Creating In Costume A Mini Herb Garden

Hello sweet friends, Happy Fashion Friday. Today’s post, Creating In Costume A Mini Herb Garden, shares three separate projects that are perfect for spring. 

Creating In Costume A Mini Herb Garden

This is the second installment of the series Creating In Costume. It is simply where I create a project while wearing historical fashions. Today will feature two 1940s inspired projects. 

In case you missed it, the first installment was Making Corned Beef & Cabbage in a 1920s Housedress.

Project Supplies

Creating a kitchen herb garden is a wonderful way to bring in a bit of greenery as well as provide deliciously fresh herbs for cooking. Putting one together does not have to be hard or expensive.

You will need:

• Pots for the herbs (You can find these as home & garden stores, thrift shops, and estate sales.)
• Herbs (I found mine at Trader Joe’s for $2.50 each.)
• Small pebbles (A thin layer on the bottom of each pot helps with drainage.)
• A small tray (This is to catch any possible drainage. Ceramic, silver, wood, and more can be used.)

To keep this as low cost as possible I used some terra cotta pots I found at an estate sale in a box marked FREE. 

The pots were cleaned and dried. Then they were given three coats of Rust-Oleum white spray paint in a satin finish. The secret to a smooth finish is to spray a light, even coat and let it dry for 2 hours. Then turn the pot over and repeat the process. This way every inch is evenly covered. 

Once the pots are completely dry it is just a matter of planting the herbs in the pot. 

• Layer one thin larger pebble over the drainage hole so smaller pieces of gravel will not fall out. 
• Then a single layer of pebbles is carefully placed at the bottom of the pot. 
• Add the plant.
• Water when necessary.

Basil was selected as it is delicious in Italian dishes. 

Rosemary is a wonderful herb in soups, stews, and baked chicken. 

Thyme is a delicate herb that can be added to so many recipes. 

Once the weather warms up I will probably transfer the herbs to my outdoor cutting garden. But it makes a lovely indoor garden for now. 

1940s Attire

I keep adding to my 1940s inspired attire. Both of my grandmothers were married and began their families in the 40s. Sewing these projects have somehow made me feel closer to them both. Also, I feel that these styles can be worn in public without anyone thinking “What is she wearing?”

The early 1940s were all about dramatic, full sleeves. It gave the illusion of power. 

The fashions then narrowed down into a V for Victory waist. 

Simplicity 1692

For the blouse, I used the same Simplicity 1692 pattern that was selected for the recent red blouse.

I adore this pattern. It takes less than 2 yards of fabric for View B.

I eliminated the string bows to make it less fussy. Plus I just know that the strings brushing against my upper arms would drive me crazy. 

I had purchased 2 meters of this lovely lawn fabric in the Paris Fashion District a few years ago. It was all I could afford and I didn’t want to waste an inch. Liberty of London prints have been made for over 140 years. I thought that perhaps an American soldier would have bought his mother or sweetheart a bit of such fabric while stationed abroad. 

Did you know that you can easily make a gathered skirt without a pattern?

This Week’s Video

I show how to make the skirt in this week’s video. It features a placket closure as metal zippers were not readily available in the early 1940s due to the war efforts. 

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I’ll see you on Sunday.

Laura