All posts filed under: 20th Century

Wow Camille, those are some…assets

Published by The Dreamstress

I wonder if any of these are touched up, or if she really was that shape? I love how these four are from the same photoshoot.  The first one might also be from that photoshoot. The workmanship on the gowns is amazing.  Just getting the dress to hug those curves that tightly is an impressive feat! Looking at all of these, is anyone else thinking that Christina Hendricks needs to do a Camille Clifford themed photoshoot?  Vogue better credit me if they use that idea!

An American in Gloucestershire

Published by The Dreamstress

No American things of “doing” England without seeing our valley, which is famous for its scenery and its ruins.  Thus you always find a number of women in trim “shirt-waists,” and wearing large chiffon veils on top of their hats at angles quite unknown to the English woman, sitting on the platform about train time, writing the usual budget of picture postcards. From The Flower-Patch Among the Hills, by Flora Klickmann, first published 1916

A ribbon corset

Published by The Dreamstress

I took a break from serious sewing and whipped up a ribbon corset.  And I do mean whipped up – despite the very lackluster pattern and directions, and ribbon that wasn’t the same width as the original, it was super easy to do. The corset was based on a pattern from Jill Salen’s ‘Corsets: Historical Patterns and Techniques’.  It dates to 1900.  The original is in the Fashion Museum, Bath. The ribbon is a 3″ wide vintage ribbon from Nana’s stash. Without any planning or forethought, I managed to match the pattern perfectly across the centre front.  Whoohoo for coincidental wins! The pattern is a little busy and overwhelming, but I rather like the OTTness of it. The inside of the corset is not quite as beautiful as my corsets usually are, but it’s still pretty. I have a confession to make though.  I finished the backsides of the ribbon with iron-on interfacing, and just trimmed off the edges.  I know.  Naughty, naughty me!  Next time I’ll be good and use real fabric and sew …