Comments on: The 1905 Bodice Mockup in Real Fabric

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:40:24 +0000

The sleeves are cut with a puff and attached strap/band. The sleeve seam was sewn and the bottom edge gathered up to fit the band part. I ended up hand tacking the band to finish and the lining is also hand whipped on the inside to finish. Here’s more of the finished dress: https://historicalsewing.com/1905-lemon-chiffon-dress

By: Carol Paquette

Carol Paquette — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:32:04 +0000

In reply to Jennifer Rosbrugh. Thank you for getting back to me. The pictures on the pattern are very similar to what is pictured at the top of your page, that is why I asked! Do you know of any on line sights that might has some info, it's the sleeves I'm having questions about. Thanks again. And your dress is very nice! Carol

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:59:31 +0000

In reply to Carol Paquette. Being an original pattern the instructions are VERY minimal. The publishers assumed contemporary dressmakers knew what they were doing. So unfortunately, I don't really have instructions, per se, for this bodice.

By: Carol Paquette

Carol Paquette — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 03:12:37 +0000

I have a pattern that my Great-Grandmother purchased in 1905. The label is written as
“French A La Mode”. The new 20th century
Taylor System
Perfected Jan. 1, 1905
Patent pending
Morris Bros.
Inventors and proprietors
Western branch. Price $5.00. I have made the dress about 30 years ago, but the instructions were lost in a house fire. Could I please have a copy of your instructions, if yes email me and I’ll give my address. Thx
Carol

By: Maryssa R.

Maryssa R. — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 03:17:05 +0000

It’s not quite the same thing, but I think an interesting way to practise making button-up dress shirts would be to make pajama tops. They can have collars and cuffs and button lapels and even pockets just like dress shirts, but if you don’t get it quite right, it’s not as big a deal, because most people don’t wear pajamas outside of their own homes, so nobody will see it. You would still need to practise a bit with a material similar to the intended dress shirt in case it has any sewing quirks, such as fraying easily or a tendency to warp when ironed at certain heats, but you could get a lot of experience with the pattern this way before ever cutting into an expensive bolt of cloth.

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 01:27:39 +0000

I’ve never had a mockup turn out to be usable in itself (although sometimes it turns out to be the underlining), but one of our family stories is that when my grandmother made my aunt’s prom dress mockup, my aunt liked it better than the “real” fabric they’d chosen, and that became her real dress.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 21:12:34 +0000

In reply to Nancy Farris-Thee'. Ooh, fabulous Nancy! Edwardian is so lovely, and I can't wait to make more dresses from this era. Thanks for your newest design!

By: Nancy Farris-Thee'

Nancy Farris-Thee' — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 21:04:21 +0000

Hi Jennifer. Love your blog. You are so inspiring. Thank you for all the pictures and goodies/info. Just today, the McCall Pattern company put up my newest design: (it’s a Butterick) B#5970. Thought possibly you’d like to see it. I’m very happy with the photos of the gowns. The hat is so pretty. The process is long with getting the design from me to the photographers, to the pattern maker -to the catalog! And I honestly didn’t remember the hat being so pretty! I love the turn of the century fashions. Hope you like this design too.
Best regards, Nancy