Do you know how some weeks are great, and some weeks you start out feeling like you’ve been punched, and just doing the absolute minimum is all you can manage? Yeah, this was one of the latter.
And just when it looked like it was getting better, we found out that an Australian tourist (we have a travel bubble with Australia) who went everywhere in Wellington last weekend had Covid, so may have infected people…including people I know.
So I’ve got so much sewing done this week, because I sew when I’m stressed, but not much writing, because words are hard when my brain hurts. But I’m now so pleased about all the sewing I’ve got done that I can write! So we have blogging!
And I can’t wait to show you the sewing I’ve finished!
Last Week: a 1910s take on the tea gown
A lot of you really loved last week’s tea gown, which didn’t surprise me. It’s really nice to see something for an older woman, and something that’s a little less constricting than many historical fashions.
A few raters, however, just weren’t sure about the colours, or how easy it would actually be to wear.
It’s true that I wouldn’t want to sweep a floor or make a cake while wearing it, but that wasn’t it’s purpose! It was definitely a gown for looking glamorous while the servants did the work, but at least it was a comfortable gown as long as you didn’t have to do any work!
The Total: 8 out of 10
Not a bad total for a dress that one rater only rated 2/10!
This week: An evening dress from the very end of the crinoline era
I’ve been researching a 1910s hem technique which uses fabric (usually striped) cut on the bias for a decorative finish, so I couldn’t resist choosing this dress, with its bias hem ruffle, for this week’s Rate the Dress:
Evening dress, 1869, Les Arts Decoratifs
It’s unclear if the colours of the fabric have faded and changed over time, or if the contrast between the cool purple-pink of the main striped fabric, and the warm orange-coral of the trim, are intentional. The 1860s were an era of bold colour choices, so it’s not impossible that the clash is intentional.
Evening dress, 1869, Les Arts Decoratifs
This dress is a great example of the crinoline era transitioning in to the first bustle era, not only in its silhouette, but also in its cut and trim.
The berthe effect bodice looks back to earlier in the decade, as does the fringe trimming. The hem treatment, on the other hand, anticipates the elaborate skirt trimmings that would characterise 1870s and 80s fashions. The bodice has points front and back, rather than the newly fashionable square waistline, but the bold buttons would have been a very on-trend touch.
Evening dress, 1869, Les Arts Decoratifs
What do you think of this dress with combines bright colours, stripes, and old and new fashion elements? Would it have been an attractive addition to the ballrooms of the time?
Rate the Dress on a Scale of 1 to 10
A reminder about rating — feel free to be critical if you don’t like a thing, but make sure that your comments aren’t actually insulting to those who do like a garment. Phrase criticism as your opinion, rather than a flat fact. Our different tastes are what make Rate the Dress so interesting. It’s no fun when a comment implies that anyone who doesn’t agree with it, or who would wear a garment, is totally lacking in taste.
As usual, nothing more complicated than a .5. I also hugely appreciate it if you only do one rating, and set it on a line at the very end of your comment.
