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Harper's Ferry Dress Planning
Sep. 21st, 2011 07:40 amAs a back up, I have a black wool skirt and I have a black wool extant jacket that is very wearable. I just need to make a basic blouse and I'd be fine for the late 1850's into the Civil War era.
However, I have zero desire to go in mourning to a cider demonstration. I want to be colorful, darn it! I found that fabric dot com had some silk plaids that look oh so tempting but I'd like to stick to an under $50 budget -if not much lower- for this dress. I'm thinking maybe this blue wool blend on ebay? That with some pink and/or black trims would look neat.
The pattern I'm considering is Simplicity 4510. I'll leave off all six ruffles (I might add one ore two) and probably change up the trim placement a bit but I'm more concerned about the construction. It *looks* okay but does anyone know if it is correct for the late 1850's/early 1860's? Mid Victorian is not my era. What research I have done, this looks like about an 1858/1859 dress which is what I'm going for. (The demo is for 1860. The rest of the patterns I have look too fashion forward, like 1863...)
Back to fabric: I'm also considering a cotton flannel due to it being inexpensive. Would that have been used in a day gown/visiting dress? Or would a cotton reproduction be more appropriate? Or should I splurge and go with the pretty silk plaid? Or should I use the green silk I still have and just deal with it being another green dress? Or should I go further through my stash and see what else I can find?
I know, a lot of questions. Believe it or not, I have a TON more. I'm just using the corset I just finished remaking and I can whip up the chemise for this in about 25 minutes (I actually have an extant one that I can use as a basis)
Also, if anyone knows of any better patterns from the big 3, please let me know. Based on my search last night, I might already have it....
However, I have zero desire to go in mourning to a cider demonstration. I want to be colorful, darn it! I found that fabric dot com had some silk plaids that look oh so tempting but I'd like to stick to an under $50 budget -if not much lower- for this dress. I'm thinking maybe this blue wool blend on ebay? That with some pink and/or black trims would look neat.
The pattern I'm considering is Simplicity 4510. I'll leave off all six ruffles (I might add one ore two) and probably change up the trim placement a bit but I'm more concerned about the construction. It *looks* okay but does anyone know if it is correct for the late 1850's/early 1860's? Mid Victorian is not my era. What research I have done, this looks like about an 1858/1859 dress which is what I'm going for. (The demo is for 1860. The rest of the patterns I have look too fashion forward, like 1863...)
Back to fabric: I'm also considering a cotton flannel due to it being inexpensive. Would that have been used in a day gown/visiting dress? Or would a cotton reproduction be more appropriate? Or should I splurge and go with the pretty silk plaid? Or should I use the green silk I still have and just deal with it being another green dress? Or should I go further through my stash and see what else I can find?
I know, a lot of questions. Believe it or not, I have a TON more. I'm just using the corset I just finished remaking and I can whip up the chemise for this in about 25 minutes (I actually have an extant one that I can use as a basis)
Also, if anyone knows of any better patterns from the big 3, please let me know. Based on my search last night, I might already have it....