My very good friend
Kacie made this dress for me quite a few Christmases ago. It has gotten MUCH use as I simply love wearing it! It makes me feel confident and ready to conquer the world! It is the picture of confidence and sophistication.
The inspiration for the dress came from
this pattern. Although she so cleverly drafted her own pattern just by looking at the picture.
I simply adore the leg o' mutton sleeves! They have tulle gathered inside the top part so they will stay as poofy as ever!
The military style trim is made of crochet thread, I believe, and sewn on with regular sewing thread. A very good idea!I have always loved this style of trimming!
The bodice and skirt are separate so they can be worn with other things. The skirt is pleated more in the back then in the front to achieve the 1890's walking skirt look. Also note there is no train so when walking down the street the hem will not be soiled. This is most practical.
From the side...
And here are the underpinnings worn under this dress.
For now I am using my 1860's era underpinnings. Perhaps one day I can make some authentic 1890's ones! But for now they'll do.
Chemise, drawers, corset, tournure (or bustle pad) and under and over petticoats.
The tournure goes under the petticoat and helps hold the skirt out.
It is made of cotton muslin and stuffed with cotton (you could also use down).
This is what it looks like under petticoats.
It holds the skirt out marvelously too! (See above pictures)
So, there you have it. My 1894 Tailor Dress. Isn't it splendid? Thank you so much my dear Kacie!
If you'd like to see more of her creations, please go visit her blog
Kacie's Knitting Adventure. It is simply charming!
Here is a link to a post she did about her doll Ophelia showing some of her many beautiful things!
Fare you well!
Emaline
Olive wrapped her presents so pretty and used these adorable tags! 
For me she got this amazing red bird cage!! Isn't it beautiful? 
Olive got this great cast iron skillet for Mabel! Isn't it wonderful? I can't wait to see (or eat) the things she'll cook on it!
The tags I cut out of some pretty paper I had and then tied with string.
Here's last years present from Olive.
She embroidered this hidden pocket with my initial in such lovely colors... It has gotten a lot of use. :)
I would love to know how you spent your Christmas and what you got or gave. =]
Here Emaline and Alice are working in their Mother's shared flower garden. They both love to garden and when they get a chance to visit with each other at the same time it makes it so much more enjoyable.
Although they are not wearing their finest... they believe you can look fashionable even when gardening.
Pulling weeds...
Trimming off last years dry bits...
Getting the soil ready for planting...
This is Alice's "everyday dress". She loves plaid (which is a highly fashionable thing in the 1860's) and she is usually seen wearing more than one print at a time. It is made out of a cotton plaid, has a fitted bodice that buttons up the back, bishop sleeves with no cuffs, and a gathered skirt. Her apron is a gathered half apron made from cotton calico.
This is Emaline's "everyday dress". It is cotton calico with a fitted bodice that fastens up the front with hidden hooks and eyes, drop shoulders, bishop sleeves with cuffs, gathered skirt and a little stand up collar. All very fashionable things in the 1860's.
Her apron is a full apron made out of cotton with box pleats on the skirt to show off the pin tucks and embroidery all down the front. The straps criss-cross in the back and there are long ties connected to the waistband to make into a lovely bow.
This is a petticoat that I made by hand out of a cream colored muslin. It is gathered into the waistband and has three "growth tucks" at the bottom. Growth tucks were used a lot in the 1860's mostly on children's clothes so that when they got taller they could let the growth tucks out to make the skirt longer. However, they were also used for decoration. So, I suppose that is the case here. =]