Challange the 2nd - Innovation

I had hoped to make an 1890 corset for the second Sew Fortnightly Challenge – Innovation. I had planned to have a heap of information about how the busk and steel boning had made corsets what they are today and about how before steel boning it was cording, rushes or whalebone.

But unfortunately life interfered with my plans and made it almost impossible to get this challenge done. That coupled with the fact that the supplies I ordered for this project have not arrived, being delayed by the Chinese New Year, mean that I will be skipping this challenge.

So, on to the next challenge.

Best wishes,

Elizabeth

Historical Sew Fortnightly - Challenge 1

For the first challenge, “Mend and Make Do” I have made a Victorian bustle pad out of an old cotton shirt.

In my research I found these two examples of similarly shaped bustles:

- This example from 1880, made of cotton muslin is very similar to the one I am making.

- This is the other example, also from 1880, is similar in shape and the ties are closer to the model I am making.

 

Here we have the materials and such (though not pictured are the several large cups of tea that also formed an important part of making this). And also the kuta top that formed the basis of my bustle.


Starting with my measurements and a rough guide drawn out on scrap paper I cut the general shape out, leaving a 2 cm seam allowance.

I machine stitched the main part of the bustle, double stitching to make sure no stuffing will come out, stuffed it with a combination of 'hobby fill' and partly felted merino fleece as I have them on hand, and hand stitched the cotton tape on.

The Stats:

The Challenge: No. 1
Fabric: Cotton muslin / Hobby fill / Merino Fleece.
Pattern: None, though I did draw out a rough guide.
Year: Roughly 1880'.
Notions: Cotton tape / white thread.
How historically accurate is it? Fairly accurate.
Hours to complete: About four or five (several episodes of both QI and The Addams Family), spread out between other projects.
First worn: Not yet, as I have no skirt to wear it with, but it is a start for my historical wardrobe.
Total cost: All materials were scrounged from the fabric stashes, but if I tried to give a rough estimate it would be around $6 (AU) for the cotton tape, the top I was given by a friend and the thread was about $2. The fleece I used was also given to me from a friend and the hobby fill was $9 for a 500g bag.

On-ward to the next challenge!
Regards,
Elizabeth.

Joining The Historical Sew Fortnightly.

I stumbled upon the blog of Leimomi Oakes, The Dreamstress, halfway through last year, and her wonderful challenge,the Historical Sew Fortnightly (HSF). Inspired by it I had thought of joining at the beginning of the next year, but events and time pushed all thoughts of it out of my head, until it came up in my web trawlings the other day.

So I decided this year was the one I was going to join in.

The challenges have been set and my mind is already ticking over the possibilities.

I think I should note now that my historical accuracy may be a little out, as I am going for wearable as well as historical. And in my case it means most things will be made on the darker side of the spectrum.

Wish me luck.