‘With Christmas [1912] “in the air” one’s thoughts naturally turn to frocks and the many odds and ends of dress which play an important part in those festivities which cluster around the season; for to a woman a not inconsiderable part of a pleasure depends on the knowledge that she is suitably garbed.’ (source) Continue reading 1910s Christmas Peacock Evening Dress
Monthly Archives: December 2015
DIY Victorian Silver Dog Collar
I’ve finally finished the silver dog collar for challenge 10 of the Historical Sew Monthly! 😀 Victorian and Edwardian dog collars were often made of silver, white metal, brass or copper with leather on the inside. Continue reading DIY Victorian Silver Dog Collar
Edwardian Bicycle Costume
‘Today […] men and women […] ride from the first day of spring to the last privileged days of frosty winter. They ride from morning to high noon, and their lanterned wheels purr by with the gleam of a cat’s eye through the dark.’ (The Out Of Door Library: Athletic Sports, 1897)
A couple of years ago I sewed an Edwardian bicycle costume. It consists of a tailored Edwardian brown wool jacket with DIY black fabric soutache, a knee-length blue wool skirt, a refashioned white blouse, black stockings, brown leather boots and an Edwardian staw boater hat trimmed with velvet ribbon. Continue reading Edwardian Bicycle Costume
How To Print Fabric With Indian Wood Block Stamps
This is a short tutorial about how I print fabric with my Indian wood block stamps. In the comments, Asha asked how I’d printed my full circle lehenga. Continue reading How To Print Fabric With Indian Wood Block Stamps
Indian Pink And Yellow Sequined Cotton Skirt
Some pictures of my pink and yellow ghagra (Indian skirt), which is embroidered with silver sequins. I used pink and yellow cotton fabric, and silver sequins. I also used large silver sequin paillettes to imitate Indian mirror work embroidery. Continue reading Indian Pink And Yellow Sequined Cotton Skirt
Black And White Striped Sun Hat
I’ve sewn a black and white hat for next summer! 😀 I wanted a black and white striped sunhat for a long time – which looked pretty, was washable and crushable – and I couldn’t find one which I liked. So I finally decided that I would make it myself! 😉 Continue reading Black And White Striped Sun Hat
Indian Pink Cotton Long Choli Blouse
A while ago I turned a boring, ill-fitting blouse into a long choli top which I can wear with my lehengas (Indian skirts). It was a bluish pink, long sleeve, high neck blouse with lapels, which no longer fitted. I changed the sleeve length and cut out a deep square neckline. Continue reading Indian Pink Cotton Long Choli Blouse
Full-Circle Cotton Chaniya Choli With Elephant Applique
That’s my pink, green and yellow cotton chaniya choli which I sewn and embroidered myself. I used pink, green and yellow cotton fabric for the skirt, and different colored cotton scraps for the elephant appliques. The skirt is a full-circle skirt, made up of pink and green panels and a circular cut yellow and green border. Continue reading Full-Circle Cotton Chaniya Choli With Elephant Applique
Indian Wood Block Stamps
Here are some pictures of my Indian wooden stamps which I use to print fabric and clothes. Some of the stamps are bought, such as the elephant, flower etc, and some of the stamps I made myself, such as the big circle and three border stamps. Continue reading Indian Wood Block Stamps
1850s Starched Cotton And Lace Collar
This is my mid-Victorian handsewn cotton and lace collar. I used thin, white cotton fabric and white cotton bobbin lace. Continue reading 1850s Starched Cotton And Lace Collar