Elsa mantua inspiration-2

I’m still working through my files, so here is another of my favourite Mantua. A deep blue silk covered in silver embroidery. Right now I don’t have access to the printed materials so I’m mostly inspired by the over all effect, and as my lace has a very uneven but scalloped hem I’m using this…

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easy mantua cutting

(updated on my research site: https://www.thefrockchick.com/the-baroque-frock/easy-mantua-cutting/ ) I did manage to cut my fabric panels for my mantua, it really is pretty darm easy as it is all on the grain rectangles. It is pretty much exactly what I expect from a pre-1920s measure, cut, fit process. It looks a bit different but ultimately it’s…

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manteau-or not (inc patterns)

(Update June 2024: I have written and visual evidence that neccesitates reworking all these images and text. The update will be on my research site soon.) The mantua as often described is a garment with a very unique construction. It puts all the side skirt shaping on a single wedge of fabric, made of several…

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sunburst update

So I have been as obsessed by the sunburst gown longer than the electric light gown but hey are in fact really interlinked! After a little clarification that yes there were two Caroline Schermerhorn Astors. One Mrs one Miss and it is Miss Caroline Astor who wore the sunburst probably post marriage to Mr Orme…

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magaret audley in high resolution

While a lovely friend was working out her costume inspiration, I went looking for decent resolution of images and woah! This did not come up in my google search, and it should, but rather another portrait with a link to the other works by the artist. https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/margaret-duchess-of-norfolk/bAHhU8C_AFAgZw Maraget Audley, Hans Eworth I think most historic…

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Extant Gowns I adore

  Mantua, V&A Museum, London Place of origin:  Spitalfields (textile, weaving) England (mantua, sewing) Date: ca. 1720 (weaving)  1720-1730 (sewing) Artist/Maker: Unknown Materials and Techniques: Silk, silk thread, silver-gilt thread; hand-woven brocading, hand-sewn. Museum number: T.88 to C-1978 Gallery location: In Storage Interactive full views I am not sure if the petticoat and front are original, if they are it’s…

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Making drafting tools!

I decided that I have wanted an authentic pattern drafting machine but I’ll never be able to afford one, so I’ve got a nice clear copy of a few originals and now with the power of image editing software it’s time to make some. Step one, figure out where to scale. Done and done 🙂…

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