Tag Archives: dress

Handmade Mirror Work Cotton Ghagra Choli

Some years ago, I made a ghagra choli with yellow and pink cotton fabric, embroidery thread and large silver sequins to mimic Indian mirror work embroidery. Ghagra choli is an Indian blouse and skirt outfit which is usually worn with a stole, the dupatta or odhani.

Pink Yellow Mirrorwork Cotton Ghagra Choli

My handmade ghagra choli is inspired by traditional Rajasthani ghagra cholis Continue reading Handmade Mirror Work Cotton Ghagra Choli

Edwardian Walking Dresses

Edwardian walking dresses: What Edwardian women wore in cold and rainy winter weather and for summer hiking vacations.

Edwardian Walking Dresses

‘The very best form of exercise, all doctors agree, is walking. It brings into action every muscle of the body, stimulates the organs and circulation, and provides an interesting amusement, because it is enjoyable. It induces health because it does not overstrain any part of the body, and it brings beauty of form because it gets rid of superfluous tissue, and, at the same time, develops the muscles, thus filling out the hollows and thin places.’ (Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia, 1910-2a)

Edwardians were fond of walking. Even rain didn’t stop them: They believed a walk through rain was an excellent skin toner! But the clothing had to be light and warm so as not to catch cold. Edwardian walking dresses usually consisted of a short leather-lined wool skirt, a wool jacket or sweater, walking boots and a soft felt cap or hat. Continue reading Edwardian Walking Dresses

The Edwardian Sweater Girl + 25 Free Edwardian Sweater Patterns

Knit and crochet sweaters were an everyday garment for active Edwardian girls and women. Edwardian sweaters are still in style today. So knit, crochet or sew your own Edwardian sweater this winter following one of the 25 free antique Edwardian sweater patterns. Winter is coming! 😉

The Edwardian Sweater Girl + 25 Free Edwardian Sweater Patterns

‘There is a proper and improper time to wear a sweater […] For country wear and sports it is frequently worn as the only outside garment […] For wear in cities and towns a contrary etiquette prevails. Continue reading The Edwardian Sweater Girl + 25 Free Edwardian Sweater Patterns

Edwardian Tailored Wool Skirt & Linen Shirtwaist

Edwardian Tailored Skirt And Linen Shirtwaist

That’s my other Edwardian shirtwaist costume. It’s a late Edwardian outfit with tailored plaid wool skirt and apricot-colored linen blouse with crochet lace.

‘Woolens or mixed weaves are much more difficult to cut out, join and finish than cotton materials, consequently a different method is used in working with them. This method is called tailoring, and includes moderate styles with straight lines and perfect curves and an exactness that is not necessary when draping or constructing gowns for fancy effects.’ (Text-Book On Domestic Art, 1911) Continue reading Edwardian Tailored Wool Skirt & Linen Shirtwaist

Edwardian Easter Gowns For The Easter Parade

‘If Easter Sunday is clear there will be an Easter parade up Fifth avenue that will outshine in brilliancy any previous Easter function of this kind ever beheld by fashionable New York-srs. For awhile, you will remember it was not considered good form to parade on Easter Sunday. But in the many revivals of the twentieth century the revival of the Easter parade is one of the most marked. To go to church is, of course, the correct thing; and to walk afterward is also accepted as in accord with the spirit of Easter; and what more certain than that every woman will wear her best hat and best gown out to enjoy the sunshine of the April day.’ (San Francisco Call, 1903)

‘The famous “Easter Parade” on Fifth avenue on the morning of Easter has degenerated in recent years. It is no longer the fashionable function it once was – at least not wholly so.

Edwardian Easter Parade In New York
‘Easter Parade in New York not what it once was’ (Sacramento Union, 1909)

Continue reading Edwardian Easter Gowns For The Easter Parade