Monday, June 3, 2013

Announcing a New Victorian Bathing Suit Pattern



After a long hiatus, I'm back with a new pattern – a Grecian-Style Bathing Suit for 1870 to 1890.

Around 1850, the Bathing Dress for ladies came into existence – before that time women wore a long shirt-like garment.  The earliest reference to a suit with drawers I've found was in 1852. But once fashion got hold of the bathing suit, the dress evolved rapidly.  Some bathing suits were downright gorgeous. Like, in my opinion, this one!

The August 1870 issue of Peterson's Magazine shows a lovely outfit: "Fig. X. – Bathing-Costume of White Flannel. – Trousers fastened at the knee by a cross strip braided with a Grecian pattern in black wool.  Peplum blouse, with short sleeves, with a braided Grecian pattern, buttoned on each side and on the shoulders."  This is the outfit featured in my pattern.

The bathing dress opens at the shoulders and both sides.  The blouse can be made with or without sleeves.  The drawers can be made in calf or ankle lengths, and can be gathered into cuffs. You can make it with or without the separate skirt.

Victoria's skirt came out a couple of inches too short – I forgot she's a good six inches taller than I am. LOL!

Can't you see yourself lounging beside the pool in this outfit?

You can purchase it now at Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/153370811/victorian-bathing-suit-pattern-new

Happy sewing.
Deb Salisbury, the Mantua-Maker

9 comments:

  1. Love it Deb! You did an amazing job. I like your choice to go white with the red boarder. Super cute!

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  2. Amazing! You've done a fabulous job!

    (Anne from Stitching By Numbers)

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  3. Can I purchase this pattern now? I didn't see it on the website.

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! Thank you for asking about my pattern!

      Yes, you can purchase it now at Etsy:
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/153370811/victorian-bathing-suit-pattern-new

      I'll add it to the blog post to make it easier.

      My apologies for the inconvenience. My old website building program died, and now I can't add anything. I'm in the process of rebuilding it in GoDaddy, but it's slooooooow going. LOL! It's gone from annoying to a challenge.

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