Eighteenth Century Ensemble
Robe
An eighteenth century outfit made for a friend has been sent off to her…but in case you missed the previous blog posts that show the various hand sewn costume elements, I have created a gallery showing the progression (click on any image for a larger version and then scroll through the gallery using the arrows on the sides):
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- Ensemble: these are the pieces of clothing made to fit my friend’s doll, including: Chemise; Under Petticoat; pocket; Quilted Petticoat; Corset; and Robe.
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- Dress stand: I carved a wooden dress stand, partly to display the ensemble on, but also to hold everything in place during mailing.
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- Chemise: a linen chemise, with tatted lace at the neckline and a silk drawstring.
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- Cotton Under Petticoat: This petticoat ties at the waistband and has knitted lace at the hem..
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- Pocket: Embroidered, bound with silk ribbon, and tied at the waist.
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- Quilted Petticoat: This is an outer garment…it is made from two panels of cloth, joined at the sides, but leaving an opening so the lady could have access to her pocket! This petticoat is made of heavy weight silk which was expensive, so it is only used on the front panel and at the back hem! The rest is linen, except for the lining which is a light weight silk lining.
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- Corset: This outfit has a brocade corset, worn outside the chemise, and over the quilted petticoat. The corset is boned and busked for support, and because it is pretty fabric, she doesn’t need an additional stomacher.
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- Robe: the sack back robe is pinned into place under the front folds…the outfit is complete!
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Resplendent
We are very happy to say that the ensemble arrived safely at its destination…
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Back
…and it fits!
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Quimper Hittys 
Mamie’s head and heart are spinning! Slipping into this amazing garment makes her feel like a queen… she finds most incredible that you could create such a masterpiece from scraps of fabrics! She says she feels all the love that went into creating it and is very happy to tell you that the actual turmoil we live in just took a step back today! She forgot about confinement and restrictions! Thank you so much for making her life a better place. So much better that she cannot bring herself to take off this work of art…She may wear it the whole day. All our love goes to you dearest friend.
Mamie IS a Queen, she doesn’t really need the outfit to prove it to me! But I am so very glad that she likes the ensemble, and that it fits her! It looks fantastic on her, she is such an elegant lady!
The ensemble is stunning…enjoyed the process and precision…and then, the pretty pictures of the pert lady it was intended for. Thank you for taking us along in this journey of the Eighteenth Century Ensemble.
You are very welcome, it was an excellent opportunity for me to exercise my stitching muscles, and my imagination! I enjoyed every minute of planning, cutting and sewing, up to and including sharing the pictures of the results with you!
Exquisite! A true labour of love and it suits Mamie very well. I know she will treasure it always.
Thanks very much, I am so glad Mamie is pleased with it…she looks as good or maybe even better than I imagined she would in this ensemble!
Wow!!!! This ensemble is AMAZING! What a work of art. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you! We really enjoyed this project, and though it took longer than we wanted, we were very pleased with the end result!
Really, there should be a ‘Love’ button to click, as merely clicking ‘Like’ is just not enough! This is magnificent! Every detail is exquisite and gives me shivers of delight! Every time I open one of your posts, it’s like a box of delights, but the beauty that you have shared today is definitely like Christmas morning! wow…. and thank you! ❤
You are welcome! Really it was a fun project, and we are happy to share the details, I think Christmas in July is quite a good thing! I am glad you enjoyed it!
This ensemble is an absolute treasure! And Mamie is stunning in it!!
I think Mamie looks amazing too, I hoped and planned she would, and it worked – her sweet personality and upright stature really make the outfit look the best it possibly could!
This is simply beautiful work! Thank you for sharing!!!
Sent from my iPhone
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You are very welcome, it was a really fun project, and I was very happy to share (and very happy that Mamie allowed me to share the final two pictures too!)
Absolutely exquisite. Mamie looks like she is thrilled beyond words. This ensemble is exceptionally fabulous. Your talent knows no bounds.
It is really nice to hear from appreciative people! I am lucky that I have had some experience and resources working on human garments through my job (before I retired) and I am just really glad to have the chance to make little things for Hittys!
Your body of work is jaw dropping.
Thank you very much! I have so much fun sewing for my little wooden friends, that I can’t seem to help myself, and this is the result!
Absolutely beautiful work
Thank you, we appreciate your comment!
Words fail me…but not for long….what an ensemble!! Thank you for showing all the separate pieces…That you made it all to fit dear Mamie…. Most marvelously you made it in such a way that in spite of all the layers Mamie looks quite
stylish and elegant. TO do this for such a small dolll. …I am in awe of your abilities.
Luckily all the parts of the ensemble (except the corset and the outermost Robe), are basically just a rectangle with drawstrings or ties…the corset can be laced more tightly or loosely so it is quite an adjustable garment too. The robe was a bit trickier – I am very glad that it fit! But in fact it is pinned to the corset, so it is fairly adjustable too! Thanks very much for your kind comments!
An incredible masterpiece, exquisite work. It should be in a museum.
Thank you so much…I think the Hitty Cabinet that Mamie lives in is practically a museum!
this is adorable. The perfect use of vintage fabrics and lace. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much! it was a good ending to a fun project!
Love, love, love this. That’s all I can think of to say. I LOVE it!
Thank you so much! Your sewing projects are pretty gorgeous too!