To get some photos of my new Edwardian wool dress, I took the opportunity to use my fiancees workplace as settings and my sister as photograph.
I’m wearing: The brown/plaid wool skirt, lacy shirtwaist, wool bolero and my Titanic hat (with a quick fix-up) Underneath I have my S-shaped corset, petticoat, chemise, corset cover, stockings and black “American Duchess” Gibson shoes.
Photo: Maria Petersson
The night before the photoshoot of my new Edwardian shirtwaist and skirt, I decided I also needed a jacket
(I know – Crazy!).
So while adding buttons to the blouse, I also drafted a quick pattern from “The Edwardian Modiste” by Frances Grimble, which I’ve been eyeing for quite a while.
Such a cute jacket/bolero.
Then I grabbed a piece of soft wool, which of course matched the beige in the plaid skirt perfectly, from my stash and begun cutting and sewing.
It all went so fast and within, half an hour I had a functional bolero.
Then all I needed to do was to hem the sleeves and bodice and to decorate it.
I altered between some dark pom-pom trim and the simpler soutage ribbon in soft nougat. The later won the fight, and my only regret is that I didn’t had enough to also trim the sleeves.
The bolero from the inside – all edges left raw.
I also added a hook and bar to wear it close if I want to.
The finished bolero:
Just the facts:
Challenge: HSM/15 nr 9 – Brown
What: a 1900s bolero jacket
Pattern: I drafted my own using “The Edwardian Modiste” by Frances Grimble as a guide (basically a front + back bodice and a wide sleeve cut apart at the top)
Fabric & Notions: 0.5 of soft light brown wool, thread, hook and eye and 2 m soutage ribbon for decoration.
Time: 3 hours! Such a fun and quick project.
Cost: 45 Sek (6 Usd) – a leftover scrap, to small for anything really, I bought on sale a year ago.
How historical accurate: Not sure. The pattern is based on a actual pattern, but I might have modernized both it and the construction techniques. The internal seams are machined and all the finishing are done by hand – like in the period. The fabric is plausible and the silhouette are about right so I would guess about 7/10.
Final Thoughts: I love it so much! I could wear it to the office right now (I might have to reduce the sleeves a bit first though). The fabrics so soft and the shape is just lovely. The only thing i ca think of that’s not perfect is that I didn’t considered the stiffness of the wool when drafting the sleeves – thous making them a bit to wide. They will probably look better in a more drapery fabric.
I might also add some more trim later on when I find something I like.
The whole outfit:
And since you always need something on your head I draped some leftover fabric on an modern straw hat, to get that big Edwardian hat shape.
Next up: The photoshoot
This months theme for HSM/15 is “Brown”.
The Dreamstress whites:
it’s not the most exciting colour by modern standards, but brown has been one of the most common, and popular, colours throughout history. Make something brown.
I actually like brown.
It’s a great color that (in my opinion) accentuates almost any other color. Its softer then black and cooler then white when making color combinations. Brown also comes in a lot of different shades from dark chocolate to golden and soft nougat. It’s also been a (more or les=) popular color throughout history.
Here are some of my brown pieces I’ve added t my historical wardrobe theses past years:
One of my favorite dresses is this 1780s robe a la Anglaise in a lovely flowery cotton matched with a golden petticoat and brown stockings.
1850s lend itself great to the brown color pallet.
This walking dress in printed cotton makes an impact on everyone around.
The dress also comes with an evening bodice.
A photo from 1929 inspired this simple cotton dress, the brown boots and white collar ads perfectly to the authenticity.
Who knew a 1880s evening gown in brown could be so glamours. The light teal skirt, white gloves and the dark brown fringe perfectly sets of the nougat in the gown.
The same 1880s trained bodice, paired with leather pants and heavy duty boots, also works for a softer Steampunk style.
Simple rural 18th century woolen bodice in light nougat/dark beige perfectly matches the plaid in the skirt and the softness in the nature all around.
18th century menswear in a wide spectrum of brown hues, with the coat as the obvious focal point, matched with golden/brown waistcoat and beige/brown suede breeches.
A simple white shirt made fabulous with the help of a nice brown 1990s woolen skirt and cola colored belt.
This dark chocolate 18th century skirt reads as black, but makes a softer contrast to the white apron and stockings then black. The bodice is actually yellow with purple stripes, but can very well be read as brown.
Dark wine paired with chocolate brown makes for a serene medieval picture.
Golden poly knit makes for a nice Egyptian masquerade costume.
I’ve also made several accessories to my costumes:
Brown fake fur hat, matched with bought fake fur muff and fox stole, worn with my 1900s walking outfit.
A 1660s (or any period really) fake fur stole/shawl.
Chocolate velvet sleeveless spencer, made to go with my yellow regency gown.
Velvet cape trimmed with fake fur and 1840s velvet bonnet, make for some pretty Dickensien winter picture..
Sometimes the simplest of items make a huge different, This 1550s outfit wouldn’t be complete without the brown apron.
What do you think of the color brown?
Fashion Through Herstory 