Victorian Picnic

Well, it’s now time that I play catch up with my blog posts. I was inordinately busy for the month of September with events and working on projects and then finished out my month with the worst head cold / sinus infection that I have ever had. Put it this way – eye mucus. At any rate, after a good round of antibiotics I am all better and trying to catch up on everything. So I will start with the first event that I attended in September – a Victorian Picnic.

The event was hosted by 19th Century Queensland, a re-enactment group with a lot of member crossover in the Australian Costumers Guild. They were hosting a simple Springtime Victorian Picnic. This is the first one of their Victorian events that I have actually been able to attend this year. It was held on Father’s day, (a bit of a shame since my Dad couldn’t come) but I did take my mum along with me in the 1870s linen bustle that I made for her earlier this year. The event itself was held at Newstead House, one of our regular historical haunts around Brisbane. The day proved breezy and cool while we picnicked under one of the large shade trees in the parklands surrounding the house. It was quite a relaxing day, but with grey clouds imminent my mum and I headed home to finish our Sunday out of the rain.

As for my outfit. I finally got to wear my new 1850s sheer gown. I made it way back in May, but was too sick to attend the event I was making it for. A real shame as I had stitched my fingers sore getting the bonnet ready. At least when it came to dressing up this time, I knew exactly what I would choose. I couldn’t wait to put it all on. The dress is made from a sheer white cotton with a fine check and features frilled sleeves and a gathered neckline. I based it on an original gown that I found online and fell in love with. I paired it with an apple green petticoat and sash so that a pop of colour would show through. But the part that I love the most is my bonnet. Again, based on an original, it’s hand sewn of silk dupion in green and white and the same check cotton fabric from my gown trims the top in frills. I love how frilly and girly the bonnet came out and I am so glad that I made it as I feel it really completes the outfit.

As for the inspiration behind my ensemble...

Victorian Picnic 2012

After weeks and weeks of work and frantic sewing, it all came to an end on Saturday as I attended the Australian Costumers Guild Victorian Picnic. I ran one last year and it was such a success that everyone wanted it to be run again. This time though, it was set in the Mount Coo-tha Botanic Gardens. We had a decent turn-out again, and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time, despite the humidity and heat that had set in for the day. I certainly did. And the costumes were great. My mum wore her purple skirt and Garibaldi blouse with her crinoline underneath, my dad wore his grey frock coat suit, and I wore my brand new tartan bustle.

What I love most about this outfit is the fabric. It is a linen. The first time I saw it, I fell in love, but it was a bit too expensive given the amounts that I would need for a full bustle. The next time I went back, it was on the $1.99 rack. So I bought a heap. Enough to set me up for what I wanted to do. Then I had to decide on a design. I knew that I wanted an early bustle outfit, but decided to go towards the end of the 1870s and keep the front flat - a style that led into natural form.

I went with three layers. The first is my underskirt - made of the tartan linen with a very long train in back, it features red linen/cotton blend pleats sewn on with a red velvet ribbon. It was painstaking to do all the pleats, but well worth it - I set them all with vinegar and water, so I am hoping when it comes time to wash, it will be fine. the next layer is the overskirt. It is also made long in the back and hangs over the train of the skirt, while the front piece is cut on the bias to help show the fabric. This is trimmed in red tassel fringing and the same red velvet ribbon. Then there is the bodice. Square neckline, elbow length sleeves and back pleats over the bustle. It also feature the introduction of a red and black shot silk in the centre back panel and the under-sleeve. The hem of the bodice is also trimmed in the fringing, while the neckline is bound in bias made from my silk and a delicate cream cotton lace. It buttons up down the front with metal buttons, and has two silk covered buttons at the top of the pleats on the back. The sleeves are trimmed in pleated silk with more cotton lace and red velvet ribbon to finish. And finally, there is the hat. I made it from a Lynne McMasters pattern, but ignored a lot of the instructions. I will NEVER use glue on a hat or bonnet again! At any rate, it is very cute and I really like the way that it sits up on my head. It is trimmed with pleated cream lace, silk ribbons, velvet flower and feathers. All in all, I am very pleased with how it turned out and am really looking forward to wearing it again. Best of all though, I still have a good amount of all my fabrics left over, so am looking at making a few mix-and-match pieces that I can wear with it all. Just like I have done with my gold bustle. At least that way, every time I wear it, I looks different.

Oh and of course, as you do, you get a bit of photo bombing. :P

And below, are a few of my very many shots of the day and the other amazing costumes on show...