Skip to main content

18th Century Stays and Quilted Petticoat - The final pieces of my Delilah set

 Moving on to the next and most important pieces in this “Delilah” ensemble.


I used Simplicity 8162 for the stays. This pattern is by American Duchess for Simplicity, and I was pleased with it. This brown cotton twill was in my stash. But I thought this project needed a bit of pizzazz.  I am obsessed with the leopard print bias binding I used (found on Etsy). It really elevates this garment to the next level. As per usual for my boned garments, I used heavy duty zip ties. Getting the boning channels marked on the twill was quite annoying and tedious, but I managed in the end. All the channels were stitched by machine. I used my machine to sew almost everything on her. I think the only handstitching on this is the eyelets. I set small eyelets up the front and back, and then hand embroidered around each one.  I really don’t care that the sewing machine wasn’t invented in the 18th century. I’ll say this again, in case it isn’t obvious. I am aiming for historical accuracy in shape and silhouette, and not necessarily in materials and technique.  Because who wants boring white clothes when one can have fun leopard print garments instead? Life is too short to make boring projects.


Really, this whole set was inspired by this leopard print quilt I found at a thrift store. I immediately knew that this was what it needed to become. And I’m pretty sure my mom, who was with me at the time, thought I was crazy.  I cut the quilt in half and cut a bit off the sides. The final measurements were 52” wide and 35” tall. I knew that a quilt would be way too thick to pleat down to the waist nicely. The thick cotton batting layer in between the two fabrics had to go. So I, very painstakingly and slowly, unpicked the stitching from the top 10 inches of the quilt and removed it. (Turns out, 35” tall was too tall for my very short self and I had to cut off 3 inches off the top) This took the whole first season of “Cabinet of Curiosities” on Netflix, plus multiple episodes of “Star Trek Discovery”.  (Cue the “14 Hours Later” meme)



I then applied regular bias binding to the sides of each piece. I used the "divide and conquer" method to pleat the top edge to some quilt binding. Finally, I made ties with bias binding and sewed the front to the back at the sides. I added my label from Dutch Label Company and the whole ensemble was complete!



This piece is funny to wear. I tie the back skirt on, and then tie on the front skirt separately. This has the advantage of making the skirt highly adjustable. When worn, there are slits on the sides which are used to access the pockets worn underneath. 

I love this set. I think it all comes together with this fun red wig that I bought at a costume shop sale years ago.


Yours in hard work, creativity, and a dash of Pixie Dust


Sarah


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bow-Tie Necklet

Are you, dear reader, in the mood for some winter accessories? Or, like me, are you already anxious for spring to arrive? The only good thing about winter is the cute accessories, I always say. I have a big canvas basket full of scarves, gloves, mittens, and hats. I have a black and also a purple peacoat. Plus my dramatic leopard print fleece cape, which I have previously discussed. Simply put, I don't like to be boring with my accessorizing. It is my only source of cheer and happiness when preparing for a cold winter's day. Ok, enough with the dramatics. On with the subject of today's blog. I knit this up several years ago. This is what the pattern calls a “Bow-Tie Necklet”. It is a scarf, but not in a traditional long rectangle shape. One end is pulled through a loop on the opposite side, forming a sort of bow tie. I have seen several examples in mid century photos of similar knit scarves that seem to have been made the same way. Of course, I forgot to save them/...
Post a Comment
Read more

Disney's The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Blue Dress

    Anyone who has spent more than 3 minutes with me knows I'm obsessed with Disney. My three favorite movies are Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin. So for Halloween 2011, I made a version of Ariel's blue dress. She wears during "Kiss the Girl" scene and when they are riding in the carriage around Eric's kingdom. . It was fairly easy to make. I used McCall's 4090 (View A), a simple skirt with a waistband. For the bodice/over corset, I used another McCall's, 4861 (view A). I didn't want side lacing, so I just traced each of the four pieces separately, then taped them together at the sides, overlapping the seam allowance. This left me with the back lacing only. When it was assembled, I roughly "eye-balled" the sweetheart-shaped neckline and cut it out. The shirt was made with Simplicity 3677. I just added cuffs to the sleeves instead of elastic. A couple things I lea...
3 comments
Read more

Reconstructing History RH017

This is review of RH017, 14th Century Kirtle or  Cotehardie. (Link to buy this patten at the end) I ordered it to make a new dress for the 2015 Medieval Fair of Norman. I had been playing a princess for many years, but decided on changing it up this year. I wanted to be a Bard, a poet/singer/general performer. Naturally, I could not wear the Princess gowns of years past.  It came in a timely fashion. I knew it had a booklet of historical notes, I didn't know it was going to come with a textbook! Seriously, this booklet is 15 pages long (including historical notes, bibliography, actual construction, and a section on period stiches) and is in an easy to digest format. The pattern is on regular paper, not the usual tissue paper, which I appreciated. I had trouble with setting the sleeves, but it was my own fault. I made it oversized purposefully to adjust down to my exact size, and didn't quite adjust the sleeves to match correctly the first time. My own fault. I will pos...
Post a Comment
Read more