Sunday’s Someday Project
Miniature Victorian Lingerie
For some time I have wanted to make doll-sized replicas of historic garments, starting with the undergarments. I once made a pair of bloomers and a corset for my 16” Rose from Titanic doll, but they weren’t historically accurate and I wasn’t satisfied. So, my goal here is to make a complete set of authentic 1870s undergarments.
First we’d have the combination. This is a one-piece garment that combines drawers and chemise into a sort of jumpsuit (sometimes known as a Union suit). The drawers would be split, as they are in reality (meaning, an open crotch for ease of using the bathroom), and the top would be semi-fitted. I would base them off the Victorian combination pattern made by Truly Victorian.
Victorian Combination & Corset
Next comes the corset. It would be impossible to find a busk of the right scale for a doll of this size, so I’d have to fasten it with tiny hooks and eyes, or else create a mock-busk with seed beads and have the front not actually open. It would be fully boned using artificial whalebone (i.e.: tiny plastic cable ties) cut to size. I have a packet of miniature grommets, intended for use in scrapbooking. They are the perfect size for a doll’s corset, however they didn’t come with a setting tool, so I’d have to buy one small enough to work.
Miniature Cable Ties & Grommets
Next I would make a bustle, again using artificial whalebone in place of hoop wire. I would probably base this off Laughing Moon’s short bustle.
Victorian Bustle
Finally, I would make a petticoat to fit over the bustle. I would apply tiny pintucks to the bottom, along with narrow lace trim and perhaps some embroidery.
Victorian Petticoat
I have a yard of white batiste that might work for this project, but it’s a bit crisp. Normally, the batiste I buy at Hobby Lobby is quite fine and perfect for doll lingerie, however this time the batiste appears stiffer than usual. The ivory batiste, in comparison, is quite soft and fluid, and would be more ideal. Typically, Victorian undergarments were white, but rarely they came in pale colors, such as ivory. Therefore, I can choose to have crisp, but properly white undergarments, or slightly less correct ivory undergarments that are adequately soft. Or I can keep looking for a soft batiste.
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Have you ever made Victorian lingerie for dolls? Would you use the white or the ivory fabric, considering the circumstances?
I’d be inclined to lightly bleach the soft fabric and use it.
I’m making two sets of period undies at the moment for Tyler and Tiny Kitty. One is 18th century, the other is circa 1835. The patterns for the corsetry are done, now chemise patterns will be next. ( I can make a full-sized chemise without a pattern, but it’s easier not to re-invent the wheel every time I want to make one for a doll!) Haven’t selected a fabric yet.
It never occurred to me to bleach the ivory fabric. After seeing the disasters that can happen when bleach is used improperly, I’ve always held a fear for the stuff!
The great thing about books that contain period patterns is that they are easy to scale down to doll size. Have you checked out Sewing Victorian Doll Clothes? It contains a large number of patterns for dolls. I don’t recall it having undergarment patterns, though it does give instructions for a ruffled petticoat. The dresses it provides are gorgeous, though!