Showing posts with label 1860s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1860s. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Gettysburg

This past weekend I joined a group of friends up at Gettysburg for Remembrance Day (my first Civil War event!).  I managed to make my whole outfit in about four weeks, don't ask me how.  My future schedule is much lighter, so I should be able to break down each piece (and all those prior outfits I hadn't yet) very soon.
How to fit four cage crinolines and Mike in one hotel room.... 


Snagged a quick picture in the mirror.

Mike, Samantha, Gwendolyn, and Maggie; almost ready to go!



Borrow the above two images from Maggie.

My gown is a mix of wool, silk, and linen (camlet).  The ribbon is china silk which I dyed to be similar to indigo. 


This is by the end of the day, so my hair is a little disheveled.  The bun is a hair piece; the comb I purchased that day.

The collar and undersleeves are very light cotton with lace trimming.  The buttons are antiques (which matched perfectly!).  Knife pleating the ribbon took going to Plan E, but I didn't have to iron in the pleats individually, so I'm happy about that!

Bonnet pattern from Timely Tresses, as is the ribbon.  The lace is the same as on my dress.

I used silk taffeta to cover.  The paper flowers are from 32 Degrees North on Etsy.



The paletot is medium weight wool with velveteen trim.  All four sets of the glass buttons are different (as is the single one on the point in back seen far above).  The trim design is based on an original from Kent State.


Our group changed throughout the day, we almost had a gaggle at a few points.  Here is Amanda, Maggie, me, Gwendolyn, and Samantha (who I need to tackle and steal clothing from).

 On Sunday we took a tour of the battlefield with our friend Tyler giving us an amazing history lesson.  It's a gorgeous place if you ever get to go.  They've recently been working to remove and add trees to put the land back to its 1863 state (even adding apple orchards!).


All in all, a fine end to a wonderful weekend (even if we technically went to Needle & Thread after this).

Monday, October 31, 2011

1860s Ensemble

I'm going to Gettysburg for Remembrance Day in mid-November, meaning I have less than three weeks to make an entire 1860s outfit.  I swear I haven't been putting it off, I just really haven't had time!  I did manage to pull together all of the supplies I need so I can just work straight through with no delays.
I'm starting basically from the skin out, although I am using my 18th century shift for now.  I based the corset off of the blue silk at the V&A (in their Underwear in Detail book) and the cage crinoline came as a kit from Wooded Hamlet.  Both are *almost* done.  The cage I was trying on for balance and just need to attach everything to the waistband.  The corset is wearable, though I will be adding lace on the top and flossing eventually.



The corset is a layer of cotton sateen (which I dyed) and two layers of white coutil.  I used german plastic for most of the boning.  It was the first time I've used it and I do like it so far; we'll see how it feels wearing long periods of time.


I have a much higher waist in back than in front and I'm still trying to learn how to deal with it (or maybe just lay off the icecream for a bit....).
Considering all I had as of Friday was a basted corset with no boning channels, I'm doing pretty well!