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Unmentionables through the Decades - Project Announcement


Unmentionables. Smalls. Underthings. Lingerie. Underwear. Intimates. Whatever the name, everybody wears them (if you don't, I don't need to know). I love all the little frilly, girly bits of lace and soft cottons and smooth silks. So this year, I plan to make a set of underthings for every decade of the 20th century. Each decade will have a dedicated blog with a pattern review and photos. I will also be posting on Instagram regularly. This will be a chance to improve my sewing skills, especially in working with lace and fine finishing work. I feel I have a solid grasp of the basics, and would love to make more heirloom quality pieces. Also, this project will lay the foundation for any 20th century costumes I want to sew in the future. Half the work will already be done. Plus, it just makes me happy to sew pretty things. And that's enough reason.

The only garment I plan to purchase will be my 1900 corset, and a 1910 corset, if possible. Thankfully for my budget, corsets fall out of fashion rather quickly after 1920. I don't really have an interest in learning to sew proper corsets right now, and would rather spend my valuable sewing time doing projects I enjoy. Historically, corset making was considered a separate occupation then dress making. And I will be regarding it as such for the purpose of this project.

I will be using patterns from a wide variety of companies. I have plans for at least one project each from Simplicity, Butterick, McCall's, and Vogue. There will almost certainly be more then one from each company, when it's all said and done. I do own several true vintage lingerie patterns from the '70s and '80s that I hope to use. Also, I have several patterns from independent pattern companies planned. Patterns for underthings aren't widely available in “The Big Four” for all periods (they offer very few modern styles, let alone vintage), so I will have to search out reproductions. I plan to use patterns from Mrs. Depew on Etsy (all of her pattern illustrations are drool-worthy), as well as Reconstructing History, and maybe Folkwear.

The exact projects for each decade will very, depending on fashions of the time and availability of patterns. For the '30s, for example, I made a two piece set (blog coming next week!). Actual underwear hasn't changed much in the past 30 years. So for the '80s, I have an original pattern from the era for a nightgown and robe.

A secondary goal for this project is to stash bust as much as possible. I have a huge stash of fabric, even after a major declutter session a few months ago. Small items such as bras and camisoles will use up small lengths of fabric that I love, and get them out of the stash.

In the future, I hope to continue this project, reaching even further back in time. Maybe one set for each century from the 1200s to the 1800s? That will definitely take more time and a budget, especially the 15th to the 19th centuries. So. Many. Layers.

I am SO excited for this project! I hope you will enjoy following this journey. Bring on this new year!




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