1900's Set of Drawers-Unmentionables Through The Decades Project 4

The first item I sewed for my 1900's project was a pair of drawers. To be precise, French Drawers. This is made from the Edwardian Undergarments pattern from Truly Victorian. I made the shaped hem version, and that worked well. Essentially, it is two wide, flared legs attached to a waistband. It swishes and flows quite nicely on the body, especially when made in a soft cotton.

This year, I am trying to make due with what I have in my stash as much as possible. Since I have no experience in sewing for the Edwardian period and no event to wear such costumes, I didn't buy new fabric. White, very fine linen would have been more historically accurate, but I like colors! And I happened to have a soft green bed sheet set. Parts of it have seen better days, hence it being in the stash and not on the bed. But there was still plenty of good fabric left. There should be enough for the whole set of undergarments. As of this writing, I have finished two garments and still have some left for another small item or two. Plus, I have another sheet that coordinates from which to make my petticoat. And I still don't have to buy more fabric! Winning.

I went to Hobby Lobby to find some trim. It took quite a while to choose how I wanted to decorate the drawers. I decided on some cotton beading trim and some yellow satin ribbon to weave in the slots in the trim. I love how fresh, dainty and airy it is. Yellow and green is not a color combination I usually enjoy, but these shades together are just perfect. The whole look just reminds me of a daisy. The Edwardians loved to advertise clothes and shoes toting the “fresh” and “dainty” qualities of their products.

Only two small regrets. Number 1. I wish I would've sewn the bottom flounce part wrong sides together. Then, I could've covered the seam allowance with trim for a clean finish inside and outside. Number 2. I wish I had picked narrower trim. The seam attaching the flounce to the drawers has a very interesting shape. But the wide trim I used covers the seam shape and the effect is diminished.

Overall, this was a quick and fun project. When and if I make another set, I will make it in fine linen and definitely add fancy pin tucks and much more trim. But I am perfecting satisfied with this for my first attempt.

Thanks for reading!

Yours in hard work, creativity, and a dash of pixie dust,

Sarah

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