Ecru lace gown

This confection of three different ecru laces and three different fine fabrics can only be called a "gown", for nothing else will describe it half so well. A fine ecru striped lawn fabric is lined with a ecru silk for the bodice and skirt. In the center of the bodice is another fine striped  fabric, part see thru with a silky feel to it.

  The bodice is framed by tapering ends of frills that meet on the shoulder and then pass about the arms'-eyes, falling in ripples about the sleeve. The sleeve are finished with a different type lace gathered to the three-quartered length, then topped off by the same kind as used around the shoulder and at the bottom of the skirt. This skirt does not have a train. It would be worn during the day.

A different cup of tea please!

This lovely blue gown is a tea gown that stared out with something different in mind. As is the case when one is designing and drawing patterns, things don't always transpose the way we had in mind. It is an adaptation of two different gowns. The sleeves from one, and the collar from the other, with the overall appearance a great gibson look.

  I wonder what kind of tea they will be serving today, with the local gossip?

For home or Visiting

This gown is made of a cotton fabric with a two toned purple stripe. The collar and belt at the waist is of a lavender silk { the only thing I had that matched colors}. The collar is cut from a wide embroidered  white lace. The under-bodice is of the same fabric as the gown, and gathered in two rows around the neckline. 

  The Gibson style with it's leg-a-mutton sleeves and fancy trimmings, is one of my favorite styles. Evelyn has a wonderful wardrobe spanning the late 80's to the early 1900's. You can see how the style changed from the full skirts to the narrower style, and the sleeve shape became narrower as well. I love it all.

The Suit starts Here!

  This is The Eaton suit, and this is where suits for women started. After this English made style became popular and a part of the Gibson girls wardrobe, many a shop girl went gayly tripping to work everyday in some form of the Eaton Suit. Our interchangeable skirt, blouse and jacket came, took hold ,and remained from there on.

  This bottle green silk version has a beautiful deep green braid trimming the jacket and skirt, with black beads decorating the jacket. She wears a ecru silk blouse lined with ecru fabric, and a wonderful lace Jabot. She carries a matching bag and wears a green straw hat trimmed with the same deep green braid as the skirt. The hat is decorated with a fluff of black ribbon and black   feathers. You couldn't get any better then this in the earlier 1900's.

Which Opera Tonight?

Tonight Evelyn is off to another opera wearing a very stylish mint green silk gown. The skirt has two layers of ruffles around the bottom, ending in bows of self material. The bodice and sleeves are also decorated with a ruffle. A draped scarf effect decorates the neckline and is gathered at the left side with two tiny rosebuds. The unusual wing effect at the waist is another Gibson design, to draw attention to the ladies slender hips.

  This redhead looks stunning in her mint green gown. I just wonder what opera is playing tonight?

Ladies Evening Toilette

This lovely outfit is simple called an evening toilette. The separate bodice is made out of a rose silk with a golden shimmer to it. I have no idea how the fabric is made. The bodice has several rows of shirring,each decorated with a row of jet beads. The skirt is a black brocade with of course the usual train. A belt of see thru ribbon drapes down one side with a little ribbon rosette decoration at the waist. All closes at the back with snaps. {I prefer snaps over hook and eyes, just my thing.}

  I think she plans on spending some time out in the evenings, which is why she has been asking for and getting evening gowns.

Red flower print Toilette

This lovely red flower print gown would be worn at home or perhaps visiting. It is accented with cream silk tabs gathered at collar, and waist. An addition of cream ribbon flowers decorates the waist gathers. A cream fabric of unique design layers the upper bodice and sleeve portions, causing the full sleeves to lie more at an angle downward. It is still of a typical Gibson fashion design.

  We might think it to "fussy" but to that era, it was perfect. Evelyn thinks it is perfect also. She is beginning to have the makings of a first class wardrobe

Time for a Dip anyone?

This is the oldest old fashion style bathing costume there is. A bright red with nautical blue/red/white trim is a very good choice for the style. A Gibson Girl was athletic as well as beautiful. She spent as much time out of doors as on the dance floor of an evening cotillon. Off she goes for a swim at the beach, and she's just as prim and proper as ever.

Gray Demi-Toilette

  This gown is done in a gray silky fabric, lined with the same thin white fabric I used for the center pin-tucked section. Not only very white fine fabric but see thru as well. A white lining was used under the pin tucked center section. Silver gray skirt and sleeves with a lavender silk collar and belt.

  An ecru flower embroidered lace applique' is sewn down the center with tiny lavender seed beads and a tiny lavender rose to set off the pin tuck design of the bodice. She would wear elbow length  gloves with this gown if she was going out for the evening. A train lengthens the back of the skirt.

  

Dinner at Eight?

  

This lovely black dinner gown, is I think, the preview to our little black dress.  It's made of a see through and satiny black stripe fabric lined with black silk. The mock bolero jacket is made of a delicate lace. The inset at the neckline to the collar and the ruffle at the bottom of the gown is a different kind of net type fabric, with three rows of mock pin tucks and tiny sequins.

  While this gown looks simple, it was not an easy gown to make. I also created the tiny cameo pin she wears at the collar. It is removable and can then be worn with other gowns. The black and white cameo, was a "find" and the gold beads were strung on wire. It makes the perfect accessory for this gown. A lady was often remarked upon as to how well she handled her train, and most gowns in this era, had trains. Some longer then others.

Toilette?

I don't have a clue about the name, just that some gowns were a bit fancier then the one I made. Yellow and a cobalt blue cotton print was used for the lined skirt and sleeves. A thinner pale yellow fabric was used for the lower section of the bodice and the collar treatment. The upper bodice is a heavy lace, with a narrow gathered lace trimming the edge.

  A cobalt blue, picot edged ribbon makes up the belt, with the nice large bow in the back. I'd say this was something one would wear around the house.

  I think it shows off her blue eyes.

Gossip comes with the scones!

 

 This lovely soft yellow gown was called a tea gown and was considered to be very sexy, in it's day. I believe that was because there were no corsets etc. under the gown and that was exciting to the men . The ladies got to enjoy a period of "no laces" to get comfortable, and relax, as well as serve tea, scones, and gossip.

  This gown is made of a "watered" taffeta  in a pale daffodil  yellow, and a golden chiffon a shade darker. The lace trim had a center design of the same yellow as the gown. As with most Gibson style gowns, the neck is high and has a bow at the back.

  I think this yellow is perfect for her shade of red hair.

  Now, for the tea and gossip!

What's playing?

  I have been working on my old dollhouse, but decided to take a break and make my Gidson girl some new clothes. She informed me she was going to the opera, and needed a very ,very special gown. So here it is. Pink silk lining under a filmy tiny pink stripe fabric. This gown is heavily beaded over white embroidered flowers. The flowers and leaf fronds are so thick it covers most of the bottom of the gown. Even the train up the back has a large amount of embroidered flowers.

  She has a hair decoration of the same white flowers, with a matching pink silk ribbon tassel. She also carries a matching bag. She will wear the white lace fichu, to ward off the evening chill {I think that's more for propriety sake then any other reason.}

  So off she goes to the opera... "What's playing?"