All posts filed under: Learn

The Sir Truby King Gardens (or, #1 in a series on Wellington places named in honour of problematic white dudes)

A few weeks ago I was short of blogging ideas, and asked on FB for suggestions of what people would like me to post about. I got a ton of amazing ideas – some practical, and some of which are going to take a bit more work to blog about.* I’m working my way through the list, but I realised I had some older blogging suggestions too. When I posted about my Regency bonnet, Natalie asked if I would write more about the park where we had the picnic and took the pictures. What a great idea! And it dovetails nicely with another blog post idea I had, writing about a Wellington location I love and have photographed at, and I’ve only just realised is named in honour of someone pretty, well, dodgy.** So now I have a series started: Wellington places named after seriously problematic white dudes.*** The Sir Truby King House & Gardens We picnicked and photographed our bonnets at the Sir Truby King House and Gardens. The gardens were the home of …

The Designer, August 1916 thedreamstress.com

Building Your Own 1910s & WWI Wardrobe: Dresses, Coats & Jackets

Published by The Dreamstress

Continuing on my series on making your own 1910s & WWI era wardrobe (with a focus on 1914-19), here are patterns for making dresses, coats & jackets! The patterns I’ve included here are from pattern companies I’ve made items from, or have helped students or friends make items from, and can recommend on that basis. I have not included pattern companies that I do not recommend or cannot support on an ethical basis, or pattern companies I haven’t seen or tested in any way. I also do not include patterns that are essentially modern blocks updated with a period aesthetic: I find that they rarely give the correct look. Other posts in the series include: Undergarments Blouses, Skirts & Suits Hope you find it helpful! Dresses: Vintage Pattern Lending Library: 1918 Dinner dress with optional tunic (36” bust only): Vintage Pattern Lending Library: 1915 Dress with ruffled lapels (36” bust only): Wearing History: 1910s WWI Era Canteen Uniform (or utility dress) Coats & Jackets: Vintage Pattern Lending Library: 1914 Ladies Kimono Coat with …

Lingerie frocks from the Pictorial Review 1915 & 1916

Published by The Dreamstress

Following on from my terminology post about lingerie dresses and lingerie frocks, here are a few more advertisements featuring lingerie frocks from the June 1915 and July 1916 issues of the Pictoral Review magazine. These illustrations show patterns sold by the American Fashion Company. The detailed images give ideas for fabrics and trim, while the simple line drawings show the basic dress lines. Pictoral Review June 1915 Pictoral Review June 1915 Pictoral Review June 1915 The simple line drawings also show other pattern variants, like the fancy puffed mameluke sleeves of 6203, instead of the simpler sleeves shown above. Pictoral Review June 1915 The July 1916 page shows fashions for spectators and sportswomen. It should be pretty clear which is which! This page is quite interesting, because it shows how garments were considered ‘frocks’ or ‘dresses’ even when they were two-piece garments. (side note, how adorable are those hats? The sculptural ribbons on the one with the plaid dress, and the little tipped-up bergere revival hat on the far right… delicious!) Check out how the …