Pocket watch fabric

This project has been ongoing from sometime in 2017 and I think was only finally finished in 2019 with the trim and buttons, and still hasn’t been worn 🙁 It is a combination of these three Truly Victorian patterns:

I saw the lovely pocket watch fabric in Abakhan, and must have bought quite a lot of it (waistcoats for the boys too!). I found a really cheap plain fabric to go with it. I think it was in the sale, and only about £3 a metre!! I thought if I make a mess of the jacket it won’t really matter at £3 pm!! Note, I know everybody says to make a mock up out of old duvet covers or whatever, but I never do. I figure that if I have spent so long making something, if it works, then I want to be able to use it! I know, one day I will become unstuck! The cheap fabric probably was a mistake for two reasons. 1 – it snags easily, 2 – it is cream!

I started off with the skirt. TV261 – 1885 Underskirt. I had made a version of it before so knew it was pretty straight forward. I made the fuller version this time and still added two rows of pleats. The optional bouffant is flat lined with 2 layers of netting. Pleats are sewn into the side seams, and tapes are used to fasten the bustle up in place.

I made the overskirt next – TV303 – 1873 side drape overskirt. The front apron is pretty standard. The side drapes, and sash, both have the contrasting fabric on the back. It took me over a year to get round to sewing the trim on though.

TV462 – 1883 Tail Bodice. I started the jacket very carefully.. I measured myself several times, and read the instructions on how to amend the pattern if different parts of your body are different sizes (whose aren’t?). I must have got something wrong!! I tried it on partway through making, and couldn’t close it at the front! Unpicked, and seams made much narrower, and it would just about fit!!! I need to remember that IF I ever attempt it again! The jacket is boned, and the back pleats are quite hard to get right.