1920s London debutante dress - Historic Sew Fortnightly

All done. All photographed. Wow I'm not used to both! I finished my 1920s "deb" dress without a problem and through it on with a make shift slip yesterday afternoon. I pinned my hair up and didn't even put make up on except for the lipstick at the end. So excuse any blemishes, this was a spontaneous photo shoot.

First things first, I used this past patterns pattern from 1926 for the skirt. The first time I made the pattern I sized down the bodice because it is MUCH too big, but since then I managed to loose the front of my new pattern. So I drafted a new bodice pattern based off of a dress I'd made with the old pattern.

It's a great pattern, I love it.

I have already showed you my inspiration photos, but I'll throw them in for posterity's sake. (-;

1920s silk and lace gown

1920s silk and lace gown

1920s English Debutante

Some music: You're a Real Sweetheart 1928

The Challenge: White

Fabric: White silk chiffon, antique cotton lace

Pattern: Past Patterns #1965

Year: the pattern is from 1926 but I was not faithful to it, so maybe a bit earlier 1923-1926

Notions: Mettler cotton thread with silk finish in ivory, four white metal hooks and eyes

How historically accurate is it? All the materials are period,  I used an original pattern, and I think original techniques, so pretty darn historical!

Hours to complete: I didn't really count, but I made it in about a day

First worn:  July 20th for the photo shoot

Total cost: It was $18 for the pattern three years ago, $20 for the antique lace one year ago, and the silk was a gift. So in total $38

Historical Sew Fortnightly: Pretty Pretty Princess

I made an 1891 shell pink ball gown inspired by some of Worth's early 1890s dresses, some portraits, and an antique Parisien pair of opera glasses in the same color scheme. I didn't base it on a single person though I was inspired by Consuelo Vanderbilt ex Duchess of Marlborough after reading her autobiography. I decided to enter this inter the challenge because when I was at the photo shoot two little girls asked me if I was a princess and took photos with me!

The Challenge: Pretty Pretty Princess

Fabric: pink polyester heavy satin, I'm not exactly sure if that's the best way to describe it or how much I used because I just had it in my stash and got it last year from Jomar. Cotton and duck for the bodice lining. Ivory linen for the skirt lining. Pink silk chiffon for the neckline trim.

Pattern: Truly Victorian TV490 and TV298

Year: 1891-2

Notions: Gutermann and Coats & Clark thread, silk flowers, hooks and eyes, and 6 inches of ribbon to make a train loop for my skirt

How historically accurate is it? The patterns are accurate and the design is based off of extent garments and portraits. The fabric, thread, and flowers were all synthetic unfortunately.

Hours to complete: The first day I spent 11 hours and finished all the main construction. Then I paused and did little bits on weekends until it was finished. So upwards of 15 hours I'm guessing, I'm not very fast.

First worn: June 8th for the photo shoot at Longwood Gardens

Total cost: $28.50 for the patterns, everything else came from my stash.

 

I promise I had no idea that I was mimicking this portrait!

 

 

 

 

 

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.