The number of times I’ve been told I was born in the wrong era… Countless. However the beautiful thing of living now is the that I can look back on all those wonderful periods (Victorian and 1920’s are my favourite) and recreate the designs whilst still having access to the modern necessities of life, say feminism, modern medicine, a fabulous array of fabrics and friends from across the world and an endless fountain of inspiration from the ether in which resides the internets. I’ve also started collecting vintage and antique lace and jewellery in the past year, things that I cannot find their equal of in todays fast consumerist society. I’m an old soul in a new world.
Tea Dress: Vintage Inspiration
I found this vintage picture on the IG account of @shoppesimone and captured it on a screen shot knowing I needed to recreate the dress with black ribbons. The perfect linen fabric I stumbled across on another IG account, @scarletjonesmelbourne around a year later. They were practically giving away this gorgeous Italian linen which they had in storage ($20 per meter). I immediately purchased 5 meters, along with some navy and natural linen as well even though I was “technically” on a fabric purchasing hiatus.
The pattern is the modified bodice of Anna/Elisalex of ByHandLondon and the skirt an over exaggeration of the Emery by Christine Haynes with pockets. The first tier has additional fabric added to the width to create more fulness in the gathers and the second tier is attached to the lining.
The second tier is less full (I wasn’t using maths, I was guesstimating) and I’m actually quite pleased that it has less gathers than the first. It gives a different shape than I was expecting and overall makes the dress look a little less “poufy” whilst maintaining the original fit and flare design.
I lined the dress in a vintage cotton sheet that I picked up at a second hand store. The edge of the sheet had some beautiful blue embroidery which I will make feature of in a future petticoat/skirt that I have in mind.
The perfect black ribbon was purchased from Lily Pond and hand stitching it to the dress took longer than making the actual dress itself. I catch stitched by hand for a nice flat and even result. Not a speck of black thread to be seen on the inside.
I think there was about 12 meters of ribbon used and I stitched both the top and bottom by hand. Commitment to ones craft as always. I actually find hand stitching quite soothing. I love how this process cannot be rushed and accuracy is increased 10 fold when you have such fine control over the stitches.
Vintage Locket
I wore my new locket from JeanJean Vintage which I’d been stalking for months. It is black enamel with “In Memory of” inscribed on the front and contains a lock of hair that has been carefully braided and encased in the locket. I’ve no clue as to who it belonged to but I love that this was how women used to remember their loved ones who had died. Very Crimson Peak in it’s style, hopefully obtained under less violent circumstances.
And may we discuss the boots for a minute. Purchased from American Duchess, these beautiful boots laced with ribbon are the perfect fit for my often fickly tootsies. And how well do they compliment my dress! Comfort and historic style paired beautifully.
The photo’s were taken at the Winter Garden Cafe which had a beautiful exhibition of prints in their art gallery upstairs. It’s their 7th annual printmakers exhibition and runs from July 1 to July 31. If you are in the Geelong area I would recommend dropping in to view some of the amazing prints.
Gin? Tea? Cake?
So, where do you get your inspiration for making? I have many screen shots on my phone, thousands of pinterest pins, and scraps from magazines that never seem to make it into the inspiration book…
Curtsey
- Photos by Bruce.
- Photos taken at Winter Garden Cafe, Friday Printmakers art exhibition upstairs
- Fabric purchased from Scarlet Jones Melbourne
- Pattern is my usual Anna/Elisalex bodice ByHandLondon with exaggerated Emery skirt reimagined, Christine Haynes
- Stunning Tango shoes purchased from American Duchess
- Antique jewellery purchased from JeanJean Vintage on Etsy
- Hair flowers purchased from Gardens Of Whimsy on Etsty
the girl in a tea cup 
Your dress is so beautiful 🙂 I do too have a lot of screenshots on my phone
I love it! I wish I had your skill as I’d love to be able to piece together vintage finds as you have. I too love all things vintage, it’s easy to look back with some sense of nostalgia but you’re absolutely correct, the present isn’t half bad with women’s rights and medicine having made incredible progress. . . We’ve still got the past to dream about
Beautiful dress! I enjoyed seeing the inspiration too.
I get my inspiration from books, blogs and then from making and changing things as I go along.
Absolutely gorgeous. Beautifully made, and I love the attention to detail.
Beautifully recreated. Another lovely photo setting and set of photos to share with us too ;o)
What a lovely outcome. You look so pretty and serene it the perfect settings. I love your interpretation of the older dress. I would never have thought of putting black with such a delicate pastel print but it looks brilliant. This is the value of inspiration pictures – they often show how a non-obvious approach can look sublime. I look at people on the street and in magazines probably more than history, but I have studied the history of fashion and would say this is essential for modern designers.
Wow you are a real magician with a needle and thread. The aura around you in these photos is palpable. GORGEOUS Lady with mega talent. Sandy
Perfection, from inspiration to finished outfit and all the extra details. I screenshot when I see am image that captures colour or film still that includes amazing costumes.