All posts tagged: 1780s

The 1780s chintz pet-en-l’aire

I’m making a 1780s Indian chintz inspired pet-en-l’aire. I’ve been holding off on telling you about this project, because I didn’t want it to turn into one of those things that takes 8 months to make (and maybe never quite gets finished at all) and is difficult to follow as a reader. But I’m determined to have it done in time to be worn for the Afternoon Tea talk (which has sold out!) just over a week from now. So I hope it’s safe to start blogging the story! The pet was inspired by this fabric: Yum! It’s block printed Japanese silk habotai, and when I bought it, it was an obi. I just couldn’t resist. It was just so, so, so perfect for a late 18th century garment. The colour scheme, the small scattered floral, the slight imperfections in the print. It would be even more perfect if it was cotton, since Indian and Chinese silks were usually hand painted, rather than block printed, but I’m willing to settle just a little. …

Goddesses and queens in the Rose Garden

Published by The Dreamstress

Last Sunday Elisabeth the Sewphist and Sarah of Capital Adventures and I had a photoshoot in the Rose Garden and Greenhouse at the Wellington Botanical Gardens. The photoshoot didn’t go quite to plan – Madame O was supposed to join us and wear her fabulous frilly pink polonaise gown, and I was wearing my chemise a la reine and was going to bring 18th century for Elisabeth, and we would have been the perfect late 18th century trio. But Madame O couldn’t make it, and I couldn’t find a petticoat for Elisabeth, and we ran dreadfully late in getting ready. And my hat just wouldn’t sit right. But I sucked up the hat, brought my green silk satin pseudo 1930s Stella gown for Elisabeth to wear, and we caught the last hour that the Greenhouse was open and the last of the Rose Garden sunshine and had a lovely time anyway. Elisabeth channeled the (rather strange) statue in the begonia house in both elegant and literal fashion. Sarah wore the tropical flowers without picking them. …

Chemise a la Yay!

Published by The Dreamstress

I finished my chemise a la reine well over a year ago, and you know what? I have never worn the completed garment myself. Not once. It’s been on quite a few models, but it’s never been on me! How is that possible!?! Just too busy I guess, and no good excuse to wear it. Last Thursday I finally had the perfect excuse; I gave a talk to the Wellington Quilters Guild on Marie Antoinette and the chemise a la reine (provocatively titled ‘The Queen’s Underwear: How Marie Antoinette’s Un-dress Caused a Revolution’ – because a catchy title is always a good thing) and of course I needed to wear the chemise to make the talk come to life. At the last minute fate tried to conspire against me to force me to get a model for the talk. I was a bridesmaid on Sat and had to schedule a haircut and style before the wedding, and when was the only appointment I could get? That’s right – right before my talk. Eeeek! No point …