In the past
I have been amazed and entranced by costumes that my friends have made using modern Simplicity or Butterick patterns that had the lines for a historical
dress. I’ve never been able to see that, just like those who can go to thrift
stores and pull out stuff to make them. I’ve been there where I’ve said I could
never do that. But I’m learning to never say never. You just have to give it a
try, or find someone to teach you, or teach yourself. We’re not baboons. We
have brains, and we can learn. But don’t get me started on reading pattern
directions.
I love it
when I see something that inspires me, and I wanted to share one of those
somethings. My friend Joyce, who runs a group of ladies who go to tea in
historical dress, put together an outfit for our Titanic tea on the Queen Mary
last week. It was a purple skirt and jacket with a blouse, and she looked
perfect. She had wanted something that was comfortable to wear and had little
time to put it together. I kept trying to get photos of her so I could remember
it later. And I finally got her to pose and open it a bit for me.
Of course I had to ask what pattern she used, and she said it was a kimono
jacket and sewed up in a few hours. Kimono sleeves have no armholes. So it’s
mostly all of one piece. And she used a modern McCall’s #6802 pattern for it
but lengthened it to how she wanted it. The edges were trimmed in black velvet.
Her skirt was the Truly Victorian # TVE 30 Single Panel skirt.
I’ve always loved the skirt and loose jacket look of many Edwardian
outfits, and this just grabbed my attention. So I went looking for the pattern
and in that hunt found a couple more that have possibilities, Simplicity 1318, with a really nice curved front, and McCalls 7333, that has a nice wide lapel but has a hood which could be made
without it.
This last
one, McCalls 7290, fulfills my dream of having something like what Renee Zellweger
wore in the Beatrix Potter movie that was a long sweater coat. Of course now I
can’t find a photo of it. *not that it EVER gets cold enough in SoCal
that I could get much wear out of it*
But think of
it- if you’re not too adept at using historic patterns, or the originals are so
tiny there’s not a snowballs chance that you could use it, or they’re too
expensive, BUT you’re comfortable with sewing modern patterns, here’s your
answer to something historic-looking.
But wait!
There’s more! Something about Joyce’s jacket kept wiggling at a memory I had of
another era’s dress, something that this would also work for.
It was this 1914 ad from a McCall’s catalog for a couple patterns, and in the corner I saw this
and started me thinking that these dresses were no more than a skirt with a loose
jacket tied around the waist. It was quite an eye-opener for me when I was
thinking it was more complicated when it wasn’t.
And, so what
about these from 1912-1918?
Now that I’ve
opened your eyes, get thee to a pattern sale at JoAnn’s. I own them all now, bwahaha!
You are right, I think historical pattern for historical wear. I love the last photo, the red and white one. Hmmmmm.....
ReplyDeleteOne Pattern to Rule Them All...
ReplyDeleteWe usually have to use modern patterns to make period looking garments for the children of the ladies in our group, and that's mainly because there are so very few historical or theatrical patterns out there for kids. We may have to re-draw the necklines, lengthen the skirts and adjust the sleeves, but we make them work.
ReplyDeleteI found it inspiring
ReplyDelete