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May 2018 Challenge - Specific to a Time [of Day or Year]: Historically, some garments were worn year round, and for a range of events. Others were exclusively for certain times of year, or specific times of day. Make one of the latter.
The Dreamstress
Another incredible upcoming costume exhibit at Biltmore Estate! After two years of preparation the Estate is bringing the largest collection of costumes from the 1997 movie Titanic to display throughout Biltmore House. So exciting!
Wanting to create something appropriate for the day tour I select a pattern for a 1912 Directoire (Cutaway) Jacket by Edwardian Rose on Etsy.
While I'm familiar with the jacket style and those enormous hats, I'm not familiar with the fur muff in the sketch and decide to do some research.
There are two books that are my first place to research for Victorian and Edwardian fashion. Victorian Fashions & Costumes From Harper's Bazar: 1867 - 1898 by Stella Blum and Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from "La Mode Illustree" by JoAnne Olian. The fashion plates from those eras are a wealth of information and additional research has always verified their correctness.
Last December I made a velvet muff for an 1890 impression based on fashion plates from 1893.
I used The Faux Fur Muff Sewing Workbook by historicalsewing.com and added a little length to the historical fashion plate inspiration since I knew the weather would be cold and I wanted to tuck my hands deep inside.
Some more research from Harper's Bazar and La Mode Illustree:
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| Harper's Bazar 1869 |
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| Harper's Bazar 1877 |
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| Harper's Bazar 1885 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1901 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1905 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1909 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1909 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1909 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1909 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1912 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1912 |
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| La Mode Ilustree 1913 |
I've been studying the 18th century in hopes of creating some costume from that period in 2019. American Duchess has published the 18th Century Dressmaking book and what do I find? That the giant fur muff was an accessory in that period as well! And there is a perfect pattern and instruction for my 1912 muff.
Using a black ribbed faux fur, a seafoam green satin for lining, and readily available polyfill (since down feathers are not as readily available to me as they were to my 18th century sisters), I create the fur muff with a hidden pocket for my 21st century phone.
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| Polyfill, satin, grosgrain ribbon, faux fur. |
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| Grosgrain ribbon sewn to the faux fur, satin attached. |
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| Horizontal seam sewn shut with opening left for polyfill and pocket. Polyfill stuffed as desired. |
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| The interior pocket sewn. |
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| Lining edges pinned, pocket edges pinned, then pocket inserted and hand stitched together. |
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| An interior pocket! |
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| A finished fur muff! |
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| It really is the perfect accessory for the 1912 suit and large hat. |
On April 14, 2018, 106 years after the Titanic disaster, our group tours Biltmore Estate and the Titanic movie costume exhibit. This is Rochelle Rose, the actress who played the Countess of Rothes in the 1997 movie and a guest for the weekend, my husband in the best Captain Edward J. Smith impression I could muster, and me with my giant muff accessory. There were 22 of us at a weekend I had organized and we costumed the entire weekend! But that is another wonderful story for another blog post.
Historical Sew Monthly
The Challenge: #5 Specific to a Time
Material: Faux fur, satin
Pattern: American Duchess 18th Century Dressmaking
Year: 1912
Notions: Grosgrain ribbon, thread, polyfill
How historically accurate is it? Accurate in impression, with modern materials.
Hours to complete: 2
First worn: April 14, 2018 Party Like A Vanderbilt Event
Total cost: $22
