This is my 1926 mint green ‘celanese’ taffeta afternoon dress. Celanese is the 1920s trade name for cellulose acetate fabric. A fabric used to replace silk in the 1920s. Continue reading 1926 Mint Green Celanese Afternoon Dress
Monthly Archives: August 2015
1920s Pink Polka Dot Cotton House Dress
I used pink dotted cotton fabric for my 1920s house dress – an everyday dress in the 1920s. Continue reading 1920s Pink Polka Dot Cotton House Dress
1920s Blue And White Cotton House Dress Makeover
Previously this was a boring 80s smock dress, but I thought the blue and white fabric would make a cute 1920s dress, such as this 1920s polka dot house dress. So I took it completely apart. Continue reading 1920s Blue And White Cotton House Dress Makeover
1920s Chiffon Handkerchief Dress
This 1920s white chiffon dresses has an uneven hem or handkerchief hem. 1920s dresses often had uneven hems and draperies on the skirt, such as this and this 1920s dress. The shoulder drape and wide collar are inspired by 20s dresses, such as this with a shoulder ‘cape’. My dress also has a jabot at one shoulder as here. All the hems and draperies are finished with my 1920s imitation picot hem.
1920s Chiffon Ruffle Dress – The Meringue Dress
I call this 1920s chiffon dress the meringue dress. Doesn’t it just look like a meringue? 😉 I used white chiffon fabric and attached ruffles to the skirt. Some 1920s dresses had ruffled skirts: white dress with lace, ruffles with contrasting edge, and photograph.
1920s Chiffon Dress With Rose Applique
I made a sheer 1920s chiffon dress with appliqued pink roses inspired by these 1920s sewing instructions for the rose appliques. But instead of chiffon velvet on chiffon, I used georgette on chiffon. At first I feared the chiffon would distort terribly while appliqueing the roses but it went better than expected. Continue reading 1920s Chiffon Dress With Rose Applique
My Edwardian Lace Chemises
Over the years, I made many Edwardian chemises because the Edwardian era is my favorite historical era! 😀 I always try to make my Edwardian chemises as historically accurate as possible which means a lot of hand sewing and hand embroidery! But I love inserting lace by hand and making handmade lace! 😀 Continue reading My Edwardian Lace Chemises
How To Make Edwardian/ 1920s Bathing Shoes With Cork Sole
In this tutorial I’ll show you how to make 1900s – 1920s bathing slippers with cork soles.
‘Bathing shoes or slippers were generally worn when the shore was rough and uneven. In 1871 manila sandals were worn, but the most functional bathing shoes are said to have been […] thick unbleached cotton duck with cork soles. Continue reading How To Make Edwardian/ 1920s Bathing Shoes With Cork Sole
Edwardian Lace Princess Petticoat
‘Every well groomed woman is very particular to see that outside garments fit without wrinkles and with a glove-like appearance across the hips and back. There is only one way to accomplish this result, and that is to have the under garments without fullness or wrinkles.’ (School Sewing Based On Home Problems, 1916).
In the Edwardian era, princess petticoats or princess slips were worn as combination garment to reduce the many layers of underwear. The princess petticoat was usually worn over the corset and replaced the petticoat and corset cover. Continue reading Edwardian Lace Princess Petticoat
1870s Natural Form Braided Updo – Tutorial
I’ve recreated this 1876 braided hairstyle. Here’s a similar 1873 updo, but this hairstyle is made with artificial hair. For this natural form hairstyle I’ve just used my own hair. Continue reading 1870s Natural Form Braided Updo – Tutorial