Tag Archives: working woman

Edwardian Haymaking With The Scythe

1900s - Edwardian, , , , ,

Edwardian Haymaking With The Scythe

‘No part of the business of farming is more pleasant than hay-making.’ (Merry’s Museum, 1843)

I love haymaking with the scythe! Besides being the best full body workout, mowing with the scythe is eco-friendly, quiet – unlike lawn mowers and string trimmers, and with the scythe it’s possible to cut the grass on a steep hill in our garden.

Every May or June I make hay for our rabbits. When the weather is good, it takes two or three days until the hay is dry: from cutting the grass, turning the hay to gathering the dry hay. Usually, I wear everyday clothes but for these pictures I tried making hay while wearing my Edwardian working woman outfit. Continue reading Edwardian Haymaking With The Scythe →

Edwardian Maid Dress – 1900s Pink Gingham Wash Dress

1900s - Edwardian, , , , , ,

Edwardian Maid Dress 1900s Pink Stripe Gingham Cotton Wash Dress

In the mornings, Edwardian maids wore striped cotton dresses – usually blue & white striped or pink & white striped. They only changed into the today’s known black & white maid costume – a black wool dress with white cotton apron & cap – in the afternoons.

Cotton dresses were much more practical than wool dresses for housework. They were lighter, cooler and could be washed in contrast to Edwardian wool dresses. That’s why these type of dresses were usually called ‘wash dresses’ or ‘tub frocks’ in the 1900s. Continue reading Edwardian Maid Dress – 1900s Pink Gingham Wash Dress →

1900s Gingham Wash Dress – The Shirtwaist

1900s - Edwardian, , , ,

Edwardian Pink Striped Gingham Maid's Dress Shirtwaist Blouse

The shirtwaist of my Edwardian pink gingham wash dress is separate from the skirt which is typical for Edwardian dresses – especially for early Edwardian dresses. The pattern of my Edwardian pink shirtwaist is based on this antique 1911 and this 1916 free Edwardian shirtwaist sewing patterns. Continue reading 1900s Gingham Wash Dress – The Shirtwaist →

Victorian Porte Jupe Skirt Lifter – 1860s Looped-Up Walking Skirts

1840-60 - Victorian, , , ,

Victorian Porte Jupe Skirt Lifter 1860s Drawn Up Walking Skirt

In the Victorian era, especially in the 1860s, walking skirts were sometimes drawn-up or looped-up: This made the long, voluminous Victorian skirts shorter and therefore more practical. It also protected the hem of the skirts from mud and dirt. Continue reading Victorian Porte Jupe Skirt Lifter – 1860s Looped-Up Walking Skirts →