borders to give it a bit more size. I was in the process of tying it
when it came to a bit of a halt. I have half of it done but got distracted by
other things and it has been languishing in the UFO bin ever since. I do have
intentions to continue with it soon, possible finishing it for winter 2022.
{On the Mend}
·
I have a basket on the shelf in the
craft room that houses my small-ish pile of mending. Here are a few of the
things that need mending:
o
Cotton and wool stockings- need holes
patched
o
Cotton sweater- need to fix binding on
neck
o
Petticoat- repair split seam.
o
Long chemise- restitch seams.
{Bookshelf}
·
1861 edition of Godey’s Lady’s Book
Magazine
o
I was lucky enough to be able to pick
this up off the internet. I have always wished to have at least one original
copy of the magazine, let alone the entire year bound! This volume will be used
for project inspiration as well as research.
·
Outlander Knits pattern book!
o
This was a gift from my parents
Christmas 2021. I have marked two or three patterns I want to try.
{Acquisitions}
· One
of my not so recent acquisitions was a late 19th/ early 20th
century hand cranked sewing machine. Her name is Florence, after the mother of
the friend I purchased her from. The machine isn’t currently in working order,
but I hope she will be sometime down the road.
{Spotlight}
I thought, since this
is the first episode of the podcast, that I would take advantage of the
Spotlight segment to introduce myself.
As I have mentioned
before, I am Ms. B. While this is used as a pen name of sorts these days, it
was a nickname given to me by my aunt that my family has used over the years. I
live with my Gran on her acreage in the historic town of Carson City, the capital
city of Nevada. This is high desert area, presents its own set of unique
challenges, many of which impact my crafting process. I mean, who wants to
stitch on a quilt or knit a wool garment when its 100F outside? Then again, I
do it anyway.
I have a passion for
sharing old and forgotten ways, primarily in the form of living history. I try
to incorporate slow and simple practices into my daily life as well as my
crafting. This means things take a little longer to finish sometimes. I enjoy
giving life to old things by purchasing secondhand items and using what I have
before buying new.
Now, this is a small
farm after all, so what about the animals? I have a dog named Linus who pals
around the farm with Gabe, Gran’s three-legged dog. The chickens and Bella, the
goat, are his girls. Franklin is the tuxedo cat who steals pins out of projects
and loves nothing more than to leave fur all over my projects. I’ve learned to
embrace it as an accessory.
Thank you for joining me for Season 1
Episode 1 of the Flying V-S Farm Maker’s Podcast. I hope you enjoyed your cup.
Show notes for this episode can be found on the Flying V-S Farm blog. If you are
interested in seeing more of the farm, you can follow us on the blog, YouTube,
Instagram, or Facebook. Be well
gentlefolk.
