Mid 18th century shift

My c. 1790 shift was so obviously wrong for my c. 1740 stays that I had to make a new appropriate one. I followed Sharon Ann Burnston's article very closely, including the cut. I was glad to have the article because I never would have dared to make the sleeves so full on my own.

It's completely hand sewn from light weight linen with linen thread.

And having finished the shift, I'm also able to show off the corset a little better.

And without stays:

Construction is explained in detain in the article, but basically the seams are felled, neckline and hem hem stitched and the gathering stroke gathers.

I closed the cuffs with ties through the button holes but you could use cufflinks.



Late 18th century quilted rump

Ever since Kendra posted her fantastic article about late 18th century skirt supports I have wanted to try out the number 3. My version is basically a roughly guilted thick layer of wool between linen layers, pleated and whip stitched in to a linen waistband. It might be ugly, but I really like the effect it has on my skirt shape. (It's a little fuller on me than on the very narrow hipped dress form.)

Construction pictures: