Comments on: Because Every Woman Needs a Red Dress…

By: Demarie Jones

Demarie Jones — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 15:15:26 +0000

My favorite red dress was from the movie Dracula. The one that Mina wears, for me that dress is the epitome of the Red Dress. One day I would love to have the ability to make it.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:33:33 +0000

In reply to Megan. What a great comment Megan! Never thought about just how much red the Victorians used in their lives. Thanks.

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 05:18:07 +0000

Dorothy Parker wrote several poems about dresses and fashion; most notably “The Red Dress” and “The Satin Dress” and “The Little Old Lady in Lavender Silk. There was a woman who understood the importance of style, both in fashion and in titles.
“Where’s the man could ease a heart like a satin gown?”- is quite possibly the most apt quote to sum up any woman whose passion is sewing.
The Victorians loved their reds- from silk wallpaper to British uniforms and the exotic Zouave uniforms of the French and American armies. This had to do a great deal with the symbolism of color in the 19th century. Red was the color of passion, of love; and conversely the color of blood and sacrifice. Not for nothing was Stephen Crane’s masterpiece called The Red Badge of Courage, or so many national flags adopted in the 19th century use the color.
Charles Garnier, in building the Paris Opera; instructed the upholstery of the seats and hangings of the boxes to be a specific shade of red which would flatter the skintones of the fashionable ladies of Paris(Until then, most theatres and opera houses were upholstered in various shades of blue). The great Worth himself created several gorgeous (some still extant) gowns in red. One of my favorites is an 1880’s evening gown in a red and gold brocade.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:01:19 +0000

In reply to melody. My 1886 Bubble Gum Diamonds dress was made from a mash-up of my own fitted bodice pattern overlayed on the Truly Victorian French Vest pattern. The pink silk overskirt is a separate piece (own waistband) made from the TV Asymmetrical Overskirt pattern and the underskirt is the TV 1880s Late Bustle basic skirt pattern, also on it's own waistband. I made them separate so I could interchange them with other skirts later on. You can combine over and underskirts onto one waistband, but not with this particular asymmetrical overskirt. And your questions made me realize I never did a proper write up on this costume. Will be doing that soon.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:57:39 +0000

In reply to Mona Obie Ross. Welcome Mona!

By: Mona Obie Ross

Mona Obie Ross — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:33:12 +0000

What wonderful tips for a novice costumer. Have been sewing for a long time but nothing so challenging Am looking forward to MORE help as I go along..Thanks all!

By: melody

melody — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 06:27:24 +0000

what pattern did you use for the bodice for the “bubble gum” outfit? Are your aprons and bustle usually seperate pieces? Are they sewed to waistbands?
I’m trying to figure out huw to not have a gaint was at the waistband by having a waistband for the skirt, another for the apron and another for the bustle.
thanks

By: nancy farris-thee'

nancy farris-thee' — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:42:57 +0000

Love your web site & blog. Such fun, and lots of good info. XO Nancy