That’s my mid-Victorian sheer, white, cotton muslin summer dress.
The dress has a partly attached low-neck underbodice with short sleeves.
This 1847 painting shows the underbodice of the muslin gown quite well. Here’s an antique 1840s muslin lace dress with attached underbodice, and a sheer tucked dress with underbodice. Here you’ll see the interior of the underbodice of a sheer plaid bodice. The underbodice is unboned like mine.
The muslin bodice is slightly gathered in front and closes with two hooks and eyes at the waistband, it’s very similar to this mid-Victorian muslin gown or this lilac print muslin gown.
In the back, the bodice isn’t gathered. Here’s a pretty 1854 fashion plate of a muslin gown with blue ribbons.
The bodice and skirt are separate as Victorian dresses often were, such as this pretty 1860s sheer white linen dress.
The bodice has sloped shoulder seams and princess seams at the back, like this sheer muslin gown. Victorian dresses emphasized sloping shoulders, such as this pretty 1855 flounced white muslin dress.
I’ve attached lace round the neckline and at the sleeves. It’s the same white cotton Valenciennes lace which I’ve used for my 1850s lace day cap, and my Edwardian muslin blouse. This Victorian muslin gown also has Valenciennes lace at the sleeves.
My dress has pagoda sleeves which are often worn with undersleeves such as here. But muslin dresses can also be worn without as this photograph of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and this 1850s painting show.
I’m wearing my Victorian Carrickmacross lace day cap which I’ve made myself.
The skirt has two shorter ruffles and one longer ruffle at the bottom.
The skirt is mainly inspired by this pretty Victorian white muslin dress. This printed sheer cotton dress also has three similar ruffles. An another sheer plaid dress with three ruffles at the bottom of the skirt.
That’s the closure of the muslin bodice which wraps in front.
The under-bodice is closed with many hooks and eyes, like this Victorian sheer cotton dress. The fabric of the under-bodice is a thicker off-white cotton fabric (the same fabric which I’ve used for my ruffled petticoat).
This is what I’m wearing underneath the muslin skirt: four unbleached cotton petticoats, my starched tucked lace petticoat, my flounced petticoat (with the ruffles to the inside or they would be seen through the sheer muslin), white lace cotton stockings, and black leather ankle boots.
Doesn’t the ruffled petticoat worn inside out look like a quilted petticoat?
I’m also wearing a chemise, corset, and drawers.
I love this muslin dress: It’s so comfortable to wear, yet looks very elegant and feminine.
Despite the masses of underwear, it’s really cool in summer.
Hi,
I have a question about fabric.
Where did you get the sheer muslin? I’ve been looking all over for fabric like this!
Thank you,
Isabella
Hi Isabella,
I’ve bought the fabric online at macculloch-wallis.co.uk. The fabric is called ‘Muslin, Egyptian Grade A’. Depending on where you live there may be import duties etc. but till now it’s the only seller I’ve found who sells this kind of fabric.
I hope this helps,
Lina
Thank you so much Linda!
I think I’m going to buy this fabric. But I have one more question.
I don’t want stiff fabric, I want fabric with a soft drape. Your dress seems to have a soft drape but I just want to double check that it is.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!
Isabella
Hi,
yes, the fabric has a soft drape. I’ve also used this fabric for my Edwardian blouse. There are also some close-ups of the fabric.
Thank you so much Lina(sorry, I spelled your name wrong in the last reply :))!
I’m just about to order the fabric
You’ve helped me incredibly!
Have a great day!
Isabella
I found your interesting website by accident when I looked up Victorian white Summer dresses for inspiration, and love it. You are so talented and I wonder if you ever sell or make to sell your creations? Your clothing pieces are beautiful, and your photos look historically authentic.
Thank you for your lovely comment. 🙂 I’ve already sold some dresses on ebay, and I’m thinking about opening up a dawanda or etsy shop.
Awesome! What’s your Shop name? I would be very interested in purchasing something if you have anything for sale.
I’m about to open my etsy shop. My shop name is Sew Historically. 🙂
Your dress is really beautiful. I love muslin in summer – so far I’ve only made nightgowns and underskirts though!
Thank you! 🙂
Outstanding site! You definitely know your costume history. I am costuming a “Jenny Lind” antique china head doll (13” tall) and will use this information. Any recommendations on a lightweight silk to use for her dress? Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you so much! 😀 Should the dress be historically correct? Because then I’d rather use thin cotton fabric for a day dress – such as tarlatan, organdy or batiste – or stiff silk fabric for a ball gown – silk taffeta or silk satin. However, if you want to use lightweight silk, you can use lightweight silk taffeta, habotai silk, silk chiffon or silk gauze.
How do you reduce the amount of bulk at the waistline due to the multiple petticoats? Thanks!
Four of the petticoats are gathered into one waistband. Here are more pictures of this petticoat. And I wear the petticoat waistbands slightly below the waist.