Making an 1840s dress: the bodice Part I

Hello!
I present the next step in my 1840s series: the bodice. After having assembled all of the undergarments, I moved on to the outer dress. I started out with a Truly Victorian pattern, which I altered to better fit the period, particularly the front dip and the neckline. I used mostly Victorian methods, such as flatlining and flat felling seams, but used a sewing machine the seams.
Next up will be making the bertha and sleeves!
Making a Corded Petticoat: • Making an 1840s evenin...
Making a Tucked Petticoat: • Making of a Tucked Pet...
More details about the foundations, including the corset, on my blog post: happilyevertaf...
If you are interested in seeing some more of my work, here are some links:
Instagram: @catscostumery
/ catscostumery
Blog: happilyevertaf...
Facebook: / catscostumery
Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/V7V7...
Music is freely available online, Maryandra's Waltz by Jesse Gallagher

[@LaHayeSaint]

Thank goodness there are dedicated ladies who keep the skill and enthusiasm of dressmaking alive. The gowns they create are nothing but breathtaking. How lucky to be a well-to-do lady in the Victorian times. So many beautiful dresses to wear! How thrilling.

[@hana-gs4dk]

She's so underrated! Only twenty-eight thousand views?? AND EVEN FEWER SUBSCRIBERS? She put so much hard work into this! You just gained a subscriber.

[@estelledesigns]

So beautiful! It reminds me of Cinderella but a historical version!

[@LaHayeSaint]

This bodice was made without a pattern. Wow! Brilliant!

[@catzkeet4860]

No, she stated that she used the Truely Victorian Victorian bodice pattern. But like any pattern you need to alter a pattern to fit your own body. This was a good job done on challenging fabric.

[@muslinandlace2099]

Ooh, that satin is gorgeous. This looks like such a great project, can't wait to see the rest, thank you for sharing

[@MiyukiZero]

Very beautiful. I have that style on my list of things to make. I have those metallic scissors in rose gold. Lol

[@CHENJY]

This bodice is absolutely gorgeous!! I hope one day I can make something this beautiful

[@cap4life1]

Great job!! For anyone making this: To get rid of the bodice wrinkles, make sure the length of the bodice fits you properly from shoulder seam to waist. Also, cut front and side pieces on the bias in both the main and flatline fabric so that the fabric wraps tightly around your corset.

[@crappyrat9053]

omg im so happy i found this i cant wait to make my own

[@sophiahardt]

I love the lace you used!

[@keandreathreets7174]

I absolutely love vintage clothing. You did an amazing job keep it up!

[@dangachrist4290]

I will take inspiration from this in my drawings

[@weyden7590]

She's so talented!!! It takes a lot of time and patience in making something like that!!! I wish i could make something like that

[@carolempluckrose4188]

You can, just trust yourself😀

[@vivianc.c.3379]

This satin looks like a medium weight, not very thin. And what did you used for the inside fabric? I really liked the structure of these two fabrics combined

[@CatsCostumery]

It was about medium weight I would say! I use a cotton drill/twill (medium too, I'd say) for the interlining :)

[@noragrinberga8293]

Hello! Could u show ur patterns because im making a dress 4 my graduation and im not as good in making my own patterns so i was wondering if u could give some tips

[@erkschadeable]

Not sure if this is still useful, but she did mention the truly Victorian pattern used right in the beginning....I Would also recommend black snails

[@ashleyjones9756]

I am proud to say that I am glad to be born in the 1990's. I am more of a t shirt and jeans kind of girl.

[@lieselmeminger1002]

Gorgeous video and great artwork! Little improvement: maybe you don't want to show the whole process everytime, but cut the time lapses to a few seconds, that everyone can see what you are doing. 😊

[@RachelRoseLynn]

Did you have a video on how you did the corset?

[@CatsCostumery]

I didn't actually film that process, sadly! I did however explain it a bit in a blog post here: happilyevertaffeta.wordpress.com/2019/04/03/making-an-1840s-evening-dress-the-foundations/

[@luciaminnig5753]

hi! so im doing a ballgown and i want to put organza on my skirt but idk where to get afordable organza and good, im a little short on money, so if anyone knows it help a lot.

[@nancyloyet2764]

dharma trading company online has organza and I think that it's pretty inexpensive ($7.09 per yard for 45" wide 100% silk organza, $9.19 per yard for 55" wide 100% silk organza, and $7.79 per yard for 45" wide 100% silk organza in black), the only possible problem in my eyes being that if you want a color other than black or white, you'd have to dye it yourself (and also the black only comes in 45" wide). I've never bought their organza, only cotton lawn (so far), but they have really good reviews! I'm just starting out in sewing/historical costuming so I don't have a very good gauge for what is and isn't expensive, so I hope this is helpful!

[@dawn8525]

Amazing! What kind of fabric did you use?

[@CatsCostumery]

Satin!

[@mxryixam]

WHOAAAAAAA

[@anne-lenadreikluft8155]

How wide was your fabric for the dress? The blue satin :)

[@luciaminnig5753]

what type of frabric do you put for the inside?

[@jan-nn9ix]

Can I buy just the bodice please

[@katherinehales996]

what pattern did you use? I'm trying to find a good pattern to make a victorian dress

[@isaac04riddle54]

I can’t tell what your accent is? I hear Irish, British and American

[@menneciercorinne2675]

Bonjour comment fait-on pour avoir le patron de couture svp cordialement corinne

[@r4bb.j.t]

What sewing pattern did you use?

[@CatsCostumery]

I started out with the Truly Victorian Victorian bodice pattern!

[@DierdreKelleher]

What is that pen? I must get one!

[@CatsCostumery]

It's the Clover Chacopen Blue with eraser! Super handy, love it.