Friday, January 2, 2015

1880's Blue Velvet Bustle Era Outfit







From the seller:

An elegant 1880’sdark blue satin and velvet bustle dress. The bodice is made of velvet. It has a center back peplum and a front button closure. It is lined with cotton. The skirt is lavishly designed with satin draped panels on the front, sides and bustle back. The lower front of the skirt is made of velvet. The front of the skirt is trimmed with dark blue satin ribbon bows. The skirt is unlined except for cotton at the edge of the hemline. The dress is in very good condition.. There are small circles of underarm discoloration on the inside lining only. The skirt front has two dime size holes in the velvet and the lining on the edge of the hemline is splitting. There are a few minor scuff marks on the velvet. The spots on the fabric are from the camera flash and are not present on the fabric. Antique clothing is for display and should not be worn. Bust 35 Waist 28 Skirt length 45.

From Me:

This must have been stunning in its day.

8 comments:

  1. Drool, drool, dribble! The only thing stopping me is that I loathe working with velvet. ;-)

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    Replies
    1. I don't mind cotton velvet but the poly stuff? Ick!

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    2. Cotton velvet is okay, but I was able to touch real silk velvet once. (I'm scared to even go into a store that sells it! At well over $100/yard, there anyway, I was terrified to look at it too hard in case they charged me by the minute.)

      Silk velvet is a living, breathing creature.

      Before that day, I didn't understand the velvet hype. Now it's something to dream (and drool) about. I want a little swatch just so I can pet it. :-)

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    3. What a beauty!

      Deb, Silk Baron say their velvet is pure silk pile, backing is rayon I think; about $32/yd. Very yummy, and absolutely a pain to work with! I just made a small evening capelet.

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    4. Thanks, ProfessorBats. I admit it was many years ago, and it seems like I was in a *very* expensive store. But I'll stick with admiring it from a distance, even if the price isn't as high as I thought. :-)

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  2. I love this and added it to my Pinterest "Extant Bustle Dresses". Professor Bats, please post the link to your blog. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. I don't have a blog... www.silkbaron.com/category_s/1832.htm

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    2. It's even cheaper at puresilks: http://www.puresilks.us/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=2245&search=silk+velvet

      You can get it for $22 a yard.

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