A Quick 1879 Bonnet from a 1950s Hat

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2Q4V0s80EXbkBV1F1JNkpDT8aH9NvUkwuJNetEYCRmuX0As3SxGReXNVTedJEM8HC0q7FZMRBmeoqHQ5dtlo1bHCCniFyAksjUnXki2V959iMUtkawA-gYtXAYxWtsT6Wf9aUI0uBmL2/s1600/1879-bonnet-comp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1870s bonnet made from 1950s hat" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2Q4V0s80EXbkBV1F1JNkpDT8aH9NvUkwuJNetEYCRmuX0As3SxGReXNVTedJEM8HC0q7FZMRBmeoqHQ5dtlo1bHCCniFyAksjUnXki2V959iMUtkawA-gYtXAYxWtsT6Wf9aUI0uBmL2/s640/1879-bonnet-comp1.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've had a lot of questions about the bonnet I wore with my <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/search/label/1879%20Tea%20Gown">1879 Tea Dress</a>.<br /><br />I didn't have time to construct a late 1870s/early 1880s bonnet, and I'm not all that skilled at buckram construction anyway, so I looked into my hat stash to see if anything would work.<br /><br />I found a hat I bought last year at a Steampunk event, but had never worn. It was originally a 1950s fur felt cap of some sort, to which Steampunky gears and whatnots had been glued. The color was perfect, and the shape worked when worn way back on the head, so I decided to decorate to resemble these inspiration bonnets:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/168434?rpp=20&pg=1&rndkey=20131212&ao=on&ft=*&when=A.D.+1800-1900&what=Hats&pos=3"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/30.912_CP2.jpg" width="458" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/168434?rpp=20&pg=1&rndkey=20131212&ao=on&ft=*&when=A.D.+1800-1900&what=Hats&pos=3">The Met, 1870s</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/156879?rpp=20&pg=2&ft=*&deptids=8&when=A.D.+1800-1900&where=United+States&what=Silk%7CBonnets%7CStraw&pos=35"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/66.101.124_CP3.jpg" width="516" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/156879?rpp=20&pg=2&ft=*&deptids=8&when=A.D.+1800-1900&where=United+States&what=Silk%7CBonnets%7CStraw&pos=35">The Met, 1883</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/156157?rpp=20&pg=9&rndkey=20131212&ao=on&ft=*&when=A.D.+1800-1900&what=Hats&pos=170"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/ci/web-large/48.125.131_CP3.jpg" width="508" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/156157?rpp=20&pg=9&rndkey=20131212&ao=on&ft=*&when=A.D.+1800-1900&what=Hats&pos=170">The Met, 1880</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I used three feather sprays from the floral section of Michaels, and some ribbons and flowers from WalMart.  The large bow is wired ribbon with the wires left in, to create the big, sculpty loops that visually balance the feathers. The bonnet ties are wired ribbon with the wires pulled out. I prefer the look of wired ribbon because it tends to be less shiny and polyester-looking that non-wired options.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk73ZY55JwwvqUcqDfGOgwBZDjzc33wUs8x5iEtTWv0GVDdL_2hPWWVIO-_iS-jcJLfkScCpcXsymhZp4hBzQ-LWskxzUH_ti1REQBwL0OJY6Rs5aUkpLK20Ty9_cXTPlsp9T8C0YOiZJb/s1600/1879-bonnet-comp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Natural Form 1870s Bonnet" border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk73ZY55JwwvqUcqDfGOgwBZDjzc33wUs8x5iEtTWv0GVDdL_2hPWWVIO-_iS-jcJLfkScCpcXsymhZp4hBzQ-LWskxzUH_ti1REQBwL0OJY6Rs5aUkpLK20Ty9_cXTPlsp9T8C0YOiZJb/s640/1879-bonnet-comp2.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div><br />The whole project took an hour or so, and cost next to nothing. I bought the ribbons and flowers for a few bucks.  I was really happy with how the bonnet looked with the gown, and that I could finally put to use something that had been sitting for a long time.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTdf8_E3I4G_NZQgYzKgrMlocfCb6hyznLlprwDoaJdUedh3Aa08CYWwCBTKMWPWMi0mGf_FMFRedTIiOSE3z1AcGw0tNU_E1Cnl31fMwIOKqVpXsYZy1BeXBYVGUVm7H3nDxJwM6FUnf/s1600/1879+bonnet+%25285+of+5%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTdf8_E3I4G_NZQgYzKgrMlocfCb6hyznLlprwDoaJdUedh3Aa08CYWwCBTKMWPWMi0mGf_FMFRedTIiOSE3z1AcGw0tNU_E1Cnl31fMwIOKqVpXsYZy1BeXBYVGUVm7H3nDxJwM6FUnf/s640/1879+bonnet+%25285+of+5%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, there's fuzz and dog hair all over the thing, but hey...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />

A Quick 1879 Bonnet from a 1950s Hat

I've had a lot of questions about the bonnet I wore with my 1879 Tea Dress . I didn't have time to construct a late 1870s/early 1880...

