Fashion Plate Fun

2 Comments February 1, 2017 aimeevictorianarmoire

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!

Fashion Plates Galore…

Leave a comment October 27, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

When I reach a designing block, I often take to the internet to scour through the vast resources it has to offer. I have learned that the internet is a marvelous tool for the historical costume designer, with large amounts of free scanned in collections!

Here is a link that has dozens of color fashion plates from the 19th century! Simply scroll through to find the desired fashion plate, click on the image and it will take you to a screen where you can view the image in amazing detail and focus. Enjoy!!

http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/fpc

Fit for a Queen…

Leave a comment September 22, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

I discovered these three pictures of a gown that was given as a gift to Queen Victoria around 1850, and is currently in the process of being prepped for display!

In addition to the delicious sheerness, I love the embroidery along the front and bottom of the skirt. I am surprised that there isn’t a matching design on the bodice, but that’s just me! Notice the clean, simple lines and the extravagance of the lace along the neckline and the sleeves. Drooling!! I also like that you get a real sense of the height and size of Queen Victoria compared to the other women who are adjusting and fixing the gown. Barely standing at 5′, Queen Victoria was very petite, and I’m sure, quite stunning in this gown!

Source: http://historicroyalpalaces.tumblr.com

The Model Cottage: 1840

Leave a comment September 15, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

I have decided to dedicate this week to the 1840’s, with all blog posts relating in some way to this wonderful decade!

To start?……Constructing the ideal 1840’s cottage. I found these examples from several 1840’s Godey’s Books and am pleasantly surprised at how our decorating magazines of today create this same setup on their pages. What I especially enjoy about these examples are the extra rooms described and the assumption of the author that the majority of their readers could afford such a home! Pay close attention to any descriptions of bathrooms…..:-)

The 1840’s Dress Cont…

Leave a comment September 8, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

So here is a little update on the corally-peach 1840’s pleated gown!

I added piping along the bottom edge of the bodice:

And then began working on the skirt. Due to the point in the front, it is important to adjust the skirt panels to accommodate the dip without messing up the hem:

I only had enough time to put in one row of gathering stitches. Hopefully I can complete the other row this week!

Have a great day everyone!!

The Metropolitan Museum

Leave a comment September 4, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

I thought I would show you another book title on my “Must Get Soon” list, this time from the Metropolitan Museum.

With beautiful photographs and paintings of not only jewelry but also close up of gowns, this book is perfect for learning and examining details. Here is the link to the shop:

http://store.metmuseum.org Read More

The Victoria and Albert Museum

Leave a comment September 1, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

I am in the process of researching new books on historical fashion and dress making, with the idea that I will begin to invest in as many as financially possible. I have completely exhausted the books I have now, and am looking forward to finding new sources of inspiration and knowledge. I was browsing through the V&A museum and found their book shop with a slew of various types of books on fashion, textiles, and jewelry. But here were the top two books I put on my list:

Based on the book covers, you get an idea of what is inside. X-rays of the foundations, the shapes, and the stitching lines of beautiful 17th century gowns… I am in love and very excited! While I have only made a few gowns from this time period, I am still extremely interested and can’t wait to place my order! Here is the link to the museum where you can also visit the book shop:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/f/fashion/

The online exhibits have beautiful photographs of many different gowns from a variety of eras. But to show many of the gowns to you in a fun little way, I found this video!

Hope you enjoy!

1840’s Pleated Dress Cont…

2 Comments August 29, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

So I have been slowly but surely working on the corally-pink pleated gown. After I basted the pleats onto the shoulder, I hand stitched them at certain points to make sure they stayed in place, as well as stitched the ends of the pleats so they would lay flat.

This part was very time consuming and I stuck myself four times with the result of my fingers becoming clumsy from all of the bandaids…the life of a sewer!

Than I made three oval pieces to put over the edges of the front pleats and to go over the shoulder seams. The front piece I edged in piping.