Some. First off, I put the second cup into my thesis stays, and I gathered in the top. (I also did a row of gathering stitches across the middle, which I probably will bring in a bit.) I can't tell if I didn't make it wide enough, as the fabric's really not gathered that much, … Continue reading Some progress
Category: 18th century
Artistic Neoclassical Costume
I began discussing this in my post on the mantua. As the wealthy began to create separate public and private lives, they desired paintings of themselves in private, dressed in ways they could never appear in public. Some of the sitters wore actual negligée dress, but some were painted in an invented costume meant to … Continue reading Artistic Neoclassical Costume
Even More Sources
This time, from the Lewis Walpole Library of prints. They are mostly satires - which are problematic to use as sources, of course, but they do tell you what people thought were the newest and most ridiculous parts of fashion, and the bits that aren't being satired in a specific drawing are usually pretty accurate. … Continue reading Even More Sources
Yet More Sources – V&A
The corset is almost finished - I just have to do the cups. So there will be good pictures soon, I hope. But for now, I'm looking at more painting sources, this time from the Victoria & Albert Museum. (Sorry about the color cards - they're probably there to show scale, since a lot of … Continue reading Yet More Sources – V&A
Petticoat and Corset
Those promised pictures! I would have taken a picture of the petticoat on me but it's dreadfully unflattering without stays, and I didn't feel like taking the time to really get dressed. The pleats from the inside. I whipped them down to the twill tape with waxed linen thread. Yes, the fabric has a strangely … Continue reading Petticoat and Corset
Mimic of Modes 