Sew Modern Sew Historical: Port Townsend Victorian Festival 2018 A Victorian Weekend!

Another VicFest is over and it happened so fast! I did much sewing beforehand and even became a bit adventurous in my pattern choices.

It's ALL about the 1890s baby! I honestly think I have found my favorite Victorian fashion decade. I love the shape of the 1890s. Big sleeves, small waists and sassy skirts. The high necklines can be an issue when you don't have much of a neck to begin with. So I fake a high neckline often with some lace or some such. I also shorten the height of collars. I even do this when I make modern clothing.

Let us begin:

The first outfit I made is still a work in progress and was not worn for VicFest. I am having sleeve issues with it. So we will save that one for later.

I wanted to make an evening gown for the dance. I found this fantastic wool/poly brocade at Fabric Mart when they were having a 60% off sale. It is a lovely shade of mauve with bright purple flowers. This is a very nice quality mid weight brocade. The online pictures didn't do it justice at all. I purchased some ivory Point d' Espirit from Joann's. It has a very plastic type feel to it so I washed it, hung it to dry and was happy to discover it gets much softer. The two patterns I used were Ageless Patterns 1894 Cerise Faille Evening dress bodice and Truly Victorian Ripple skirt.

Ageless Patterns bodice:

I used an existing TV bodice pattern as a sloper and went from there. Ageless Patterns have minimal directions and the patterns are only one size. That being said they are a window to the past and it was fun to try something different. I couldn't figure out why the Ageless pattern back bodice pieces were a completely different shape from the lining pieces and looked like they wouldn't fit. I decided to use the lining pieces as my back bodice. It was later explained that they would work together but the back bodice pieces were shaped differently to make the waist look smaller. Oh well, next time I guess. The sleeves are DEVINE! Love them. My only thoughts about Ageless Patterns are-not for beginners, don't expect many directions and or to comprehend the given instructions. I love them in spite of this and will probably play around with more.

TV Ripple Skirt:

I have made 3. It is a fantastic pattern and makes an epic skirt. However, it is a monster to sew and hem (6 yard sweep). The ribbon ties used to hold the ripples in place are tricky to get right on the first go. I normally have to move a spot or two when I am stitching them on. The best way to do this is place the skirt inside out on your dress form. Hand tack the ribbon in place. Luckily I took pictures while my skirt was on my dress from so you can see what's going on. :-)

Inside of Ripple Skirt and how I tack my ribbon in place.

Bodice progress, no sleeves yet.

Finished Ripple skirt. It weighs 4 pounds.

I also suggest wearing 3 petticoats. I have 1 cheater petticoat made of crinoline netting.

My pattern choice. As you can see my finished bodice doesn't close completely at the bottom like the drawing does. Still, not bad for my first AGL pattern adventure.

Finished product selfies!

Puffy sleeve selfie!

This was the only picture I got during the dance. My phone decided to be a butt so hopefully I will wear this again (Costume College) and get some better pics.

VicFest Fashion Show outfit!

This was another Ageless Pattern/sloper project. I used Ageless Pattern 1684 Garcon Jacket pattern and my TV Eaton Jacket as my sloper. It worked out quite well and the fit is very nice. For the sleeves I used TV495 1890s sleeves view 4 with ruffle. They are pretty damn enormous. I also took some pictures of what I put inside my sleeves to add poof. It's a great way to use scraps of netting. It ain't pretty but it does the job. My skirt was a Ripple skirt I made two years ago. A nice basic black silk taffeta. I will say that I have very good range of arm motion in both this jacket and my evening bodice and I really like how everything turned out.

Whats in my sleeve. It's a giant gathered thing attached to the lining.

It sits between the sleeve lining and the fashion fabric. That way to doesn't touch my skin at all.

Getting ready for tea and then on to the fashion show.

Looking like trouble AKA the modern 1890s woman.

Fun pictures from VicFest 2018!

Troublesome two!

Dreaming of the right to vote. ;-)

The Ripple Skirt in action. Worth the work.

Saucy!

Holmes and Watson, together again.

Lady Rebecca and the Countess.

Some of the fashion show group.

Sunday FunDay! We dressed up and went to Fort Worden park for photographs. I wore my TV Umbrella skirt from last year and made a matching shirtwaist and a pretty net cape. I still have more than enough of the skirt fabric to make a matching evening bodice. On my list of things to do.