I Hand Sewed an 1890s Ball Gown Skirt & Detachable Train | Victorian Historical Fashion

The first part of the Grape Gown series, this video covers the construction of an Italian Renaissance Revival style 1890s Victorian ball gown (the skirt and detachable train)!

I only had about a month to hand sew a complete historical fashion ensemble for a historical ball, and I documented the process for you all to follow. Typically, I opt for daytime Victorian fashion as I find it a lot more practical, but it was a lot of fun making this historical evening gown and playing around with longer skirt lengths.

The ensemble is 100% hand sewn, made from a purple cotton velvet and a lime green silk taffeta. At the end of May, I'll be releasing the construction process for the bodice and hat, and show off the other accessories like a matching reticule, capelet, and more.

Late 19th century fashion is a lot of fun to make, and I enjoyed experimenting with new techniques and methods I hadn't tried before.

I hope you've enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching and I'll see you in two weeks for the final reveal.

Yours, etc.
V. Birchwood

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Sources:
1890-1901 Fashion Plates:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Freja-_illustrerad_skandinavisk_modetidning_1890,_illustration_nr_19.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Nouveaut%C3%A9,_1891,_No._C12_Passementerie_et_Fournitures_(..),_RP-P-2009-1635.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles,_1_janvier_1892,_No._4866_Toilettes_de_Mme_Gradoz_(..),_RP-P-2009-1547.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Mode_Pratique,_1893,_No._50,_2e_ann%C3%A9e_Figure_1._Robe_de_cr%C3%A9pon,_RP-P-2009-3755.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_moda_Illustrada,_Jornal_das_Familias,_1894,_No._366,_Nr._3016,_RP-P-2009-2877.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles,_1_ao%C3%BBt_1895,_No._5053_Toilettes_de_Melle_Thirion_(..),_RP-P-2009-1568.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles_1896,_nr._4956_Toilettes_de_Mme_Galard,_RP-P-2009-3772.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Mode_Pratique,_1897,_No._29,_6e_ann%C3%A9e_Toilette_pour_jeune_fill,_RP-P-2009-3777.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Go%C3%BBt_Parisien,_1898,_No._38,_No._4748_en_4749,_RP-P-2009-1541.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1899,_aflevering_4,_pagina_32-1.JPG
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Nouvelle_Mode,_Le_Nouveau_Jeu,_Paris_Fashions,_1900,_No._45_Toilette_de_Mme_Jeanne_Granier,_RP-P-2009-3796.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1901,_aflevering_8,_pagina_64-1.JPGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1901,_aflevering_8,_pagina_64-1.JPG

Renaissance Revival Fashion:
​​https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/159452
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dress_(AM_1971.102-1).jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Renaissance_revival_pendant_on_chain_MET_DP-12365-008.jpg
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107150
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158666

Renaissance Revival Art and Architecture:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arturo_Ricci_014_(38671994674).jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acht_balusters_Colonnes_et_fuseaux_d_escaliers_(titel_op_object),_RP-D-1996-1-91.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Breakers_Newport.jpg

Late Victorian High Neck Evening Gown Examples:
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107723
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107639
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/84644
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/157922

Grape Painting:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grapes_by_Antonio_Jose_da_Costa,_1914,_oil_on_cardboard_-_Museu_Nacional_de_Soares_dos_Reis_-_Porto,_Portugal_-_DSC00693.jpg

#1890s #historicalfashion #ballgown