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Review: Wearing History's 1879 Dinner Bodice E-Pattern

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXc2HpkGXFbNTlbzzISeYpE4Lk-Q8hNJjBlYgU4CCqQMXwImq5Ys9cEJ9x8zjiqlPX3pUxhbUOJJeKID0mvFOR5JKoHslugK-YZMmmnhl3eWptWTQRuPyMlhi2b2akmnRmsRBIbJc2_sf/s1600/1879+dress+fin+12-14-13+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXc2HpkGXFbNTlbzzISeYpE4Lk-Q8hNJjBlYgU4CCqQMXwImq5Ys9cEJ9x8zjiqlPX3pUxhbUOJJeKID0mvFOR5JKoHslugK-YZMmmnhl3eWptWTQRuPyMlhi2b2akmnRmsRBIbJc2_sf/s640/1879+dress+fin+12-14-13+(1+of+1).jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Last weekend I finished up and wore my new <a href="http://americanduchess.blogspot.com/search/label/1879%20Tea%20Gown">1879 "Cafe Promenade" dress</a> (or "Creme Brulee" or "Cafe Au Lait"), which I had quite a good time putting together over the previous few weeks.<br /><br />The bodice was crafted from <a href="http://www.wearinghistorypatterns.com/e-pattern-1879-victorian-dinner-bodice/">Wearing History's 1879 Victorian Dinner Bodice "Resto-vival" E-Pattern</a>.<br /><br />My favorite things about this pattern were that it was affordable ($7.00), instantly available, and that it was a truly original pattern directly from Harper's Bazaar, March 1879. Wearing History had done all the hard work of singling out each piece from the otherwise *insane* multi-pattern diagram, creating something that my modern pea-brain could cope with. To give you an idea, here's what it looked like in its original state:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.wearinghistorypatterns.com/e-pattern-1879-victorian-dinner-bodice/"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsXH6EmKiolO9KMhW5usniVW4udd_kbDhOvr70xYzTxssNCjyoGTX1-VwP0JDxuRL-h_l7Xo-rokTvE1-QD4NmEHwCrZ1fhEvhOOHfvOWeykhf9HOoN_72rIvBN2xuENGd5xZoTk7ZLm1/s400/original-pattern-diagram.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wearinghistorypatterns.com/e-pattern-1879-victorian-dinner-bodice/">EGADS!</a></td></tr></tbody></table><b><u>Assembling the E-Pattern</u></b><br /><br />This is the first time I've ever used an e-pattern, and was a little dubious at first, worried that I would get the scale on the prints wrong, or just not get through the taping together of so many sheets, etc.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wearinghistorypatterns.com/e-pattern-1879-victorian-dinner-bodice/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMsMAnnvOdoRBVp1HipnGnLrFjjWFrhVk0CLC9-p12H9bMYLTk8CQKyZHPJy3HvA3IUdSe_6vRjUE10cp8FBcD8dSkNqUl1BW-0ieqXLHJgMk5i4Fj0xY52c6uYjmu5aogykhERH1RcL6/s320/R105webimage__38709.1376276977.1000.1280.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />I was surprised how easy it was. Wearing History provides easy-to-follow directions on how to print the pattern and assemble. Each page is numbered, and it's easy to see how the pieces go together.  I was impressed with the notes about the pattern, as well, though there are no construction directions.<br /><br /><b><u>Mocking Up</u></b><br /><br />I was also impressed with how nicely the pattern went together. Points lined up as they should. Things were trued, and matched nicely. Wearing History notes that the center back pieces are longer than the side back pieces, at the hem, but I concluded, based on how accurately every other point matched, that this was entirely purposeful.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQCPkeeVhyphenhyphenX1rzgT29pg58CVoUjU4YCsD-eyegfjHwBcbLdPO369Cj-EA9xapSsTE3P2rov3A0AAr32R3W1vhVypua-KElY8cYmwjP9QYl7pmACpEOGyJMXLlyO2RLGY-btU_D3lP2lj3/s1600/1879+mock+up+%25283+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQCPkeeVhyphenhyphenX1rzgT29pg58CVoUjU4YCsD-eyegfjHwBcbLdPO369Cj-EA9xapSsTE3P2rov3A0AAr32R3W1vhVypua-KElY8cYmwjP9QYl7pmACpEOGyJMXLlyO2RLGY-btU_D3lP2lj3/s400/1879+mock+up+%25283+of+7%2529.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the right - how the original pattern pieces went together. On the left side, my slicing and dicing</td></tr></tbody></table>The turn-backs on the bodice didn't match up, and were way longer than they appear in the illustration. I found these tails to go down almost to my knees, which didn't work for my proportions. I was also confused by what to do in back - more turn-backs? leave straight? - as there's no back view for what it was originally intended to look like.  I avoided these weird bits altogether by cutting a new line for the hem, which was easy to do.