1918 Combinations

[atherleisure]

I finished my 1918 combination undergarment. It's a bit goofy looking, but it's the design, not my execution of it. It's also not something I'm going to post pictures of myself wearing on the internet so you get a picture on the dummy.



I used the pattern here and assumed it was to scale. Knowing that a lot of sweater patterns from the 1900's (decade, not century) are for a 36" bust, I figured I wasn't way far off of the standard size. I sized it up until the band was 40.5" so that it would go over my hips without the band having to open. This worked reasonably well, but my garment is slightly shorter than the pattern drawing - that one just covers the kneecap while mine ends just above the knee. Does that mean I sized it up wrong, or does that mean that the drawing isn't particularly accurate? I don't know, but I'm satisfied with my work.

The corset is in progress, and I printed out the skirt pattern but haven't taped everything together. I've read sections of a dressmaking manual published in 1916, and it sounds like most of the information is the same as it was in the 1905 dressmaking manual I read a few years ago so I feel a little better about constructing the dress. (I goofed on the combinations though and used flat-felled seams instead of French seams. Oops. Hear the concern in my voice...or not. I hate French seams.)

Comments

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

Those look great!

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I hope they look something like your antique ones.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Ok, kind of goofy, but also kind of cute with the ribbon. Good stuff!

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

They're goofier in person than in the picture, but it's the good kind of goofy. Like when Robin really nailed the 1830's in plaid last fall. Goofy, but good goofy.