Following the first part of that exciting commission, when 7 Victorian outfits from 1865-1885 were made, a follow up order for children’s clothing was placed. Once again i was delighted to be working on the project – especially, since just like with the first one, apart from generic guidelines, I had more or less free rein as far as the embellishment etc was concerned. Basic parameters established – size ( age), cut, inspiration pictures, fabrics etc – it was time to get sewing!
btw – I also did some research,and learnt a lot – one of the best sites was this one – http://www.victorianlondon.org/cassells/cassells-15.htm - with lots of original text outlining the children’s clothes, notes ad pictures and other useful info – recommended!
1. a dress for a 3-4 year old girl, in cream moire, with a petticoat in cotton and a pair of bloomers – all with the same lace. the undergarments would also go with the next dress
the undies!
the detail of the fabric and the pintucks – pintucks were perfect fr adapting the skirts as the girl grew – you simply undid them. Flounces and other decorative items were often used to cover the seams where a skirt had a panel added to lengthen it – very clever:-)
I was lucky enough to secure a model for this dress as well – a bit too young, so the skirt is a tad too long and the bodice too big, but little Cobi’s debut as a model was a success!
2. a dress for a 5-6 year old, in blue/grey cotton with blue silk taffeta decoration – loosely based on the picture:
and the rendition:
3. a dress for a 7-8 year old girl, in pink and navy silks to match the 1885 adult costume
the inspiration picture for the girl’s dress:
and the result:
dummy too big – so not buttoned up to the end! 
side view, with the little bustle at the back:-)
and the undergarments for this dress and the next – another pair of bloomers and a petticoat
the next 3 dresses were based on the frocks in this picture:
4 – a dress for a 9-10 y.o. – a summer affair in lawn with velvet ribbon decoration – and interpretation of the outfit on the left.
worn on the bloomers and petticoat shown before
5. a dress for a 11-12 y.o – in green cotton, with navy velvek and checj ribbons, inspired by the dress of the other standing girl, on the right.
the dummy is getting too small now..
this dress will form a match to the adult dress in similar colour:
6. and the last one, for a 13-14 year old – inspired by the sitting girl. A polonaise in black velvet with contrasting skirt, decorated with ribbons and antique lace. Again, note the pin tucks and the velvet guard ( and the dagged trim in the original) – all clever devices to allow for lengthening the skirts:-). forgive the quality of the pics – had a bran new phone and was still trying to get to grips with the camera!
underneath there was another petticoat, much more suited to the Natural Form era, and closely mimicking the styles of a grown up lingerie:_)
this particular frock was a match from this, a bit later, adult dress:
Altogether, an immensely enjoyable and at the same time educational commission – cannot wait for the pictures from the studio – will be great to see them being worn by mothers and daughters! 
Filed under: Dressmaking, re-enactment, Victorian Tagged: bustle dress, Bustle Era, dressmaking, Natural Form, re-enactment, Victorian, Victorian children, Victorian dress 
