Here is my mother in the most recent dress that she's sewn - a lightweight black wool mourning dress. I found this lovely wool at the fabric store where I worked several years ago and purchased enough for us to both make mourning dresses. Her skirt is box pleated and the sleeves are coat sleeves with horizontal gathering running down the back of the sleeve. We were able to remake a black silk bonnet that we had into a mourning bonnet, adding antique cotton net trim to the inside in large folds with black ribbon. A black organza veil is pinned in place with black pins.
We're planning to change out the shiny bonnet ribbons...we just didn't have anything more appropriate at the time.
Inside Wheatland.
Mark and Faith Hintzen in mourning attire.
Oh wow! I just saw the movie The Wolfman and was struck by the incredible beauty and craftsmanship involved in Victorian and Edwardian mourning dresses. These are amazing frocks!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done!
ReplyDeleteI used black grosgrain ribbon for my mourning bonnet. I tried looking for a non-glossy ribbon with no luck.
Val
Yes, we were planning to use grograin ribbon, too! I found some vintage black grograin ribbon that is silk and about 4" wide and should work well. :)
ReplyDeleteHow very elegant. A true testament to the era.
ReplyDeleteDonna
You mother looks fantastic in it - straight out of a costume drama or period photograph...
ReplyDelete