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!
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!
Today’s post is a little bit different but very exciting! I have been thinking about different ways to reach out and create a more interactive exchange between fashion enthusiasts. While I love reading other blogs and following individuals on Instagram, I couldn’t help but think about a place where all those who love historical fashion could interact with each other. Now, I know there are many groups out there for seamstresses, reenactors, etc. but very few where anyone who appreciates historical fashion in all its various forms can connect. Well, I plan to fix that today!
I have created a Facebook group entitled Inside Aimee’s Armoire which encourages anyone who loves and enjoys recreating or appreciating historical fashion on any level to share and be inspired. I’m talking jewelry makers, knitters, milliners, beauticians, seamstresses, hair stylist, footwear fanatics….the list can go on! If you love historical fashion than I want to connect with you and I’m sure there are many others out there who would love to as well!
Finished that carefully reproduced version of a 1880’s skirt?
Share it!
Nailed the perfect 1930’s coifed bob?
Share it!
Have the perfect tutorial for a vintage inspired makeup look?
Share it!
Found an image of a gown that takes your breath away?
Share it!
Need advice?
Ask and let us all help each other!!
So let’s build each other up and connect over our mutual love for historical fashion in whatever thread or avenue that speaks to you!!
See you over there! 🙂
Description of Group:
Inside Aimee’s Armoire is all about helping, sharing, and encouraging others in appreciation of historical/ vintage fashion. Share your favorite projects, inspiration photos, or tutorials all on fashion from the past! Topics can include: sewing, millinery, fashion plates, pattern design, knitting/crocheting, jewelry, beauty, and footwear.
Please be respectful to all members. Admin reserves the right to withdraw membership for inappropriate or disrespectful posts.
I have not always used nor understood the point of piping. I didn’t get it. I didn’t know when to use it, and I was pretty sure it was a waste of my time.
And then, I got a bit better at my sewing. So I stopped using excuses as to why I didn’t pipe and finally acknowledged that it was because I didn’t know how to use it at all.
Piping, in this context, refers to a 1 1/2″-2″ wide strip of fabric, cut on the bias, which has then been folded in half with a piece of cording place in between. A tight stitch along the side of the cording creates a smooth finish. This piping is then used in various places on bodices, and occasionally skirts, to add strength, texture, and contrast. The tricky part is you have to keep your stitches tight. I mean tight. You just want to see the cording peeping through in a neat and tidy fashion. And this is where I would become frustrated and give up…I just couldn’t seem to make my stitches tight enough.
So piping was left on the back burner for several years, until one day when I decided to try it again.
I took a deep breath, stitched as close as as could to the cording and would you believe it!!! – It came out perfectly!! In fact, it looked so great, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been using this technique all along. So now I’m back on the piping train and loving it! And I thought nothing would do but to create a post celebrating this wonderful little technique.
My return to piping on a 1860’s Garibaldi blouse.
Piping is most commonly found around the armsyce, or armhole, of bodices from the early 20th century and back. Here is an example of an 1840’s gown from the Tasha Tudor collection:
Notice the cord like piece between the sleeve gathers and the shoulder? That’s piping! While most commonly used in the same fabric as the gown itself, one can sometimes use coordinating fabric to add a bit of pop!
Piping can also be used in between bodice seams. Notice the very small piping along the back seams of this 1860’s bodice as well as the 1810’s Pelisse.
Piping can also be used to add details to sleeves…
notice the sleeve of this Regency jacket. The piping adds interest.
The same can be said for this 1860’s sleeve where the bands have piped edges.
And let’s not forget the rather advanced skill of putting piping around the edges of bodices to keep a smooth and clean finish!
This 1840’s gold gown has some wonderful examples:
If you have never tried piping, or haven’t in a long time, I highly recommend bringing back this very fun and relatively easy technique!!
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by the British men’s clothing company T.M. Lewin. While I never have personally purchased clothing from them, I was very aware of the name and longevity. Established in 1898, they have spent the past one hundred years providing high quality men’s clothing and are well-known for the introduction of the button down shirt. So what, may you ask, is a men’s clothing store doing reaching out to me, a women’s historical clothing blog? Well, the company wished to celebrate 300 years of British influence on men’s fashion and wondered if I would be interested in participating. At first, I wasn’t sure what I could do. I mean, I enjoy men’s clothing, but enough to write about it? I just wasn’t sure. So I thought and spent some time studying the fabulous timeline graphic they sent me, and realized the large connection between men and women’s clothing. I thoroughly enjoyed my time researching and loved finding examples of women’s fashion that directly corresponded with men’s.
