A College Swing Scene

Hey y'all! Yes I know that my last post was about swing dancing, but this video was SOOO cool that I just had to share it! Enjoy and please share!

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

Swing into School

Today was the first day of classes. It was also one of the hottest days of the summer. After walking all around campus trying to locate my classes for the week, I was soaked. There is some good news about today: Monday Night Swing. My school has a swing dance group that teaches every Monday night. I love swing dancing. It makes me feel like I have traveled back to the 1940's. I think that is the homeschooled-history buff in me. Plus it is an awesome way to make new friends {which is good for us unsocialized homeschoolers ;) } And on top of that, IT IS FREE! {and that is good for ANY college student!}

Well... I have to run off to another class. Enjoy this beautiful day that God has given us!!

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

Vintage Patterns

Happy Sunday! Long time no see (or write for that matter). I have brought out some of my patterns from my vintage pattern collection today. Enjoy and have a blessed Lord's day!

 

Fly with Christ!
Rachel  : )

More Patches

Here are some of the newest patches that I have finished for my quilt!

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

New Project

This is my newest project! I am going to make a quilt!!!

I got the material from my granny back in October. Some of the pieces are from my mom and aunt's old dresses! The hardest part was matching all the material together. I will post pictures as I finish the patches.

This is the first patch that I made.

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

Exercise Second and Third

Exercise Second

is for gaining agility, suppleness, quickness of eye, hand, and foot. Standing as far from the wall as possible, take a common rubber hand-ball and toss it against the wall, catching it as it rebounds, and again toss it against the wall. Vary this by allowing the ball to strike the floor, catching it on the rebound; then try keeping the ball in constant motion by first using one hand and then the other as a bat for returning the ball to the wall. This exercise can also be changed by striking the ball against the floor, and on its return bound again striking it,thus keeping it in motion. You will find that activity is necessary, and the work so quick that it will keep you on the jump all through the exercises.

Exercise Third

is with a broom-handle. Saw or cut off the broom and smooth down the sharp ends of the handle, and it will be ready for use. Stand erect, heels together, toes out, chin well back and straight, so as to throw out and expand the chest. Now grasp firmly each end of the broom stick and bring it up over the head;repeat this motion six or seven times; then change by carrying the broomstick over back of the head down across the back of the shoulders; then up above the head again, repeating this, and all other motions in your calisthenics, half a dozen times. Another exercise is holding the stick down in front of you with both hands and bringing it up over the head and down back of the shoulders without stopping.

The side motion is made by grasping the broomstick at each end, holding it down in front of you, and swinging it sideways thus bringing the right hand up when the left hand is down, and vice versa. Another way is to hold the stick by both ends above your head and swing it from one side to the other, which will cause the right arm to come in contact with the right side of the head, while the left arm is extended horizontally to the left. Next carry the stick back of and against the shoulders; then swing it from right to left, which gives another side movement. Vary all the movements in as many different ways as you can think of.

Fly with Christ!

Rachel  : )

Home Gymnasium

This was taken from The American Girls Handy Book (1887), Chapter XXXII. This post includes the introduction of this chapter plus the first exercise. I will also post the other nine exercise.

"Everyone must exercise to keep healthy and strong, for life is motion and activity. It is natural to be well and healthy, and to keep so we must exercise all our muscles, as well as our moral and intellectual faculties, or they will dwindle and wither. The arm of the Hindoo devotee, not being used, at length becomes completely paralyzed, and the fish in the Mammoth Cave having no use for eyes pass their life without them; so we find that use is the foundation of all things, otherwise they would cease to exist; then, girls, it lies within your power to become stronger and more graceful each day by regular and graduated bodily exercise, which will bring life and energy to every part of the system by causing the blood to circulate freely through all the body.

There are some simple methods of carrying this into effect in the most agreeable and salutary manner, but the exercises must be very light at first, and as you advance they must be increased a little each time, but always stop before you feel fatigued, for when the calisthenics cease to give pleasure it is doubtful if they are beneficial.

