Sunday, June 28, 2015

Pastel Colored Wedding Gown 1883













From the seller:

This is the wedding dress of Laura Hall on her wedding day in 1883. Her wedding photo is included with this incredibly beautiful silk and lace dress and a Bow which was in storage with the dress. She and her husband George who is in the photo, lived in Northfield Mass. There is a current separate listing of leather gloves and 2nd bonnet which also go with the dress. The victorian dress is rare because it is colored. It is elegant pale green, with a silky shine, lace is all in good condition on sleeves, skirt and waist of jacket. Interior skirt lining very good condition as is jacket lining and all the lace is good condition but aged color.There is a bow belt included with the dress. Color is exceptionally pretty mint green and may not come out a bit washed out in some of the photos. Although most of the dress as mentioned is in good antique condition there are some delicate spots and small holes and some small stains on the dress (ask for further photos if you like).There is a loose button and hole where it came off on bodice jacket (see photo). Bustle is damaged and most seriously on right back side where it is shredded (see photo). There is also ripping on right and left sides of waistband (see photo). Armholes are damaged and some smaller tears on shoulders above the armholes. Extraordinary workmanship of the pintucking in this dress is exampled in the hem. The hem is in great condition except for one spot about two inches where it has become separated and can be easily re sewn (ask for photo). Since the bride's photo is in black and white we miss seeing the true nature of Mrs. Hall's stunning beautifully colored wedding dress which was obviously very special in it's time. The photo of her has the name information written on the back by her daughter from Northfield Mass. I am listing the accessories of Mrs. Hall's dress separately which include bonnet, gloves. Ask for more photos and dress details and please look closely at photos for described conditions.

From Me:

I know the seller says it's mint colored but I can't for the life of me see anything other than baby blue. Blue makes sense for a wedding gown - it was the traditional color for Catholic weddings since blue is the color of Mary. Women would wear blue to honor her. It's why we still have the "something blue" for weddings. It might be mint though; I'm really not sure. Anyone want to vote for what color it is?

Pink and Purple Feathered 1920's Dress












From the seller:

STUNNING PINK SILK CHIFFON RHINESTONES & FEATHERS LINED DRESS STUDY AS - IS
1920S

Measures:

Neck circumference: 24"

Shoulder from sleeve to sleeve: 12"

Bust: 33"

Waist: 32"

Hips: 34"

Length: 40"

Skirt circumference: 42" (lining), 74" (outer)

Condition:

AS - IS FOR STUDY OR REUSE

Poor except for slip, rhinestones and feathers which are in good condition. See photos for extent of damage. Most items of clothing sold at Old Stone Manor Memories are over 100 years old and will accordingly show some signs of wear and age. If you are looking for an item that is like new, please keep this in mind as you review details on condition.

We do our best to accurately describe the condition. We strive to notice everything, but sometime miss things. This item has not been washed and may have some minor issues such as small stains or holes that are not listed in the condition. Your satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us. So please ask any questions that you have. If you are not happy in any way with your purchase, please contact us via email so that we can address your concerns. We have a 14 day return policy.

Thanks for your interest!

Happy bidding!


From Me:

I want to recreate this but with popples rather than feathers just to add to the craziness of this dress.

This is a popple

Pumpkin Riding Habit











From the seller:

EXQUISITE PUMPKIN SPICE WOOL & SILK VELVET VICTORIAN BODICE JACKET

Measures:

Neck circumference:

Shoulder from sleeve to sleeve:

Sleeve inseam:

Bust:

Waist:

Length from collar to waist:

Condition:

Good structural integrity, some areas of wear on collar, scattered small moth holes, some discoloration on shoulder. See photos.

Most items of clothing sold at Old Stone Manor Memories are over 100 years old and will accordingly show some signs of wear and age. If you are looking for an item that is like new, please keep this in mind as you review details on condition.

We do our best to accurately describe the condition. We strive to notice everything, but sometime miss things. This item has not been washed and may have some minor issues such as small stains or holes that are not listed in the condition. Your satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us. So please ask any questions that you have. If you are not happy in any way with your purchase, please contact us via email so that we can address your concerns. We have a 14 day return policy.

Thanks for your interest!

Happy bidding!


From Me:

As you can see, the seller basically said...nothing.

This is a pumpkin colored wool - most likely- and velvet with a silk net - most likely- insert. The style is that of an 1850's riding habit but with the peplum cut off - which is common for the Civil War era garments. They are just 1850's pieces that are redone.

Mid 1850's Fashion Plate from Corsets and Crinolines
The center lady is wearing a habit very similar to the extant one.  The main different really is the lack of a peplum/basque waist.   The shaping, the sleeves, and even the insert are all very similar.

Found at In the Swan's Shadown, October 1865


The lady in the center wearing the cream and blue outfit has a bodice that is similar shaped to the extant one except for the sleeves.  I wouldn't be surprised if something like this fashion plates was the inspiration for revamping the old riding habit.  

I wish the seller included at least the measurements but alas, no.

Off Topic Post: Blogger Award


The lovely Åsa of Fashion Through History nominated this blog for the blogger award above. Thank you! I'm glad this blog does help others with research as well as, hopefully, is a bit of eye candy as well.

I don't normally do these here but I like the question aspect of it and felt it would be fun to answer them.  I debated about nominating other blogs and quite honestly, I can't choose just ten.  I follow 90+ blogs alone over on my bloglovin feed.  That doesn't include all the livejournal blogs I follow as well as some I haven't added yet to bloglovin.  It seems wrong to select only a few when there are so many people out there that have absolutely stunning creations or provide wonderful information.   So yeah, I fail at following this to the letter.