So, with all that said, I decided to participate in their celebration…but with my own twist. Below you will find sections of their timeline along with examples of women’s fashion which bears influence and connection….although with a bit more grace and femininity!
The 1700’s
I choose to highlight the floral impact on fashion for this particular century. While today, most individuals equate floral prints exclusively as women’s clothing, that was not always the case. Notice the embroidery on the men’s suit, along with the influence on the floral print of the women’s gown below! Both are absolutely stunning!
1770’s Floral Gown from the Digitalt Museum
The 1800’s
I have a slight obsession with anything Regency. I just do. So clearly, out of this century, I had to pick something from the 1810’s. And what better choice than showing examples of the riding coat!
1815 Men’s and Women’s Riding Outfits, Kyoto Costume Institute
My second choice to highlight from this century is the Sack Coat from the years 1850-1860. A loose fitting outwear garment that was worn by both men and women. Similar in shape, color and decorations were the two only real ways that this coat differed.
Men’s Version
Women’s Version
The 1900’s
From this century, the first item that stood out to me is the trench coat. A item that is just as popular today as it was a hundred years ago. Similar in color and shape, women tweaked this item to create a coat known as a duster. A handy little item used to protect one’s gown from those dusty automobile rides!
Of course, post on 20th century fashion would not be complete without a little 1940’s love. With the suit a well established staple for men, women, especially during the second world war, followed suit…no pun intended! 🙂 Similar in pattern and shape, both genders embraced the structured look the suit of the 1940’s offered.
Men’s Version
Women’s Version
This reciprocal exchange of fashion influence will continue to shape fashion for decades, and I daresay, centuries to come. But with tweaks here and there, each gender can appreciate and enjoy something unique!
Many thanks to T.M. Lewin for inspiring this post!!
Today I thought it would be fun to browse through a variety of fashion plates! I mean, who doesn’t love a little gown envy?!
I decided to share a few of my favorites starting around 1830 and going up to 1940. Ranging from daywear to evening wear, these fashion plates are just the thing to get your fashion juices flowing!
Let’s get started!
This 1830’s evening gown is in the most amazing color of blue I have ever seen!
These 1850’s gowns are perfect examples of visiting or afternoon gowns.
While it is a toss up between the two, I am in love with the yellow 1860’s ballgown with red floral accents.
While I am sure walking was very difficult in this particular creation, I still love the color and pattern combinations of this 1880’s gown.
A lovely array of turn of the century shirtwaists.
Sigh….I adore every single one of these 1910’s outfits.
Perfect for summer vacations, these 1920’s outfits are just made for an ocean resort.
This soft blue 1930’s gown looks wonderful with or without the jacket!
The pleated floral dress on this 1940’s fashion plate is adorable!
So whether you love 19th or 20th century fashion, are a seamstress or costume designer, or simply appreciate the look of the past, I hope these fashion plates offer inspirations and a few day dreams!
Well, we have made it to the end of 2016 and, boy, what a year! Many highs, a few lows, and one big life change would sum up my past 12 months. While I haven’t been able to post as much as I would like over the past few weeks, I plan on getting right back on track for the new year!
One of my most favorite posts to do at this time of year is the review of my favorite sewing projects. I love looking back and seeing all the various creations I have made, and hopefully I will be able to notice a few improvements on my technique as well!
So let’s take a look at a few of my favorite projects from this year!!
I loved creating this 1943 ruffled blouse! Click this link to see how to make one of your own!
This 1930’s beach wrap was created from scrap fabric which I got for $1 a yard!! Love those kinds of savings!
One major accomplishment this year was the publication of my very own vintage sewing pattern book! Click HERE for more information!
I designed this 1940’s salmon pink suit by taking inspiration from three separate designs!
I returned to my roots, and began sewing Regency era gowns again and had great fun photographing them out in nature!
…and in lovely historic settings.
Now that my life has return to a more normal status, I can’t wait to get back into my sewing room and starting whipping up more creations! My 2017 plans include some 1700’s clothing, 1910’s, and everything in between! 🙂
I wish you all a very happy and healthy end to 2016 and beginning of 2017!
Cheers!!!!
Oh and that big life change I mentioned earlier???….it will be making it’s sweet debut June 2017!! 🙂
