Felicity Friday: Work Wear Accessories

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Felicity, historicallyaccuratefelicity, History

I’ve been using my free time between work and life to put together Felicity’s historically accurate wardrobe for various 18th century occasions. My purpose for making this extensive wardrobe isn’t just to satisfy my need for tiny things, but to use Felicity as a teaching tool for children’s groups at various events or lectures I do! She’s really fun to share with people of all ages and they love seeing how her clothes are made just like they’re supposed to be.

Here she is, so cutely put together.

Right now I’m working diligently on making her some work wear in contrast to the middling class/half dress I typically depict at an event. This way, I can show the public possibly camp-follower impressions or just lower class impressions without having to point at individuals that happen to be passing by! This week I finished up:

So many little things!

A checked kerchief  made from Burnley and Trowbridge cross barred linen– the scraps from a 19th century apron I made last year (I’ll post about early Regency aprons soon).

An 18th century apron to match my own- blue & white plaid cotton with tiiiiiiiny binding from thin linen tape.

Tiny stitches and bindings!

And a new linen petticoat- also made from scraps from my own! So dainty! Next week I’ll update you as to what Felicity gets to wear next but for now if you’ve been working on Felicity projects, do link them in the comments. I want to seeeeee!

Now she’s almost ready for all this cold weather we’ve got goin’ on

 

Felicity’s Quilted Petticoat

While in New Zealand I took a couple projects with me to pass the time while traveling. I worked on quilting a small panel because it was easily packed away and not overly complicated- and why wouldn’t I want to make a wee quilted petti for her?!

All in all, the project took me more than 25 hours to complete- even as a simple diamond pattern.

I based the color and pattern decision on a number of images (Links here, here and here) that depict working class individuals which would make this type of garment plausible for someone like Felicity to possibly have had.

The Polite Maccaroni presenting a Nosegay to Miss Blossom
from the Lewis Walpole Library

 

Probably the smallest binding I’ve ever had to make

Hand for scale and white balance!

So cuuuuuute!

 

The petticoat is made of a scrap of silk taffeta, lightweight cotton batting and scraps of handkerchief weight linen. It’s sewn in silk thread and tied with thin linen tapes.

I decided to make a pearl necklace for her, too, since I have one!

So little! The beads came from some leftover beads from a wedding dress I had altered

Little rings and ribbons!

So petite 🙂

Other than a pocket and some shoes, Felicity will only need a top garment to complete her ensemble. I plan on making a linen dress for myself within the month, so I will likely make a matching one for her. More exciting stuff to come!

A New Cap for Felicity

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As I’m sure you’ve seen in a few of my posts (here ), I love Felicity! Part of my love for her is a desire to make her as accurate as possible. Eventually I’d like to have a “Felicity Version” of my 18th century clothes, but for now I make smaller versions of things when I happen to be out and about. I keep a small sewing kit with me and a project prepared for just these occasions.

           Bag & contents: L-R, Needle Book, Thimble Case with Silver Thimble, Cotton Thread, Leftover piece of ruffle from Felicity’s cap, Wax & safety pins- ‘cuz you need those sometimes

Felicity’s cap is a single layer cotton cap made from scraps of Burnley and Trowbridge cotton mull. This fabric works up nicely and has some good body when made up small-like. The edges are done with rolled hems, aside from the bag of the cap that attaches to the front pieces- it was done using a whipped-rolled hem. All pieces are whipped together and voila!

Whipped seams!

Pretty finish.

 

           

 

Pretty caps!