What I am trying to make... and why it's not happening!

Philadelphia Boathouse row

When you're an over ambitious high schooler who's takes part in too many extracurriculars and challenging classes, the sewing hobby and sometimes sleep are the activities that get effected.  Lately all of my free time has been divided in between traveling to and rowing on the Schuylkill river. So pretty much if I am ever not heaving water I am exhausted! 

Understandably my current project has been slightly halted. It is an early 1890s ball gown in pale pink. I'm using the truly Victorian 1892 umbrella skirt pattern and the 1892 ball gown bodice pattern.

 

The sleeves are the small evening draped ones from Jean Hunnisett's Period Costumes for Stage and Screen. I've made the the basic bodice and skirt but have yet to hem, finish, or trim either. I think I will trim it with some pink chiffon drapes, silk flowers, and some glass seed bead embroidery. Here are some inspiration images:

I think this last one looks the most like it does.

circa 1890 corset

A few weeks ago I made past pattern's 1880s-1890s corset. It was my second full length corset. I made it in white cotton coutil with white cotton lining, vintage lace, satin ribbon, and metal feather weight boning. It came together very smoothly with the only issue being that it was too big! I cut the smallest size and took it in at a few seams but with a medium tug there is no gap.

Next up is my 1891 pink ballgown!

Late Victorian Camisole

In preparation for my next project, a late Victorian corset, I've been making some of the accompanying accessories. I made a quick pair of drawers out of some white china silk I had left over from a chemise. Not ideal but it was the best light white material that I had. I stitched some vintage crocheted lace to the hems, gathered the leg about an inch and a half from the hem, and closed the back with a button. I doubt it's very accurate but it was a Sunday afternoon project so what ever.

More notably I made a short camisole to go under my non existent late Victorian and Edwardian corsets. It's made from off white linen, sewn by hand with french seams and double turn hems. The bottom hem has a channel for a ribbon to gather it. The Neckline and Armscyes are trimmed with the same crocheted lace. 

 

The camisole was inspired by a beautiful original one I saw on etsy.

 I based my embroidery pattern off of this one two. Instead of blush, I made mine white.

You can still see the crease from the embroidery hoop! The skirt pictured above is an original one in my collection. I chose the materials for the camisole so they would go together as well as possible.

Late Victorian Dressing Gown

Recently I decided to whip up a 1880s-1890s dressing gown while I was waiting for my corset materials to arrive in the mail. I wanted to make something simple that I could draft myself (and I have little to no experience in doing that). My main inspiration was this dressing gown from.

I bought a length of Vintage net lace on Etsy and found a pretty cotton material at Joanne's home decor with the slightest hint of sheen.

I made five 1/2 inch pleats on the front neck and created a faux saque back. I sewed on the lace and then bound the neckline with white satin single fold bias binding. The robe is unlined but finished with french seems and double turn hems. The sleeves are slim fitted and made from my regency long sleeve pattern, I also bias bound the armscyes. The Dressing gown is closed with a silk satin ribon.

Sew Fortnightly Challenge 1

1813 green velvet spencer

This was my first jacket so I chose an easy pattern to start with, The Sense and Sensibility one. The fabric is a green velvet from my stash and it is lined with black linen also from my stash. I made it during winter break over a few days. I look forward to making more and experimenting with the different styles that were popular then.

This was for the first Sew Fortnightly challenge which had a theme of __13. Any garment with a year that ended in 13. I haven't worn my jacket yet but I'm excited to!

Historical Sew Fortnightly

I have decided to participate in the Historical Sew Fortnightly hosted by The Dreamstress. I am really excited to try to sew more and hopefully blog a little more. Here is the link to the challenge. 

 

I have already made my first piece, a Spencer jacket from 1813 in moss green velvet.

My dresses on show

I never really got a chance to show much of what I've done this year, actually not really anything!

Here are a series of pictures showing an assembly I gave for the Middle School in January and a quick presentation for an art center in May.

Fitting and hair practice in advance

Regency

waiting for the big day

Asking questions (the roman dress's tunic is on backwards)

Answering Questions

1913

Regency

1926

1956

1780s

1780s polonaise with my (Philadelphia Classics Society award winning) Greek dress

B.C.E. Greek, 1780s, and 1952 meets 2012.