Last week, when sorting out hems and skirt volumes, I decided I needed a new bum. The en fourreau-ish-ness of the center back on the redingote didn't want to lay nicely over more hefty bums, so I was looking for something that would allow that portion of the dress to lay smoothly, while providing oomph to the rest of the skirt.
I immediately thought of Demode's excellent research, "Late 18th Cenury Skirt Supports: Bums, Rumps, & Culs," so went scurrying off to brush up on what sort of pa-dunk-a-dunk I needed to get the shape I wanted.
I was intrigued by the many bum styles satirized in this fabulous Rushworth print, from 1785, in the Lewis Walpole Library:
The bum in the top row, second from the right, caught my attention. In my brainbox I imagined it creating flare at the sides, while remaining flat-ish at the center back, and helping the skirt to transition smoothly from the waist into a backward sweep.
So here's my take on it:
It came out quite large, and I have a second, small bum stacked beneath it to angle the whole thing back a bit more. This stacked bum method reminds me of the Elizabethan wheel farthingales shown in Period Costume for Stage & Screen
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Please excuse my messy messy room - shown here from the inside out is: small bum, angel wing bum, ugly puffer, synthetic taffeta petticoat, and silk taffeta petticoat. |
Love your blog, can't imagine working from a cartoon!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! So happy for you, I can't wait to see the photos from the wedding.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! Could you possibly post a tutorial? I'd love to have one.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to do some kind of tutorial for the next experiment in bummery. I was going too fast this time. Basically I just drew out a big wing-like shape on the fold, cut it out double, and stitched some channels into it, then stuffed it with stuffing, and called it a bum :-)
DeleteAwesome! I must try it! Thank you.
DeleteHmmm... skirt supports!
ReplyDeleteAlso, can I just say that I love your collection of shoes on the opposite wall?
Hey, you're not supposed to be looking at my messy messy messy messy room! lol!
DeleteHip hip hurray! Congrats! Hope we' ll find some pics after the wedding??
ReplyDeleteBTW: I' am so thankful for your blog and that I've found it! :-D
Wow, you did it!. Our lil girl (I'm older than all of you) is getting married! Best wishes, you're gonna love it. Will be a beautiful wedding. I'm all dreamy-eyed thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteHow do I get a photo to show up instead of that ugly comma?
ReplyDelete