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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Sewing Victorian and Tudor Gowns  |
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lacisne88
True Blue Farmgirl
1181 Posts
Chelsey
Lake Stevens
Washington
USA
1181 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 21 2009 : 11:05:04 PM
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I was wondering...does any one here sew Victorian or Tudor reproduction gowns? I am a beginner sewer and once I become more advanced I would really like to start sewing these types of dress from years gone by. I LOVE dresses in the Tudor style and the Victorian style. They are years and years apart, but both so beautiful and nostalgic. When I sew them , I want them to be as authentic as possible...not just costumes. I want them to be authentic reproductions with similar techniques that the original seamstresses used. I love history and would love doing this (plus, I want to wear the dresses lol! I would love to go to an authentic high noon tea in my town dressed up as a victorian lady in high society). Any thoughts on this topic??
Chelsey
Farmgirl Sister #283
http://farmgirlpleasures.blogspot.com/
http://aminiatureworld.blogspot.com/ |
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 09:56:04 AM
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Hi Chelsey!
I do some historic sewing and have made a couple of regency dresses as well as a Victorian ballgown (circa 1880) for a ball I attended at a historic house a couple of years ago.
You can see me here in my dress:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/sweetproserpina/?action=view¤t=1880sbackview.jpg
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/sweetproserpina/?action=view¤t=1880sfront.jpg
If you are a beginner seamstress I would recommend trying out Sense and Sensibility patterns. While Mrs. Chancey doesn't have Victorian patterns, she has a very easy regency dress pattern with great instructions, a romantic era dress, and a number of patterns for the early 1900's. My ballgown is from a pattern by Past Patterns, a very historically accurate company, the pattern is for an 1880's Polonaise and Skirt, it can also be made into a day outfit. My sewing skills are pretty novice as well, but if you just go at it slowly, I'm sure you can tackle one of Past Patterns dresses. Another great pattern company is Truly Victorian, I have never used their patterns, but I have heard good things, though the skill level may be higher than S&S, and some Past Patterns.
I'm just finishing another regency gown right now (hemming the petticoat), and next on my list is an Edwardian walking skirt. I hope to wear my new regency dress around the house at least, we'll see how brave I am to venture out in it!
What period during the Victorian era are you most interested in?
Some helpful links-
http://sensibility.com/
http://www.trulyvictorian.com/
http://www.pastpatterns.com/
As for Tudor dresses, (I've been watching the Tudors lately and I agree the dresses are stunning!) I don't have any info or sites to recommend, if you find any good ones, let me know!
Cheers,
-meg
Edited to add one more pic: Here's me in a 1845-1850 work dress (I didn't make it, but repaired it constantly!), not exactly high society ;) but comfy and wearable day in and out.
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/sweetproserpina/?action=view¤t=dress02day1.jpg
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://quaintandkeepinghouse.blogspot.com New Homekeeping Blog!
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - sweetproserpina on Jan 22 2009 10:05:46 AM |
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lacisne88
True Blue Farmgirl
1181 Posts
Chelsey
Lake Stevens
Washington
USA
1181 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 10:39:48 AM
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Hi Meg! Your dresses are beautiful! Wow! I especially love the ballgown!!! What type of fabric did you use for it? It looks positively lovely! I did browse the Past Patterns website and it had nice choices that I particularly liked. I am glad to hear that they are not too difficult. I am interested in the late Victorian period from about 1880-1900. Have you ever made a corset? You are very talented! Thank you sooo much for your reply! 
Chelsey
Farmgirl Sister #283
http://farmgirlpleasures.blogspot.com/
http://aminiatureworld.blogspot.com/ |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 12:59:39 PM
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Hello Chelsey! I have used patterns from this lady's shop. They are incredibly easy and very well written directions. (I think easier than PP).
She also has ready-made mid 1800's dresses that are well priced.
http://www.tstitches.com/indexpg2.htm
I think, too, her shop is in north washington somewhere. Perhaps you could visit with her?
Yep, found it on her website... she is in everson, up near the border.
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 1:42:42 PM
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Somewhere I have a book called The Medieval Tailor's Assistant and it is filled with all kinds of patterns. I have made costumes from it when my son was in a play at the local theater. It has basic patterns for clothes from 1200 to 1500. You could check it out on Amazon, it might be helpful.
Meg, your costumes are beautiful...
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
Edited by - electricdunce on Jan 22 2009 1:43:29 PM |
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sweetproserpina
True Blue Farmgirl
535 Posts
meg
Vinemount
Ontario
Canada
535 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 3:31:39 PM
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Thanks Chelsey :)
For my ballgown I used a fake silk taffeta (I know, not accurate, but real silk is too spendy for me). 1880-1900 is a great era of the Victorian period to reproduce, and I think a bit more wearable than those big-hooped dresses of the 1860's. You might want to start off with an Edwardian-type walking skirt and petticoat, it would be totally wearable out and about with a nice blouse and cardigan on top. I have never made a corset before, though I do own a set of stays (softer and corded, no boning) I had them made for me to wear under my dresses at work.They really do change how you sit, stand and wear the dress. Not too mention it's very nice to have something that takes the weight of your petticoats off your waist.
And since you mentioned the 1880's you might like bustle dresses (so impractical but gorgeous nonetheless), here's a great website with some stunning pictures of historic/repro dresses-
http://www.bustledress.com/cgi-bin/z.pl/index.html
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://quaintandkeepinghouse.blogspot.com New Homekeeping Blog!
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Sewing Victorian and Tudor Gowns |
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Sewing Victorian and Tudor Gowns