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrJIk-f4djVPrOq7zwaVu-NWDH-4y13DcqYdlAG0xQNW6rt6qGxrLbVuc6fV2Xwwnr3ltb8VGk1vHwJuDGJIBkNL0hyaKk_tc88T7mjvBpfx-8HLgEJnjdmOE-Cz7zyxLsOlqTdIVh6mO/s1600/1879+mock+up+%25282+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrJIk-f4djVPrOq7zwaVu-NWDH-4y13DcqYdlAG0xQNW6rt6qGxrLbVuc6fV2Xwwnr3ltb8VGk1vHwJuDGJIBkNL0hyaKk_tc88T7mjvBpfx-8HLgEJnjdmOE-Cz7zyxLsOlqTdIVh6mO/s400/1879+mock+up+%25282+of+7%2529.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn-back weirdness</td></tr></tbody></table>The bodice has quite a few pieces, making it easy to adjust to my size, which was a tad smaller than the original measurements (when does that ever happen!?). I took quite a lot of excess out of the armscye area in back, but I think that might have been a mistake, as I realized later that the sleeve is actually a drop-shoulder, rather than right on the shoulder, as it appears in the illustration.<br /><br />This was my mistake - I ended up with the front bodice piece dropping off the shoulder, and the back being cut toward the shoulder blade. Weirdness, and not the most comfortable. If I made this bodice again, I would cut the armscye fully on the shoulder point.<br /><br /><b><u>Construction</u></b><br /><br />Once I worked out my mock up, I cut the pattern from the silk/cotton fashion fabric, and a medium-weight brown twill I had in my stash. I flat-lined each piece together, then worked the front asymmetrical button closure, before assembling all the other pieces. The last assembly step was to do the darts, but what I *should* have done was add the boning to all of the seams before doing the darts, because I ended up "shrinking" the garment a bit too much, and having to let the bodice out at the buttons. No biggy, but a lesson learned for the future.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486404854/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486404854&linkCode=as2&tag=laureeske-20"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQuSyXsq9zhkZDgwbfrdc2fwKYPMVOr0kwKmU2ZP7lnno3y2Z6B1sZ6perjX04VYsPcHXmkepOo0i7TkFq71m5vuBoSuyCYMxpkISYfR4GQVMq_3ox3wu98N3m0J4igOZjOdul70fJnLd/s640/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+(1+of+3).jpg" width="425" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486404854/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486404854&linkCode=as2&tag=laureeske-20">I worked the seam allowances according to bits from "Authentic Victorian Dressmaking Techniques," a great book to have.</a></td></tr></tbody></table>The pattern included a two-piece sleeve that was longer than the one shown on the pattern illustration - about mid-forearm length, with a cuff - which I liked, but I decided to go with a full-length sleeve instead. I frankensteined the included sleeve pattern with a two-piece shapes sleeve I knew fit, but in retrospect I perhaps should have just stuck with the original sleeve. I ended up with weirdness near the top of the sleeves in back, which I think stemmed from my misunderstanding the armscye design.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9ThDScfGw-AmkD8SYjXXiJuI3iqcZW1NyhCj-Xfsb2b1H1g2EHMOprA7q-rOg6fvdmD8MNDbnqmId50YarelyrS5arBdMgXDLl5lMpPQDp5Zyqg-Z_dkKkhrqbwAhxyY-TwODoN77onQ/s1600/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+(3+of+3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9ThDScfGw-AmkD8SYjXXiJuI3iqcZW1NyhCj-Xfsb2b1H1g2EHMOprA7q-rOg6fvdmD8MNDbnqmId50YarelyrS5arBdMgXDLl5lMpPQDp5Zyqg-Z_dkKkhrqbwAhxyY-TwODoN77onQ/s640/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+(3+of+3).jpg" width="403" /></a></div><br /><b><u>Conclusion</u></b><br /><br />I really like this pattern. Despite changing bits of it, and going rogue on some parts (to my detriment!), I will definitely use this pattern again, and recommend it for advanced seamstresses. It's easy to assemble, affordable, and completely authentic. You'll need some experience to put it together, and I definitely recommend doing a mock-up, just like any historical pattern.<br /><br /><b>You can find all of Wearing History's patterns - print or e-patterns - at <a href="http://www.wearinghistorypatterns.com/">www.wearinghistorypatterns.com</a> .</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Wearing History's "Resto-vival" patterns can be found <a href="http://www.wearinghistorypatterns.com/resto-vival-patterns/">here</a></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The 1879 Dinner Bodice is <a href="http://www.wearinghistorypatterns.com/e-pattern-1879-victorian-dinner-bodice/">here</a>.</b><br /><br /><br />

Review: Wearing History's 1879 Dinner Bodice E-Pattern

Last weekend I finished up and wore my new 1879 "Cafe Promenade" dress (or "Creme Brulee" or "Cafe Au Lait"),...

