#FridayNightFrills 18th Century men's frock coat, French c.1790
Gentle Readers; This post is in honor of Jane Austen’s 235th birthday. I have joined a group of bloggers in a blogfabulous celebration, and their links will sit at the bottom of this post. Le…
On Fridays, my youngest son has to wear “formal dress” to school. This involves a jacket and tie, khakis, and real shoes rather than sneakers. He hates formal school dress day. The kid has no idea how easy he has it. I mean, look at poor Aleksey Bobrinsky up there in his tight suit and... Read more »
Last summer I made a sweet little gown for my daughter using the Larkin and Smith girl's gown pattern. Thanks to the extensive winter snow storms, I've had time to wash, iron and photograph it, and can now share construction notes. It's so pretty! It's no secret I'm a moron at reading pattern directions, I luckily had a mock bodice that Hallie had kindly lent me ages ago that I could refer to for guidance. Hallie and Steph, who I consider mentors and friends, have done a great job at developing a pattern that is much needed for reenactors with little girls (or older toddler boys who aren't breeched). My notes are in no way intended as criticism; I hope they offer guidance for anyone creating a little child's gown and may stumble on the same areas as I did. Like any period gown, the bodice is a little involved. The construction is similar to a lady's 18th century gown, such as lapping the side seams and setting the sleeves. One main variation on the child's gown is the back lacing feature. This pattern includes plackets that are sewn on top of the center back to cover the eyelets. To attach this, I used a spaced backstitch because it's pretty, and because this is intended to be an upperclass girl's gown. You can get a better sense of how the plackets cover the eyelets here. Just like making stays, there were oodles of eyelets to sew. I used a blended linen-cotton fabric that's rather lightweight. I repeated this fabric for the lining. When sewing the skirt panels, I followed the cutting directions and made the four panels 20 inches wide. When it came to pleating the petticoat, it was a bit too much for her size, which at the time was about a child's 4-5. The photo above shows how the petticoat has a finished waistband, just like mom's version; however this petticoat is sewn to the bodice. The petticoat ties closed at the center back, like an under petticoat. This image shows the front waist. The point at the front of the bodice is all finished. Rather than directly tacking this to the petticoat, it pretty much "hangs loose" and flops around. I cheated a little! Inside seams were machine sewn. In hopes that she can wear this for a second season, there are two growth pleats basted in place. Detail of the back of the leading string. To sew the leading strings and sash, I whip stitched two sides together. As you can kind of tell above, there is a "right side" that doesn't show the stitches and a "back side" with all the stitches. When working with this pattern, there is one adjustment that I suggest making. The bodice is a bit too wide. As you can see in the photos below... ...the first time my daughter wore this gown it was very gappy in front. The bodice front is a bit too wide. Bodice pleat added under the left shoulder strap. To help correct this, I made a little pleat on the bodice under each shoulder strap. Not to pat myself on the back, but there's something magical about her wearing this gown which is somewhat captured in this mini video.
Curator Janet Boston shares the difficult histories of the beautifully crafted Asian arms and armour collection at Manchester Art Gallery.
Do you wonder why this early eighteenth-century silk dress is labeled a “child’s dress” and not a “girl’s dress”? You may be surprised to learn that both young girls and boys wore dresses at this time, a practice that actually continued into the first decades of the twentieth century. Before the sixteenth century, European men
We purchased this framed crewel embroidery fragment a few months back. An elegant Spring landscape of sinewy vines and exotic florals, it is...
Child’s bodice, 1720.
I always try to have a bit of handsewing on the go, so I have something to work on while sitting in a waiting room, or whenever else I have a tiny bit of down-time (an all too rare occurrence in my life at the moment, sadly). My last handsewing project was another 18th c fichu – a twin to the one I made back in December, because it’s easier to cut a square and divide it into two triangles than to cut an individual triangle, so you might as well make fichu in pairs! I finished my fichu on the flight to Sydney, just in time for Theresa to wear it for my talk and our photoshoot at Old Government House in Parramatta, Sydney. There isn’t a great deal to say about the fichu’s construction.* I cut it at 80cm/31.5″ along the straight edges, which creates a 132cm/52″ angled edge. The little slit in it is 12cm/4.5″ long. The slit allows it to sit nicely and snugly against the back of the neck. The …
Last summer I made a sweet little gown for my daughter using the Larkin and Smith girl's gown pattern. Thanks to the extensive winter snow storms, I've had time to wash, iron and photograph it, and can now share construction notes. It's so pretty! It's no secret I'm a moron at reading pattern directions, I luckily had a mock bodice that Hallie had kindly lent me ages ago that I could refer to for guidance. Hallie and Steph, who I consider mentors and friends, have done a great job at developing a pattern that is much needed for reenactors with little girls (or older toddler boys who aren't breeched). My notes are in no way intended as criticism; I hope they offer guidance for anyone creating a little child's gown and may stumble on the same areas as I did. Like any period gown, the bodice is a little involved. The construction is similar to a lady's 18th century gown, such as lapping the side seams and setting the sleeves. One main variation on the child's gown is the back lacing feature. This pattern includes plackets that are sewn on top of the center back to cover the eyelets. To attach this, I used a spaced backstitch because it's pretty, and because this is intended to be an upperclass girl's gown. You can get a better sense of how the plackets cover the eyelets here. Just like making stays, there were oodles of eyelets to sew. I used a blended linen-cotton fabric that's rather lightweight. I repeated this fabric for the lining. When sewing the skirt panels, I followed the cutting directions and made the four panels 20 inches wide. When it came to pleating the petticoat, it was a bit too much for her size, which at the time was about a child's 4-5. The photo above shows how the petticoat has a finished waistband, just like mom's version; however this petticoat is sewn to the bodice. The petticoat ties closed at the center back, like an under petticoat. This image shows the front waist. The point at the front of the bodice is all finished. Rather than directly tacking this to the petticoat, it pretty much "hangs loose" and flops around. I cheated a little! Inside seams were machine sewn. In hopes that she can wear this for a second season, there are two growth pleats basted in place. Detail of the back of the leading string. To sew the leading strings and sash, I whip stitched two sides together. As you can kind of tell above, there is a "right side" that doesn't show the stitches and a "back side" with all the stitches. When working with this pattern, there is one adjustment that I suggest making. The bodice is a bit too wide. As you can see in the photos below... ...the first time my daughter wore this gown it was very gappy in front. The bodice front is a bit too wide. Bodice pleat added under the left shoulder strap. To help correct this, I made a little pleat on the bodice under each shoulder strap. Not to pat myself on the back, but there's something magical about her wearing this gown which is somewhat captured in this mini video.