To claim the award/awards I need to follow the rules and:
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you, linking back to their site
2. Put the Award logo on your blog.
3. Answer the 10 questions sent to you.
4. Make up 10 new questions for your nominees to answer
5. Nominate 10 blogs.


1. How did you start sewing Historical/or other costumes?
The Renn Fest.   I've been going to the Maryland Renaissance Festival since the mid 1990's (okay, that was with my parents but still...) and I loved all the gorgeous costumes I saw.  However, even the basic peasant blouses were $40 even back then.  Not exactly allowance money.
First Gown 001
I fell in love with the velvet gowns most of all but they were $1000 easily.  So, in 1999, I managed to win a lot of blue "silk" brocade (I much later learned it was not silk) and went about making up one of the Ever After dress patterns.

I've seen reconstructed this one.  You can read a lot more about it here.


2. What other things do you do then sewing/creating?
Spinning, knitting, cooking, hiking, playing with the Shepherd's Hut.   If internet surfing was a real job, I'd be a billionaire.  Actually, in real life, I'm a financial analyst.  I look for financial crimes and attempt to prevent any further occurrences.  Probably not what most people were expecting...

3. What item/project that you made are you the most proud of? (may we see pictures?)

Italian Dress 004


Sorry for the horrible picture. I know I have a good one somewhere of me wearing the entire outfit - I'm just not sure where. This is my late 16th century Italian merchant class dress. It is a bright pink wool. I wear it with a mustard yellow linen apron and a green and brown linen dutch cloak. It is my absolute favorite dress to wear Thankfully, I'll get to wear it in less than a month at Pennsic again. :-)



4. Do you have a secret shame item/project that you will share? (Pictures?)



This was my very sad attempt at an early bustle era dress. I'm not quite sure what went wrong (I've since thrown the entire dress away) but I'm sure a lot. First, the bodice didn't fit right - it was way too baggy and made me look a lot bigger than I really am. Then there was the whole skirt not staying out and the bustle not being as bustle-y as it needed to be. Really, there is just a lot wrong with it.

5. Do you prefer Books, You-Tube videos or other, for sewing reference? And which are your favorite one/s?
It depends on what I'm sewing. If it's something 1770's or later, I just go upstairs. :-) My personal collection of antique garments allows me to physically see "how the heck did they do that?" I also tend to use my own website.
I do pay attention to my friends as well and the techniques they use. At this point, I'm more considered about the cut of the fabric than I am about the sewing itself so I try to use period pattern books when I can.

6. Whats your best sewing tip/trick?

For drawstrings - take a drinking straw, cut it in half. Take the length of ribbon/cord/whatever you are using for the drawstring and put it in the straw, pulling just enough of it through so you have a couple of inches on the other end. Fold this piece of the ribbon/cord back over to the top of the straw and pin it down. Use the straw to guide you through the channel. It works MUCH better than the safety pin method.


7. What’s your biggest sewing cheat that you do but you know that you shouldn’t?

I guess machine sewing the seams? Maybe using cotton rather than linen for the lining of any Renaissance dress although the Italians had cotton so... Maybe never paying attention to the directions on a sewing pattern because they hardly ever make sense anyway? Yeah, I'll go with that.


8. What’s you biggest inspiration in deciding on up-coming projects?

What event is coming up next. :-D Seriously, that is probably the number one motivating factor. It's why I should be finishing up the eyelets on my 1490's Venetian right now and I'm clearly not... I have a few more Renaissance/Medieval garb pieces to create for Pennsic. My brain has been stuck on Pennsic since ummm...April? It will not get off the Pennsic channel until Pennsic is over with...and then there is the Renn Faire so I won't be over all things 16th Century until October. Maybe. ....Did I mention this happens every year? Just ask my poor friends that put up with this...

9. Do you have a favorite era/style that you do?

LOL! Read above. Yes. All things 16th Century all the time. If it's Italian, I probably have it somewhere.


10. What is your dream project? (Picture/s please)

Right now? This for 18th century:


For late 16th Century/early 17th Century:

And one day, when I get brave enough again to try Bustle, I'd like to make something similar to this gown.

Late Teen's Dress Redone in the 1920's











From the seller:

BREATHTAKING SILVER GRAY SILK CHIFFON RHINESTONES & BEADS FLAPPER 1920S DRESS

Amazing riveted rhinestones and clear beads


Measures:

Neck circumference: 27"

Shoulder from sleeve to sleeve: 15"

Sleeve inseam: 5.5"

Bust: 42"

Waist: 41"

Hips: 45"

Length: 43"

Skirt circumference: 54'

Condition:

AS -IS for study, reuse, restoration.
Tears at shoulder, see photos. Three areas of discoloration, see photos.

Most items of clothing sold at Old Stone Manor Memories are over 100 years old and will accordingly show some signs of wear and age. If you are looking for an item that is like new, please keep this in mind as you review details on condition.

We do our best to accurately describe the condition. We strive to notice everything, but sometime miss things. This item has not been washed and may have some minor issues such as small stains or holes that are not listed in the condition. Your satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us. So please ask any questions that you have. If you are not happy in any way with your purchase, please contact us via email so that we can address your concerns. We have a 14 day return policy.

Thanks for your interest!

Happy bidding!


From Me:

There was something bugging me about this dress and I finally realized what it was. Check out that hemline. See how the chevrons are cut off? The dress was originally meant to be longer! Also, those sleeves. Although there are dresses in the 1920's that did have sleeves, they weren't like that. The sleeves are much more 1918/1919 as is the beading placement.