Odds and ends

This weekend we attended the international vikingmarket at the Archeon. Two days earlier I finally finished a tunic for a little viking. The son of friends. It had been laying around nearly finished since the beginning of July.

The lovely tapewoven trim was a gift from Arda Sigibertsdottr from Sibbe Girbeson.

My Edwardian blouse is almost finished. I only need to sew the buttonholes and buttons on. I really dislike sewing buttonholes because often they don't turn out as nice as I would like.

Here are some pictures from the Vikingmarket at the Archeon. We had a lot of rain, but still had a great weekend.

Edwardian Bust Support

While thinking about my next project, an Edwardian underbust corset. I once again started wandering what did the Edwardian ladies wear for bust support. (I know I definitely need some.)

The answer is a Bust Bodice or a bust improver!

http://www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/11221-popup.html

Woman's Bust Bodice, 1895

Woman's Bust Bodice, 1902

http://www.flickr.com/photos/historika/5576043389/


More early bra's


French Bust Bodice, ca. 1905

Bridal corset. Silk and satin. Britain, 1905.

Bust bodice, by Spirella Corsets. Cotton batiste trimmed with machine lace trim. Britain, c.1908-14.


Edwardian Bust Bodice, ca 1913

A Turn Toward the Bust: Early Twentieth Century

History of brassieres (Wikipedia)

Flickr - Late Victorian Altered Bust Bodice

Bras and Girdles Fashion History


Next question; How do I make one?


I might try something like this:

"...In 1910, Mary Phelps Jacob (known later in life as Caresse Crosby), a 19-year-old New York socialite, purchased a sheer evening gown for a social event. At that time, the only acceptable undergarment was a corset stiffened with whalebone. Polly had large breasts and found that the whalebone visibly poked out around her plunging neckline and from under the sheer fabric. Dissatisfied with this arrangement, she worked with her maid to fashion two silk handkerchiefs together with some pink ribbon and cord.[40]:7 [41] Her innovation drew immediate attention that evening, and at the request of family and friends, she made more of her new device..." source wikipedia

Progress on Edwardian style shirtwaist/blouse

Front panel of the blouse with lace inserts. Hopoefully it will look better after it is washed, ironed and stiffened with starch.

The inside of the sleeve before the lace inserts are finished. These seams are less than half a centimeter!