Boy's robe of bronze-coloured silk made in France in about 1750
Susan reporting: We've discussed stays, the 18th c. version of a corset, here at the TNHG, and we've also discussed stays for young Georgi...
This garment was commonly called an infant frock. It can be used by infants for 18th and early 19th century reenactments. Other uses would be for christenings or baby blessings. A little history. Prior to the infant frock swaddling bands were quite commonly used as the baby clothes. In the second half of the 18th century the infant frock became popular. The infant frock was a new step because it allowed the infant to move its "fragile" limbs. Infant frocks were used for both boys and girls. Historically red was a masculine color and blue was a feminine color. Children wore the watered down colors of their parents. This changed some time in the early 20th century. Mothers in the 18th- early 19th centuries would often pin tuck the bodice of an 18 month old frock down to the size of a newborn. As the baby grew the mother would slowly release the pin tucks until the frock was too small, then a new shorter dress would be either made or handed down from an older sibling. The long skirts were useful for keeping baby warm and safe. The skirt made diaper changing much easier. As the baby got to the walking stage growth tucks would be put in to shorten the skirts to free the feet and legs. At this time long straps, called leading strings, would be attached to the shoulders to help aid the child to walk, and keep them safe. Boy’s straps were removed when they were “breeched”, which meant they got their first breeches. Girls would wear their leading straps or strings till they were about 11 years old. Lace was loved by those who could afford it. Lace was commonly made by bobbins and out of natural fibers knotting, lucet, knitting, and crochet. Some argue tatting existed at this time also but others say no, it was a 19th century invention. I am giving you your choice of buttons, hook and eye or ties, to close the frock.
Infant's white linen shirt.
SEWING E-PATTERN DOWNLOAD Difficulty: Early Intermediate US Sizes 12months – 8(girls) EU Sizes 80cm – 128cm The Norland Frock Pattern from Virgil's Fine Goods is suitable for impressions 1760-1789 for all young children up to US size 8. This lovely little gown is largely based on portraiture and sketches of young children from around the 1760s through 1780s. Simple white frocks were the quintessential young child’s garment during the Georgian era. Both boys and girls wore these sweet gowns until they were reliably outhouse-trained, when boys would be “breeched” or transitioned into bifurcated pant styles while girls transitioned into gowns similar in cut to adult women. For the latter half of the 18th century, the “slip” gown was the preferred style for younger children. It featured stitched bodice pleats, skirt tucks, and sometimes sleeve tucks: all of which allowed for growth alterations. ***THIS LISTING IS E-PATTERN DOWNLOAD ONLY*** Please follow this link if you're interested in a physical printed pattern. Recommended Fabrics: Gown: light and midweight cottons, linens or silks. Gowns like this were typically white or very light colors. Petticoat and Sash: light to heavy weight silks or cotton sateens are appropriate. Wide ribbons may be used for the sash instead of creating a sash of matching fabric to the petticoat. About your E-PATTERN DOWNLOAD THIS PATTERN REQUIRES ADOBE READER TO VIEW AND USE. https://get.adobe.com/reader/ This pattern is formatted to 8.5"x11" US Letter Size or A4 Printer Paper (excepting Copyshop Files in AO) Once purchased, you will receive a downloadable .zip file with the following PDF files: Instructions Booklet PDF (17 pages) Printing Instructions PDF (2 pages) At-Home Pattern Pieces Printing Docs PDF (49 pages) Copyshop Pattern Pattern Pieces Printing Doc PDF (4 pages) TO USE THIS PATTERN *Download the File after purchase *Select "Unzip" or "Extract All Files" to view *Open the "READ FIRST" file on how to print *Print files as instructed *Trim page borders and tape/glue your pattern pieces together *Sew as you would a conventional sewing pattern PATTERN USAGE AGREEMENT By purchasing this pattern you agree to the following terms of use: ~Virgil's Fine Goods Patterns are exclusively for private, non-commercial use by the buyer ~Virgil's Fine Goods Patterns may be used for commission pieces if the individual pattern is owned by the client. ~Commercial Production of Virgil's Fine Goods Patterns are strictly prohibited. ~No Returns, Exchanges, Cancellations, or Refunds on E-Patterns Please help support small business by encouraging your friends to also purchase these patterns! Please do not share files with your friends, as your purchases help put food on our table. Thank you!
These dresses are made to order. You choose the color/pattern and I will make it to your child’s measurements bit with room to grow! Drawstring neck and waist and generous growth pleats make this dress work for a few years of growing! Tie back or button back available. I will need belly measurement and nape of neck to length measurement. Otherwise you will get a standard size. Please note: These are all custom made items. Production time can vary based on demand. If you need the item by a certain date please let me know when placing your order. Thank you for your business!
