The Singing Costumer

     Please allow me to take you back to last year. Well, actually, that might not be the best plan. Let’s leave 2020 in the past. Anyway. In 2020, I had a project which I called “Unmentionables Through The Decades”. As a whole, this project was very successful. I managed to complete a good number of my planned sewing projects that year. There were a few projects that I didn’t blog, a few that I might do later, and a few that I don’t plan to make after all. Today, I thought I’d get back to my Edwardian undergarments set. This is by far my favorite set in this series. I blogged about the drawers, the chemise, and the “bustle”  last year.  This week, I’ll write about the corset and the corset cover, and finish up the 1900s series next week with the petticoats.      Corsets are always my least favorite projects, but I am incredibly pleased with this one. They are usually a lot of work, for a garment that isn’t even seen. This is the “Edwardian Straig...

My YouTube video associated with this blog The next step in my continuing quest to become a Gibson Girl was to make a bum pad. I knew I needed a little more oomph in the back then nature has provided me for a fashionable Edwardian silhouette. This period is all about curves and flowing, smooth lines. Padding strategic areas was a common period trick to create curves. It is lovingly referred to as my Ruffle Butt. Because who doesn't want ruffle butt? The fabric is scraps from a green polyester brocade tablecloth. It's a pretty design, although the fabric was a bit of a hassle to sew. It's prone to fraying. If I recall correctly, it was from Joann Fabrics, in one of their seasonal spring collections. I've had it for years, and this is the year of “Reduce the Stash”. And it looked beautiful with the other pieces I've already made, so it was a win all around. I wasn't sure how I wanted to make this at first. I didn't really want to pay for a pattern, and I d...

YouTube Video associated with this blog The next piece I made for my 1900's ensemble was the chemise. This was the first layer a lady would put on when dressing. A similar garment (called a shift) also functioned as a nightgown from the Medieval period to the 18 th centrury or so. But from what I gather, nightgowns and chemises were different items by this time period. A wealthy Edwardian lady would no doubt own many chemises and nightgowns, both everyday and fancy. A lady of more modest means might only own a few. I used more of the same green sheet to match the drawers. Again, I used the “Edwardian Undergarments” pattern by Truly Victorian. Overall, it's a easy-to-follow pattern. The only part that was challenging was inserting the front and back yoke. You have to gather the main body of the chemise to fit the length of the yoke. Then you attach the sides in a particular way. On the front yoke, I sewed on the beaded trim and on the back yoke I did not. Otherwise, ...

Link to my associated YouTube video 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 fini...

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 20 th 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 20 th 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,...