All posts filed under: 18th Century

Making an 18th century fur muff – the research

Published by The Dreamstress

As I mentioned before, I wanted to do a really complicated project for the Flora and Fauna HSF challenge, but alas, I couldn’t find the right fabric.  Instead, I’m saving my energy for two big upcoming projects, and making some fun little things that will make current or future outfits fabulous. The first of these is an 18th century fur muff.  The wonderful Lynne gave me a fur sleeve which had come off of her mothers 1950s fur coat a month ago, and I noticed how wide the lower sleeve was, and how it was a perfectly even tube for the last 14cm, and thought “Ooooh…super easy fur muff.” Famous last words… But that was all in the future.  First I needed to do a little research on 18th century fur muffs, to determine what the usual dimensions were, if my fur was plausible, and what they were lined with. After quite a bit of research, I’ve found depictions of 18th century fur muffs ranging from the early 1760s, up to the end of the …

Rate the Dress: an elegance of leopard-skin suit

Published by The Dreamstress

Last week I tried something different: I posted two dresses, and we had a dress-off.  It was certainly interesting to see your comments and comparisons. The dislikers of dress #1 mainly felt it was too much like a uniform, the dislikers of dress number two thought it twee and less polished.  The accusation that it wasn’t fair as the mannequin wasn’t doing the dress justice, so the other had too much of an advantage, was leveled at both dresses by different commenters.  Some of you got quite literal and considered how it would actually work in a nautical situation, though the verdict on which was more suitable for boats and the seaside was anything but unanimous.  Finally, some of you annoyed me (in a loving way) by refusing to give the dresses different ratings (which rather defeats the point of a dress-off!). Of all the comments I most agreed with Stella, who called the slim dress “beautiful and innovative” and the full-skirted dress “insipid, dull, and looks like it was intended for a small child” …

Regency beauty…raking?

Published by The Dreamstress

What the heck is going on with this fashion plate? The caption, according to my dog-French translation abilities, reads: “Chinese hairstyle, pelerine (that’s the little cape thing) and dress of percale, gaiters of nankeen” Is there a game played with a rake? Or did our fashionista just wake up one morning, decide to do her hair up in a silly top-knot, put on a tiara, a short sleeved dress and a pereline with a high-ruff collar (thought the collar may be separate), and gaiters over her shoes and go out to rake the lawn? Whenever I see fashion plates like this I hear the Daleks shriek “Explain!  Explain” in my head. Explain?