It feels like it's been ages since I embarked on a complex historical project, but with Winter coming, and photo shoots needing shooting, it's time to start (yes, already!) on a project that's been in my mind for awhile.
I need to come up with a clever name for it, because there are just too many descriptors - Late Edwardian/early 1920s-red-wool-Russian-inspired-winter-soutache-military-themed-furry-jacket-suit-thing just won't do. What should I call it?
Here's the inspo:
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| Louis Vallet - 1916 |
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| 1913 |
For the soutache embroidery, I'm studying these, along with many more you can see on
my Pinterest board for this project:
A few sketches I did for soutache ideas:
I went shopping for materials yesterday and found them quite easily, all in one place - wool, soutache braid, lining, buttons - which I'm going to believe means this project wants to be put together. :-)
For the jacket pattern, I am using
Wearing History R109 - 1910s Jacket Pattern. This is one of the Resto-Vival ePatterns I printed out and taped together. It took a little time, but I didn't have to wait for it in the snail-mail. I do have to test it out thoroughly with a muslin, though, to make sure all the pieces line up nicely, as there's quite a lot of room for error when taping the pieces together.
For the jacket, I will be attempting to alter the collar so it can be turned up and buttoned around the neck - it will be faux fur, along with the cuffs and hem of the jacket.
For the skirt, I will be using Butterick 4092, which is an earlier, thinner skirt silhouette, more 1912, but I also found surprisingly narrow skirts in the 1919 section of
Everyday Fashions of the Twenties: As Pictured in Sears and Other Catalogs
(see in the photo above with the materials).
I suppose now it's time to get started! Bring on the tailoring, the soutache embroidery, and the fur-sewing. These are all things I have very little or no experience with, so it'll be a good challenge, and hopefully will turn out to be something I'm proud of. :-)
Posts
This is going to be seriously awesome. Favorite fashion era, right here.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope so!
DeleteI like the soutache pattern that is second from the right. Are you planning to wear this with your new cut out boots? I don't know if the era match but I think it would be a great way to show the boots off because of the length of the skirt on the original inspiration picture.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to pair this with the Carriage Boots arriving for the holidays, but it would also go with Tavistocks, or the two new button boots I'm working on, which are all Edwardian - 1920s :-)
DeleteYou should call it "Natasha," or maybe, "Lara."
ReplyDeleteOh this is going to be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing it; the effect should be charming.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteI think you should call it "The Red Russian." Sounds mysterious, like a femme fatale, or like a ripping good cocktail!
ReplyDeleteI like that name!
DeleteOooo, I can't wait to see it and your research along the way. I was also thinking a good name would be "The Red Russian"--or maybe the "From Russia With Love" ensemble.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love James Bond :-)
DeleteIt's going to be awesome. Black and red is one of the best combos. :)
ReplyDelete-Emily
What about something like... Anastasia, after the Russian Grand Duchess? Or something simple like the 'Soutache Suit' or 'Military Matryoshka' (after the Russian doll) :) It's going to look great!
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the name Anastasia :-)
DeleteLooking forward to seeing this
ReplyDeleteCant wait to see your journey and the finished garment. Ooo yes 'The Red Russian' sounds cool.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see this in progress! So interesting to see the Russian influence in clothing from this period, especially given Russia's political upheaval and revolution just prior to this time. And then the Red connotations take on a whole new layer of historical neat. The Red Revolution dress sounds a bit macabre, though :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is an interesting influence at that time. I definitely want to read more about it.
DeleteI am so impressed!!! BTW, I like the Butterick skirt pattern! It works really nice
ReplyDeleteI agree! I have to lengthen in and will be altering the front panels just a bit, but otherwise it's really simple to put together with great results.
DeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteI love those inspiration images. This looks like such a fun project, looking forward to seeing it come together. Russia, winter and 19teens makes me think of Dr Zhivago.
ReplyDeleteThe Crimson Cossack!
ReplyDelete