1900 Gibson Girl

Is on the machine.

My first ever "historical" dress is a navy blue walking skirt circa 1900 with a white blouse with the exagerated sleeve and an extra long cuff with lace insets. Lace on the band collar...I used some of my mothers antique buttons too, which was very very neat.

I learned how to do button holes by hand on that one. I dislike how my machine makes buttonholes. Honestly, its easier to do them by hand.

Anyway. It was my first ever costume...dress. But it was made out of a cheap one layer of broadcloth, with million yards of trim sewn in a geometic pattern. Cute, and it did the trick. Until I saw pictures...and the cheap fabric really proved itself.

Additionally, I now own some skills and knowledge in how clothing of that era is constructed.

So, I procured some 14 lbs of navy linen, this came out to about 7.5 yards, 60" wide very nice linen. Enough for a skirt and an Eaton style jacket.

I carefully undid the old skirt...figuring I would use it for lining. Kept as much of the trim intact as I could. Realized I actually did have to purchase more trim and cotton, since I wanted more fullness to the back of the skirt.

It worked. I re made the skirt, with more pleats in the back, it now has a small train. Lined with the origional cotton and it weighs a freeking ton...haha, the other one was like feather weight.

Now on to the jacket. I realize that I will have to make yet another blouse...the jacket will crush the sleeves. So perhaps I will modify this sleeve to be a more leg o mutton sleeve with out the giant poof at the top.

Either way, its gorgeous. I have a neat navy boater with vertical navy/white striped ribbons. THEN I found an antique straw boater...ooooh this makes me all excited. It still needs some trims. Thinking aobut the navy/white ribbon with some white flowers.

1900 daytime walking suit...almost ready to wear.