A bonnet to match

Well not match exactly but at least complement the dress nicely :)

This bonnet has been redecorated at least a half dozen times, here it is before:

Back to plain:

And after:

The straw of the bonnet and the brown "bark" flowers with the greens of the feathers all nicely blend with the earthy tones of the plaid.

My 1840s Dress

As I mentioned on Monday I was looking for a dress style that strongly accented some key 1840s elements like a deeply pointed waist on the bodice, the gathered bodice front, tight sleeves and skirt supported by petticoats rather than a hoop.

As this was not found in any one specific pattern I chose to combine two Truly Victorian patterns with just a dash of my own drafting for fit. 

I used http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/product.php?productid=17&cat=1&page=1                  And 

 http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/product.php?productid=18&cat=1&page=1

The front is from the 1856 dress, except I elongated the point to match that of the 1845 pattern, the rest of the dress is the 1845 pattern, with much alteration for fit and preference.

The bodice and skirt are sewn together as was most common in the period and it laces closed up the back with sewn eyelets, yes those are machine sewn ;)

I will be wearing it with 3 petticoats: my eyelet lace, the ruffled one http://cursewordsandcrinolines.blogspot.com/2012/11/ruffled-petticoat.html?m=1, and a new "quilted" one. (a post on this new one to come next and I really need to get on making a corded petticoat!)

I'm joining the Historically Sew Fortnightly

I know right, like I need another project on my plate! But of the first 7 challenges already posted, I already have all of them except one,either upcoming for the year or currently in process so I am going to try for it! :) wish me luck, and stop shaking your head at me with that sad look on your face like I'm a crazy person ;)

http://thedreamstress.com/the-historical-sew-fortnightly/

As a result I am reposting my embroidered pockets post with additional info as it qualifies for the pre challenge. Here you go:

HSF Challenge 0: Starting Simple

http://cursewordsandcrinolines.blogspot.com/2013/01/an-embroidered-pocket.html?m=1

Fabric- I embroidered on a lightweight cotton coutil

Pattern- I just drafted the pocket myself based on looking at examples of originals. The embroidery design came from one of my grandmothers quilting books on early American quilt patterns.

Year- 18th century, general not specific, as I put different design elements into it so it doesn't have an exact date

Notions- I used cotton DMC embroidery floss. Next time I would like to work in silk or with metallics

How historically accurate- scale of one to ten I'd give myself a five or six. The embroidery was all done by hand and the design was of the 18th century. But the  pocket it's self was machine stitched together.

Hours to complete- I'm guessing about 12 to 16, I basically sat for two days, it was so nice to relax for that long :)

First worn- I will be wearing it for the first time this weekend 

Total cost- hard to say, it all came out of the stash . . .

More 1840s inspiration

I came across all these old photos online and found them to be a great reference for hair and accessories a well as the dress style. For me i feel that photos,like extant gowns, are very helpful for understanding how the images and styles of the eras fashion plates were interpreted into real garments. This can really help achieve a more historically accurate look, as the devil is in the details when it comes to this stuff :) The earliest photo is from 1842 and the latest is 1849:

Some 1840s inspiration

Michael and I have a pre civil war reenactment next weekend and I decided I needed a dress to go with the earlier era. The reenactment is set in 1847, so I used a lot of the early and mid 40s style to influence the dress I am making.

Here's what I'm looking at:

An Embroidered Pocket

Finally!!!

I first attempted an embroidered pocket way back in May of last year ( remember this post:  http://cursewordsandcrinolines.blogspot.com/2012/05/18th-century-embroidered-pockets.html?)

Well after a couple months on the one I had started I decided I hated it and crumpled it into a little ball and threw it away. It was simply awful, but to be fair only my second attempt and embroidery.

So then this last weekend happened and I was sitting around the house enjoying a relaxing weekend and watching Michael pack everything back away from this years Dickens run, and I decided I wanted something to do with my hands. And out came the other half of that embroidered pocket

I will admit that what i started with (flowers at the bottom) I pulled out and did again after finishing everything else because I got much better as I went.

And voila! Two days later and you have an embroidered pocket, finished and ready to go :)

I enjoyed the work so much I might attempt another such project soon, though I can feel my normal sewing about to take off any day now ;)

Upcoming projects and ideas for 2013

As 2012 ends and we enter the new year, I am preparing for the upcoming years sewing projects, here's a look at what I'm considering/ already getting a start on:

A regency ball gown

An 1840s dress 

An 1830s dress 

Or two

A corded petticoat

A bustle era ball gown in some form

A new bustle cage, of some variety

Early 18th century dress

A 20s dress or two

Interesting bustle gowns, stripes

And for Dickens, ruffles

And that's just off the top of my head, we'll see what really happens as the year rolls on ;)