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Christmas Tea at the Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3Vysq9X0sgq2_RiFXg2d_3Tew1efSuzyTGdm2nrKKa0qSOcseuNrZADAKTfKAGsupQh5PZwMYlqa9jHGZLXEtgSKjRMvkK8_KaNPJUOGdsRdlFI5VLVxEo69VxAtbaOvhf65euFMy7jt/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+(4+of+6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3Vysq9X0sgq2_RiFXg2d_3Tew1efSuzyTGdm2nrKKa0qSOcseuNrZADAKTfKAGsupQh5PZwMYlqa9jHGZLXEtgSKjRMvkK8_KaNPJUOGdsRdlFI5VLVxEo69VxAtbaOvhf65euFMy7jt/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+(4+of+6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This past Saturday good-sized group of us Great Basin Costumers invaded the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, for their afternoon High Tea.  There was no set period for costume, just a "come in whatever you'd like to wear," and so we had Steampunks, Civil War folks, a couple bustle girls, and an elf. :-)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2qcWoK1lWomlj2NATK5tp0HIf_tZBb0eKc16NbG3_VtnVmaDsSEPOMwVXILDLL-HBhT4YpPWSitD8E74EzCPY7NrGqBS0BORbDrKLqiW2dv52jnwuzLKbSrU34_YtxsE1iMFWnNoWNqu/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25281+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2qcWoK1lWomlj2NATK5tp0HIf_tZBb0eKc16NbG3_VtnVmaDsSEPOMwVXILDLL-HBhT4YpPWSitD8E74EzCPY7NrGqBS0BORbDrKLqiW2dv52jnwuzLKbSrU34_YtxsE1iMFWnNoWNqu/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25281+of+6%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmxXmxMewZY-QQkn1tPRJyOtlVSHF9jQKqMYeqNdc4aMvuA-2a26pqGy3J2dTdnPx3_rnN0Zq4HJjNzDGU2BpQiv1TJLzXnXnQlczZr7C-WL0tZiu4zO0RW5lWReAytwNXO5ygfCE1_P3/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25285+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmxXmxMewZY-QQkn1tPRJyOtlVSHF9jQKqMYeqNdc4aMvuA-2a26pqGy3J2dTdnPx3_rnN0Zq4HJjNzDGU2BpQiv1TJLzXnXnQlczZr7C-WL0tZiu4zO0RW5lWReAytwNXO5ygfCE1_P3/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25285+of+6%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2KeWh4rpAq_T9ujRKI81aKiStaREk4cLVZTAkJWBoTJXfnRVpR7anw6D2dppVuPpYv_4mBQ947zq4ay-OrgWAA7bw3YEptWNlDA7Snzh_JKC8Jda8Iell61uDKlRwfERtqr1JfIR2lbY/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25286+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2KeWh4rpAq_T9ujRKI81aKiStaREk4cLVZTAkJWBoTJXfnRVpR7anw6D2dppVuPpYv_4mBQ947zq4ay-OrgWAA7bw3YEptWNlDA7Snzh_JKC8Jda8Iell61uDKlRwfERtqr1JfIR2lbY/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25286+of+6%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />I finished my 1879 gown just in time, putting the last stitch on the hat around midnight the night before.  I'm happy to say that on its first outing, the gown wore quite well.  I *loooove* Natural Form. I think it might be my new obsession - I already want to make another one!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhg1qBrmyduGUY-2zERi0WzeB144ZqdJ765YsgRPUAEe_AGDXLBvcvSSc9bzuaHQybZ8IKZRRhr4xzaCoUFDl5QHed8rWt8S6LaNsdUnhe_OHU91l7VEMo1p9N6DLPS6i11sI6hGgM7xt/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25282+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Natural Form Bustle Gown" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhg1qBrmyduGUY-2zERi0WzeB144ZqdJ765YsgRPUAEe_AGDXLBvcvSSc9bzuaHQybZ8IKZRRhr4xzaCoUFDl5QHed8rWt8S6LaNsdUnhe_OHU91l7VEMo1p9N6DLPS6i11sI6hGgM7xt/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25282+of+6%2529.jpg" title="" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaAXG8V099tIASnanwIpoLtrpb1HRtYfh3PFtpb5U7Xf3wXPU8KF1nKH0wzHUreAggi6EgiLd1-_dUTBuBEs1RgjOITOicmBAZ4vCUQv_9kgcoZWQoMhq21Yc60wrNpgPgNXKRsTK3uiz/s1600/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25283+of+6%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bustle Dress Natural Form 1879 1880" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsaAXG8V099tIASnanwIpoLtrpb1HRtYfh3PFtpb5U7Xf3wXPU8KF1nKH0wzHUreAggi6EgiLd1-_dUTBuBEs1RgjOITOicmBAZ4vCUQv_9kgcoZWQoMhq21Yc60wrNpgPgNXKRsTK3uiz/s640/Christmas+Tea+2013+%25283+of+6%2529.jpg" title="" width="426" /></a></div><br />After the tea, several of us wandered down to The Nugget for the Battle Born Civil War Reenactor's annual Christmas Ball. We had a lovely dinner, danced a few lovely dances, and in general had quite a nice time (although I didn't get any pictures, sorry!). I didn't change into 1860s evening attire, oh well. The BBCWR are a very accepting, fun-loving group that would never look down on such an anachronism.<br /><br />It was a lovely day, a lovely evening, and now back to the sewing table for the next project!

