It’s been a year and I still haven’t altered this old thing…oh well. Life got busy. I’ll just shelf the bodice and start from scratch. Some day.
Dress Designs
Interior Finishing
In the course of sorting out some period garments for Tombstone, we happened across one of the bodices in our collection and after looking at it, it struck me that this demonstrates some of the key elements in period seam finishing. First, the seam allowances have been finished off with an overcast stitch. Also, note the use of boning to add structure to the bodice- this didn’t replace the corset but rather aided in helping to define the bodice shape.
Also, we want to note that this bodice employs flat-lining- this is where a reinforcing piece of fabric is attached to the interior side of the fashion fabric to add stability. This is especially useful when dealing with lighter fabrics and especially silks (polished cotton was frequently used).
Finally, we note that hooks and eyes are used, all the hooks one side, the eyes on the other. You will see an alternating pattern with some bodices but either way is good and both were used.
And Finishing Off The Skirt…
Fun fact: there’s no good way to level all of these hem layers except to sit on the floor and pin, pin, pin. Yay. Worth it, though.
Further Progress
L ace layered guimpe is finished! How is it that the simplest of ideas become so…complicated? An antique lace scarf was repurposed for this, mounted on bobbinette, then I had the bright idea to appliqué more old lace to that. By hand. The whole thing. Call me crazy 🤪
Saturday At The Atelier
Don’t you just love to spend rainy Saturdays doing a little hand sewing? I sure do! ❤️
Big reveal in a few days…check my IG stories for progress!