For the photos of my new apron I wanted to try to copy the inspiration print s much as possible, and since I haven’t made the rest of the outfit, I picked some pieces from my existing costume wardrobe that would some what give the right look.
I’m wearing my white regency evening gown, regency stays, cap, fichu, mittens and a few different hats and bonnets (like my green silk 1860s, brown velvet 1840s) for props.
Behind the scenes
Since my plan is to go for easy pieces this year (yeah, Erhm, sorry that ship’s already sailed) I decided to submit a lovely piece of clothing I started sometime this fall and only finished a little while ago.
Namely this pretty Apron:I loved this print since I first saw it and been wanting to re-create it for quite some time.
The first thing I did was to dig up a piece of soft cotton satin in a lovely dark green color, which I scored for basically nothing at a flee-market a while back.
The fabric was only 1 m long but that was exactly enough.
Some creative cutting (without piecing, Yay!)
I started by hemming the sides, and bust “flap”, using my sewing machine, since sewing time is scarce at the moment.
Then I stitched and turned the tubes that was to become the shoulder straps.
The hardest part was to figure out the bust flap and the closing, since I wanted to be able to wear it in several different ways (Flap up/down, Straps straight/crossed at back)
I ended up only attaching the flap at the “waist” so that it could either be folded down (hidden) or pinned to the straps if worn up.
Then I marked the buttonhole placement, and stitched them (using my machine). 
I finished by adding the buttons, and a 10 cm wide piece of linen to the hem to give it some weight. 
The finished apron:
Bust flap down and crossed straps in back: 
Just the facts:
Challenge: 1/2017 “Firts & Last”
What: a Regency apron
How It fits the challenge: It would be one of the last pieces you put on before leaving the house/doing your chores. It’ also the my first venture into the late Regency/early Biedermeier but not my last since I now wish to make the whole outfit from the inspiration print.
Pattern: None, I drafted my own – It’s basically a trapeze with shoulder straps.
Fabric: 1 m green cotton satin and 15 cm white linen for hem binding.
Notions: Thread and buttons
Historical accurate: Besides from the machine stitching and maybe to “weak” fabric I would say it is pretty good. The shape is good and the construction is plausible. about 6/10
Time: About 4 hours – figuring out the construction took the longest time.
Cost: 30 Sek (3 Usd) – got to love those flee Market bargains.
First worn: Mid January for pictures
Final thoughts: I think it looks pretty good, and helps “dress down” my more fancy frocks in a pretty way.
The days leading up to my planed “18th century Maid“photoshoot, I worked on getting all those small items and accessories in order.
Here are some of the things I made and used to get the look just right:
The leftovers from the jacket (part 1. & part 2.) I turned into a simplified version of a 18th century pocket. 
Cutting the pieces in front, back and strength fabric – all of which was almost unusable scraps to begin with.
It was such a quick project (took about 2 hours, once I figured out how I wanted it).
In hindsight I should have made bias tapes for the opening as well, but suppose I didn’t had enough fabric anyway.
I also made a new fichu, since I wanted something les fancy then my regular silk one.
It’s basically a cut triangle, with hemmed edges.
I re-used my white apron, but shortened it about 12 cm to get it to fit lenght of the skirt. 
I also used my “old” cap (made it a couple of months ago) paired with a orange/sierra ribbon.
The final touch was to ad a cross, which I bought on sale in January for about 10 Sek (1,6 Usd).
Everything a proper maid will ever need.
Fashion Through Herstory 