It's that time of year again...

...when the costume closet gets cleaned out!

We've just done another purge of the costume closet, since space is getting tighter and we both have too many pieces we're not wearing often enough to justify keeping them.  That, and we're both in the midst of plotting new sewing adventures and need the space (and the money!) to make them happen.  So here's another chance to add something new to your own period wardrobes!

1) The first gown up for grabs is the first gown I ever completely hand-sewed for myself.  I know I said that about the blue wool gown I parted with last year, but I was wrong - I totally forgot about this one! (yes, that's how long it's been since I've worn it!)  This is an Italian or "quartered back" style gown dated 1775-1785, scaled up from the gown on pages 37-9 in Patterns of Fashion.  The cuff detail was copied from an Indian chintz caraco with an identical date range that is in the V&A.  For further details on the cut, construction, trim, and fabric choice, and to see additional photos, see the gown's Threaded Bliss post from 2010.  Sizing and condition information can be found on the Ebay listing.

2) I have to admit that it's hurting my heart to have to part with the second gown, but I'm doing it for the simple reason that it no longer fits me.  I debated long and hard for a couple of years whether or not I wanted to pick it apart and remake it because I just adore the fabric color and have never seen anything like it since, but in the end, I feel like that would be wasting all the hours of work that went into hand-sewing the entire thing.  Yes, picking it apart was the period solution to the size-change problem, but it just feels silly to me to throw all of that work and time away when I know someone else could use it.  So here goes...taking the plunge and letting it go...*sniff*

This is a lavender silk taffeta gown with a matching petticoat.  Both gown and petticoat were cut to go over a very small hoop which is not included, but you could very easily make a pair of small hip pads (we're talking maybe only an inch or two on each hip, that's all it needs) to fill in the skirts if you want to.  To be totally honest, though, when I just put the gown on the mannequin to take measurements, I didn't even notice any difference in the hem length at the sides, so you could even get away without any skirt supports.  The coordinating hat is not for sale (though I'd be happy to make you something similar if you really wanted it!).

The gown is pleated in back and trimmed with simple box pleated self-fabric around the neckline and sleeves.  The full run-down on the details is in the Threaded Bliss post, with all information about sizing and condition in the Ebay listing.

3) Next up is a Regency gown that Ashley made, and it, too, is entirely hand-sewn.  This sadly never even got a Threaded Bliss post because she only wore it once to a ball and we didn't get any decent pictures then.  It's based on an 1823 gown with a net overlay in Costume in Detail, pgs. 119-120; we just simplified the sleeves and didn't do the padded hemline detail to bring it forward in time to about 1810-1815.  The photos don't do the true color justice - it's a pale blue shot with a sort of brushed gold tone that's really pretty when the light catches it.  Check out the Ebay listing for more photos and for sizing information.

4) Finally, Ashley has also decided to part with her gold linen jacket.  This was an old stand-by for her for years and she still loves it, but it no longer fits and she has a couple of newer jackets to replace it with, so it's time to let it go.  This is the most worn of the pieces we're listing, but it's still in great shape and has many more years of life left in it.  It's absolutely ideal for a camp-following or working-class impression!  Like all of our things, it's entirely hand-sewn, with the fabric, cut, and construction all fully documented - please check out the Threaded Bliss post for all those goodies.  And once again, sizing and condition are given in the Ebay listing.

If you have any questions about any of these pieces or would like additional details or photos, please just let us know and we'll be happy to provide whatever you need!  Help us give these Past Pretties new, loving homes!

A chance to add something new to your reenacting wardrobe!

For those of you in need of a new wardrobe for the campaign season, we currently have listed on Ebay three of our earliest 18th century creations.

The first is Ashley's first "Costume Close-up jacket," the first completely hand-sewn jacket I ever made, and the first project I created using a scaled-up pattern from an original garment.  For more on the jacket's fabric and construction details, check out its previous Threaded Bliss posts here and here.  Clicking on the image below will bring you to the current Ebay listing, which includes condition and measurement details.

The second item on offer is Ashley's sea green fitted-back gown.  Like the jacket, this garment, too, represents multiple firsts for us.  This was the first gown I'd sewn completely by hand, and this was the first petticoat Ashley ever completed by hand.  This is also the first gown I draped from start to finish.  I'd purchased the fabric on sale, and Ashley fell in love with the color and wanted it, so I decided it was time for an experiment.  I started pinning and folding and cutting and pleating and trimming, and taught myself to drape in the process, and she ended up with this gown, which remained her favorite for years.  The original post on it can be found here, and the picture below will link you to the Ebay listing.  Measurements and condition details can be found there.

The third item is another gown, the first I ever made completely by hand for myself.  It's made of a beautiful medium-weight dark indigo wool that has a lovely heavy drape to it that helps give the gown an ideal period shape.  I wore this gown only once (to what was probably the hottest reenactment we've ever been to) and realized only long after the fact that I never even got a picture of myself wearing it, which is why it never got its own Threaded Bliss treatment.  Ah well, that makes it perfect to pass on to someone else, who will be able at long last to give it an identity.  :-)  The listing is linked through the picture below.