Christmas Tea at the Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV

This past Saturday good-sized group of us Great Basin Costumers invaded the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, for their afternoon High Tea...

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1879 Tea Gown: More Progress, and Bustling Up on the Deadline!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nCQTMZ4o3kSiA0UgOeNrLOaNOzZEV5_yCIPLvmgBLs0BzWvVgtDUSjKCCaxSFR3HJXp7sPeVTURwaIULU1kfc4iMJsA3TdYHXKlLKOyo9VrOM5d9vQmb41nsstv7_T1usufOhn5nf4mV/s1600/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+(3+of+3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nCQTMZ4o3kSiA0UgOeNrLOaNOzZEV5_yCIPLvmgBLs0BzWvVgtDUSjKCCaxSFR3HJXp7sPeVTURwaIULU1kfc4iMJsA3TdYHXKlLKOyo9VrOM5d9vQmb41nsstv7_T1usufOhn5nf4mV/s640/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+(3+of+3).jpg" width="404" /></a></div><br />I haven't been working *flat out* on this dress, but I have been making steady progress each day. I'm thankful to have not hit any huge snags (yet).<br /><br />I'm not finished with the skirt and apron completely, but I wanted to get the bodice mostly there, one so I could at least have a top to wear to the tea on Saturday, and two because the bodice has priority on my limited about of trim, and if I do run out, I would rather the apron lose out than the bodice.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4srG-05LJpDDOgQsYqLHiTT_z40Qi72uuERDwuN2_HDNgO7SRM71dsZlj84pIa0SnDGdSxNnL1bbSDgx4ZYbjhVeaU9QHvPgoNebPRG-HKzAIt5ZLBye2o4M7wowosh8Ph7iyM63W8FHK/s1600/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+%25281+of+3%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4srG-05LJpDDOgQsYqLHiTT_z40Qi72uuERDwuN2_HDNgO7SRM71dsZlj84pIa0SnDGdSxNnL1bbSDgx4ZYbjhVeaU9QHvPgoNebPRG-HKzAIt5ZLBye2o4M7wowosh8Ph7iyM63W8FHK/s640/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+%25281+of+3%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior of the bodice - it's lined in twill, and the seam allowances are trimmed, notched, and catch-stitched down to the lining, to keep them flat. No boning yet.</td></tr></tbody></table>So far I haven't added boning, but I have fit the bodice on my own body, which is why it doesn't look like it fits so well on FrankenLilly.  I have a longer waist.<br /><br />I compiled one whole sleeve earlier today, and realized when it was all finished that I sewed the false cuff on backwards.  Since this post, I bucked up and ripped the whole thing off to put it on the right way, then did the second sleeve. I feel so much better about the cuffs now.  I can't let something that blatantly wrong stay that way, even if I'm short on time!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJU4C3cWHuNenzwt40zUFa-MWG4QHfOl6w5Zq_Cw2eFMOiEvJzA8uxZFetLPSDut9PqADu_cOGadDXCA3UpNAcesXsUok5RspyyIRmaFFQVlGwuqdU1z_tkRAhRia9aa6T1tAMw2wpDcl/s1600/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+%25282+of+3%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJU4C3cWHuNenzwt40zUFa-MWG4QHfOl6w5Zq_Cw2eFMOiEvJzA8uxZFetLPSDut9PqADu_cOGadDXCA3UpNAcesXsUok5RspyyIRmaFFQVlGwuqdU1z_tkRAhRia9aa6T1tAMw2wpDcl/s640/1879+bustle+prog+dec+9+%25282+of+3%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view of the bodice, with the fur trim just draped on to get an idea how it will look. I haven't decided on any additional bodice trim yet - I do like it kindof clean-looking through the body.</td></tr></tbody></table>Onward! I have a lot of finishing to do!

