All posts tagged: 1770s

Making an 18th century man’s jacket: pattern and interfacing

Remember how I cut out and started an 18th century man’s jacket? Well, I did, and it worked, and then I lost the sleeves, but I can’t for the life of me remember what I used as a pattern! So when I re-started a 1770s mans ensemble to go with the Lady Anne Darcy dress, I really had to re-start, and find a whole new pattern. This time I used the 1765-1790 man’s suit pattern from Colonial Williamsburg’s Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern. It’s based on this suit: The pattern is relatively simple: a front and back piece, two piece sleeves, cuffs, collar, pocket flaps, and some interfacing and padding. I found the interfacing and padding diagram particularly useful. I used an old linen with a bit of staining for my interfacing, and a bit of flannel for the padding in the chest. I pinned my padding and the interfacing on and basted them down at the same time. A lot of padding wasn’t really necessary: Daniil has a great full chest, and the …

Finished project: Ninon’s dress!

Published by The Dreamstress

I teased Chiara at the Grandeur & Frivolity talk that I should never let her wear my dresses as every time she puts on one, I love the way it looks on her so much that I never feel I look right in it again! She looked especially amazing in Ninon’s 1660s dress at the Grandeur & Frivolity talk. So amazing I almost don’t want to add any more trimming to the dress. Or that might just be the minimalist in me talking 😉 The trim is on hold anyway while I find the perfect ribbon or lace. I’m so in love with this dress. It’s everything I hoped it would be, and then some. The colour is perfect, the fabric sublime. The skirt pleats, the smooth bodice, the sleeves, the laced bodice. It all worked perfectly. The fichu/wrap thing is just pinned on with a fabulous brooch courtesy of Madame O. I’m working on a way to attach it which is both practical and historical. We took a few photos of Chiara and I …

Feeling Grand and Frivilous

Published by The Dreamstress

Here are the images from Grandeur and Frivolity: Music and Fashion in the courts of Louis XIV and Louis XV. The event went beautifully. It was a privilege to work with The Historic Arts Trust, and especially the amazing Clarissa, who arranged all the music and coordinated all the musicians. I’m also deeply indebted to all of the people who made this possible: Mrs C, Madame Ornata (two of the dresses were hers!), all the models, my sister and mother in law, Shell and Joie de Vivre, and of course Mr Dreamy. And you! For suggestions and support and encouragement and research! Seriously – some days when I’m just soooo tired, reading your comments is just the perk-up I need to keep going.