Jen’s New 1880s Strawberry Cream Corset
I rarely go back and tally all I completed over the past year. My perpetual journal has records noted when I finish a project so I can go back anytime I wish to review my sewing progress.
However, I’m usually so absorbed in the forward movement of the coming year’s sewing & activities that by thinking back it could cause a stall.
Alas… for you my dear readers, I have put together my 2012 accomplishments in historical sewing. Perhaps they will inspire you to tackle your own projects for 2013. 
Truly Victorian Edwardian corset in purple silk
January started with a bang as I tackled the new Truly Victorian Edwardian corset for the Facebook Sew Along group. It kept me busy until mid-February when I stalled – scared to apply those crazy bone casings. Ack!
After forcing myself to finally finish the corset, procrastination hit hard along with tax season. I postpone most personal sewing until April as my bookkeeping day job takes so much time & energy. This despite spring fabrics arriving in the stores to seduce me back into my sewing room. Then I usually get off my back side and get moving. (Prep for Costume College in August will do that.)
Well… I bit off more than I could chew, as I realized when I was sewing into the wee hours EVERY night of Costume College 2012. I will never let myself get so behind again! I realized I was trying to make 4 full costumes for one weekend. Ack!
The Edwardian Chemise & Drawers from the new Truly Victorian pattern:
Jen in Edwardian Undergarments
The 1905 Lemon Chiffon Dress that I wore on top of the new undergarments:
1905 Lemon Chiffon Dress
Along with the bodice and skirt, I made up a belt out of the yellow silk from a pattern in Jean Hunnisett’s book. Although… I did have to slice it up a bit to make it fit around my curvy waist and hips!
Yellow Edwardian Belt
The 1883 Caramel Apple Dress (because every woman needs a red dress!).
1883 Caramel Apple Dress back. Photo by DA Sandoval
This was going to be my “quick” bustle dress project a year ago. Seems my bustles always end up demanding more trim or a challenging design….
One of my out-of-the-19th-century costumes was a 1930s dress I call Cherry Garcia because the pink and burgundy remind me of the so-named yummy ice cream.
1930s Cherry Garcia Dress
The other unusual costume was my Hunger Games Capitol Couture outfit. The bodice design was taken from a late 1880s photograph. And the stunning teal silk taffeta was found at my friend Diana’s Renaissance Fabrics shop.
Hunger Games Capitol Couture
The last full costume this year was a rather simple bustle design I created as I taught the first session of the Bustle Day Dress Class. I pulled the design from an 1871 fashion plate. I still have 3 rows of ruffles to attach around the skirt hem but it’s another finished dress for my costume closet!
Jen in 1871 Harvest Grape Dress at Picnic
The last historical costume item for 2012 was my new 1880s Strawberry Cream corset. Made to teach the Victorian Corset Class, it’s all ready to go under new costumes… that’s because the shape has changed my silhouette slightly so my current bodices are not as smooth in front as they should be.
1880s Strawberry Cream Corset
As December slips away, here are costume projects I have ready to sew. Of course, if you’re like me, you know they won’t get done this year…. Bring on 2013!
- 1860s Man’s Shirt in *red*
- 1880s Man’s Waistcoat in blue & white brocade
- 1930s Skirt in tan & black herringbone weave with black flocked flowers
- 1930s Jacket with Capelet in strawberry velveteen
- Lobster tail bustle in red paisley (online class available!)
And other 2013 projects:
- 1887 All-Stripe Dress
- 1837-39 Pewter or Orange Dress
- 1875 Evening Dress in my family Scottish tartan
- Civil War bonnet
What was your most thrilling costume project in 2012?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Costume College was certainly the costuming highlight of my year!
The project I’m most proud of is my 1st self drafted costume-a lower class Renaissance dress. It was extremely liberating to not use a pattern and have something great come out! Alas, I don’t have a single picture of me in it but I did get some of my mother-in-law wearing it about. http://star-spangledheart.blogspot.com/2012/10/an-english-noble-woman.html
Jennifer,you are the BEST! Great pics in your 2012 Year in Review.Looking forward to seeing the 2013 projects especially 1875 Evening Dress in scottish tartan and the 1887 All Stripe Dress.You design the MOST LOVELY bustle dresses.
My Husband’s tail coat for our Regency ball has to be the most exciting thing I have made this year. For one it was made with the most expensive material I have ever sewn with and I only had 6 narrow (22″) yards of it and spent almost two hours laying out the pattern pieces so as not to waste any of it. Second It’ only the third piece I have ever hand tailored (draping the collar took 4 days on it’s own).
I wish that I could complete that many Items in one year! I am lucky to complete 2.
How exciting! I’m hoping to grab 2013 right by the horns, and create a good couple of dresses for myself!
And if my plans succeed, I’m going to get a job and go to my first Costume College! (Squee!)
I think the purple corset is my favorite of all of these. Simply gorgeous!
My most thrilling costume accomplishment??? Entering my first costume contest ever, Realm of Venus’ October Perfectly Period Pink Challenge to support Breast Cancer. I made a pair of pink trim Florentine false sleeves based off of a portrait from around 1488…
Great project for charity! Congrats on taking the step to enter the contest.
Where did you get the pattern for the strawberry cream corset? I looks wonderful on you!
It’s the Truly Victorian 110 – 1880s corset that I made to teach the online corset class.