I went on a Netflix binge of Mr. Selfridge this past few weeks. I liked Paradise better but this wasn’t bad…especially the first season. I keep saying I have to make myself one Edwardian outfit….
With that in mind, I will share an Edwardian outfit from The Costume Museum of Canada.
A 1906 suit.
A lovely detail on the skirt.
I got the latest newsletter from Dalnavert Museum and Victorian at heart made the cover!
There we are on the bottom.
Our 15 minutes of fame.
I have a carte de visit of a woman with really odd arms. I’d guess she has very thin arms and a very rigid corset on an already thin frame. The pose sort of adds to the disproportion doesn’t it. One could almost wonder if the odd pose is hiding frames to keep her frail or dead body in place.
They have been identified on the back.
It reads: “A sister of G. Gram. Mrs. Abramson and her husband. Taken around 1860.”
My guess is G. Gram means Great Grandma. The 1860’s looks right for hair and dress. To bad the faces are so washed out. I’d love to see what they really looked like. (And see if she is really alive.) But, all collectors hope they have a postmortem photo….
One thing I have been neglecting is the use of a cap by Victorian ladies. As a middle-aged woman, I should actually be wearing one under bonnets through several Victorian decades. It was common for middle-aged women to wear caps under bonnets long after the younger girls gave them up for everything but working about the house and bed. If I was transported back in time to the year my dress was intended, I suspect I’d come across as dressing a little “young” but conservative. (Hopefully, I wouldn’t come across as a total freak.)
I think one day, I’d like to make a copy of the cap I saw at the Costume Museum of Canada.
1875 cap at the Costume Museum of Canada
There are two ruffles around the face.
The ruffles are attached to a band that goes around the head. 
It seems to be hand-made with a light cotton…I didn’t do a burn test…fairly sure the museum would not approve! The back of the cap is poofy and attached to the band.
The nape of the neck is covered with a gathered piece.
I should have check closer but I think the gathered piece at the back is actually a continuation of the top ruffle around the face.
It is pretty though. I think I will copy this one when I finally get around to making one.
Frustrating few days with technology. My new computer for work was supposed to save me some work and stop me from using my personal one. Nope. It is a piece of crap and my son and I have been attempting to cobble together enough downloads to make it usable. Hours of labor to no avail at this point.
Our home internet keeps conking out-likely router trouble. Is the problem too many devices riding on it…including the work computer? Frustrating!
Icing on the cake? We had a major storm that knocked out the power for most of the day. Internet and useless computers are no longer a problem when you don’t have power. I spent the day wandering around trying to find things to do in the near dark that does not require electricity. For example, I dragged a table next to the window and did a jigsaw puzzle. I couldn’t knit next to the window…no Netflix. I tried reading but the book I’m really into is on my phone and the battery died. Did I mention we had no power…grrrrrr.
A sure sign that I function mainly by habit is muttering about no power on the way to the bathroom and then standing there stunned when the lights don’t go on. Peeing in the dark is so very rustic don’t you think?
At last the power is back and I’m going to end this post so I can knit and watch Netflix…just so long as the internet stays on.
If you asked me a couple of days ago if I found Inuit clothing interesting I’d have a pretty mediocre response. I didn’t know how pretty it really was! I was helping to pack up some donated Inuit clothing at the costume museum this past week and was very impressed by the embroidery. The colors are warm and happy.
This coat has two layers: this plainer outer blue layer and an inner embroidered layer.
Here is one of the details on the inner layer :
A walrus.
There were a couple of pull over style jackets that seemed to be for less chilly weather. One was tan in color and the other was blue. This picture is blurry but gives you the idea of the general shape.
There is embroidery on the front pocket…
A walrus…
…and a boat full of people.
One sleeve has a bird on what looks like a pile of stones…perhaps an inukshuk.
One the other sleeve there is a hunter with his catch.
The beige jacket has a line of bird people who appear to be hunting/fishing on its pocket .
On the one sleeve there is this bird person who looks like he is dancing. I don’t know the meaning of these creatures. Are they part of the Inuit lore? Are they the part of the artists imagination? 
The other sleeve has this image.
I’m afraid my white city slicker eyes see a shopper!
I also packed up a few vests. This was my favorite.
It has a narwhal. Who doesn’t love a yellow narwhal?
I just adore the colors in this person. I kept going back to look at it again and again. 
It was this character that caused me to look closely and appreciate the skill and beauty in this embroidery and to get my camera out and take photographs.
So now I can say I appreciate the beauty and skill of Inuit clothing. And these people live in horrid cold temperatures and survive so I can also appreciate the practicality of them as well!
Love the pin stripes on the lady to the right.
These two ladies had their photo done in Edinburgh Scotland at the Parisian Photo Co. I found possible dates for this studio (1887-93) here at this site.
Nice jewelry on this lady.
The dresses do not appear to have bustles of the late bustle period (1883-89)…
but do have larger sleeves of the Belle Epoche so I think this would be in the 90’s range for this photo. If this studio lasted until ’93 then this photo is ’90-93.
What the item is: small beaded bag
The Challenge: 8 Heirloom. I’d call this an heirloom, not because any of it is old but because I imagine such a bag would have been cherished as long as it held together.
Fabric: cotton for lining.
Pattern: The Lady’s Assistant for Executing Useful and Fancy Designs in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work (1847) by Jane Gaugain as adapted by this blogger.
Year: 1847
Notions: silk thread (size F) seed beads set of five 2 mm double pointed knitting needles. NOTE: use silk. It gets heavy with the beads and I think the silk will hold up better in the long run than other fibers.
How historically accurate is it? 80%? I think they would have lined it in silk not cotton but I had the cotton in my stash. The beads are glass and I’m not sure they would have had glass SILVER beads. I think their silver beads would have been metal.
Hours to complete: Counting the 3000 times I dropped stitches and had to struggle to save them….about 50.
First worn: Not yet
Total cost: $4 for the beads and $10 for the thread. I had to buy the needles but I don’t count that as they will be used for many more projects.
What the item is: belt buckle-steal cut. Possibly Victorian but probably Edwardian.
The Challenge: soft entry for Heirlooms Challenge. The mantle it is on was made many moons ago. But when I was given the buckle I thought it was perfect for the mantle I made. This challenge seemed the perfect time to put it on.
Fabric: N/A
Pattern: N/A
Year: Mantle 1871. Buckle: Possibly Victorian but probably Edwardian.
Notions: Buckle, needle, thread
How historically accurate is it? 70% The mantle is 1870’s pattern made with synthetic fibers. The buckle is likely Edwardian. I have no proof that they used buckles on this style of mantle.
Hours to complete: .5
First worn: never
Total cost: Buckle was a gift. Mantle in closet for well over a year. =$0
As I mentioned in my last post, Stevie the parrot bit me. That evening, I was volunteering at the Costume Museum of Canada and was struck by a theme that was likely enhanced by my snit with the buzzard.
1950’s hat from the Costume Museum of Canada
I added the face for perspective.
Left side of hat.
Back of the hat.
Right side of the hat.
Top of the hat.
This next one is the same color as devil bird.
Inside of a 1950’s hat.
Left side.
Right side.
Top.
This next one is ugly in my opinion. Probably looks better on the birds.
Front of a 1930’s hat.
Left side
Back
Right side.
Top.
I like this next one better.
Front of a 1915 hat.
Back view.
Top view.
Hope you enjoyed.
Wanda B Victorian 