Making a Velvet Dress and Head Protector...1915 Style!
I'm starting coatmas off with something that isn't really a coat but kind of fits the definition of coat.
It's a early 20th century dress and "head protector" made from a vintage McCalls pattern. I showed this in my PA haul and mentioned it being so ugly that I had to buy it. But I think the finished ensemble looks quite nice! Maybe a little weird, but still nice!
(and I find it super satisfying that it matches my victorian sofas)
(since the button is the only closure, one side of the dress sits lower than the other making the belt uneven ugh)
I made this from a burnout velvet, since it was a popular evening coat material from the 1920's. But I didn't realize the fabric was stretchy when I ordered it. It actually sewed okay by machine (at least most of the time) but was awful to hand sew.
It seemed like every stitch caused crazy puckers so things aren't as even as I'd like...but I still like the dress!
The reason I thought this could work for Coatmas is because it reminded me so much of 1920's evening coats with the wrap style:
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But the pattern was much more narrowly cut than I expected. And with the thinner, drapey fabric, it didn't hold its shape very well. So it's definitely a dress, and doesn't resemble a jacket at all.
But it can be an honorary part of coatmas, I think. After all, googles definition of coat is pretty vague!
Making a Velvet Dress and Head Protector...1915 Style! (YouTube)
Comments (19)
I just watched "The Catered Affair" with Bette Davis. She plays a housewife who wears this type of apron over her day dress throughout most of the movie. I think the head piece probably was an early form of hair net.
There is an old black and white movie "The Thin Man" (1934) with Myrna Loy. Fun story, good chemistry with William Powell, and her clothes are amazing. She wears several long gowns in the movie I think you'd like, and her day suits are lust worthy.
That dress is amazing. I love the hat with it. How fun!
The dress is nice. My opinion on the hat: you have to wear those pieces with your whole integrity :-B And you did! =D I love those outstanding designs <3
In some strange way, the hat matches the dress (or coat) very well, I guess it gives the ensemble character. Is it strange to match a dress with your sofa? Not if the end result matches so well. Matching your guests with your sofa, that would be weird, I guess 😜. Although sometimes I would prefer to do so 😔.
The fabric is just a dream! I love it!
I really love the dress
I love it! Something about the combination of the materials and the shape of the hat is screaming Fantastic Beasts to me in the best way possible.
It kind of has a wizardy look to it doesn't it? And it's from the right period!
I’ve got a Singer 4423 Heavy Duty, and for light and mid-weight knits, you really do need a proper walking foot and knits needle to get anything done, combined with being VERY careful not to stretch the fabric.
I really need to get a set of feet for it (they are so cheap too) I just didn't think it would be necessary if I sewed slowly. But every time I tried to pivot or backstitch it jammed immediately. Ugh.
Sure, why not call it head protector? It looks like you had a blast making it! Strange looking, wonder what the mindset was back in the day! I sooo love velvet, and your outfit is beautiful. A great finish.
The hat is definitely still strange, but this ensemble is stunning! Love the gathering and button detail by the elbows!
So glad you decided to make this pattern! Absolutely beautiful! So elegant! Love how the little details and your color choices enhance this very simple gown. Fantastic hat--who would have thought it would look so nice??
Thank you so much!
It is interesting to think about why the head protector of that shape was ever developed or worn. I can understand bustles, corsets, styles that accented the woman's figure or sensuality, but that hat??? Why???
The hat is indeed strange, but it’s a little more pleasing to look at than some “fashionable” pieces out there. Eek! 😬
I've never seen an ensemble that by all logical means should look ridiculous and is instead just really aesthetically pleasing and genuinely beautiful! Fantastic choice of fabric and if anyone could pull of a square head protector it's definitely you.
That was kid of my thought, too! The mock up looked pretty silly so I was expecting to feel thoroughly ridiculous in it. But after I put everything on it was kind of cute? I guess fabric choice counts for a lot!