Meeeeeeee! They are inspired by the stockings worn by Manet’s Nana: They aren’t perfect because, hey, I’ve only just figured out the pattern, and I didn’t have quite the right shade of blue merino-silk blend knit (also, I doubt I’ll ever be able to find another length of merino-silk knit of any colour), but I am still thrilled with them! Here is what the pattern looks like: They have a centre back seam, and ‘Cuban’ V heel shapes. There is shaping at the heel and ankle to mold the stockings to my foot. To mimic the embroidery that would decorate the front of a real pair of 1870s stockings, I had a cunning idea.  I have a whole length of amazing vintage floral trim from the amazing Lynne: I cut out two full repeat motifs, and carefully pinned them to the front of my stockings, making sure that they were perfect mirrors of each other: Then I carefully took off the stockings, slipped them over a metal tray, and sewed them down with silk thread, …

For the Historical Sew Fortnightly Black & White challenge I decided to make a white item, and a black item (and maybe a black and white item if I get very ambitious this evening!) My white item?  A very sweet, very white, 1860s chemise from the (slightly infamous) Simplicity 9769 Martha McCain ‘The Fashion Historian’ chemise/corset/drawers pattern. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have bought this pattern, because I usually use period patterns, or make something based off an original item I’ve studied or own (I know it sounds snobbish, but I’d rather know that anything weird, hard to work through or mistake-y is my own fault!).  But…I’m teaching sewing so I’m trying to use a lot more commercial patterns, so that I can advise students on them. Oh, and also, the pattern was basically free.  At one of the first Fabric-a-Bracs I went to someone was selling a bag with all the bits for a corset: busk, aiglets, grommets, lacing, and this pattern, for (if I remember correctly) $15!  Which is less than a busk …