I was so ready to make this skirt. After the (albeit welcome) challenges of the bodice and sleeves, I knew the skirt would be a breeze. Past Patterns replicates Mary Gregg’s original skirt, which comprises four rectangular panels. The panels aren’t symmetrically placed or evenly sized, probably because—like many women of her time—Gregg was trying to be economical with her fabric and didn’t have the luxury of cutting even panels. If you wish, you can cut your own panels to be more symmetrical.
Continue reading “Past Patterns’ Lowell Mills Dress Part 3: Skirt”Tag: Lowell Mills
Past Patterns’ Lowell Mills Dress Part 2: Sleeves
There is something whimsical about 1830s sleeve patterns, the way they fan out like giant crenelated mushrooms, only to then fold into something as functional as a sleeve.
Continue reading “Past Patterns’ Lowell Mills Dress Part 2: Sleeves”Past Patterns’ Lowell Mills Dress Part 1: Bodice
After making so. many. foundation garments. for the Lowell Mills Dress, I was excited to finally get to work on the dress itself. Past Patterns’ instruction booklet copies Mary Gregg’s original dress exactly, so I knew I could learn a lot from this project.
Continue reading “Past Patterns’ Lowell Mills Dress Part 1: Bodice”The 1830s Project and the Lowell Mills Dress: Notes on Style, Pattern, and Fabric
The 1830s Project:
- Redthreaded 1830’s stays
- Laughing Moon chemise
- corded petticoat
- tucked petticoat
- drawers
- whitework embroidered day cap
- apron
- Past Patterns’ Lowell Mills Dress bodice
- Past Patterns’ Lowell Mills Dress sleeves
- Past Patterns’ Lowell Mills Dress skirt
Every so often, we are treated to an era of utterly outside-the-box fashion exuberance that later leaves us asking “What were we thinking?” I’m sure plenty of folks in the 1840s looked at their own high necklines and sensibly narrow sleeves, and breathed a sigh of relief as they thought back to the whims of the 1830s: The pineapple shaped hairdos! The scandalously visible ankles! The dresses with gigot sleeves so big you could hide babies inside them! Not that anyone did, but you get my point.
Continue reading “The 1830s Project and the Lowell Mills Dress: Notes on Style, Pattern, and Fabric”