Historic Reproduction Clothing Fashion Show at Watermark Theatre

     The Watermark Theatre in conjunction with the I.O.D.E. are joining forces to present a fashion show from the past, featuring style from the 1860's to the turn of the century.      
     Arnold Smith with a group of ladies who have been working to create these fashions will model them at the Watermark Theatre in North Rustico.  There will also be a static display of vintage clothing too delicate to wear that will be on view at the Seniors Club just across the lawn where Tea and Sweat Bread will be served.  
     The Beaconsfield Assembly will be performing English Country Dance, Scottish Country Dance and Quadrilles.
     Please join us on Saturday, June 14th at 7pm.  Tickets are available from The Watermark Theatre (902) 969-3963 or Sandra McCormick (902) 892-3929 or any I.O.D.E. member.

Susan Baker Reproduction Dress off to France

     I was commissioned by Laura Robinson of the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston to produce a dress for the character Susan Baker, the Blythe's family's house-keeper, in the book, Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery.   
     The dress is currently on display in the Normandy area in France; later in June it will be at the L.M. Montgomery Institute on Prince Edward Island; and later on in Ontario.

    A description of Susan Baker’s Skirt & Blouse

          In Rilla of Ingleside the character Susan Baker is described as wearing plain, simple, practical style clothing.  She is not a slave to fashion and would dress in a sensible, serviceable style.

          The skirt is ankle-length with enough fullness to allow ease of movement - it is tapered to the waist with fullness gathered into the waistband.  The collarless blouse is a basic period style with straight sleeves with button cuffs and slight tapering to fit.  There are no embellishments and the buttons are simple in style.

          The colour of the skirt is a light shade of khaki and the blouse is a darker shade with small print design.  The colours were chosen to be symbolic of the khaki uniforms worn by the soldiers fighting in trenches on the European front in WWI.  Susan Baker in her way was doing her bit for the war effort on the home front.

Farmers Bank of Rustico celebrated 150 years since charter

     I recently had the honour of chairing an event at the Farmer's Bank of Rustico whereby we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the bank's charter in 1864.
     Here's the story published in the Guardian newspaper a few days after the celebration.

     For more than 20 years I've been a  member of the Farmer's Bank of Rustico board of directors and have participated in many aspects of developing the Farmers Bank Museum, Doucet House and Acadian culture.  

     Over the years I've studied Acadian costuming and from that knowledge put on workshops at the Farmers Bank - we made all the costumes used on the site.  I was also involved in the restoration of the 1772 Doucet Log House from the conservation report, through restoration, to planning events and activities at the house, including a Fall Flavours event whereby I make an Acadian meals in the large sandstone fireplace and outdoor bread oven. 

     Below are a few photos over the years...

Below: the Doucet log house prior to restoration - the Farmers Bank is in the background.

Above: the Doucet House restoration complete.  Below: Fireplace and Bread Oven.

Below: Making Acadian Costumes - we had fabrics specially woven for skirts.

Millinery Course

     The past few weeks I've been taking a hat making ( aka. Millinery ) course in Charlottetown.  We learned how to make this hat.  

      We took buckram (a stiff piece of fabric ) then took strips of platted ( braided ) straw, sewing one strip on at a time.  Trim was applied, the inside was lined and artificial flowers arranged.  There's still for work to do on the hat before it can be officially worn.

Come to Prince Edward Island in 2014 and celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Canada

http://www.pei2014.ca/

Over 150 Events Helping to Create a Legacy for 2014

     2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference – the event that led to Canadian Confederation. Year-long, province-wide celebrations will pay tribute to one of the most important events in our nation’s history – and you’re invited! PEI 2014 has something for everyone. For a complete list of the more than 150 festivals, events, and activities taking place throughout 2014, see below.

     Looking for something a little more specific? Our PEI 2014 search engine is designed to find the events and activities that appeal most to you and your family. Simply let us know when you’re looking to enjoy an event or activity, what types of events and activities you’re interested in, and if you have a preferred area of the Island. Fill out the fields below and the search engine will do the rest.

Ardgowan Garden Party - Sept. 1992

     I came across the following photos the other day - they were taken at the Ardgowan Garden Party in September 1992.  We were celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in 1867.
     The black and white photos were taken by the late Phyllis Pitre.  

     Above: I portrayed the youngest Father of Confederation, Andrew A. MacDonald of Georgetown.  Below: my niece Tammy

 Below:  Here I am with my niece Leon.

     Below: We're chatting with my mother Dorothy (center seated) and my sister Nancy.  Three years earlier Mom and I got our start making period costumes by producing gowns for the 125th celebration of the 1864 Confederation Conference.

 Below:  Here I am with my 3 nieces and 2 nephews!

 Below: A few of us Fathers of Confederation discussing business.

      The following photo, taken by another, was at Fanningbank /  Government House with Lt. Gov. Marion Reid (1990-1995) hosting Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn (1990-1995).
     There I am standing on the far right next to the pillar with my hat over my head in the same pose and position as Andrew A. MacDonald did in 1864.

CBC TV: Period clothes en vogue for 2014 celebrations

cf. CBC website:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/period-clothes-en-vogue-for-2014-celebrations-1.2481930

CBC News Posted: Jan 02, 2014 3:05 PM AT Last Updated: Jan 02, 2014 3:05 PM AT

  

            With the PEI 2014 celebrations now underway, some Islanders are updating their wardrobes with a step back in time to 150 years ago — the year of the Charlottetown Conference.

            Karen Beauregard is making a period dress for herself from scratch. She's discovering the challenge of such a big sewing project. 

            "The yards and yards and yards of fabric ... I couldn't imagine not having an electric sewing machine ...They could only invite so many people to parties because the gowns took up so much room when they were dancing," she said.

            Beauregard has learned a lot from Arnold Smith, an Islander who has a passion for period fashion.

            In the fall, Smith hosted a dress-making class in his home in Pleasant Valley led by fabric artist Ann-Blair White.

            They'll hold another one later this month.

            The goal is to encourage Islanders celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference to dress for the occasion, said Smith.

            "If they're doing various functions, garden parties, reenactments, whatever, or if someone just wanted to dress up and go for a stroll down through Victoria Park, give the tourists a thrill and let them take their picture, there's lots of things you can do," he said.

 A love of period clothing

            Back in 1989, for the 125th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, Smith played the role of founding father Andrew A. MacDonald.

            It was then Smith developed his love of collecting and making period clothing.

            Smith picks up items at auctions and vintage clothing stores.

And he's happy to lend his collection to spirited Islanders with tail feathers for the men and elaborate dresses for the ladies.

            "And it doesn't necessarily have to be something that looks 1864," he said.

            "You can do any period through the time because part of the celebration is that they're celebrating the whole past, not just that one particular night."

            Smith is also working on a couple outfits for the lieutenant governor's wife, Dorothy.