Finally I’ve finished something. It feels like it’s been *weeks* since I’ve even picked up a pair of scissors. I decided to throw together a slim wool skirt for a daytime Titanic tea party we’re having here on The Centennial. Mostly this was inspired by a shirtwaist I nabbed several weeks ago at Sacramento Antiques, and now I’m really glad I put together the skirt to go with it – looks sharp!
Skirt: Blue wool lined in taffeta; Butterick 4092
Blouse: Vintage waist, 1910-15
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| The buttons on the skirt are inspired by this image of Lily Elsie, although mine doesn’t have nearly as many buttons. |
I purchased girdle to wear underneath, to get the smooth line of the waist and hips, but I won’t be wearing full period undergarments. Instead, just a lacy white camisole underneath, the girdle, and a slip of some sort. Black stockings and shoes (they’ll have to be my Mary Janes, and not Astoria /sad), and a hat of some sort will complete the look.
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| The back – there were quite a few holes that I attempted to darn – improvement, maybe? Time will tell. |
I found a hat style I like, and some similar styles shown in the Sears pages from 1912. It looks fairly easy to make, so I think I’ll give it a try in the next couple weeks:
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| Via |
21 Comments
Laurie
March 23, 2012 at 10:34 PMThis looks great! I've been working on my evening Titanic hat.
Charleybrown
March 23, 2012 at 11:23 PMLovely!
Maggie
March 23, 2012 at 11:46 PMThat's so lovely!
Anonymous
March 24, 2012 at 1:16 AMInspirational!
KittyKatt
March 24, 2012 at 1:45 AMCurious about how the skirt is laying…is your display form identical to your measurements? The darts in back don't look like they want to behave. However, I love the high waist look and the large buttons in front. I did a wedding suit with a similar skirt, but it came out all wrong (no one to fit me and no dress form = nightmare!) The pleats on the front of mine were not deep enough. The great thing about you, though, is you will do the accessories, makeup and hair just right. Looking forward to the portraits!
Lauren R
March 24, 2012 at 1:48 AMThis dress form isn't a historically shaped one, just a Dritz "My Double," and it kindof pitches forward in weird way. I need to press the darts more, and I think having it on the real body, over the girdle too, will help with it laying correctly. I guess we'll see 🙂 I haven't had the whole thing on together yet. May not be able to even fit any crumpets or tea :- lol
Zach
March 24, 2012 at 3:56 AMThat is too cute! I think that is my very favorite era. I love the buttons, by the way!
Anonymous
March 24, 2012 at 12:52 PMNice vintage top! I'd like to make one that fussy one day. Have to wait until I retire and have time to do inserts and embroidery!
Lauren R
March 24, 2012 at 8:58 PMAll my support for that! Have you seen Wearing History's new Edwardian blouse pattern? Inserts and loveliness. I think I could make it through the lace inserts and maybe the pintucks, but the embroidery would kill me.
Kathryn Grace
March 24, 2012 at 4:28 PMLove this! So classy.
Sara J.
March 24, 2012 at 8:17 PMVery nice look! Logistical question: I have a few vintage blouses, and they're all pretty short – they all end right at or above my waist, and it's *challenge* to keep them tucked in. Do you secure the blouse to the skirt somehow, or does the high waist keep it under control?
Lauren R
March 24, 2012 at 9:00 PMHrm, I haven't worn this yet, so I'm not sure. I think pinning it to the girdle/corset/undershirt might indeed work. The blouse came with this weird little tied loop through the bottom two buttonholes, and I suspect it might have been to loop onto the hook that some corsets had at the waist, although I've only ever seen that hook on earlier Edwardian examples. This is a very good question!
Cation Designs
March 27, 2012 at 9:09 AMI'm not an expert by any means, but some of the ladies on the VPLL 1912 project Facebook page said that blouses of that era had hooks and eyes to attach the top of the skirt to. This would help both the high-waisted skirt to stay up, and the short-waisted blouse to stay tucked.
Fanny
March 26, 2012 at 10:46 AMBeautiful, and very inspirational! (Suddenly I feel like sewing a wool skirt…)
Vienna La Rouge
March 27, 2012 at 3:49 AMSo very sharp!
Cation Designs
March 27, 2012 at 9:10 AMI am in love with the color and the buttons on this! Your whole ensemble is going to be stunning…can't wait to see it with the hat and all.
Little Mothball
April 6, 2012 at 8:51 PMThis is wonderfu! I was hoping ot purchase the skirt pattern online, I'm a 2/4 or small in pants/skirts usually. What size do you recommend buying? The 6-8-10 is the smallest I have found.
Anonymous
April 11, 2012 at 5:34 PMI have that Butterick pattern, is it designed like a hobble skirt or is there enough room to walk in it?
Thanks Cate
Lyric
October 8, 2012 at 7:34 PMHello Cate:
No doubt you have an answer by now. Otherwise, I am thinking if you check the back of the pattern it will list the width of the bottom of the skirt. That should help determine if YOU can walk in it. I certainly hope it is not hobble style for I had planned on making a slew of these for my day-to-day wear and working on our farm.
Lyric
October 8, 2012 at 7:36 PMAD,
Splendid! I am so happy to see this today. Your work is inspirational. Keep 'em coming, please.
Lyric
Anne Love
July 31, 2013 at 1:02 PMGorgeous. What size? Is it for sale? Did you make the shirt also? I'm looking for something like this to wear to a fiction writing conference in September.