Autumn Leaves

If you've ever envied the trees their autumn dress, let a frock like this one cheer your mood! One-piece modified empire dress is constructed in leaf-flecked cotton with muslin sleeves and features a full muslin lining for comfort and durability. Antique mother-of-pearl buttons close front placket.

In Timely Fashion is Back & Better Than Ever!

When I began my English studies two years ago, many things had to take a back burner. One such project left to simmer was In Timely Fashion, "a site designed for those who find delight in 'past-dressing'–not for special occasions only, but on a daily basis." I launched the site back in 2002 but was unable to do much with it afterward. Hence, it comes as a great pleasure to see that a talented young woman has taken up the editorial duties of ITF. Amanda Kastner has done an outstanding job of updating the site's organization, layout, and graphics. I think you'll be delighted with the results of her labors and inspired in your own endeavors to create clothing that's old-fashioned-ly elegant. Enjoy!

Edwardian Whites

Can you imagine the delight of donning this ensemble for a picnic on a summer afternoon? Another relic from the Bath Costume Museum, this is actually a corset cover and petticoat that would have been worn under street clothes. Nowadays, a lady would not be thought improper for appearing nearly anywear in something so lovely!

Lavender Lady: We have not forgotten!

On this beautiful morning I was again reminded of how wonderful the Lavender Lady design is to wear! And I was so excited to find such a charming little coordinate for my sweet Juliana. I apologize for all who are anxiously awaiting the release of Lavender Lady, but I wanted to let you know, we have not forgotten! My time stays pretty full with these sweet little ones and other endeavors, but I do hope to have this pattern out ere long.

Blessings,

Mandy

Little Gowns for Little Women

Have you ever seen anything so sweet as these delicate muslin girls' gowns we discovered in the Bath Costume Museum? Perfectly comfortable on sultry summer days!

Van Gogh's Mmlle. Gachet in her Garden at Auvers-sur-Oise. June 1890.

Here is a young woman enjoying the glories of a summer garden in the country of France. When we saw this painting, we couldn't help thinking its subject looked like she was wearing a dress made from the Catherine's Choice pattern! Fine art can afford some wonderful inspiration for planning a feminine wardrobe.

Image: 1st Oil Paintings.com

Special thanks to Jennifer over at New Little Blessing for a positive review of our first pattern, Catherine's Choice!

Now, Here's an Idea!

During the Regency period when necklines were at a fashionable low, women, for modesty, warmth, and variation, often wore chemisettes to fill in their necklines.

Image courtesy of Sense and Sensibility Patterns

You can make a chemisette from scratch, but here's another option that incorporates a perhaps beloved blouse you may not wish to part with. This is was a linen blend blouse I bought several summers ago. The collar being my favorite thing, I decided to salvage it by creating a chemisette that I could wear to fill in the scoop necklines of Regency gowns. It could also work with v-neck sweaters.


Try on the blouse and decide how long your chemisette will need to be to cover the bust and leave enough room for a casing around the ribcage. After removing the blouse, you will cut off the blouse a few inches below the bust and at the sides to remove the sleeves and sides.


Narrowly hem the chemisette at the sides. Then turn up the lower edges 3/4". Turn under raw edge and stitch down. You will need a piece of twill tape or 1/4" ribbon long enough to go around your ribcage, plus a few inches for the placket overlap. This you will run through the bottom hem. Try on the chemisette for size Then back stitch in the front to secure the tape or ribbon. Sew a hook and bar where the placket overlaps. Change the buttons if you like and take pride in your resourcefulness!

A Wardrobe for Katie

Katie, how's this for inspiration? These patterns date from the 50's and 60's and should be pretty close to your size already! Let's start a sewing club when we get back to school, alright?

Opening Shop: Rebecca Newton, Dressmaker

If you've been hankering for a custom-made dress, now is your chance! I will be accepting custom projects from May to July 2008 while I am home from school for the summer. Although I primarily work with Baker Lane and Sense and Sensibility Patterns, I am happy to negotiate other projects as well. Drop me a line to discuss what you have in mind at regencyreb@gmail.com.

Anna's Rescue Mission

The moths dared to touch Anna's gray wool skirt,

But "a curved row of tonal freehand flowers sewn on by machine in 'artistically messy' fashion" fixed that!

Images: Pleasant View Schoolhouse. Used with permission. (Thanks, Anna!)

Denim, Her Way

Lillibeth of The Pleasant Times submitted this as a lovely feminine application of denim. Great find from the Spiegel catalog!

For a Grandmother

I loved the colors, patterns and textures of my grandmother's ensemble: a pleated wool skirt, a silky navy blouse with a conservative pattern of paisleys, and a chunky cable knit sweater and cap. What could be more perfect for this warm and spunky woman!

It's In the Blue

RetroGirl over at the Sense and Sensibility Forum fashioned this skirt from Butterick 5041 and a length of fabric she found on the bargain table. Isn't it lovely?

Feminine, Fashionable, & Frugal!

Erica created this fetching skirt for as a class recycling project last spring. She lengthened an old denim mini skirt by sewing on a width of red bandana print fabric and ruffle of white jacquard that she salvaged from another garment. We give her an A+!

Sisters Share

My sister made me a gift of this lovely Emma James skirt (right). The fit and flare of it makes me want to dance! Amy is wearing a stretch denim skirt I bought at Dress Barn.

Inspiring Images (& A Skirt Tale)

Seeking old-fashioned inspiration for your wardrobe? The Baker Lane Inspiring Image Archives offer a wealth of it! Now viewable on Flickr, the gallery includes images of most of the custom projects I created while dressmaking at Baker Lane. Enjoy!

Psst! Notice the broomstick skirt I'm wearing. I didn't make it, but it was a favorite for years. Only when it was in shreds was I convinced to retire it to the rag bag. Then, o happy day, I found its twin at a thrift store, in red!

Skirt Tales

Elizabeth in Alaska wears a far-from-dowdy hand-me-down from Grandmother.

A move accross campus prompted me to take inventory of my wardrobe. I had hoped to find some clothes I could toss out, or at least pass along to the Free Box (the place for student shoppers) because I'm taking up more than half the closet my roommate and I share. However, what I discovered surprised me; I have more than 20 skirts and I don't want to part with any of them. I guess you could say I collect skirts.

Since it's obvious my closet won't hold all the skirts I see and love, and because not every skirt I like will fit, I thought I'd expand my collection to include other people's skirts. When I see a pretty skirt, I'll ask its wearer for permission to photograph it! Or if I spot your skirt photo on the web, I may just ask you if I may post it here. These photographs, along with shots of favorite skirts in my collection, will appear in "Skirt Tales," a series celebrating feminity.

Pink Gingham

Another Regency gown from the Sense and Sensibility Girl's Regency Gown pattern for a little woman...a very little woman!

Back view

Changing Seasons

Inspired by a Sense and Sensibility Clothing catalogue offering from several years ago, Baker Lane is pleased to announce the release of "Changing Seasons", a pattern for Motherhood in sizes 6-26. It affords numerous options for neckline, sleeves, and skirt, and is flattering for all seasons of motherhood: pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond!

Visit Baker Lane for information on ordering.