The Industrious Lady

Antique 1860s Distressed Black Silk Gown Dress Civil War Era Victorian Note from Me:   There is a reason that I want to record these dresses. Because of items like this one. Its physical presence is fading, the years have taken its toll on its form and its days on this earth are numbered. Hopefully by keeping a digital record of these items, long after moths and decay have reclaimed this garment, future generations will still be able to learn from the images here. Preservation of knowledge is one of the purest of goals, and it takes things like this. Individuals willing to say this is important and we need to preserve it. So enjoy these images, learn, and pass it on. From the Seller An  antique  Victorian gown  dating  from the 1860s.  Distressed Black Silk Distressed antique condition  Silk is torn, tattered, disintegration  Cotton underlay is in good condition One piece in glossy lig...

From the Seller A lovely antique original 1860 to 1870 black velvet cape. The bottom hemline is trimmed with a wide band of black silk moire. The cape has a front button and loop closure. It is lined with green quilted silk. The cape is being displayed over a dress that is being offered in a separate auction.  It is in very good condition.  There are no holes and no age marks. There is one broken loop on the front closure. Shoulders 15 Length 29. From the Industrious Lady The age old question, what is it? Cape, mantle, paletot, wrap, shawl. While it might technically fall underneath the category of mantle which Dictionary.com defines as "a loose sleeveless cloak or shawl, worn especially by women." A wrap on the other hand is more loosely identified as an item of clothing which can be pulled around the shoulders for warmth. Below, Godey's seems to identify a style much similar to the one above as a wrap.

Historical Sew Fortnightly No buy July: Making a Petticoat from an old sheet What the item is : An 1860's style cotton over hoop petticoat The Challenge: No buy Fabric : 100% cotton Pattern : Self made Year : Early 1860's but it also works for most of the crinoline era Notions: one bone   button, cotton thread. How historically accurate is it?  about 5/10, the shape and the tucks are accurate, but it is machine sewn and a cotton petticoat would normally be pure white rather than a pattern such as this. Hours to complete: About two. 1 hour to sew the main body, 45 minutes to do the tucks, and 15 minutes to do the handsewing and making the button/ buttonhole First worn: Dancing and spinning around the house singing 'Once Upon a December" while the animals ran in terror Total cost: no cost, the sheet was given to me, and the button was reclaimed from another outfit This sheet came with a ruffle and unfortunately before cu...

Moire Dress Part 5: Sleeves, Moire than Meets the Eye Oh dear, one of the things that first made me love fall in love with the purple moire dress were the beautiful, quirky, and unique sleeves. Who could have guessed that they would also be the most troubling part of the entire outfit. Part of the problem is that the original dress was made using homemade silk velvet ribbon, and with silk velvet running at more per yard, without selling a kidney modern polyester velvet ribbon was the best option. Although if anyone is willing  my left kidney is very nice. The original sleeve seemed to be composed of the v's on one side being done, then all the v's on the other. However, after spending a full two hours pinning and repinning In the end I decided that the darker orange ribbon just was too stiff and too orange. Switched to this new peach ribbon and it was amzing! great flow and the color seemed to go with the coloring better. 

Antique Dress Victorian 1860's Tan and White Cotton Print Dress From the Seller A charming antique original 1860’s tan and white cotton print dress. The sleeve cuffs and hemline are trimmed with thin bands f white cotton. The dress has piped bishop styled sleeves. It is unlined and has a front button closure. The dress is in good condition. There are a few scattered small age marks and a few pencil tip to tiny pea size holes. There is one ½ mend on the skirt front and two on the waistband. Bust 32 Waist 22 Skirt length 42 Width at hemline 132 From the Industrious Lady This dress is a very nice cotton work dress with gathered front bodice, and shows the use of cutting striped fabric in different directions of the  grain to create a complimentary effect. In later years this would be referred to as chevron stripes. Interesting to notice that the skirt has a dog leg closure, and has been placed on the dress form wrong so that it lays over the front instead of...

ANTIQUE 1860s EVENING OR BALL GOWN BODICE VICTORIAN VINTAGE CIVIL WAR ERA From the Seller an original lady's evening bodice from the Civil War period. Features include piped arm holes/neckline/waist, off-white cotton lining and double-puffed sleeves. It's a wonderful example for study or display. Skirt not included.  Condition: No closures, missing hooks/eyes. There are a couple of small pin holes and some possible light discoloration- Nothing distracting.  Measurements are: chest-32", waist- 23", 16.75" across the shoulders  From the Industrious Lady What a lovely look inside at the construction details of a bodice. We can see how even with the most primitive of seam finishes, this dress was meticulously finished, and made to last. The front seam was flat felled, the piping strips turned under and tacked down. The darts also looked like they were tacked down.