As many of you know, Lauren and I are currently up to our eyeballs in all things 1830s. Yep, we're both busy ladies trying to bust out entire 1830s ensembles for our little adventure out to San Francisco for the Dickens Faire in mid-December.
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Me sporting my new "Bustle" that I made using the descriptions and guidelines from WWG (Plate 11) |
While the 1830s is a relatively new time period for us (Lauren's made one other 1830s dress, and I've randomly done a lot of research into the 1830s over the years), figuring out construction techniques and pattern shapes has been relatively easy because of a little pink bible that has all the answers. Seriously. All. Of. Them.
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The slightly obnoxious pink cover of the best book, ever. |
The Workwoman's Guide by A Lady (1838) is a primary source on all things sewing in the 1830s, and is easily accessible for us modern wannabes today. I was first introduced to the book a few years ago, during my time at Colonial Williamsburg. There, I was lucky enough to buy myself a hard copy in the museum book store, and it has become a well loved, highlighted, and dog ear'd addition to my costuming book collection.
While hard copies are a bit difficult to find (seems like the publisher went out of business?), you can easily look through WWG on Google Books (bonus: it's free!).
In the book you'll discover extensive information regarding everything from basic stitches, shopping practices, sleeve patterns, and bed hangings. While some of the information isn't all that helpful, (like I will never need to know how to make church seats.) the information on dressmaking and accessories is a damn gold mine!
Here's a quick breakdown on dressmaking and millinery items in the book -
1. Corsets and Bustles (Plate 11)
2. Caps, Bonnets, Hats (Plate 15, 19, 20)
3. Collars, Collarets, Pelerines (Plate 13)
4. Sleeves! (Plate 12)
5. Gowns (Plate 14)
3. Collars, Collarets, Pelerines (Plate 13)
4. Sleeves! (Plate 12)
5. Gowns (Plate 14)
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The Workwoman's Guide, Google Books |
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Gown information from The Workwoman's Guide, Google Books. |
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Lauren's simple wrap-front bodice, based on instructions from Workwoman's Guide |
1. They use nails, quarters, half yard, and yard measurements. It's not the biggest deals - so long as you know that 1 nail = 2.25 inches. Just keep your calculator at hand, cause you're gonna math all over this thing. The author addresses this in Chapter 2 of the book.
2. There can be patterning issues, I had some issues with one of the bonnets in the book, and while I take part of the blame (I have a big head) part of the issue was a 180 year old patterning mistake.
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The good: The bonnet looked just the like one in the plate. The bad? It hurt my head and didn't really fit once it was made up in buckram and pasteboard. :/ |
So, if you're wanting to join us on our 1830s caravan of fluffy puff n stuffs, check out The Workwoman's Guide, and you'll be set to get started!
Until next time!
Abby (& Lauren) :)
What an amazing book for the 1830s. I made many 1830s posterboard mockups and wasn't confident enough to make one out of buckram. I wonder if heads were shaped different then kind of like when they changed babies from sleeping on their stomaches to their backs, some babies develop a flat spot on the back of their head. https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/preventing_flat_heads
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great resource. I referenced it a lot when creating my 1830s gown for CoCo this summer. The sleeve turned out great! The bodice less so (my own fault though). I also loved that the directions for sewing stays include a wordy description of the English stitch :D
ReplyDeleteThat bonnet looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat bonnet is very Handmaids Tale type of style.. Looks amazing though
ReplyDeleteGreat little review. Thank you for mentioning the free ebook edition. I'm not willing to spend around $465 for a copy to Australia.
ReplyDeletenice tips
ReplyDeleteThe Google version appears to be missing the plates. Or am I not looking through it properly?
ReplyDeletehi - check at the very back of the Google document. It seems I found them all together there in one of the online documents before.
Delete