All Naturally Made by the Misses Chaffee

01/16/2018

The newest project out on the cutting table.
Boys skeleton suit, size 4.
Pattern taken from surviving garment.
This is series 5 of working to make this fit a modern child, in the desired size! Let's hope I finally solved my issues and have some 4T garments for event next month.
Then I just need to pull the shirt patterns and viola!

05/31/2016

At last! I found a source for Linsey-Woolsey. A 50/50 blend. It was used for petticoats for the poor, and children's dresses for the poor. I'm excited to be putting each together.

05/31/2016

A girls checked apron, of the smallest size. Made up from period cutting instructions.

05/31/2016

Some of the more recent items I've been working on. From a recent 1809 event

11/09/2013

A young lady's bodice begins to emerge. With plenty of hand stitching still to go, bones to set, and skirt to hem, tuck, and pleat... But soon it shall be a lovely gown!

This is the final frock/gown that I'll be making before my laying in begins. It is for a young lady, age 12, and will be her first front opening gown.
Made entirely of linen, with exquisitely fine hand detailed finishes.
The bodice is adapted to fit, from a pattern in JA Patterns of Fashion and CC Costume in Detail.

10/28/2013

10/28/2013

Side view of the skirt, showing the usefulness of the extreme waistband

10/28/2013

Nursing/ maternity shift. This one is longer in length, with a shorter sleeve than would be used during the laying in or first month.

10/24/2013

Having just completed translating two more patterns from the 18th century infant layette, I find myself just as mystified as ever.
A "shift" was a woman's nursing shift, except that it is waist length, with long sleeves and extreme shoulders. Given the 1809 reference to a Bedgown, night shift, and bed jacket which are ALL long sleeve, it stands to recon that a woman did not leave her house in the laying in period, or for a month after the baby was born, and was in a 36-40" waist banded skirt and a top with long sleeves! Given the limited number of long sleeve garments, it is fascinating that both of these early patterning books (written by women, for women) would both have long sleeves as a standard item of maternity/post partum, and of intimate house/bed wear. It kinda makes you reevaluate our knowledge of history.
The other item is an infant Robe Blanket. That while I have resolved my issue of the armhole, much like with the open crotch of then2yr old pantaloons fashionable in 1809, I am still bewildered by this blanket robe, and how without shoulder straps, it was fastened onto the child. It is longer than the Bedgown, which makes sense as it was worn on the outside. But with the front edge curved from the underarm curve through the center front, I'm not certain how to recommend to a parent how best to use the piece.
Pictures to follow...

10/02/2013

Trying my hand at a doll shift while on set this weekend. Needless to say, my fingers hurt! But, the stitch length is substantially more accurate

09/23/2013

Made in a child's size 6, this lovely pair of golden yellow linen gowns are a perfect maych for child and doll. With simple back lacing and attached skirt.

09/17/2013

Well, I guess in 1789 they had a broader understanding of infant... This is Peyton fitting the newest infant piece for me. Talk about a long lasting piece!