Alright everyone! To get you brainstorming on what you’d like to make for the Sew Through the Decades Challenge, I’m starting to gather info on each decade to spark your creativity.
To read more about fashion during this first decade, wikipedia is a great starting place, complete with pictures. Here’s some of what it says:
“With the decline of the bustle, sleeves began to increase in size and the 1830s silhouette of an hourglass shape became popular again. The fashionable silhouette in the early 1900s was that of a mature woman, with full low bust and curvy hips. The “health corset” of this period removed pressure from the abdomen and created an S-curve silhouette….Blouses and dresses were full in front and puffed into a “pigeon breast” shape of the early 20th century that looked over the narrow waist, which sloped from back to front and was often accented with a sash or belt. Necklines were supported by very high boned collars…Skirts brushed the floor, often with a train, even for day dresses, in mid-decade.”
In the following picture, check out the gray skirt on the left. I’m thinking that would look pretty great knee length.
One of the best things I discovered during the years of 1900-1909 were the swimsuits! I mean, how cute are they???
Photo found via the Library of Congress. Seriously, this site has the best photos of the fashions through the decades! Amazing pictures and so much fun to look at!
Or how about this reproduction of a swimsuit, from the Gentleman’s Emporium? That is also a great link to many fun fashions. These styles of swimsuits could totally be made into a dress you could wear today!
It’s funny how most of their under-garments are things that we would wear now as normal, outer wear:). This next picture is a petticoat from 1905. How beautiful this would be as a sundress. I’d wear a cute cardigan over it! It’s so pretty! Photo found on Antique Dress. Again, browse their fashions! They have a beautiful gallery of actual items from those decades!
You could even just make the top cardigan part from this next dress. Very pretty.
What about clothing for little boys. Here is a photo via wikipedia. Knickerbockers! SO cute!
Of course they wore bow ties then. That would be an easy thing to sew the first week if you are stuck on what to make. You can use my tutorial! Photo found here on wikipedia.
In looking at all the pictures though, I still find myself being drawn to the beautiful details. Women’s fashion was just so lovely! This dress was found HERE, but the lady talks about a seller on Ebay that I decided to try and find. I couldn’t find the person she was talking about. But wow! Ebay is a wonderful place for inspiration ! Type in 1900 clothing, photos, kids clothes, etc, and all sorts of wonderful goodness comes up! From actual items from that period, to pictures, to reproductions. Fun fun stuff!
A nice gal named Bridget emailed me some family photos to add to my decade posts. The next two are from her. She emailed me a few from other decades, so look for hers there! They are awesome! Thanks so much for letting me use them Bridget!
More great links:
Marquise This is my absolute favorite website I found on fashion. The images are copyrighted, but it is well worth the extra click to go see what they have there to inspire you! The empire street dress could definitely be modernized! While you are there, check out their fun little pattern diagrams. I sure couldn’t make anything based on those, but it’s fun to look at!
Lisa’s Fashion History. Wonderful sketches through the decades of women’s fashion.
Charles Dana Gibson was an artist at that time that has some really awesome pictures during that period.
Past Patterns: I don’t know much about the patterns themselves, but the pictures are neat.
Victoriana: This website has some really fun pictures, but also a lot of ads to sort through–sorry about that, but I do think it’s worth browsing. I was unable to use any photos from this website because they are copyrighted, but really, stop by there! They have accessories as well. This website will be useful for many of the decades.
The Costumer’s Manifesto. This site has beautiful portraits!
Fashion Era. I love the sketches of children’s fashion on this website!
Again, there really are no guidelines as to how you want to sew a piece from any decade. I’m planning on making mine wearable for me or my kids now. I don’t really want to put in a lot of time on something that won’t get worn. But you might be totally ok with that, and so I say go for it!
I hope you find some ideas for the first decade challenge!
What a fun challenge!! I LOVE looking at fashion from other periods, thanks for all the links. It’s fun to see since my Grandma was born in 1907- what her mom would’ve been wearing… that puffed out chest and torso area on some of the dresses is so interesting to me. HOw Fun!!
I can’t imagine swimming in those! But so much fun to look at. I am still trying to decide what I want to do for this week. I’ve made knickers before for a costume. And I’ve already made your bowties. What else?
That decade is going to be hard for me. Looking at the pictures is great fun!
Holy smokes, you have out done yourself, I was excited about this challenge before I knew you were going to show research and inspiration. you have made my day.