The Industrious Lady

A Sunday Afternoon at the Ella Sharp Museum Among the many things that I love food, 1860's big dresses, and my boyfriend are in the top ten. (not in that order in case he gets on here). Now combine all those things into one day and you have the recipe for a perfect afternoon.  The Museum was sadly boarded up due to the Coronavirus, but that didn't stop us from peeking into the windows Something about this shoe looks familiar This was a period cabin used during the pre war era as part of the underground railroad. It has a hidden basement that was used to hide those seeking freedom in Canada from slavecatchers.  After a picnic and quick walk around the museum, we promised to return with all parties in period dress.

Antique Victorian Dress 1860 Waist Belt Burgundy Satin From the Seller An antique original 1860’s  Victorian waist cincher belt. It is made of burgundy satin and is boned.  It has a back lacing closure but the lacing is missing.  A thin ribbon could be used to replace the lacing.     It is in very good condition. There are no age flaws. Waist 25 From the Industrious Lady   Whitaker Auctions Waists were worn by only the young and fashionable young ladies. There were a variety of styles, some were worn over their a dress, while others were made to be worn over a white waist.  http://www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/images/cdvs/swisswaist/WOM6.jpg Journal Des Demoisselles 1861

1860s Silk Moire Victorian Antique Dress Civil War Era Study or Display Piece From the Seller 1860s Silk Moire Victorian Antique Dress Civil War Era Study or Display Piece. Stunning silk moire brown & black changeable silk fabric bodice & skirt set. It is missing all of the buttons and the silk is very delicate so I would recommend this only for display or study. Silk is splitting in some areas but overall strong enough for display From the Industrious Lady Guys!!! Its a laundry tag!! Many period sewing books, laundry books, and other original sources mention that laundry which was hired out was assigned a tag to keep an item from accidentally walking off or being given to the wrong customer. Army laundresses were recorded as having books that had the name and information that corresponded with a number on a tag. This tag was sewn into the garment itself and would have to be rewritten as it faded from sweat and being rubbed against the body. W...

Antique Dress Victorian 1860's Sage Green Silk Dress From the Seller A beautiful antique original 1860’s sage green silk faille two piece dress.  The armscyes on the bodice are trimmed with a deeper shade of green  pleated satin and the cuffs are trimmed with the same satin. The bodice is lined with cotton and has a front button closure. The skirt has a long back sweep and is unlined.  Some modern lace has been added to the inside hemline but this can easily be removed.  The bodice has no underarm discoloration or age spots. There is one missing button. The skirt has a wide circle mark of fading on one side. (See photo) and a few minor age spots. Also listed this week are the matching cape and bonnet that were worn with this dress.  Bust 34 Waist 28 Front skirt length 40 Back length 50. From the Industrious Lady While a little of a dress, its skirt length difference from front to back suggests quite and elliptical shape, it is never-the-less a beau...

Moire than Meets the Eye So before diving into the real meat of the project, and all of the little intricate details that go into making a dress, here is the story of the original antique dress that started it all. This Dress was part of Cynthia Larson's collection, and belonged to her Great Uncle's Mother. Originally from an upper class family in England, she unfortunately lost her family home and fortune due to inheritance laws. However, she was allowed to keep this dress with her despite the unfortunate circumstances that befell the family. The dress contains two bodices, even someone like the British high class family that this dress belonged to made the most of the beautiful fabric. In only a couple of minutes this dress could go from a formal day ensemble to a ballgown that would awe anyone who saw it. Can's you just see this beautiful dress spinning around the ballroom, a matching wreath of flowers nestled in her hair as all eyes are on her and this dr...

Authentic Antique Vintage Civil War 1800s 1860s Floral Silk Bodice Excellent From the Seller This is an absolutely AMAZING RARE FIND! Genuine Authentic Civil War period silk bodice. Floral pattern with robins egg blue striping! LACE ACCENTS! This bodice is in such great condition, it’s ready to wear as is. There is some wear to it as pictured, some light separation in the silk. It has “old original repairs”. This piece is jus the BEST! Please refer to the photos for sizing. The pictures describe the sizing better then I could. If your a re-enactor or just a collector of the civil war period, this is a must have. THE MATERIAL IS STRONG! From the Industrious Lady It seems like every dress that I post I ooh and ahh over how amazing the dresses and garments are but this one is actually an enigma in many ways. What truly makes this amazing is the piping. I can count the number of contrast piping dresses out there on one hand, the most notable of...

No Moire Fears, There be pockets Here! Lets be honest, history has done women dirty many a time, and in the modern day we have been shorted once again literally. This time in the application of pockets. These pouches that are usually full of happiness and have the potential to hold those things most dear, cough phone cough, are made too small that a seed could hardly be slid into them. And if the outfit might be made of any sort of knit or stretchy material, even that is a feat. Woe to women the horrors of the tiny pockets. Sigh... So mini rant over, but still pockets are nice. At the balls especially I struggle with what to do with my phone when propriety and friends pull me back onto the ballroom floor. These hidden pockets will hopefully do the trick.  To start with, I took cut panels of 50" fabric. I sewed two panels together, set aside, and sewed the other two panels together. I then sewed these two 100" pieces together on each side, stopping and doing a tac...