Historical plans and maternity wear

[green_martha]

First, my digicam has a working battery again, and the blouse is ready to be sent to its recipient - I'll probably send it along with the pirate shirts that are nearly done as well, as the pregnant friend lives in the same area as my lil' brother...


Then, I have some historical costume ramblings for the next months...
I'm really digging heileen's idea of doing something rococo in August not too far from here. I'm considering several options :
- a robe battante/robe volante
- one of the pregnancy outfits in The Duchess. Probably the second one (the one from just before the birth) as I'm not sure how I'd pull off the kind of short corset G. wears in the first (worn when Charlotte arrives) with my 7-months-belly.
- the adjustable jacket on page 46 of Costume in Detail, described as probably maternity wear.
- heileen once showed me an 18th century rococo outfit from one of your books, it was a short jacket with an adjustable sleeveless vest that was worn underneath, jacket closed in front ans vest in the back. I think the outfit was cream and quilted, with a matching petticoat. If anyone sees which book and which outfit I mean and could send me a little scan, that'd be awesome...
- a petticoat and casaque
I'm more temped by one of the jackets options than by the dresses, which I find a little too much tent-like for my taste. Though weirdly the casaque is also tempting.
I've been browsing my fabric stash and here's what I found - I'm not entirely convinced either.

I know I bought those two with 18th century in mind, but looking at the red/pink one, I'm doubting it could be appropriate for historical wear. I'd have enough for a jacket, and I have some yellow cotton that could make a matching petticoat.
The cream and purple one I'm much more fond of, BUT... I think I love it too much for something I'll only wear once. I think it'd make a lovely anglaise - would 4 meters be enough ? That's all I have and the fabric has been discontinued. Maybe a caraco ?
Of course if I made the second jacket, the casaque or the robe volante I could get more wear out of the costume afterwards. Don't think my fabrics would be appropriate for a casaque or a robe volante, would they ? From the little research I've done, I'd better go either for a plain solid color of for something silky with a bigger pattern, am I correct ? I say something silky because I'm not sure I can find an appropriate silk right now I could justify buying.
That of course leaves the option to use some of the silk I have left over from my wedding dress - I have plenty of both the brown and the orange one BUT they're dupioni. Not very slubby but still not totally completely perfectly smooth...

Lots and lots of questions I know... I'd appreciate any imput you could give me !

Comments

[scottishlass.livejournal.com]

I think it'd make a lovely anglaise - would 4 meters be enough ? That's all I have and the fabric has been discontinued. Maybe a caraco ?
Depending how accurate you want to match the pattern, you might need more than 4 meters (also depending on the width of the fabric). It could be a tight fit to get an Anglaise out of it, esp. with the Indian print pattern which you want to adjust like stripes, otherwise it looks too modern.
A caracao would be a much better fit for the 4 meters.

[joysdaughter.livejournal.com]

I think the picture of the adjustable waistcoat/skirt/jacket that you are thinking of is "What Clothes Reveal" by Linda Baumgarten of Colonial Williamsburg. I have a copy but as it is in hard back I am reluctant to open it up far enough to put on my scanner - it was a very expensive book - sorry.

[green-martha.livejournal.com]

I'm curious. I don't know much about 18th century techniques, and I've never came accross a mention of matching such patterns. How would you do that ? Do you have any example/picture at hand ? I know, I'm asking loads and loads of questions... That's how you learn, little by little :)

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

I love the shirt!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/quincy134/Picture021.jpg That is a pic of the page in What Clothes Reveal.

[green-martha.livejournal.com]

You're my hero of the day Gloria ! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou ! I AM tempted now to makeit, very tempted. Love that period, love the jacket shape, could wear it post-baby.... Mwahahah !

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! You should make it!

[green-martha.livejournal.com]

I will ! I just need to get settled on some fabric, and work out the undies question... Probably going for some quilted "white" short corset that laces in the front... Will start experimenting soon, I'm excited about the project !

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

I think Corsets by Jill Salen has some front lacing short corsets, late 1700s. More like jumps than full stays.