Oh, this is such a breathtakingly bad idea.

So I've decided to throw in my lot with the over-achievers and join the Dreamstress's Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge. My reasons for doing so cannot be documented here because they simply do not make sense. Really, I have no idea why I'm doing this to myself. Grad school starts back in a week, I'm working full time, hilariously behind schedule on a documentation and restoration project and I have the attention span of a gnat on crack. Another project?? More deadlines?? SURE!!!

The first challenge (aptly dubbed #0) is for a "simple garment" of some sort. It can be an item that has been started but not finished, or a quickie project that is easy on the mind and body. In Thread-Headed style, I picked...

 A square. Seen here as a trapezoid for comic effect. 

And yes, that is the wheel of a Rubbermaid potting bench oozing Christmas ribbon in my home. Don't judge me.

I've had a glorious case of the creeping crud these past two weeks and my energy level isn't quite up to wrangling any of the more labor-intensive projects that are stacked up around here, so the square won. (The incredibly precise, NASA-approved process I used for determining a perfectly square shape can be seen above.)

The "square" is actually a kerchief for my 18th century kit. I have a nice, semi-sheer white linen kerchief that is (hopefully) soon-to-be embroidered by a friend, but I wanted something on the humbler side. The brick red cotton woven shirting came up at Fabric.c*m a few months ago and I bought a yard for this specific purpose. The fabric was really lovely to work with and now I regret not buying more. The edge you see above isn't my stitchery. (Those horrors to follow. Stay tuned!) It's the fabric selvedge! Both sides had really tiny selvedges (less than 1/8" total) and the weave was tighter than I expected.

 Ahh... the money shot. My crusty fingernails and janky pajama pants, for your viewing pleasure.

And we have kerchief! I'm happy with it overall. It's soft and sturdy, and feels very much like having a small but dignified table cloth draped around my neck. I look forward to trotting it out when next I find myself in stays.

Thus, we have concluded the first (and very possibly the last) installment of "Alison's Sewing Contest Theatre." Tune in next week for:

* Ludicrous New Year's resolutions and blatant whining!

* Additional whining!

* Possible pictures of a giant hole in the ground because my neighbors have been "experimenting" with a series of homemade sparkler bombs all day. Yaaayyy, rural Southern America!

Edit: 1/1/13

The Dreamstress posted these "Just the facts" bullet points for the challenge participants. I didn't notice them until last night, so here we go!

Just the facts, Ma’am:

The Challenge: #0 – Starting Simple

Fabric:  1 yard of red cotton shirting purchased from Fabric.c*m.

Pattern: of my own invention.

Year: Intended to be used with a 4th-quarter 18th century wardrobe.

Notions: none, unless you count the needle and thread.

How historically accurate is it? Quite, as far as I know!

Hours to complete: 3. In my defense, a Law and Order marathon was on.

First worn: December 31 for kicks and giggles. Not yet in context, though.

Total cost: About $5.