The Dreamstress

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Introducing the Scroop Wonder Unders!

Yay! It’s here! It’s done!

I’m extremely pleased to announce the latest Scroop Pattern: the Wonder Unders:

Making my own undergarments is a little thing, but it’s something that makes me happy every day, as I get to put on a slip, singlet camisole, or knickers that fit me exactly, are made out of fabric that I love, and that work perfectly under my other clothes. Undergarments aren’t as exciting as fancy frocks, but they are every bit as satisfying over time.

Just like the Miramar Top, Dress & Tunic pattern, the Wonder Unders feature easy, anyone-can-do-it knit sewing. They do require a sewing machine that does a zig-zag stitch, but nothing fancier than that!

The Wonder Unders pattern features classic three-piece Knickers with full bottom-coverage and sit approximately 10cm / 4” below the navel.

The Singlet Camisole and Dress Slip feature scoop necks and straight backs.

The Singlet Camisole fits snugly through the bust, and loosens slightly over the waist and hips, finishing at mid hip.

The Dress Slip has a slightly A-line skirt with two length options: mid thigh (blue), or just above the knee (pink).

And there’s more! The Wonder Unders Singlet Camisole & Slip are designed to sit perfectly under the Miramar Dress, Top & Tunic, for a bit of neckline filler, and under the Henrietta Maria Dress & Top, if it is made in sheer fabrics.

All three items can be finished with pre-folded or foldable lingerie elastic, or picot lingerie elastic.

Think you can’t get either of those? Don’t worry, my next post is going to feature sources for both, no matter where you are in the world!

The sample pieces shown are:

Singlet Camisole & Knickers in 100% cotton grey jersey knit, with red pre-folded lingerie elastic.
Singlet Camisole & Knickers in 100% cotton Karen Walker lightweight orange whales on white jersey knit, with red picot lingerie elastic
Dress Slip (long version) in blush pink 100% modal knit, with foldable lingerie elastic
Dress Slip (short version) in blue & white spot printed 100% viscose knit, with pre-folded lingerie elastic.
Knickers in blue floral lightweight 100% cotton jersey knit, with foldable lingerie elastic.

Feeling inspired to have a little bit of me-made goodness in your wardrobe every single day of the year?

Get your pattern here!

Rate the Dress: a garden-party gown, ca. 1905

Published by The Dreamstress

Last week I presented a black and white trompe l’oeil 1860s summer frock, to mixed reviews. The majority of you gave it very high ratings based on sheer cleverness, most of the rest thought it really good, but not quite resolved, but for a few of you, it really wasn’t doing it as a frock. However, since only a sprinkling of the raters weren’t fans, it managed a rather nice 8.3 out of 10.

I’m spending the week at the Katherine Mansfield House & Garden, helping the museum identify and organise their textile collection (so far I have looked at all the doilies. So many doilies…doyleys…d’oilies…d’oyleys…there are enough for dozens in every spelling!).

In honour of my week, today’s Rate the Dress pick is an extravagant 1900s day dress that I could imagine being worn to Mansfield’s Garden Party.

Day dress, silk faille with mechanical lace, ca. 1904-1905, Sartoria Robes & Confections D. E. Carena, Firenze, 00000107, Galleria del Costume di Palazzo Pitti, via Europeana Fashion

This pink ensemble is the height of turn-of-the-century exuberant frills and femininity: with lace, ruffles, flounces, and puffs from neck to hem.

Day dress, silk faille with mechanical lace, ca. 1904-1905, Sartoria Robes & Confections D. E. Carena, Firenze, 00000107, Galleria del Costume di Palazzo Pitti, via Europeana Fashion

The hat appears to be a replica, but gives an idea of the sort of frothy confection the frock would have been paired with.

Day dress, silk faille with mechanical lace, ca. 1904-1905, Sartoria Robes & Confections D. E. Carena, Firenze, 00000107, Galleria del Costume di Palazzo Pitti, via Europeana Fashion

What do you think? Does if make you swoon with its sweetness? Is it the epitome of elegance for its era? Would the wearer, surrounded by the scroop of her skirts, have felt the pink of perfection in her rosy attire?

Rate the Dress on a Scale of 1 to 10

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Published by The Dreamstress

An impressively long number of years ago, sometime in the rough vicinity of this week, Mr D and I got married.

Like most marriages, there have been really good times, and really hard times, and things that have been easy, and things that have been a lot of work.

But, an impressively long number of years later, I’m still delighted to be married to him.

Happy Anniversary(ish) Mr D! Here’s to all the good times, and hopefully less hard times. The work has been worth it.