A Request for Information - ladies' teas

[bama_belle]

If you were given a vote for what you'd like to learn/see/do at the next ladies tea you attend, what would you like to learn? What activity would you want to participate in? What demonstration would you like to see at an event?

I want serious, honest answers. There's so much out there I want to learn, and want to see.

I'm organizing a tea scheduled for this fall, and I am not interested in putting on a fashion show, although those can be fun. I would love to do something informative... something with some "meat".

I'm all ears, ladies.

[blue_zouave]

Belle, at one of our activities a couple of years ago, the ladies organized a "Lyceum" wherein they learned about needlecrafts of the era, foods of the era, period clothing construction, 19th century etiquette, mourning practices, medical practices, and soldiers' rank insignia for various branches of the Union and Confederate armies. This was well received and there were even a few soldiers who crept over to get this valuable information.

I agree about the fashion show. Those are mostly done for the benefit and education of the public.

Elizabeth Stewart Clark has an excellent resource site for ladies. Do pay her a call at http://elizabethstewartclark.com

Regards,
Zou

[bama_belle]

Zou, that's exactly the sort of information I'm talking about!

Thank you for the link. I will definitely pay her a visit.

[bama_belle]

Wow! You were right about her link. I've already found some information I've been looking for.

Thanks again!

[jenna]

Learning how to bobin lace would be a big one for me, or the broudier anglace ( I always mispell that one, but it is basically the way they did eyelet lace work) How they dyed their trims or made the specialty trims which adorned so many of the dresses of the time. Also, they made the ribbon hair nets, and I know I have seen instructions on that right out of Godey's I would just have to look for it again.

On a more social side, proper etiquette for a tea, or social gathering, like a dinner. How to host a gala or ball. Period music, and the types of instruments would be very cool as well. Poetry of the time was very important, although I am not a poetry fan by any means. Learning the language of the fan or the parasole. That is something not everyone knows about.

Hope that helps as well. I see that from the post I may be too late to lend a helping hand, but it may help you when you go to do another one.


Jenna

[bama_belle]

jenna, you aren't too late at all.

Hah! This tea doesn't take place until Labor Day weekend!

I'm just planning way ahead.

Those are all excellent ideas.

Thank you.