Vintage petticoat and disek

Sometimes it is just cheaper to buy a vintage/antique costume pieces than it is to make a new one. That was certainly the case with this petticoat but it was the crochet lace border and the pin tucks that made it impossible for me to resist. It is a pity about the elastic in the waist though. I am thinking about converting it to a drawstring waist.

Some days before the Dickensfestijn in Deventer I bought this antique dijzak/disek/thigh pocket. Unfortanetly I didn't arrive in time for me to wear it to the event but I'll be sure to wear this year.
It's a practical and authentic solution to keep your valuebles save, especially in a crowd. I do however will have to add longer ties.
I also plan on using this original version as an example for making thigh pockets, they will make great gifts for victorian and edwardian costume loving girlfriends.

How to fold a dijzak: http://www.eilanden.net/video/media/workshop-een-zeeuwse-dijzak-vouwen
A dijzak from 1890-1895 http://centraalmuseum.nl/ontdekken/object/?img_only=1#o:21433
Other images from a dijzak: http://antjeuiturk.blogspot.nl/2011/10/dij-zak-en-meer.html
Remnants of a silk version http://www.regionaalarchiefdordrecht.nl/treffers?mivast=46&mizig=252&miadt=46&miaet=14&micode=1086&minr=2872608&miview=ldt

50's style blue dress

My blue 50's style dress is almost finished. I only need to adress a problem with the zipper. I still find it very hard to sew a zipper into a dress and it didn't turn out as good as wanted. Hopefully my husband can solve the problem by hand. The other option is taking the zipper out and trying again.
For the rest I am really pleased with the end result. And as I found out yesterday, while showing the dress to my husband. The dress looks even better with 50's style underwear. My What Katie Did Merry Widow corselet does wonders!

And I hope to turn this earlier version of the top, I made a lot of them before I had the right fit, into a bra.

The pattern I used for the top is from Mrs Depew Vintage, you can find the shop on Etsy.
I think I am going to give one of her 50's bra patterns a try. But first I got to work on my victorian project.

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