‘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)

For my Edwardian princess petticoat I’ve used off-white cotton fabric and many meters of cotton lace. The lace part of the skirt has a thin cotton ruffle underneath.

I’ve joined white and cream-colored cotton laces, such as Valenciennes lace, bobbin lace, and needle lace, of different width. I’ve also added a rose-colored satin ribbon.

At first I had sewn an Edwardian petticoat (just a skirt) with the lace, but I didn’t like it. So I’ve detached the lace again and instead I’ve sewn this princess petticoat with it.

Princess petticoats were worn in the Edwardian era as a combination garment to reduce the many layers of underwear. It was worn over the corset and replaced the petticoat and corset cover.

The slip with its princess seams is suitable to wear under ‘smooth fitting skirts’ as it makes a ‘continuous line from the shoulder to the bottom of the skirt’. ‘The trimming for the upper part of the waist may be made as elaborate as desired because the slip takes the place of the regular corset cover. The bottom of the slip may be trimmed with ruffles, with lace, with rows of insertion sewed together to make a flounce’. (School Sewing Based On Home Problems, 1916)

I’ve drafted my own pattern for the princess slip. All seams are flat felled seams; and I’ve finished the armholes ‘with bias strips of the material’, as is recommended here: School Sewing Based On Home Problems, 1916. The princess petticoat is closed at the back with buttons and buttonholes, and snaps at the lace yoke.

Here’s a 1900s lace princess slip, a ca. 1905 princess petticoat with broderie anglaise, an Edwardian princess slip with button closure, and another princess petticoat with broderie anglaise.