Perfect Sleepwear

2 Comments October 3, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

I love robes! I have several different ones in various colors and textures. Nothing feels more cozy after a morning shower than a deliciously soft robe, fuzzy slippers and a hot cup of coffee. Whether you call them wrappers, robes, dressing gowns, or moo moos, I hope you all have one to snuggle up with on those chilly mornings or cozy evenings.

Here are two drawings from the 1850’s of a beautiful women’s robe and suggested slipper designs!

For more information on wrappers check out this post:

http://aimeevictorianarmoire.com/2014/06/01/the-appeal-of-a-wrapper/

When you have nothing to wear….

Leave a comment September 29, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

How many times have we looked into our closet searching for the right outfit to wear and finding nothing that will work? Too many times? Of course, I am sure that we all have more than enough clothes, however there comes a time in all our lives when we honestly do feel that our closet has reached it’s current full potential and is in desperate need of an overhaul, or at least a little refresher. So we scour magazines for new ideas, browse store ads for the best deals, and navigate the often dangerous zone of dressing rooms with three-way mirrors. Our reward? A hopefully perfect new ensemble that will, or so we think, go with everything in our already full closets, and we won’t need to buy anything for quite a while…maybe. 😉

And for those ladies in the days before ready-made clothing, I am sure the process was very similar, if not a bit more spread out. The same search through fashion books for new ideas, working out a deal for the perfect yardage of fabric, and praying that your eyes won’t get too cross-eyed as you work tirelessly to complete your new gown!

And for any of you modern-day ladies who are looking for your next perfect reenactment ensemble, may I offer you these beautiful 1840’s fashion plate examples!

Happy Monday!

Here Comes the Bride….

Leave a comment September 24, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

Finding the right wedding gown has been a journey for women since the evolution of wearing your best dress to an all white one. I found these beautiful and unique examples online and thought, given the right neckline they could even work today!

The Roaring 20’s….1820’s that is!

1 Comment September 10, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

I have been trying lately to expand my focus and appreciation for all 19th century gowns. While I used to not thoroughly enjoy the large mutton sleeve of the 1820’s, I was surprised at how the simplicity of the gowns began to appeal to me. While it may not be my favorite decade, the uniqueness of the large sleeve paired with the shorter skirt can’t be denied. I found a few of my favorite styles…and since the Regency Era was just ending, I love seeing the transition occur with these gowns!

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

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.

I did a simple running stitch along the outer edges of the three pieces.

The next step is to attach the sleeves. Stay-tuned!!

An 1840’s Pleated Gown

Leave a comment August 25, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

Okay…so I had every intention of beginning to recreate the 1850’s Day Gown I made earlier in the year. See post HERE. So I took my little self down to the fabric store I use and bought beautiful terra cotta color fabric. I just fell in love with it and quickly scooped up 9 yards again, with every intention of starting it. However, the fabric just didn’t seem to want to be an 1850’s gown. People think I’m crazy, but usually when I shop for fabric, I never go in with what I want to make, I just find fabric I like and it tells me what it wants to be. And for the most part, it turns out! I find when I stray from that method, I end up making a hot mess.

Anyway…so this fabric just did not want to be an 1850’s or even 1860’s gown…it wanted to be an 1840’s gown. I apologize to a faithful reader who has been patiently waiting for me to recreate the 1850’s gown…I promise it will happen!!! 🙂

I took a few pictures of what I have accomplished so far:

The bodice has a deeper point in the front than an 1850’s gown –

Pleats: An Easy Way to Make Something Special

Leave a comment August 22, 2014 aimeevictorianarmoire

I am all about subtle details that add beauty and elegance to a gown. In my sewing, and in my modern dressing, I love to let the fabric and soft alterations of the fabric be the focus of what I am making/wearing. This is why I love pleats. Pleats, in my opinion, can range from soft gathers that are pressed, to perfectly measured and spaced out folds. Pleats, whether sewn in or draped on top, are the simplest and quickest way to make what would be a simple gown into something elegant and feminine. All you need is fabric!

Let’s take a look at some examples:

Here the pleats are around the hem of this 1850’s gown and softly gathered into the yoke of the wide neckline on the bodice.