1879 Tea Gown: More Progress, and Bustling Up on the Deadline!

I haven't been working *flat out* on this dress, but I have been making steady progress each day. I'm thankful to have not hit any h...

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Museum Sketching and Progress in 1879

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzDw0vZDbn3tW1bhe511ZH0xjZI-bKgOzUeuh6x-9uwSX2gb73LY9aTfg461ycTHHxvJBwUczBjRUUUWmiKyobN0XjWINKs1NCQd3eF-H8OKqsT_BYkXyqCbSgcTbg0dD1cWcKAG68fyf/s1600/museum+sketching+1870s+(4+of+4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzDw0vZDbn3tW1bhe511ZH0xjZI-bKgOzUeuh6x-9uwSX2gb73LY9aTfg461ycTHHxvJBwUczBjRUUUWmiKyobN0XjWINKs1NCQd3eF-H8OKqsT_BYkXyqCbSgcTbg0dD1cWcKAG68fyf/s640/museum+sketching+1870s+(4+of+4).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to Right: me, Oscar, Debbie, and Jane</td></tr></tbody></table>Last weekend a few of us Great Basin Costumers gathered at the Nevada Museum of Art to act as models for a sketching class. We were not stationary models - the Museum kindly provided us lunch, and we sat eating and chatting, while the students in the class captured quick, gestural moments.<br /><br />The general theme was late Victorian, but that encompasses quite a spread. It was serendipity that we all arrived in 1870s bustle gowns.  We even had a gentleman accessory, Oscar:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IWpbZ4fhdjeCREw80bz2LNOPU_kxc_jEUYbKMqJ1RrTonjfmId_8hgO7me7gCedcLiDYtX38cZDS1HAwy7UdmZs2pL1FyZtJDBPAZR-tRTLALcdC7TA8vcEJCLX0GtlPPNpxGfspuFfb/s1600/museum+sketching+1870s+%25283+of+4%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IWpbZ4fhdjeCREw80bz2LNOPU_kxc_jEUYbKMqJ1RrTonjfmId_8hgO7me7gCedcLiDYtX38cZDS1HAwy7UdmZs2pL1FyZtJDBPAZR-tRTLALcdC7TA8vcEJCLX0GtlPPNpxGfspuFfb/s640/museum+sketching+1870s+%25283+of+4%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />There were Tavistock boots present:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGqi05f1iBFVzc3cLWnBavCvfzHSqTvbEv3t4yPZKGy7zw5Ayo2QtO8LiKvzV6gt4OVs75n523zKFAgV4iWSe0F4UNycM8ag7ouhtyibo8YwFFm9lwQE89ePp5q9EmfTr0KbwMWPyCW_H/s1600/museum+sketching+1870s+%25282+of+4%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGqi05f1iBFVzc3cLWnBavCvfzHSqTvbEv3t4yPZKGy7zw5Ayo2QtO8LiKvzV6gt4OVs75n523zKFAgV4iWSe0F4UNycM8ag7ouhtyibo8YwFFm9lwQE89ePp5q9EmfTr0KbwMWPyCW_H/s640/museum+sketching+1870s+%25282+of+4%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />It was a very fun day, and the museum-goers, both the students and general lunching public, were tickled by our attire (which I always enjoy).<br /><br />I wore an old costume - a day bodice with a taffeta skirt - and once again the thing didn't fit.  Luckily, thanks to Victorian ingenuity, I can let the darts out of the bodice and not have to sell it (because I really quite like it!).  However, I was inspired to begin in earnest on my 1879 ensemble, which I now have precisely 13 days to complete (eek!)  Here's my progress so far:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYKlv_gJ08tifmzsuqTj7b-kmMJ64N1DnVXleoAUp1qkAUwWb9rMPaG4icWvb-SXJ4KIbi6EkXCFcCKdvbihCPiGZbPNsJQQ3sHH-4Fzyn79qgOJwDndHPoA0Vuz6PbtGQ1l1y6m4OGHH/s1600/1879+dress+skirt+prog+(1+of+1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYKlv_gJ08tifmzsuqTj7b-kmMJ64N1DnVXleoAUp1qkAUwWb9rMPaG4icWvb-SXJ4KIbi6EkXCFcCKdvbihCPiGZbPNsJQQ3sHH-4Fzyn79qgOJwDndHPoA0Vuz6PbtGQ1l1y6m4OGHH/s640/1879+dress+skirt+prog+(1+of+1).jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It sure doesn't look like much.  I put the foundation skirt together the same way as my Green Acres Gown skirt, using Truly Victorian TV 261, but leaving the back panel long, and slicing a godet into it.  All of the piecing and stitching will be covered in the deep pleat guard going on next.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/images/P/TV261-R.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://www.trulyvictorian.net/tvxcart/images/P/TV261-R.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TV 261</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The fabric turned out to be splendid. It was a $3/yard cotton/silk blend (mostly cotton), marked as "dupioni" but resembling it not at all. It's more like a crisper sateen, and has the sheen of a taffeta, but the drape and ease-of-sewing of a cotton. I *love* it.<br /><br />I'm trimming in brown bias, various widths, with a vague nod to this gown:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://fashionmuseum.fitnyc.edu/view/objects/asitem/759/67/dynasty-desc?t:state:flow=4fa4905b-9a54-4632-a5f2-bcd809678a9c"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://fashionmuseum.fitnyc.edu/internal/media/dispatcher/42271/resize:format$003dfull" width="416" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fashionmuseum.fitnyc.edu/view/objects/asitem/759/67/dynasty-desc?t:state:flow=4fa4905b-9a54-4632-a5f2-bcd809678a9c">Via Museum at FIT</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I have a long way yet to go!<br /><br /><br /><br />

