Picked up 32 yards of beautiful fabric and 12 yards of trim today, that are destined to be created into something….historical! I was so excited with what I got that I wanted to share them with you!
Not sure what I am going to start with first….I will have to wait to see what fabric speaks to me!
I know that if I lived in the 1800’s I would have many of these made up for those mornings when I wouldn’t feel like getting all dressed up but still needed to look presentable. Sort of today’s yoga pants look. I was so interested in this look and how so many women just do not wear these often at reenactments (partly because they are “indoor’s” looks), that I wanted make one of my own! After a lot of research (and some hard evidence) I found a variety of styles and photographs of women in the 1800’s wearing wrappers in public. Here is a sampling:
And here is my version:
I really like the styles that had a different front panel, and very much like today’s color block dresses, it is a very flattering style.
Have a great Sunday evening!
There are days when I wish myself out of this year and to some other time. It never tends to be the same time period…usually a day dream to 1810 walking a meadow in England, or an idyllic scene of myself sewing near an open window on a warm summer day around 1880. Oh how intense my feeling of longing can be to ditch my jeans and slip into something more girly…and more complicated. Of course, I often will drag myself back to reality realizing that I would never survive without hairspray, or mascara…but today was one of those days when I saw a picture and felt my thoughts smack right into the middle of the scene. What was this inspiring painting?…take a look for yourself
I’m the lady wearing the green dress….just so you know!
Well, on a more realistic and accomplishing note, my 1854 gown is currently up for sale on my Etsy shop. Here are a some pictures!
To visit my store click this link:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/175656736/1850s-yellow-calico-day-dress?ref=shop_home_feat_1
I spent yesterday afternoon (during the snow storm…or as the Weather Channel called it “The Polar Vortex”) sitting on my couch, watching re-runs, and attaching the skirt to the bodice of my 1850’s gown. I knife-pleated the fabric and then hand-stitched each pleat to the bodice. It didn’t take as long as it sounds. I clearly have to adjust the length and hem the bottom…but that is for another day.
I also completed the under sleeves for the gown. I decided to use elastic versus ribbons to hold up the sleeves…elastic just holds better. I also did a little hand embroidery on the cuff of the sleeves, based off of a pattern from one of my fashion books. Hope you like it!
Also, I know I haven’t done many hair tutorials lately…it’s not from lack of trying…it’s just that the pictures and therefore the end results just aren’t that good. I am hoping to put another one up over the next week. Fingers crossed!
So despite a stomach flu, I finished the bodice of the 1850’s Day Dress! It was quite a challenge since I had to redo the sleeves twice to make sure that they fell just right. Oh how I love seam rippers!!
I added piping to the armholes, the neckline, and the bottom of the bodice. I didn’t add the undersleeves in the picture, but I will be making them to fit under the pagoda sleeves. My plan is to begin working on the skirt this weekend…not sure if I am going to add flounces or not. I guess it depends on my patience level!
I am also looking to either purchase or make an 1865 elliptical hoopskirt…any ideas or suggestions for a pattern or seller?
Enjoy your Friday everyone!!
So I have been debating the idea of taking one of my many patterns I have created and obtaining a copyright. It has always been a dream of mine to one day become self sufficient through the selling of my gowns and patterns: this being one of the first steps towards that goal. I have decided to start with a 1850’s style gown, as there are not as many of these in patterns as there are for the 1860’s styles. I have had good luck with these decade in the past and an excited to begin this long process.
I am currently making the dress as I painstakingly recording each detail…which is difficult at times, since I am trying to be as specific as possible but several steps are just confusing.
Here are a few pictures of the gown based on the pattern I have created:
The main features of this bodice are a pleats that start at the neckline and are all gathered into a point at the bottom. The back of the gown also features gathers.
Have a great weekend!
Aimee's Victorian Armoire 