Underpinnings Progress Report - 1860s this time!

[nuranar]

I cut out and mostly finished two 1860s chemises over Christmas break, as planned here (and in subsequent posts).  I finished the first at that time, but the second wasn't completed until a couple weeks ago, when bonatirer put a lovely buttonhole in the yoke for my Dorset button. :D

Chemise #1
Pattern: Past Patterns 707, View B
Fabric: Pimatex from Dharma (this is THE stuff for mid-century underpinnings)
Trim: Vintage whitework trim, found at the Mansfield antique mall on Christmas Eve

Lots of tucks on the front of this one.




I love the little puffed sleeves. I gathered the whitework just a little bit so it would flare, but I didn't want it heavily gathered.  (And I wanted to save enough for a petticoat and drawers.)


I love how the hand stroked gathering looks. And the trim matches the Pimatex perfectly; it's ever-so-slightly off white.



Chemise #2
Pattern: Kay Gnagey-licensed Simplicity pattern
Fabric: Cotton lawn (I just found out that lawn really wasn't used for chemises. Oops! Too bad! :D)
Trim: None. I kind of wanted some kind of fine lace, but didn't have any on hand. The whitework was definitely too heavy and off-white to look right.

The yoke on this pattern does run large. It's not a big deal, since it's not really going to go anywhere, but I wish I'd cut it a size or two smaller.  The button makes it possible to pull it down farther for very wide-necked dresses.


More stroked gathers, and bonatirer's buttonhole.  Finishing the placket was, alas, a little more awkward that I expected. But I survived. ;)