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A Look Back at My Favorite Posts

Well, I am, and have been, in early labor for days.

Not enough to be admitted into the hospital, but enough where I am definitely feeling uncomfortable! To cheer myself up and stay focused, I have had a wonderful afternoon looking though my vintage cookbooks, watching old movies, and planning new sewing projects…although I know that latter is very optimistic! 🙂

So in the spirit of looking through some oldies but goodies, I thought I would share some of my favorite blog posts from the past few years. If they are new to you, I hope you enjoy them, and if they have been ones you have seen before, maybe some little part of them will re-inspire you!

Click on each title above the image to be taken to each specific post!

My Top Ten Vacation Themed Musicals

Visiting Your Local Farmer’s Market

Give Yourself a Manicure: 1940’s Style

Intro to Sewing Video Series: Paper Patterns

Inspiration Board: Traveling Outfits

Fingers crossed I go into labor soon!!! 😉

1940’s Blouse Pattern and Tutorial

Published by aimeevictorianarmoire

This blouse is such a quick and easy way to take an extra yard of fabric and turn it into something special! Add some pizzaz with different fabrics, contrasting colors, and trims!! The possibilities are endless!

What you will need:

1 yard of fabric*
12″ of 1/2″ wide elastic
Thread

* To create a larger size, simply create a larger square – 40″ x 40″, 42″ x 42″, etc

This pattern can be created by simply measuring and cutting the actual fabric, however the pictures below are shown on a large piece of craft paper.

The Process

Fold a 36″ by 36″ piece of fabric (or paper) into a triangle.
Mark the neck between the two end points.
Measure 13-15″ from center of neck towards one point. Mark this point. The length will be the sleeve, so make it as long or as short as you would like. Then cut off the triangle. Repeat with the other side.
Allow 8-10″ for armhole then stitch (right sides together) 4-5″ down from this point. This line is shown as the dotted line on the paper pattern below.
Take the cut off triangle pieces and attach them to the bottom of the triangle so the fold edge forms a side seam. Stitch to the bottom of the blouse, right sides together.
Measure 4 1/2″ on each side of center neck point and gently cut out a scoop neckline.
Make a 4″ slit in the center back of the neckline.
Sew a 6″ piece of elastic, while it is stretched out, on each side of the waist line to create a shirred peplum.
Hem all raw edges and add shoulder pads, if desired.
OPTIONAL – Add a snap or hook to the center back neckline to close.

And that’s it!! Enjoy your new vintage inspired blouse!!!

Historical Patterns I’m Excited to Try!

Published by aimeevictorianarmoire

I think I have drained my current pool of patterns. I mean, I love many of them and will always use them…but, I’m am definitely feeling a little bored. Especially with my due date coming closer and closer, I am trying to stay occupied with sewing…it’s sort of working! 🙂

So yesterday, with the warm sun on my face, I spent a little time looking up some new and different patterns to try.

Here are a few of my favorites!!!

Links to the patterns are below each image!

I love the unique and various caps in this particular pattern. Especially the Round Eared Cap with double ruffle!!

1740-1820 Women and Girls Caps from Amazon Dry Goods

I am sure anyone wearing this amazingly beautiful, pleated mantle would feel elegant and very summery! The only thing I’m not sure of is what fabric I would use…..

1863 Summer Mantle from Amazon Dry Goods

With a yardage requirement of 16 yards, this gown would definitely be a commitment, but I love all the ruffles and draping! I would also want to use a polka dot fabric just like the sample photo below!

1873 Dress Pattern from Patterns of Time

One should have just as pretty undergarments as outwear, and this pattern has a wonderful range of options!!!

1912 Women’s Linen Collection from Patterns of Time

The front draping on this 1930’s dress is amazing! I’m pretty sure I will have to redo it several times until it hangs just right, but its all in a day’s work! 🙂

1930’s Dress pattern from Pattern Treasury

Have you found any new historical patterns that you just adore?

I would love to hear from you!

On My Inspiration Board: Patterned Gowns

Published by aimeevictorianarmoire

I decided to bring back an old post favorite which I haven’t done in a while: On My Inspiration Board! For this post, I choose either a color, pattern, shape, or type of gown and collect my favorites to share from the years 1800-1950. For today’s version, I decided to choose gowns made out a of patterned fabric. Whether geometric, floral, or striped, these gowns are wonderful examples of fabric design and gown creation!

In my daily wardrobe, I don’t really wear a whole lot of patterns. Yet when it comes to my sewing, I adore using patterns. Any type of pattern using any type of colors. I simply love it. And based on all my research, I am not alone! From morning gowns, to tea gowns, to evening gowns, patterns have been a favorite for decades.

This particular painting shows how embroidery create a lovely pattern on this elegant 1810’s court dress. Perhaps not a gown to be worn by the average woman, bust still stunning!

Duchess Talleyrand-Périgord, Princess Dorothea by Joseph Chabord

This gown from the late 1800’s is a wonderful example of the striking impact a good pattern can create! Not only does the cut of the gown highlight the pattern, but the black and white stripe is absolutely eye catching!

