Greetings!
This week we have an assortment of gowns from the earlier part of the Victorian era. It is often known as the Romantic period, with the larger crinoline and then hooped skirt look. The music is from about the same time period. While I say that these gowns are from the American Civil War era, one has to remember that the style of gown was worn by many women, from royalty to the very poor in one form or another. The music is sweet and slow, and perfect for a local harvest dance, swaying in the arms of some young man you had a crush on!
This week there are five new gowns, four of them from the American Civil War era of the 1860s. The fifth gown is from the late 1870s, is a satin ball gown, and has the beginnings of the distinct bustle shape. Let's start with Effie, a lovely cotton and silk day dress.
Effie comes with a Giribaldi blouse as well as some lace jabots that are not pictured. A Giribaldi blouse was a style of blouse that first became popular in the very early 1860s, perhaps even late 1850s. It was the first time we see women wearing a blouse with a skirt! Of course it never really went out of fashion after that. The blouse had long sleeves, was usually just to the waist, and could be made of different types of cotton materail. From sheer lawn to sturdier versions of cotton fabric.
Tabitha is a stunning ball gown that has a jacket so that it doubles as a some what formal day gown as well. This gown also comes with a Giribaldi blouse, as well as gloves, undergarments, and a hat!
Laura is what I think of as a harvest gown. The fabric has a deep chocolate background and ears of wheat as well as fall leaves and flowers printed on the skirt. This is based on a real period textile, which makes it all the more fun.
Personally, Philomena is probably my favorite out of the four larger gowns. It's a dark black velvet that looks petable, it has wonderful, intricate lace details on the bodices, and also has pagoda style sleeves as well as a Giribaldi blouse. This is another of those gowns that can be used for day or evening use depending on which bodice you use.
There will be some matching veils released in a day or so. These are hair and face veils for women who desire to use such things, and are based on the textures I used in the gowns.
I do hope you'll stop by Curious Seamstress today or check up on Second Life's Marketplace to purchase your gowns!
Cordially yours,
Kembri Tomsen
The Curious Seamstress
