I saw this fun poster in one of the Anthropologie catalogs, displayed as wall art in an apartment. Isn't it great? I love the style of paintings from this era. Some of the costumes worn in them are fun, too. They're definitely a huge inspiration to me, despite the fact that they often advertise Absinthe and Cigarettes, two things I definitely don't indulge in!
As I prepare my notes for an upcoming speaking engagement, I find myself researching 18th Century Bedgowns. I thought you might be interested in sharing in the information that my research has provided.
Chardin Painting of a Woman working in her Bedgown.
Bedgowns could be worn as undress wear or by the lower to middle class for work and daily activities, as pictured here.
An Original Bedgown in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg
Original Patterning Instructions for an 18th Century Bedgown
The Bedgown is a simple jacket that could be worn as a working woman's everyday garment or by non-working women as an undress garment. Diderot describes bedgowns as a "kind of short clothing which the women wear the bed, and which they keep in the morning in the fashion of undress." This is the description of an upper class woman's bedgown. He also describes them as made of "cotton cloth more or less fine, of plain or embroidered muslin or other similar material." They could also be made of quilted silk or linen. The bedgown is a loose, unfitted garment, with the sleeves cut in one piece with the body of the garment - there is no shoulder seam. The bedgown falls below the hip in length.
Reproducing an 18th Century Bedgown:
Several Patterns are available for the authentic reproduction of 18th century bedgowns.
The Kannik's Korner Bedgown pattern provides historical documentation notes and excellent directions for constructing an authentic bedgown. The lines of this pattern are especially pretty with pleated fullness at the sides and back.
www.KanniksKorner.com
J.P. Ryan also offers an excellent pattern. I have used several of her patterns before and was always very happy with the directions and the quality of the patterns. www.JPRyan.com
Mill Farm Patterns offers this pattern for a European Bedgown. The sides of this bedgown slope out to add fullness rather than having the pleated sections like the Kannik's Korner pattern.
Available from Burnley & Trowbridge or Wm. Booth Draper.
Today my friend Rosie and I attended a small reenactment at Fort Roberdeau in Altoona, PA. We're just getting started in Revolutionary War Reenacting with the German Regiment of the Continental Line.
Rosie borrowed her outfit from Allison Lavens. Allison is a wealth of knowledge on clothing of the 18th century, especially the clothing of a camp follower. You can listen to a presentation by Allison on 18th Century Clothing HERE.
My Costume was started and completed the night before the event. I had another outfit, but this fabric was dying to be made up into a cute little jacket, so I gave in! The skirt is made of pink linen - a vintage tablecloth! The jacket is based off of a jacket in the Colonial Williamsburg Collection featured in the book 'Costume Close-Up'. The jacket is made of a reproduction print cotton. The Straw Hat is from Colonial Williamsburg, but similar hats can be found at www.SillySisters.com. The Shoes are from Fugawee.
And, to add a little excitement to your 18th Century Clothing Research...Here are two links definitely worth checking out!
The top fabric is a Green Linen and the lining a Black and White Striped Linen. There is one layer of Canvas. The channels were sewn to the Green Linen and Canvas by machine and the reed and metal stays inserted. The eyelet holes were then sewn by hand using an awl. It really was easier than you would expect. The Lining was then pinned and tacked in place, and the 3/4" Ivory Leather Strips (Cut from a thrifted skirt) were sewn by hand around the edges. This was the hardest part. I found it difficult to get the leather to lie flat without puckering. I thought the leather was light enough because it was a garment weight leather, but maybe a kid leather would have been slightly more easy to sew with. This last step definitely requires the use of a thimble. ;)
More info on the stays in my earlier post about sewing them! HERE
