An 1870s Wrapper || Dressing the 19th Century Woman

[@carriebtc]

Such an essential part of domestic life and no one has attempted to reconstruct these types of women's clothing from the past. Thank for sharing your craft process. Great work. Cheers

[@KatelynKearns]

Thank you for watching! Marna does an excellent job at collecting and documenting the average 'working woman's wardrobe in the latter half of the 19th century. She does fantastic work and I'm so thankful she shares things like this with me.

[@carriebtc]

@@KatelynKearns She does an excellent job then. Thanks for the info. Cheers

[@lillyfranzen7802]

That turned out super cute! Thank you for taking us on the journey as you constructed it. Low expectations on the outcome makes it easier to be pleased with the results. ( that's my experience anyway 😂) Can't wait for your next project. ❤️❤️❤️

[@KatelynKearns]

I have the same experience! Hard to be disappointed when your initial expectations are rock bottom.

[@jenniferstocker5462]

Very pretty with the scallops and the velvet trim!

[@KatelynKearns]

The scallops are my favorite part!

[@celticgoddess81]

I am in love with that fabric! The whole thing came out fantastic and looks spectacular on you. :)

[@KatelynKearns]

Thank you! I wasn't a fan of the fabric for a while. It wasn't until I saw it on with the belt that I really decided I loved it.

[@villagesteader3552]

Interesting construction! This exceeded my expectations. I love a scalloped hem and the fact that you used velvet for the trim made it all the better. I must admit, I didn’t like the fabric at first but seeing it made up into the wrapper changed my view of it. ♥️👍🤓

[@KatelynKearns]

I didn't care for the fabric much, either. It was $5/yard and for that price on reproduction fabric, you take what you can get. It was destined to be kids clothing until this project. It definitely was not a favorite fabric until it was completed. Thank you for watching!

[@SandieMitchell]

This dress is so pretty, and it looks fantastic on you! ☺ I had no idea the piping was so tiny; I learn something new every time I watch your videos.

[@bcase5328]

Check the neck opening for rewriting the bodice part of the pattern. I could imagine a few variations.

[@KatelynKearns]

Somewhere back a few years ago, I have a whole video on piping and how to make it. It's back there, but it's there. Thank you for watching!

[@SandieMitchell]

@@KatelynKearns Ooh, I have to see that one!☺

[@pippaseaspirit4415]

I had a little toy chain stitch machine when I was a young child; it sewed quite nicely for a toy! I made clothes for my white teddy bear. The wrapper looks really great 😻 Comfortable, too.

[@KatelynKearns]

I've seen some cute little toy machines at antique shops. I've only seen one that worked-I think those are the best ones!

[@lifewcockapooz8103]

Absolutely gorgeous i love it! You look so happy in it it was infectious made me smile. I now really want to make one myself lol

[@KatelynKearns]

I'm just thrilled it turned out so well! I was not expecting it to look as nice as it did.

[@lesleyharris525]

Such a pretty wrapper, shame we don't wear them now, but I might make something like this for myself. ❤

[@KatelynKearns]

They make great loungewear for house wear!

[@lilykatmoon4508]

I love this!

[@KatelynKearns]

Thank you for watching! I'm so glad turned out as well as it did.

[@amierikke6225]

Loved this! Would a wrapper like this be worn around the house like our modern robe, but the lady would have her “underpinnings” on underneath? I loved hearing your treadle working! I have my grandmother’s 1900 singer and use it every so often but I find it hard to coordinate sewing and treadle at same time. I remember my grandmother sewing on it in the early 1960’s. My husband is a machinist and is fascinated with treadle machines, has a lot of respect for how they were made. He took mine apart, cleaned it, oiled it well, replaced just a couple things and put back. It works great.

[@KatelynKearns]

It is like a modern robe and it could be worn with or without underpinnings depending on the situation and the lady. I also have my great-grandmother's 1907 machine, too! I love using it for my 20th century projects. I'm so glad your husband was able to get it back to working. I never met my great-grandmother so I never saw her use it, but I have memories of her son (my grandfather who has passed) helping me thread the machine and wind the bobbin. It makes the family heirlooms even more special to have sweet memories attached, doesn't it?

[@magicalaurie]

Very nice, Katelyn.

[@KatelynKearns]

Thank you! I'm happy with how it turned out.

[@susandavis3270]

I love it! I know that trim was a booger to put in, but it really looks great!

[@KatelynKearns]

It was, but I'm glad it's done. And I never have to make an 1870s wrapper again. I think I have a wrapper for every time period from 1825-1885 now, which is exactly what I needed.

[@kringle-jelly]

You may have shared this already, but Im facinated by with your antique (?) sewing machine. Year, make? And how difficult is it to find one that still works?

[@KatelynKearns]

It's an 1870s Wilcox and Gibbs. They're fairly easy to find and they're workhorses so very rarely do they not work in my experience. There's Facebook groups dedicated to people buying and selling sewing machines, and groups for Wilcox and Gibbs specifically as well.

[@kringle-jelly]

@KatelynKearns Thank you, so much!

[@bcase5328]

Would a deep bowl/box hold your spool of thread while sewing?

[@KatelynKearns]

That's a fantastic idea that I had not even considered! Thank you!

[@EamaneEarane]

I have a question on how you wear historical fashion... I want to do so myself, but I find that if I wear a petticoat then the skirts get caught on my stocking pulling them wildly around or even tripping me. How do you deal with the fabric friction so that the skirt doesn't risk tripping you or get caught around or between your legs...? I expect a hoop skirt would solve the problem, but I'm not looking to wear one of those...

[@KatelynKearns]

I don't seem to have that problem, but I also keep my petticoats to mid calf or a little lower so they aren't super long. If you're having issues with petticoats pulling down your stockings, I would suggest garters to keep the stockings in place. That's the historical method before elastic started being put into stockings and garters do really work!

[@EamaneEarane]

@@KatelynKearns Maybe that's the issue, then. My petticoat is ankle length. The stockings don't get pulled down but rather twisted around my calf which just feels horrible. x)

[@KatelynKearns]

@@EamaneEarane In the period, petticoats could also be starched which helps them stick out. You can try that, too.

[@EamaneEarane]

@@KatelynKearns Great suggestion! Also, what type of fabric are they supposed to be made of...? I usually use cotton poplin or quilting cotton for my skirts. Is that the right type of weight?

[@KatelynKearns]

@@EamaneEarane Yes. Pimatex cotton is the closest I've found to period long cloth (The fabric they used for underpinnings a lot of the time). I've also just used regular cotton muslin.