Museum Sketching and Progress in 1879

Left to Right: me, Oscar, Debbie, and Jane Last weekend a few of us Great Basin Costumers gathered at the Nevada Museum of Art to act as mod...

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1879 Tea Gown: Mocking Up and Sketching

Last night, I jumped into working on this 1879 gown, for our tea on December 14th.  I was so anxious to see what resulted from the <a href="http://www.wearinghistorypatterns.com/e-pattern-1879-victorian-dinner-bodice/">Wearing History 1879 Dinner Bodice pattern</a>, as the pattern only has one illustration showing the front of the bodice, and I was just dying to know what was going on in the back.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server300/21e34/products/163/images/774/R105webimage__38709.1376276977.1000.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server300/21e34/products/163/images/774/R105webimage__38709.1376276977.1000.1280.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><br /><br />The pattern went together quite nicely.  The measurements are accurate, and I found the pieces quite true.  The pattern notes that the center back pieces, at the hem, are longer than the rest of the bodice hem, which I suspect was a purposeful design, as the rest of the pieces match so cleanly.<br /><br />I hit a snag with the pattern where the revers are concerned.  The illustration shows these lovely little turned back bits on the lower edge of the bodice, but when I turned back my bits, according to the lines on the pattern, it didn't look at all like the illustration.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPScdDj79nZ2A3OmtYes7DVxBlu98rW0DTyHL9f4mNpgSIgCDk5VrMK6CeeIERQoJ8EYyieEBEeS88id3k0pCWWXyLOETH-ECJhlUaQjWh91BNZ77dsEjByy3FdiASorBIROVeuMRYW-y3/s1600/1879+mock+up+(2+of+7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPScdDj79nZ2A3OmtYes7DVxBlu98rW0DTyHL9f4mNpgSIgCDk5VrMK6CeeIERQoJ8EYyieEBEeS88id3k0pCWWXyLOETH-ECJhlUaQjWh91BNZ77dsEjByy3FdiASorBIROVeuMRYW-y3/s640/1879+mock+up+(2+of+7).jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weirdness</td></tr></tbody></table>I fiddled for many hours, until I determined that the bodice overall was too long for my taste, so I went slicing n' dicing, and cut the bodice hem into a shape I liked and felt would be more flattering on me.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_WYcENTmlylus87WxFfHlWMxKFP_c6szX3dndD_vFZ2X2RU404NkP-ztJJf_HjHL47_kvl5hSzPIEIgTizxVYNscHnPKDyDCnibb0uqfhhhdZpde9aCxbCT_ByeY2hFViwYx0kJCJv8U/s1600/1879+mock+up+%25281+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_WYcENTmlylus87WxFfHlWMxKFP_c6szX3dndD_vFZ2X2RU404NkP-ztJJf_HjHL47_kvl5hSzPIEIgTizxVYNscHnPKDyDCnibb0uqfhhhdZpde9aCxbCT_ByeY2hFViwYx0kJCJv8U/s640/1879+mock+up+%25281+of+7%2529.jpg" width="334" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hem cut into a shape I liked</td></tr></tbody></table>At this point I thought it would be a good idea to get jiggy with the skirt.  I had no idea what I was doing, but after consulting <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0896760278/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0896760278&linkCode=as2&tag=laureeske-20">Patterns of Fashion 2</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=laureeske-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0896760278" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, and <a href="http://historicalsewing.com/tutorials/how-to-make-an-1870s-bustle-skirt">Jen Rosburgh's "How to Make an 1870s Bustle Skirt"</a> post, I set to work pleating and pinning kindof just wherever.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPFs5w5jwsb8TFUe_hChvlnGJ9BWFDbTHAxB86HvuDx_eEagXhhupF4beUWYPZE8N-PYU1yDvnaKu_XA3dUN_w1X4f0TDNqGRANismZQZ14djaIb4kzMq4-NVtaEx-XTpuIEz5TL9lbof/s1600/1879+mock+up+%25284+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPFs5w5jwsb8TFUe_hChvlnGJ9BWFDbTHAxB86HvuDx_eEagXhhupF4beUWYPZE8N-PYU1yDvnaKu_XA3dUN_w1X4f0TDNqGRANismZQZ14djaIb4kzMq4-NVtaEx-XTpuIEz5TL9lbof/s640/1879+mock+up+%25284+of+7%2529.