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| The original dress (on the right...) |
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| And my version! (a bit simpler, but hey, I had a time limit) |
Or, the Epic Saga in which what was Supposed to be an Early 1860's Dress becomes a Distinctly Late 1860's Dress.
This is the dress I made with the gold silk from Italy. I hope that from far away you can't notice that it's actually dupioni. You can, however, notice that the weight of the fabric and my own inability to fit the back makes the back hang strangely, and the waist is far too long. And, due to the amount of space I put at the front that's unpleated (which does fit with the painting I based it on...) the dress ended up looking much more 1865-67 than 1860-65. Oh wellsies..
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| My waistband was doing... weird things... |
And the black Christmas fabric dress I wore to Douglas day - I found out that I misfit the bodice and that it could, indeed, close at the top! I did so hate having a v-neck - they seemed quite out of style by the 60s.
It's silk taff., decorated with velvet ribbon around the wrists, with no collar (shame!) and dobby viole undersleeves. The skirt is double box pleated, as was frequently seen, and the bodice pattern is from an original pattern (which does explain why it's so high waisted on 5'7 me.)
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| With a silk shawl I grabbed last-minute form my armoire |
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| Tulips everywhere! |
And also a working-class RevWar impression. And also learn how to use my mother's lap-loom to make my own homsepun.
Frieda,
ReplyDeleteWhat does "the straw bonnet form is from C" mean? Your bonnet is absolutely lovely and now I'm dying to make a bonnet myself :). I want to make it the same shape as the one you are wearing in those pictures, so if you would be so kind as to tell me where you got the form from that would be great! Oh, btw, I found your blog yesterday and the things you have sewn are really pretty, especially the sheer!
Thanks!
Theresa :)
Thanks! I'm so glad somebody is enjoying the dresses besides myself c:
DeleteThe bonnet (given to me by a friend named Claire) is from the store Abraham's Lady. I don't believe that it's offered online, but it is in the shop at the Gettysburg battle site. I'd recommend shooting the proprietress an email about their availability! (I tried to make a straw bonnet by hand, and it turned out... very poorly. Sticking to premade ones, myself.)
Haha, ok thanks, I just sent them one :) And I have another question (I'm just really nosy I guess :P)-did you make your hoop skirt or did you buy it?
ReplyDeleteTheresa :)
It's no problem! I made mine with the 1858 walking skirt pattern from Truly Victorian. If you want to make one and don't want to drop $100 on one from Originals by Kay or 200 for the Needle and Thread one it's a pretty nice hoop, though I'd recommend taking off the bottom few because it gets heavy as all get out.
DeleteI bought a hoop of ebay (epic fail) and it's horrible and the circumference is 151". It doesn't look that big though. I hate it. :P If you don't mind my asking, about how much was the total cost of making your hoop? I think the one I have was $34 or something, and I'm not looking to go much higher than that. I'm 15, and I do have a little bit of income, but not a whole lot. I'm torn now between the straw bonnet and now a hoop...maybe I'll just ask my Mimi to get me the bonnet :D
ReplyDeleteTheresa:)
Thesewingacademy.org has a forum with lots of people who are willing to help you alter your hoop if you'd like! I'd recommend working your hoop down to a manageable size and shape before you give it up for a lost cause. My first was a wedding hoop for $15 and it held up pretty well once I shortened the bottom hoops about 30", erp (and if you still want to chuck it afterwards, you can always lend it to your non-reenacting friends for events!)
DeleteI think altogether (materials+pattern) was about $45. So not too, too bad. It's also not too diff. to draft your own pattern if you so like to get a custom shape.
(ps, tell them that it's 'educational expenditures'!)
Ok thanks! I've been reading on the SA for the past few months (that's how I found your blog) and I've learned a lot. I'll do a search about the hoops.
ReplyDeleteI bought the bonnet :D
Theresa :)
Hey Frieda, I have another question. What did you do for the inside of the bonnet? Like what material did you put in there to "line" it, and did you gather it to fit or pleat it? I can't see any inside fabric in those pictures, did you just put the "lining" to about 2 or 3 inches from the edge or??? I'm not sure if this makes sense or not :P I read that the straw will get stuck in your hair if you don't have that fabric on the inside, but then I'm not quite sure how to put the fabric on the inside. And then maybe it does go to the edge. I'm not sure. Is your "lining" color the same as the straw? lol, sorry about all those q's :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Theresa :)
I lined it in lightweight white cotton and pleated it and stitched it inside with straw colored thread with the right side of the lining facing out and the seam allowance turned under to cover the raw edges, and I covered it up with the outside ribbon just to be sure. Sorry if I can't explain it well! It starts about 5 inches from the brim. I'm planning to gather up some cotton net and tack it over the edge of the lining so that it points outward as it did in that period, but such net is few, far between and expensive. If I'm correct, I think that a good amount of bonnets went unlined anyways, if you don't want to line it. But put net ruching there in any case, it also helps to keep it on your head (like period velcro, sort of)
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