Winter White
So far, 2015 has been full of white. Not just snow beyond a reasonable date, but also my costume projects. A couple were UFOs, then a stash project, and then a necessary foundation layer for my next project. So, without further ado, I introduce White Garment #5 (TM).
When I was digging through my stash for a piece of linen for the riding habit shirt, I set aside a larger remnant that looked like it would be big enough for a short-sleeved chemise - something I don't have, but need for my Regency dresses. I hadn't really planned that this would be my next project, but since the glob of fabric was sitting on my ironing board staring at me and this kind of hand-sewing is good for movie watching, I jumped in before I could get distracted by my pretty colored silks.
It is linen fabric, completely hand-sewn with linen thread, embroidered with red silk floss, and the neckline is faced with cotton tape and has a cotton drawstring. Seams are felled. I based it on two extant chemises from the 1780-1810 period, which you can see on my "Underwear" board. One has reinforced sleeve seams, and one has a neckline casing made from a tape. I had cotton twill tape on-hand, so that's what I used, rather than waiting for an order of linen tape. My chemise is a little narrower and does not have side gores, because (in the spirit of the period) it was the most efficient use of the remnant. It is still cut wider at the hem than the shoulders though, which is also seen in period chemises.
I'm very happy with it! I've needed a short-sleeved chemise for a very long time. In the past, I would just wear a modern tank top (scandal!!) to make-do. Hooray! Now on to something with some COLOR! ;)
When I was digging through my stash for a piece of linen for the riding habit shirt, I set aside a larger remnant that looked like it would be big enough for a short-sleeved chemise - something I don't have, but need for my Regency dresses. I hadn't really planned that this would be my next project, but since the glob of fabric was sitting on my ironing board staring at me and this kind of hand-sewing is good for movie watching, I jumped in before I could get distracted by my pretty colored silks.
It is linen fabric, completely hand-sewn with linen thread, embroidered with red silk floss, and the neckline is faced with cotton tape and has a cotton drawstring. Seams are felled. I based it on two extant chemises from the 1780-1810 period, which you can see on my "Underwear" board. One has reinforced sleeve seams, and one has a neckline casing made from a tape. I had cotton twill tape on-hand, so that's what I used, rather than waiting for an order of linen tape. My chemise is a little narrower and does not have side gores, because (in the spirit of the period) it was the most efficient use of the remnant. It is still cut wider at the hem than the shoulders though, which is also seen in period chemises.
I'm very happy with it! I've needed a short-sleeved chemise for a very long time. In the past, I would just wear a modern tank top (scandal!!) to make-do. Hooray! Now on to something with some COLOR! ;)