The best time for exercising is in the morning after having partaken of some light refreshments, though any time will do except directly after hearty meals. Try and have a regular time set apart each day for your physical culture. Commence by exercising five or ten minutes, then for a little longer period next time, and so on until you can exercise with ease for half an hour or longer. You will feel refreshed, invigorated, and better prepared for the duties and pleasures which await you. Your clothing must not in commode the free action of the body, and it is essential that it be comfortable. What is suitable for lawn tennis is also well adapted for the gymnasium.An ordinary bathing-dress answers the purpose very well, as it is made for exercise.

The Egyptian water-carrier, with the jug of water poised so prettily on her head, and her figure so straight and beautiful, has always challenged admiration; her carriage is dignified, erect, and graceful, something worth striving for, especially when we have the certainty of success if we will only be faithful and preserving. The peasantry of foreign countries who carry all their burdens balanced on their heads have have their reward in healthy, strong, and straight figures, even in old age they do not stoop. Witness the emigrants landing at Castle Garden who carry their possessions done up in huge bundles on their heads with the utmost ease; of this class, three generations-a grandmother, mother, and grown daughter-with baggage of the same weight on their heads, were lately seen at a New York ferry, each equally upright, strong, and vigorous.

A good straight back is an excellent thing; and when the head is properly carried and all the movements are buoyant and elastic, then we may walk as it was intended we should, every step bringing a glow to the cheek and a sparkle to the eye. It requires only a few minutes' regular daily exercise for any girl to attain a carriage equal to that of the Egyptian water-carrier, and the only apparatus needed for

Exercise First

is a roll of paper. Now stand with your heels together, toes out, and shoulders well back; then place on your head the roll of paper; if your position is not perfectly erect the roll will fall off; keep your chin straight and back against your neck, for it is the chin which determines the poise of the body. You cannot stand straight unless your chin is straight; Throw out your chin and your chin will stoop forward, have your chin straight and your back will be straight; bear this in mind in all your exercises. Now walk, keeping the roll balanced on your head. Practice this walking back and forth until you can do so without the paper rolling off; then try a tin cup full to the brim with water. Walk erect or the water will wash over, down on your head, and it will feel cold as it trickles through your hair; soon, however, you will be able to carry the cup of water with ease and no danger of spilling. But do not discontinue the practice on that account; try something else in its place, until you are able to carry anything you wish on your head with no fear of it falling. The exercise affords amusement, and at the same time you will be acquiring a beautiful, dignified, and graceful carriage."

Fly with Christ!

Rachel : )

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone stayed safe and had a grand time last night. We didn't go anywhere due to sickness, but we tried to make the most of it by watching movies and eating chips and salsa all night.

Anyway...This past weekend I went to Hancock Fabrics to purchase some new material and notions. They have some great sales going on right now ($2 per yard for solid cotton!). So I decided to make a vintage dress! I didn't take any pictures during the process with this project unlike my other tutorials.

This was the first time I have ever made a dress for myself. It was also the first time I had ever made sleeves for a real sized project. Tell me what y'all think!

 This is the material and notions that I got on sale. I got this vintage pattern from my grandmother. : )  I don't know what I am going to do with the green material yet. I might just make another dress!

And here it is...

Eleanor had to try the dress on herself.

May God bless each and every one of you in this new year!

Fly with Christ!
Rachel : )

Vintage Children's Patterns

Here are some of my vintage children's patterns.

Simplicity 6867 (1975)

McCall's 3496 (1973)

Simplicity 7186 (1967)

Simplicity 7662 (1968)

I made this one for Eleanor last Easter. Don't worry, the dress is much longer than it looks! : )

Fly with Christ!

Rachel : )

Vintage Patterns

Today I will let you have a peak at my vintage sewing pattern stash. Enjoy!

Simplicity 5107 (1960's)

Simplicity 2651 (1950-60's)

Simplicity 7931 (1977)

Simplicity 5927 (1965)

God bless!
Rachel : )