Antique Lilac
  • Home
  • for Sale
  • Galleries
  • Favourite Photos
  • Tutorials
  • Blog
  • Links
  • Books

Researching  Victorian Gowns

7/3/2012

2 Comments

 
I'm poring through my costuming books looking for the perfect Victorian ball gown to make in MSD size for an Iplehouse JID, but I think I'm going to have to make up my own using some of the features I like best from many different gowns. One of the most challenging things when making an outfit for such a small doll is the scale of the fabrics - ie. the thickness. I'm obviously stuck using regular fabrics intended for human-size clothes, which is fine as long as I stay away from making puffs and ruffles, as they will be too stiff and stick out too much and ruin the look.  Unless I can find very fine fabrics. But there's not really a lot of choice in the few fabric stores left these days. Pleats are lovely though, especially when made from wide ribbon.

Many people mistakenly think "Victorian" is any dress with a long skirt, but true Victorian has a very specific look - a small tight bodice, and a very elaborate series of long flowing skirts and draperies with a bustle in the back. There are actually three different Victorian styles, but I'm going for the first, more feminine, one. These are all from that particular period. It's interesting that all the fashion illustrations from the period rarely show the front of the bodice, as it's the skirt decorations - especially at the back - that always seems to be the main feature.
Picture
2 Comments
sharon
7/4/2012 04:19:49 am

doll artists workshop (minidolls.com) has some fantastic silk striped fabrics in different colors. They have brocades and silks which I think would look very nice for that kind of costume. At least check the site out.They have very nice "exquisite" trims also.

Reply
Martha
7/4/2012 05:01:04 am

I have looked at their site on occasion, and their silks and trims, although lovely, are extremely pricey. I'd need to double my costume prices just to cover the costs. Anyway, I have a VERY extensive collection of fabrics, laces and trims - I'm sure I can find something appropriate.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Martha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes.
    Read More... 

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.