Marilla Cuthbert’s Shirtwaist

Hello Kindred Spirits! Welcome to a happy historical fashion Friday. Today I am sharing Marilla Cuthbert’s Shirtwaist.

Marilla Cuthbert’s Shirtwaist

Marilla Cuthbert is a beloved character from the Anne of Green Gables books written by Lucy Maude Montgomery. I wrote a companion post two week’s ago titled the Green Gables Shirtwaist Sew Along. 

That post includes historical research, pattern information and other details.

Green Gables

Recently, Mr. Décor and I traveled to the town Natchitoches, Louisiana to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. This lovely little town has absolutely gorgeous historical architecture. Some of the buildings and homes were made famous with the filming of the classic movie Steel Magnolia’s. 

One of the lovely homes is a one story Victorian gingerbread built in 1899 by Estelle Ducournau and Andrew Jackson Plauche’ as a wedding gift for their favorite niece. It is aptly named Green Gables and run as a B & B by the lovely Mrs. Lauren Kollar.

Mrs. Kollar was so gracious  in allowing us to photograph and film my Marilla ensemble at her gorgeous Green Gables. 

Right next door there was a wonderful gazebo as well as a charming park just two homes away. 

Marilla’s Style

Marilla is described as a tall women with high cheekbones and thin lips. She has wise sky-blue eyes that are identical to her brother Matthews. Her hair is roughly pulled into a bun at the back of her head. She is no nonsense and quite frugal. My favorite Marilla on film was played by the legendary Colleen Dewhurst.

I fashioned my ensemble based on a blouse and skirt she wears several times.

There is little embellishment save for a few pleats and a slight train on the back of the skirt.  

My hair was pulled back sharply and I did pad my torso and hips to give myself a more Marilla-like appearance. 

In some of the images I did use one accessory that I thought Marilla might have worn as it is very useful. I made the Victorian chatelaine back in December for the Little Women holiday series. You can read about it HERE.

I hope you have enjoyed my first Green Gables inspired outfit. I will be making Anne’s vest, as well as a lovely pink dress with PUFFED SLEEVES, in an upcoming summer sew along. 

Join In The Fun

To join in the sew along you can view posts here as well as on my historical sewing Instagram feed. You do not have an Instagram account to view this. 

There is also a group page on Facebook that you are welcome to join, ask sewing questions, share historical research and more. 

You can use the hashtag #GreenGablesSewAlong in your posts on Instagram and Facebook. Please tag me, Laura Ingalls Gunn, so that I can feature your creations on my page. 

This Week’s Video

This week’s video shares step by step how to make Marilla’s shirtwaist as well as some lovely footage filmed in Natchitoches.

If you wish to view the video in a larger format just click on the black box in the lower left hand corner that says Watch on YouTube.

 

With the coronation and my son’s engagement party taking place this weekend I will be taking the next few days off. 

See you soon,

Laura