While there are so many options out there, I did my best to select a variety of gowns from a variety of time periods. So, without further ado, here is this month’s Inspiration Board!

To see more gowns, feel free to visit my Pinterest Board!

Happy Tuesday!

My May Favorites

Published by aimeevictorianarmoire

Summer is almost here!! How do I know? Well, apart from the increased sound of lawn mowers up and down the neighborhood, I can now leave the house without a jacket! A wonderful change if you ask me!!

And since it is almost summer, and a new month, it is time to share with you my favorite list of things I am loving or wishing to try!

All links are below each image.

To start this month’s favorites list off, I have chosen the sweetest little romper. With my own little girl due next month, I am all about sweet, simple clothes to dress her in!! 🙂

Bailey Blossoms – Blueberry Pie Romper

Not only am I in love with the soft green of this gown, I am also on a 1890’s kick! I love the 1700’s influence seen in the back fabric drape.

1890’s Tea Gown from the John Bright Collection

Even though I am still rocking maternity clothes, I thought this jacket from Modcloth would still be a wonderful addition to both my maternity and regular wardrobe. Pair it with skinny jeans and a pair of flats…and maybe a mocha latte! Perfect!!

Jacket from Modcloth

This little thimble key chain is the perfect gift for a fellow sewing enthusiast or for yourself!

Thimble Key Chain from Gustav’s Dachshunds Shop

And with it being May 1st, I have to include these up-cycled May Day baskets….the perfect thing to brighten up those rainy days!

May Day Baskets from The Princess and the Frog Blog

Happy May 1st Everyone!!!

A Tribute to the Gibson Girl

Published by aimeevictorianarmoire

With her wasp-waist, highly piled hair, perfectly pressed shirtwaist, and look of complete confidence, the Gibson Girl of the early 1900’s was truly a fashion icon. So much so that she still inspires fashion today from lace details to loosely curled hair. Named after the artist who made the look famous, the Gibson Girl is as much an ideal as she was a real person. Therefore today’s post is all about the Gibson Girl and ways to channel her into your historical fashion wardrobe! 🙂

Links to featured items are in bold and below each image.

Let’s begin with the most famous Gibson Girl of all – Camille Clifford. She was the European actress who won the Gibson Girl contest, and its not hard to see why!

Camille Clifford – The winner of the Gibson Girl Contest. Learn more about her and see many lovely images by visiting the National Portrait Gallery.

Every proper Gibson Girl needs the proper shoe! And these lovelies from the American Duchess are perfect!

“Gibson” Edwardian Shoes from American Duchess

The perfectly tailored and perfectly “blouse-y” shirtwaist was the hallmark of a Gibson Girl. I mean, just take a look at these fabulous examples!

Wish to make a few of your own? Here is a wonderful pattern –

Edwardian Tucked Blouse from Past Patterns

Need nothing but pure visual inspiration? I love this book which features a collection of all the Gibson Girl drawings done by Charles Dana Gibson.

The Gibson Girl and Her America: The Best Drawings of Charles Dana Gibson by Charles Dana Gibson – Available on Amazon

And once you have your outfit complete, top it all off with the perfect Gibson top knot! The Seamstress of Avalon shows you how in this step by step tutorial –

Gibson Girl Hair Tutorial by The Seamstress of Avalon

I hope you enjoyed this tribute to all things Gibson Girl!

Historical Fashion Shoot at The Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village

Published by aimeevictorianarmoire

Last Saturday, I had the extreme privilege of being allowed special access to photograph my gowns in and around the historic buildings belonging to the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. This museum not only features many wonderful exhibits for both young and old, but they also have twelve historical buildings that have been painstakingly and lovingly returned to historical accuracy. A truly wonderful place for the whole family where you can take a step back in time!

Here are a few outside pictures of the buildings apart of this wonderful village!

Aren’t they stunning!? Sigh….

Anyways! This past Saturday, I loaded up a a variety of gowns, two great friends, and spent a fabulous afternoon enjoying the warm sunshine and all things historical!!

Enjoy!!

A big thank you to Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village for opening up their doors! We all had a great time and I think the buildings did too! 🙂

Many of these gowns are available for purchase on my Etsy Shop!

Have you joined my Facebook Group Inside Aimee’s Armoire? Join now to connect with other historical fashion enthusiasts!

Click image to join!

A Fashion Excerpt from Good Housekeeping, 1922

Published by aimeevictorianarmoire

I love fashion spreads in magazines. I love seeing the looks, colors, styles, and accessories that are currently (or have been) in trend…no matter what the decade. And today’s spread is no exception!

Another thing that I absolutely adore about these early women’s magazines are how varied and detailed the topics are compared to today’s. You especially get that vibe when you read the descriptions of each outfit and accessory. It isn’t simply a list of the maker and price. Instead it is a lovely little blurb highlighting the main points of each item along with a wonderful description of color.

I hope you enjoy taking a little look back at not only fashion from the 1920’s, but also into the setup and work that went in to creating these wonderful magazine pieces! 🙂