If you'd like any additional details or pictures of any of these items, please let us know and we'll be happy to share them.  We very much hope these will go to good homes and be used and loved for many years to come!

Another Victorian Bustle Gown Costume for Sale, Just in Time for Valentine's Day!

Exactly a year ago, we did a cursory rummaging around in the costume closet and I uncovered a green/blue taffeta 1870s-inspired evening gown I'd made about ten years ago for a Victorian costume event.  It was one of the very first historical "costumes" I'd ever made, and though I was sad to see it go, it was time to bid it farewell and send it off to a new home to make some room in the closet for new creations.

While Ashley was visiting a couple of weeks ago, we finally got around to doing a more massive purge of the costume and fabric closet and uncovered the gown I'd made for her for that same event back in 2005.  This one is made of a stunning ruby red satin fabric.  At first, she was tempted to keep it, as it's always been one of her favorite pieces in her absolute favorite color, but after she tried it on and found that it no longer fit, she decided she's ready to part with hers as well.  It is now listed on Ebay!

As I mentioned in last year's post when the first gown was listed, this gown was made before Ashley and I really got serious and nit-picky about historical fashion on a research-oriented level.  This means that if you'd like to bid on it, please be aware that this is very much a costume - not a meticulously researched "reproduction" piece like those we typically share on the blog.  The gown is entirely machine sewn.  Like the blue/green gown, this red one was one of my very first sewing endeavors and as such, it certainly has its flaws, though Ashley still adores it and I do have to admit that it came out looking quite pretty.

As you can probably tell, I made this gown using the same pattern base as mine, though it was so long ago now that I honestly can't recall which pattern it was.  The gown comes in three pieces: bodice, skirt, and bustle.  Please forgive the lack of detailed photos this time around; the dress is too small for my dressform, so we've opted to just use the original pictures because they give the best sense of how the dress drapes when worn.

 The sleeveless bodice has a deep V-neckline in front and back that is trimmed with matching patterned red satin ribbon.   It is stiffened with interfacing and plastic boning and fully lined in red as well.    The armscyes are bound in the same red ribbon that surrounds the neckline; this same ribbon also edges the bottom of the bodice, following along the center front point that dips several inches beneath the natural waistline.  The back has a short peplum that flounces out over the bustle and the back laces closed.

The skirt hemline is edged with a row of red ribbon.   It has an apron front that is attached at the waistband; its bottom edge, too, is finished with the same red ribbon.   The bustle attaches to the skirt with hooks and eyes at the waistband and with a series of ties and plastic rings down the back of the skirt.  The bustle is fully lined and is interlined with crinoline to give it fullness and body.

Four large deep red roses are suspended on a fabric strip down one side of the bustle, in imitation of period fashion plates (the other side of the bustle is left plain).   Beneath the roses is a large, wide bow in the same coordinating ribbon.

Please see the listing for measurements, pricing, and further details.  Let us know if you have any questions.  We'll be thrilled to know that this is going to go to a new home!

And if you're in the mood for shopping in another period, we also currently have listed a couple of 18th-century pieces and some taffeta fabrics on Ebay!

1870s Costume for Sale!

 

About ten years ago, before Ashley and I really got into historical fashion on a serious, research-oriented level, I made an 1870s gown, based off a commercial pattern (I honestly don't remember which one now, especially since I ended up entirely re-drafting the bodice), to wear to a Victorian-themed fundraising event.  I wore it only that once and it's been hanging in the closet ever since, and I think it is now officially time to bid it farewell.  My loss is your gain, as it is now listed on ebay!

 

Additional photos can be found here if you're interested in the details.  If you'd like to bid, please be aware that this is very much a costume - not a meticulously researched "reproduction" piece like those we typically share on the blog.  This was one of my first sewing endeavors and as such, it certainly has its flaws, though I still really like the way it came out.  It is entirely machine-sewn, trim and all, with only the tiniest details (hook and eyes, seam binding, flowers, etc.) sewn by hand.

The fabric is a very pretty green shot blue faux taffeta.  Green organza ribbon holds down the pleated trim along the square neckline and along the bottom of the skirt's apron, and also encircles the hem in two parallel lines.

The bodice is boned with plastic boning and interlined with interfacing to stiffen it, and then fully lined in self-fabric.  The sleeves are also lined, which helps them maintain their poofiness.  The bustle is a separate piece, attached to the waistband with hooks and eyes and attached to the back of the skirt with a series of ties and plastic rings.  The bustle is fully lined and is interlined with crinoline to give it some structure.

Six lavender roses and a bow of lavender organza embellish one side of the bustle; the other side is left plain.  This detail was copied from an early 1880s Godey's fashion plate and just adds a little splash of color.

The bodice and skirt are separate pieces.  The bodice, which has a pointed front, laces up the back through metal lacing holes with an olive green satin ribbon.  A little peplum poofs over the top of the bustle in back.

 

 

Please see the listing for measurements, pricing, and further details.  I'll be very glad to see this go to a good home!