Jane Austen Festival Part 1

Here is the first post about the lovely time I had at the 6th Annual Jane Austen Festival in Louisville Kentucky. The festival is organized by the Jane Austen Society of Louisville and this is the third year I have attended.

Next year the festival is on July 19th and 20th. If you enjoy Jane Austen or historical costuming, then this is the event for you. It will be the 200th anniversary year for Mansfield Park (May 4th). 

I left with my boyfriend, Mr. H, for Louisville on Friday afternoon. I find driving down Saturday morning can be risky with traffic, plus it gives you a night to explore the city. We stayed at the Econo Lodge Downtown. It cost only $71 a night and was close to 4th Street Live. I would recommend this hotel for anyone on a budget, the rooms were small but manageable. Everything was clean and safe. Plus there is a Papa John's right across the street. This made for a great quick dinner before the ball on Saturday.

From Econo Lodge's Website

Dinner was spent at Ramsi's Café on the World on Bardstown Road. Ramsi's is amazing. Take someone that loves to travel the world and put all their interests on the walls and in the menu: that is Ramsi's. There are so many different choices of food. Plus most of the menu is vegan and vegetarian friendly.

Picture from TripAdvisor.com

Picture from ramsiscafe.com

After dinner, Mr. H and I strolled around Bardstown Road. The atmosphere is very electric and eccentric. There was a really interesting bookstore, Carmichael's Bookstore, connected to a coffee shop, Heine Brothers Coffee. Carmichael's offers a large selection of books for an independent bookstore. Plus the staff recommendations are amazing! I really enjoyed the ice tea at Heine Brothers, though the man looked at me like I was crazy when I ordered an unsweetened black ice tea.

Picture from carmichaelsbookstore.com

Picture from heinebroscoffee.com

At 7:00pm, the festival held an English Country Dance practice. This was Mr. H's first time country dancing, but he picked it up really well.

Mr. H and I (in the teal green maxi dress)
Picture belongs to Mark F. Rockstroh 

Dance Practice
Picture belongs to Mark F. Rockstroh

What are your favorite spots to visit in Louisville?

Part 2 of the Jane Austen Festival will be up soon.

Have a wonderful afternoon,

Men's Rengecy Shirt

Every July I attend a Jane Austen Festival in July. (I will post pictures soon!) This year, I persuaded my boyfriend to attend. Unfortunately, I did not have the time to make him a costume, so he rented one. This year I am getting a jump on sewing his out. There is a lot to do. I think the Regency Era - 1795 and 1837 - was the one time when men had a LOT more to wear than women.

A Regency Gentleman's outfit consisted of:

• Shirt (which was worn as an undergarment)*


• Waistcoat (similar to a vest)*


• Trousers for daytime and breeches for balls*


• Cravat (like a fancy tie)


• Coat*


• Riding boots


• Suspenders*


• Gloves

* = I will be making

See, I need to get started now. 

The first thing I am tackling is the shirt. I am using Kannik's Korner's pattern. It is one of the best for historical accuracy. Click this link to buy one.



I am using white linen from Joann's Fabrics. It is lightweight and cool. Make sure to never go to Joann's without looking up coupons on their website. You always find 40-50% off coupons!



Here is the pattern and fabric cut out. I have started sewing the bodice, but I don't have any pictures yet. I will post more in the next update.

Are there any sewing projects that you are working on? What era of clothing do you enjoying dressing up in?

Have a wonderful evening,