Buccaneers dress

This dress has two sources of inspiration: the movie The Buccaneers (set in the 1870s) and a gown painted several times by Tissot in the 1870s.

 

And now here's my humble cotton version complete with hat (hat pattern designed by Lazy K - thank you!)

Trained pinned up:

 

Train down:

Hats and bonnets

Well, one of the things I like to do is make hats, so here is a sampling I haven't shown already

Photo courtesy of Creations l'Escarpolette:

 

Photo courtesy of Gemma:

 

Photo courtesy of Tattermallion Designs:

 

 

Design idea courtesy of Gypsy Lady Designs:

 

 

1890's half mourning dress

I was inspired by the new Simplicity 1890s pattern that came out.  I had some black moire bengaline hanging around and heard about a mourning museum nearby (http://www.arlingtoncemetery.us/museum.asp).  Naturally, I had to make a mourning costume!

Though I know velvet was not appropriate for mourning (confirmed by several primary sources), I trimmed the skirt with it anyway.

 

I also made the bonnet, which I blocked with buckram over a styrofoam head form and covered in black "brain" velvet.

Here are the directions I followed: http://www.carolinabelles.net/vb/showthread.php?t=4971&highlight=make+bonnet

1890s Sporting bloomers

For SalonCon 2008 (a convention for neo-Victorians that has since more or less morphed into the Steampunk World's Fair), I decided to make a sporting outfit for a bird watcher/naturalist character.  Using the Laughing Moon sporting costume, I made the bloomers (view B) out of the same pinstriped fabric as the 1890s suit so that I could use the same jacket for both.  I made a new vest panel out of black velvet and brass mesh.

 

I also made wool felt gaiters (knee length spats) with hand sewn soutache

 

The final touch was a brass mesh top hat lined in black velvet and trimmed with brass wire and faux leather hat band from a pattern by Denise Nadine Designs.

1890's black and white pinstriped suit

More $1/yd fabric!  My friend Gina inspired this suit.  Hers had a vest and trim out of a red, black, and white fabric, but I couldn't find a cotton in those colors I liked, so went with plain black and white.  The skirt is the Simplicity 4078.

 

I also made a linen boater hat to go with this, which I have since sold

Crawford Manor walking dress

I made this dress for the Steampunk World's Fair 2010.  Mid 1880's bustle style day dress of cotton and linen.

Here's the inspiration.  From a doll website called "Crawford Manor Dolls".

 

Here I am with my good friend Beth:

I also made the hat, which I blocked with buckram over a block of styrofoam that I carved to shape.  It is directly inspired by Gypsy Lady Hat Designs.