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirt swags, along with the bodice back - on the left, the altered line (which may be altered further), and on the right the original lines.</td></tr></tbody></table>Oddly enough, it appears to have worked. I wanted that tight-across-the-front, flared-at-the-bottom late 1870s look, and for the bodice to work with the placement of the poufs.  I think it kindof looks like an insect body at the moment, so I may try a couple different methods of gathering up the sides, before deciding on the final design.<br /><br />I've been trying to wrap my head around each part of this ensemble, so have done a lot of sketches:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzVYPepBgWoQ0ZkfCnRN-KKqgPz2-5IeNCfLdRRahh3CWxAMVWjxh21nGwlAIAtwSieKvJcF9jEFqUUx_Hicq42LHuKl38ENdkLXsBoeRkfgAmM5Ml45TvFt5gJOM2eHaNFzAxmPZwB3r/s1600/1879+mock+up+%25285+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzVYPepBgWoQ0ZkfCnRN-KKqgPz2-5IeNCfLdRRahh3CWxAMVWjxh21nGwlAIAtwSieKvJcF9jEFqUUx_Hicq42LHuKl38ENdkLXsBoeRkfgAmM5Ml45TvFt5gJOM2eHaNFzAxmPZwB3r/s640/1879+mock+up+%25285+of+7%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENDxCpatohS5gWbhM30OtnZqxv9dRmdzr_F89CGeSYfzmVsEwqZqwVOQABvpRA3x9v49x6c5pcgrcfVbupSeZs5YjsibVFh7-Va55bJN0Ssdzu2aIsJGqyMcvYo9ifWtHpZfVKX_PVtzu/s1600/1879+mock+up+%25286+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENDxCpatohS5gWbhM30OtnZqxv9dRmdzr_F89CGeSYfzmVsEwqZqwVOQABvpRA3x9v49x6c5pcgrcfVbupSeZs5YjsibVFh7-Va55bJN0Ssdzu2aIsJGqyMcvYo9ifWtHpZfVKX_PVtzu/s640/1879+mock+up+%25286+of+7%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpSD9cJVujgtAIXn4uQip5ec-s0IE0zJxI7AtfWu6ShEn3tXSyZLYhixNL41TFtPgZzJguiAxZgnbu87BLab1O0dzB6GmMVLEXShY7hwpDkAGcuVHTWLXouTtNuiew7ZZMCwl3WHAhkJe/s1600/1879+mock+up+%25287+of+7%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpSD9cJVujgtAIXn4uQip5ec-s0IE0zJxI7AtfWu6ShEn3tXSyZLYhixNL41TFtPgZzJguiAxZgnbu87BLab1O0dzB6GmMVLEXShY7hwpDkAGcuVHTWLXouTtNuiew7ZZMCwl3WHAhkJe/s640/1879+mock+up+%25287+of+7%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />These are derived from various gowns on my 1879 Pinterest board. These are a few of the reference images I feel most closely resemble what I'm trying to create:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.patternsoftime.com/proddetail.asp?prod=AG1132"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.patternsoftime.com/prodimages/patterns/ageless/1132.gif" width="304" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patternsoftime.com/proddetail.asp?prod=AG1132">Via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.gdfalksen.com/post/48375835851"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/e4b879578f2cf8958fa40dae9a27e06f/tumblr_mgklexfE9H1qhrhgmo1_400.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gdfalksen.com/post/48375835851">Via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://fripperiesandfobs.tumblr.com/post/8193604371/day-dress-ca-1876-from-the-philadelphia-museum"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lp2kojib231qf46efo1_1280.jpg" width="348" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fripperiesandfobs.tumblr.com/post/8193604371/day-dress-ca-1876-from-the-philadelphia-museum">Via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://gogm.livejournal.com/pics/catalog/3750/85112"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/gogm/16088410/85112/85112_600.jpg" width="468" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gogm.livejournal.com/pics/catalog/3750/85112">Via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ll5t4jdf2A1qidnqfo1_500.jpg"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ll5t4jdf2A1qidnqfo1_500.jpg" width="468" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ll5t4jdf2A1qidnqfo1_500.jpg">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>...but it's as much random chaos as anything right now!

1879 Tea Gown: Mocking Up and Sketching

Last night, I jumped into working on this 1879 gown, for our tea on December 14th.  I was so anxious to see what resulted from the Wearing H...

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