I’ve got the camera again now, so here are the pictures
As my dear sister came back home from London this morning, bringing the camera with her, so I am now able to post some pictures of my newest creation.
So, I made the chemise first. Worked on that for a couple of days and am absolutley thrilled with the way it turned out!
This is really a very simple garment, but still I was so pleased with the finished result. Especially the seams which you were supposed to sew using the flat-felling technique and which lead to a very tidy look and a beautiful finish! I don’t know if you can quite see it in this picture…
And here is the pretty drawstring..
After completing that I soon set to work on the next item, the short stays. For these I had found an absolutley perfect fabric! It was actually something that I got at the second hand shop I mentioned earlier, I found a beautiful linen tablecloth! I know, it sounds sort of weird to make something out of a tablecloth, but it was actually rather perfect. And it only cost me 15 kr (that is about $2 I think)!
So I used that for the outside. For lining I used a plain white linen fabric that I had lying around at home.
I admit I was a little bit nervous about this project. I have always had the belief that corsets must be incredibly difficult to make, and consequently this probably too because it is sort of similar. But I was pleasantly surprised by it all working out very well and the by fact that I didn’t actually encounter a single problem (Yay!). And what is more, I truly enjoyed every moment of this project! I usually do enjoy working on different sewing projects, but not quite like this. I literally found it hard to put it down and do something else. So consequently I finished it all in two days. And am most pleased with the result of this one too!
So now, here are a few pictures.
The back.
A closer view of the front…
…and an even closer one…
And now a picture of the inside. And yes, that little smudge in the corner is blood… I suffered an attack from my needle, and I am afraid it left a mark..
Here is a close-up of the outer fabric. Unfortunately you can’t see it so well, but it’s really pretty!
And here are a few of me modeling it… I was a bit unsure about posting any pictures of me wearing it, I mean after all it is actually underwear! And I am not usually in the habit of posting photos of myself in my underwear. But then I figured it wouldn’t be too bad. It doesn’t look like modern day underwear, and it’s not too immodest. Anyway, here are some pictures.
So as you probably can tell I am very pleased with the finished result of this project. I was actually rather sorry to be done with it, as I had enjoyed working on it so much. But I take comfort in knowing that I shall probably soon be sewing some more, since I now have a reason to…
These things turned out just beautifully and your pictures are perfectly modest. I think your table cloth purchase was perfect for this project. What a wonderful way to recycle and reuse, and it is economical as well.
Have you another special occasion planned? Can’t wait to see what you sew next.
These things turned out just beautifully and your pictures are perfectly modest. I think your table cloth purchase was perfect for this project. What a wonderful way to recycle and reuse, and it is economical as well.
Have you another special occasion planned? Can’t wait to see what you sew next.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Wow, that’s amazing how nicely and quickly it turned out! I’m quite impressed! And, I must add, I appreciate your consideration for modesty and propriety… something I think that should be understood by more people! I think your pictures quite lovely, you are so talented! I’m also quite impressed at how you reused the linen… had you not mentioned it, I suspect none of us should have noticed it! If more people reused things and made projects at home, perhaps our society wouldn’t be so wasteful today. This post also reminds me of the Knowing Your Muslin talk that I liked so much when we were in Bath…
One more thing, is it comfortable? I presume you would wear this under one of the dresses like you wore in Bath… does it fit under them nicely?
Why thank you both very much!
Jennifer – I do have another occasion planned, and I am planning to post more about that one of the next days.
Well, actually it IS very comfortable! I wasn’t quite sure it would be, but it is! So that is another great thing about it. Before I used a bodiced-petticoat, and even though that was rather comfortable too I think I prefer the feeling of this one.
To my great relief it does fit under the dresses I have. Phew! And it now looks more authentic I think, since you can see the lines of the stays showing through.
Good work Aurora!
~Alyssa
Aurora, one more thing if I may be so bold as to ask… compared to modern clothes, how are these period ones in terms of comfort? Could you bear to live this way or do you pity the women of the past? They don’t look uncomfortable… but then again… I know nothing of the matter…
Thank you Alyssa!
Compared to modern clothes I still think it is very comfortable. It sort of feels like modern underwear actually. More so then I guess other corsets would, though I have no experience there so I can’t say for sure.
Well, I have only worn it at the most about 30 minutes so far, so I really don’t know if it will feel any different after wearing it a whole day. But I don’t think so. And so far I do think I could bear to live this way, and see no reason to pity women of the past.
I’m glad to hear it! There are so many people I know who think of all sorts of imagined pain and suffering, that they wonder anyone should like the past. I’m glad you have such good view on the subject as it is quite refreshing!
I’ve just stumbled upon your blog recently, so maybe I missed the post where you explained what pattern you used… Is this also one of Jennie Chancey’s?
Hello Joanna,
Glad you happened to find your way here!
Yes, that is correct I used Jennie’s Regency Underthings Pattern. I really liked using this pattern, it was nice and easy to follow, as I think all her patterns are! I can certainly recommend it!
It looks fabulous, and I really love the idea about tablecloth!
Now, you might think its weird, but if one made the stay in a different(brighter) colour it would really look like one of them summer dresses! (Sort of like a corset worn over a ‘gypsy’ blouse for a ‘peasant, medieval or fairy tale’ look)
So there’s really nothing immodest about it!
Great job and nice pictures!
Thank you so very much!
I have actually been considering making a more modern dress out of the bodiced petticoat pattern. The petticoat does look like a dress, and with a few little tweaks I think it could work splendidly as a modern dress! Maybe some day I’ll actually make that…
I actually agree with you, it would. And what’s more, I think it could be quite nice.
I’m making the chemise at this moment and I’m doing it by hand to practice my stitches. It’s a fun project to do.
I’m at the stage where I have to start on flat felling the seams. Your fabric seems heavier than mine. Mine is very light and half see trough.