HSF Challenge #6 or: What to do with 2.5 yards of striped silk

Well, the Blue Eugenie has been completed and worn to Victorian Ball... and true to form I forgot to take a picture while it was on me. Luckily two people got photos of it but until they post them, here is my latest challenge: An 1820's skirt.

Last year my mentor gifted me with two and a half yards of lilac, plum and burgundy striped silk, and I thought I'd mix it up and do a decade or two earlier than I usually do. There wasn't enough for a full dress, but that just gives me an excuse to make a spencer jacket in a complementary color! Pardon the poor quality of the photos. It's faire season and my usual picture-taker is elsewhere, so it's mostly just me in a  mirror.

                                Here's a closeup of the fabric: The photos don't do it justice

                                              This one's a little closer to the actual color.

                                                                 Here's the back:

The Challenge: Stripes

Fabric: Silk

Pattern: None

Year: 1820's

Notions: Thread, Skirt hooks and eyes

How historically accurate is it?: Not terribly, as far as I can tell. I haven't been able to find any separate skirt that wasn't part of a riding habit

Hours to complete: 12

First worn: Not yet, but probably at Costume College with a spencer jacket.

Total cost: $0

Challenge #7 is "Accessorize"... but what to make when one is already well supplied with accessories? 

HSF challenge #5 Peasants and Pioneers

Here's my latest effort: An 1837 day bodice made to match a preexisting skirt. Unfortunately I've been so busy working on another project that this is the only photo I have of it for the moment.

The Challenge: #5 Peasants and Pioneers

Fabric: Reproduction cotton print

Pattern: Drafted

Year: 1837

Notions: Thread and piping

How historically accurate is it? Not terribly. It's almost completely machine sewn

Hours to complete: 18

First worn:  Not for awhile

Total cost: Free. I raided my fabric stash.

Nothing much more to say about it. The next challenge is stripes and while I have grand visions of an afternoon bustle dress, it'll probably end up being something simpler.

Sneak Peek

The next HSF challenge looms, but I am nothing if not a procrastinator and so I am doing so in style. With the arrival of my new corset I am finally able to pull the Blue Eugenie off the shelf and I've made some real headway. I'll post in more detail later, but for now enjoy this teaser pic: