A Natural Form Era Dress

Hello sweet friends. Welcome to the 2019 Annual DTA Costume Challenge Reveal. This year’s ensemble is A Natural Form Era Dress.

A Natural Form Era Dress

If you missed Monday’s post on Natural Form Style you may want to start there. It covers the history of the Natural Form Era to include dresses, hats, hairstyles, and undergarments.  You will LOVE the antique photographs and images! My favorite is Ella Logan Meharry and her pet sheep.

The Patterns

To create the Polonaise styled bodice I used Butterick B6572.

It is a Making History pattern by Nancy Farris-Theé. I would say that the bodice pattern requires intermediate to advanced sewing skills. I would like to thank Jeanette Murray for her amazing patience that helped guide me in the construction.

Because I chose to make this a daytime ensemble I opted to not make the long trained skirt included in the Butterick pattern. I selected the Truly Victorian TV221 1878 Tie-Back Underskirt. This is a great pattern for all skill levels. I have used it several times.

I did alter the skirt pattern by setting a placket onto the skirt closure following Jennifer Rosbrugh’s amazing tutorial.

Love Tokens

As this was a daytime bodice I did raise the neckline of the pattern. To accent the neckline I added an antique element. I try to do this with all my costumes. The love token pin features the initials of my sweetheart, E.G. Love tokens were popular in the Victorian era. They were made from a coin that was smoothed flat on one or both sides and then hand-engraved. They were a favored gift by soldiers and sailors who could not give a date of their return.  Engravings were most commonly the initials of the giver. Although in this case, this sweet gem was a present from cousin Sweet T.

Baby Got Back

Another alteration I made was to add a few extra embellishments to the back of the polonaise.

Bows and excess frippery were truly favored during the Natural Form Era.

Tilt-A-Whirl

As I mentioned in Monday’s post I favor the tilt-top hats in the Mid Bustle Era.

I have absolutely no millenary skills beyond trimming ready-made hats. I had bought this Sinamay Teardrop Saucer Hat Base for a 1940’s event last January but choose to wear something else. So the white hat was first spraypainted mint green.

I then added vintage cream pleated grosgrain trim as well as mint velvet ribbon accents. Both items were found years ago at an estate sale.

A piece of antique lace that was stained and torn was artfully arranged to hide both of the flaws. Vintage flowers complete the look.

Natural Form Undergarments

Whenever I am giving a historical presentation one question that I am often asked is, “What do you wear underneath?”

The first layer is a ladies’ combination of a chemise and pantaloons. This was inspired by extant examples and made from Frankensteining several patterns.

Next, is my custom Redthreaded corset.

Lastly, is my petticoat which is also self-drafted. It features several layers of organdy ruffles. The ruffles alone took an entire day to construct.

The Cost

The cost of the 2019 costume challenge drumroll, please! A whopping $12.06!

• Vintage cotton fabric: $3 from an estate sale.
• Gutterman cotton thread: $1.49 – using Joann’s coupon.
• Dritz covered buttons: 2 packs on sale at Joann’s $5.58
• Butterick Pattern: on sale $1.99

Not included in the cost

Because I had purchased the following items for other occasions in previous years it was simply a matter of using what I already had on hand.

• Green ruffled trim: free, part of Grandma Jingles treasure trove.
• Hat base, ribbon, flowers, spray paint, and hot glue.
• Truly Victorian skirt pattern
• Ladies combination undergarment
• Corset
• Petticoat
• Stockings
• Shoes
• Purse
• Earrings
• Love token

I hope you have enjoyed this year’s costume challenge.

I have already begun my next costume. The D/FW Costumers Guild is having their annual Georgian picnic. As it will occur on Saturday, Nov. 2, Marie Antoinette’s birthday, I have decided to make a Chemise a la Reine/Gaulle. I’ll share photos soon.

Happy Halloween!

Laura

For other costume creations, such as the 2018 Costume Challenge, please click on the FASHION tab at the top of the page.