Pink Jackets

I'm starting to get motivated to do more sewing despite all the home repairs I've been making.  A few months ago I mentioned this little pink jacket I wanted to make for work.  I finally started on it.  No pattern, draped by me from rectangular pieces of taffeta.  I'm quite pleased so far.

The inspiration: Portrait of M. Obleuhova 1855. vasily pukirev. russian  From this site

The jacket I've started draping over the last few days

A Tribute to the Pink and Green

I have wanted this dress ever since I first stumbled across the fashion plate on 15 Aug 2011.  I printed it, which is amazing for me to do.  It's just too absolutely fabulously tacky.  I actually like both outfits in the print, but the pink and green one is my favorite.

Fashion plate found at The Costumer's Manifesto

One of the new outfits I'm making will be inspired by this dress.  I do not have the time or patience right now to piece together the squares necessary to make such an extraordinary dress.  I will though.  I just have to clear a path in my mess or a garage to get to the pale green satin I have stashed away and hope there's enough to do what I want.  I'll also need a pretty pale pink too.  Instead, I will be doing something similar.  I will still be making a basque, but of solid pink.  It will go with a green skirt.

Portrait of M. Obleuhova by Vasiliy Pukirev, 1855

 The basque jacket in this portrait will be the inspiration for the pink one I'm making to go with the green skirt.

The second outfit is partially inspired by this painting by Lilly Martin Spencer.

Peeling Onions, ca. 1852. Lilly Martin Spencer.

 I want a dress that feels working class, but is made of pretty fabric.  It will be more of a mid 1840s style as I believe this would have been brought to Columbia as a woman moved across the country.  By 1852, it would be well worn and quite appropriate for a woman to work in.  I'll be basing the dress off of the following;

Afternoon dress ca. 1845 via The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Woman's Dress, c. 1840 from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Made in the USA

The sleeves of this new dress will be cropped off about where the over-sleeve stops on this one.  I fully believe short sleeves could have been worn, besides there is no point in having a bunch of excess fabric pushed up on my arms since I intend to roll up my sleeves anyway.  I'll be using a rather "loud" paisley print fabric on a white background.  This dress helped in easing my fears about it looking too busy.

Woman’s Two-piece Dress, circa 1855 from the LACMA