Sewing with Charles Dickens

I fell in love with the writings of Charles Dickens at the tender age of 12, after having read "Great Expectations". One of my prize possessions is a set of Dickens books, with  copies dating from 1843 to 1857 . 

 These books are tattered and delicate, but there is something dreamy about reading great literature from the pages  0f a b00k printed during the  very era of it's inception. The tiny raised print on rag paper, the marvelous etchings, marbled book covers and endpapers, all add to the mental time travel experience... back to the days of Dickens. 

          But for the present, I am ever so grateful for the string of Magnificent movies that have recreated the world of Dickens so perfectly, usually the productions of BBC or Masterpiece Theater. These movies were of great service to me this week, as I needed the inspiration to create a Victorian outfit for the Dickens Festival this weekend.  I am making a Victorian Day dress, using a pattern from Simplicity's "Fashion Historian. I have pulled out dozens of my movies, mostly Dickens, to put me in the time frame, the mood and give me grand ideas for costume.

  And therefore, this week, I am sewing with Dickens.

I keep a trunk of  fabrics in my attic, (really, I do!), for projects like this. My first choice was this dark green cotton blend with tiny red roses ( formerly curtains) because it is very Christmas-y.

   BUT there was not enough yardage. So I chose this lovely tiny print (also former curtains), from my fabric stash.

    Scarlet O'hara has nothing on me when it comes to making a dress from curtains. Of course, her's was more elegant, and made from velvet DRAPES, but at least I am doing my own stitching!
 

 
          I started with the bodice. This will be a day dress, for a Middle Class Victorian Lady. Starting with the bodice and the movie "Bleak House", (thank you Masterpiece Theater). The novel was  written by Dickens in  1852)  
I cut out my pattern and begin to sew.

  These are drop sleeves and they are wonderfully huge!
It took the entire "Bleak House" movie to get this far... and it has 3 disks! 

 
  "Our Mutual Friend",  is now playing and I am still working on the bodice. Our Mutual Friend was Dickens last Novel and the adaptation by  the BBC is simply one of the best! I love the eccentricity of  Dickens Characters, and British actors are simply fabulous in portraying them.
 The clothing and sets are perfect in this movie.  I am in a very Victorian state of mind.

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  There is a lot of hand-stitching involved here. Simple sewing with needle and thread is so relaxing.

 Collars were detachable, in order to wash them separately, AND to change the look of ones outfit by exhanging one style for another.
 

  I made the collar from crochet trim off an antique pillow case that was in tatters. 

The buttons are actually old shoe buttons, but I loved the size and used them down the bodice front. The bodice has 14 hook and eyes to fasten it together. This was a period before zippers, so all is snaps, hooks ,eyes and ribbon ties)

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This dress takes a huge amount of fabric for the skirt , just look at all these pleats!

The skirt needs to be pleated like this, in order to accommodate the Crinoline,( hoop petticoat), worn beneath it.

I purchased the hoops online.

 
  Finally, my dress is finished, and I like it very much

Since I am a lady Merchant, my dress is simple. This could also be used for Civil War re-enactments.
   
   I went through "Cranford " AND "Return to Cranford" while working on the skirt. Dickens was not the author, but Elizabeth Gaskell, another Victorian writer. If you love this sort of thing, you will adore these movies... I adore the hats! And that is good, for now I am on to making my Bonnet.

 I've taken a misshapen old straw hat and cut away a section.  I will be using the large section. I steam ironed it into the proper shape for a "spoon Bonnet".

  Using netting, ribbon and crochet, I fashion Bonnet number 1 

  This is what ladies did, they purchased the hat form and added the decor of their choosing.  The decor may change with the seasons and the hat form could be "redecorated" accordingly.

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 Bonnet Number 2 was made with a felt Bonnet "form" purchased online and simply adorned.  I used two sets of ribbon, brown and pink. These are hand stitched to the hat form.

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Here is a little ribbon rossette on the back of the hat.

   add some netting.

Create a band using old silk roses, antique netting and doodads from here and there.

   Apply to the front of this bonnet and WAH LAH!  A Victorian Ladies bonnet suitable for any occasion.

   Add a purse  Or RETICULE..

    Add a woolen cloak for warmth...

 
  Shoes and stockings and pataloons.

 Victorian women wore brightly colored stockings with stripes and patterns, they loved red ones!
 The only thing I do not have is a corset. A corset was a must in the day. But I think I will do fine without it, and breath a bit easier.
 Here it is

If you have never flounced around in a hoop skirt, you are really missing out! It feels so good, I want to waltz!

  This was fun,,, it took me all week and a stack of movies. but now, I think I am ready to go caroling with Charles Dickens!  Actually, I won't be caroling, but participating as a merchant in the Dickens of a Christmas". Held for 2 days in Historic Franklin  Tennessee. There will be sleigh rides, carolers, Dickens players, and all manner of mirth and merriment.  If you live in the area, you should come!

  You can borrow one of my hats...

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I will take more photos at the Festival, maybe a few videos and definitely a picture with a blogger friend whom I am meeting here.

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CHEERS!

And, as tiny Tim would say "God bless us, everyone."