Late 1860s foundations

[mala_14]

I took my camera outside with me today and got pictures of my corset and hoop! (Also, apparently I'm really bad at outdoor photography and have lots of weird shadows.) Here they are:

I'm getting lots of tiny wrinkles, which makes me think that maybe this fabric isn't the best for my corset. But it feels great when wearing it, so I don't care! Also, the plastic boning (skinny cable ties) has moulded to my body from wearing, which I think is cool.


Instead of drawers, I'm wearing my hoop over super historically accurate plaid pj pants. ;) Looking at these pictures, I probably could have gone bigger with the hoop circumference. This is about 85" for the bottom hoop. But I wore it around in the house and it was easy to navigate around, so it's very functional at this size. I think if I add a bum pad/bustle on top, I'll get a good early bustle look too.


I tried it on with my 1890s petticoat, which was the only one big enough with gores (and which also really needs ironing). I'll probably use this petticoat as one layer over the hoop and make another white one to go on top that is gored but with more fullness around the front and sides (this one has a totally flat front and sides).

I love my new hoop and kind of just want to wear it all the time now. It's SO fun! But yeah, next time, bigger!

Comments

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

Your corset turned out SO GOOD! Wow! I love the hoops too!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks Jen! I wanted something comfortable with a nice shape and I think this fits the bill. I don't think I'll ever get a crazy hourglass *coughcoughMerjacough*, but this is alright. The hoops were just fun and easy all round! :)

[vanessa-lynne.livejournal.com]

Looks great! The corset has really nice lines.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think I finally figured out this corset thing. ;)

[theladyrebecca.livejournal.com]

Your corset looks so gorgeous! I know you just told me, but which pattern did you start with again?

And I think that since you're so petite, that hoop circumference actually looks just right on you!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was the 1885 "exotic" corset from Salen's Corsets. But I lengthened waist, merged the first two panels, and changed the curves.

Yeah, I didn't want to be dwarfed by the hoop. And skirts will add to the volume! :)

[lidiabest.livejournal.com]

It looks fantastic! I love the happy yellow color. :-)

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's actually peach, but the light definitely makes it look yellow.

[mrs_maupin]

I love how your corset turned out ! And the hoop looks perfect on you (but then, I'm not much of a hoop girl, so I don't like them too big)

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm calling it a functional hoop. It's a very manageable size.

[sadievale.livejournal.com]

Looks great!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

[sarahlizzi.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous! Great fit and a great silhouette!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

Very nice.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, 67 hoops! Cool! We don't see so much of that quirky little shape. And good point about layering a pad over it for an early bustle shape. I'd love to know how that goes.

Your corset is so perfect! And I love the color!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks Elizabeth! I will definitely take pictures when I starch my ruffle bustle and try it out. I might need multiple bumpad options...

[newmoonstar]

Both the corset and the crinoline look great! I made an early bustle crinolette that's about the same circumference at the bottom hoop, so I think throwing a bustle pad over your hoopskirt will work out really well for the early 70s. :)

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And that's good to know!

[chocolatepot.livejournal.com]

Late comment is late, but that corset is amazing - what a good fit. Magnificent.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think it's something like my 5th or 6th corset if you count all of the ones I've made, so all that practice has finally paid off. :)

[wanda-victorian.livejournal.com]

Really lovely work!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks Dawn!

[tigerweave.livejournal.com]

It all looks so good! Individually, then all together.

I love the flannel jammies. I had no idea Victorians dressed in such comfort :-D

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thank you! lol The funny thing is that the Victorians really did wear a lot of flannel underwear, but it would have been wool flannel and itchy, so not really comfy. I have about 4-5 pairs of plaid flannel pj pants and I like to live in them when I don't have to leave the house. :)

[tigerweave.livejournal.com]

Ugh sounds awful!!!

I have some beautiful soft merino knit thermals, that aren't even a tiny bit itchy. I love them!

I also have a pair of not-plaid but still flannel (cotton) jammie trousers and oh they're nice to dag round the house in so I totally am on the same wavelength as you about them!