All posts filed under: 19th Century

Finished project: the ca. 1890 black satin corded corset

Published by The Dreamstress

My 1890s black silk corded corset was actually done two weeks ago, in time for the Dr Sketchy talk, where it looked gorgeous on the model, and was immensely popular with everyone.  Not only had the original corset sold before the event, but I got three further inquiries about buying it or having one commissioned.  I guess I had better get used to cording! This was a time consuming and nerve-wracking corset to make.  As I mentioned before, I wasn’t sure it would really fit and work until the very last, but the results are more than worth it.  As always, I do have some tweaks to make to improve the next version though. If you want to see it on a model, there are Dr Sketchy photos here, and here.

A brave, sad trip

Published by The Dreamstress

In 1823 Liholiho, Kamehameha II, the 2nd King of unified Hawaii, chartered a boat and set off for England, along with his wife, Queen Kamamalu, and a party of other Hawaiian nobles. Can you imagine how daring and adventurous this was? Liholiho was born in the 18th century, when Hawaii was just beginning to have contact with the West.  His exact birth date is not even recorded, and he barely spoke English.  Sea travel was still a long, arduous, and dangerous endeavor.  And yet Liholiho was determined to go; to see and understand the world that was beginning to to have such an effect on his kingdom. He and his entourage set off in the  L’Aigle, stopping in Brazil to meet Emperor Pedro I, and arriving in London in May 1824.  Liholiho and Kamamalu were welcomed by the Foreign Secretary, had balls and receptions thrown in their honour, and toured all of London’s top sites. Everywhere they went they caused a stir; travel was still so difficult that foreign royalty were still a huge novelty, …

Aaaaah-Choo!

Published by The Dreamstress

I’m supposed to be sewing like mad and marking student papers and exams. But instead, I have a horrid cold. I want to be here: Maybe in a more comfortable dress though.  That one is gorgeous, but doesn’t look that fun for lounging in. Anyway, instead of being brilliant and blogging and creating I am mainlining echinacea tea and trying to breathe. I’ll see you on the other side.  Aaaaah-choo!