I frequently get questions from our many readers about patterns that call for both an underlining/interlining fabric as well as a full lining fabric for a bodice and even skirts. They range from “So that makes three layers, right?” to “How in the world do I add all those layers of fabric?” and “Won’t all Read More...
Tag: 1880s
Bustle Era Changes – The Highs & Lows in the 1870s & 1880s
Ahh.. the Victorian Bustle Era. It’s so pretty! And aside from the huge poufy sleeves of the 1890s, it’s what most people think of when they hear “Victorian.” It’s the trimming. The opulence. The expensive laces. The multitude of fabrics – all on the same gown. But did you know there are three distinct varieties Read More...
Demystifying Victorian Bodice Construction
That moment when you are ready to jump into your first Victorian dress and hold out hope that it’s not as complicated as it “seams.” Because I’d been sewing clothes for about a dozen years before I got into historical costuming I wasn’t afraid. But so many I talked to in that early part of Read More...
Hey, You Have Farm Animals on Your 1880s Dress!
We have a lot of options for fabric selections when sewing up our Victorian ensembles. I personally like to use cotton and silk (taffeta) for most of mine. Apparently, our ancestors had some varied choices, too….. Read More...
Constructing a Victorian Bustle Dress
It’s that moment when you are ready to jump into your first Victorian dress and hold out hope that it’s not as complicated as it “seams.” Because I’d been sewing clothes for about a dozen years before I got into historical costuming I wasn’t afraid. The gorgeousness of the 1870s & 1880s called me strongly. Read More...
1880 Vanilla Dressing Gown – Constructing the Gown
The full length princess gowns of the late 1870s and early 1880s scare me. They do. I guess it comes from trying to achieve a good fit with such long seams over such figure curves as mine. So when I got the need to reproduce the c.1885 dressing gown from the Met Museum I had Read More...
1880 Vanilla Dressing Gown – Creating the Lace Panels
Over the years I’ve pondered making a Bustle Era tea gown – aka dressing gown. It’s also been requested I create an online class for those who want to make one too. (That’ll be coming later.) Well, I had the marvelous opportunity present itself a few months ago when, after over 14 years of anticipation and Read More...
Pink Parisian Tournure
Let’s go to Paris! I’ve needed a small lobster tail bustle for a while. I made one years ago from Jean Hunnisett but didn’t size it up for my hips. A few years ago I made the imperial size bustle from the Truly Victorian pattern in a wonderful red paisley. Although the red one works Read More...