Comments on: Where the Dickens is That Pattern List?

By: LadyD

LadyD — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 21:48:40 +0000

In reply to Jennifer Rosbrugh. Problem is they may ship but once it gets here the company delivering the 'parcel' slaps on a rediculous amount as an 'admin fee' on top of the VAT. Which adds up to more than the pattern. So I've given up ordering from abroad.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 14:27:09 +0000

In reply to LadyD. Most of these vendors ship internationally. Check Etsy for the patterns too. Truly Victorian and Laughing Moon both have terrific patterns for early years and will ship to the UK. (Although, your Miss Haversham idea is a good one!)

By: Diane Ullman

Diane Ullman — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 14:20:08 +0000

Our Texas Dickens-on-the-Strand seems to be more centered on the later part of the writer’s life and/or the Victorian era as a whole. Most costumes hover between 1860 and 1890. The reigning Queen Victoria is a miserable example wearing late 1950s hair and costumed like Renfaire-meets-Disney.

She hates me.

By: LadyD

LadyD — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 14:15:47 +0000

Other than the simplicity is there any UK available patterns you can suggest would be suitable for a dickens themed event in summer. I have a few things from my regency ensemble I can re-use underwear wise plus a victorian corset. I’m aiming for 1840’s impression. As I can’t stand the puffyness of the 1830’s sleeves.
p.s. I was thinking if worse comes to worst perhaps I could wear my white regency dress and a veil and pretend I’m miss haversham. 😉

By: Judy

Judy — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 15:09:21 +0000

I’ve been sewing an 1860s dress for our Dickens festival in December, which incorporates just about everything within that 1830s through 1870s range. In the parade, there are pirates, steampunk, Victorian, civil war, and revolutionary war participants, so I’m hoping it will be a fairly forgiving and non-judgmental crowd when I show up in my first attempt and historical sewing…? (fingers crossed) 🙂 I just want to say thank you so much for helping me be brave with attempting a hidden pocket. Loved that article! 😀

By: Sharon P

Sharon P — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:44:34 +0000

Thank you for including pattern ideas where there are a good range of pattern sizes.

By: Jennifer Rosbrugh

Jennifer Rosbrugh — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:46:39 +0000

In reply to Chelsea Bonilla. The best suggestion (and historically accurate) is a wrapper. It's like a robe that buttons down the entire center front with a drawstring around the back to fit in at the waist. It's made from cotton or wool. Google "Civil War wrapper dress" for what they look like. You said you didn't want a pattern, but Past Patterns carries a wrapper pattern that's fairly easy.

By: Chelsea Bonilla

Chelsea Bonilla — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:26:40 +0000

Have you seen any simple maternity dresses that people have made? I’ll be 7 months pregnant by the time Dickens Fair comes around, and I don’t think I’ll be fitting into my pretty dress from last year. I know women didn’t really “go out” while pregnant, but I’ll feel so droll being the only one my party not dressed for the occasion. I’m not really interested in using a pattern, I just want to whip something up based on some inspiring photos! 🙂