If you ever were a reader of my old blog, Story of a Seamstress, you know that I used to do custom sewing commissions full time before I married. In my current season with a busy homestead and 3 young kiddos, its rare now that I will take a commission, but I still do on occasion. Earlier this year a lovely lady asked for a historical reproduction of a white sheer bodice from the 1860s. It was a delightful project.
The picture above is the original bodice my client wanted to reproduce. (this picture came from a defunct ebay listing) Notice the separate underbodice/lining with buttonholes and lace trim. We couldn’t see this bodice in great detail from the pictures, so I had to make a few guesses about construction, but over all I am very happy with the result.
My reproduction was made from white sheer cotton voile, and has a half-lining of cotton muslin. The lining buttons closed, and then the bodice closes invisibly over the top with hook-and-eyes.
When incorporated into a period outfit the white bodice will appear similar to the original images shown below:
A fashionable outfit with a fine silk, wool, or sheer fabric skirt and accessorized with a belt, or silk ‘waist’, and a collar, brooch or ribbon at the neck.
If you do any research on this look online, you might variously hear this type of bodice called a ‘Garabaldi blouse’, ‘white blouse’ or ‘white waist’. Looking at originial sources, it seems to be the white bodice and contrasting skirt look was an 1860s fashion fad mainly followed by wealthy younger women.
You can see the fabric is quite sheer above the lining allowing the upper shoulders to be very cool and breezy for those hot summer months!
All buttonholes hand done.
Sleeves very full and a nice fitted back.
Lace and buttonhole detail on lining.
Below: more inner construction details for any interested seamstresses! :)
Sooooo pretty! You always make the most beautiful historical projects!! <3
Just beautiful. You are so talented. Just found your lovely blog and look forward to reading about your life.
Blessings Gail.
( from South eastern Australia)
Thank you so much, Gail! Glad to have you here!
Oh my word this is beautiful work !! you are so talented. :)
Hi Atlanta, recently accidentally came across your blog and love all of it. This recent post on the 1860s white voile bodice is amazing. I would like to ask, do you hand sew all the historical reproduction outfits or are there elements of machine work too? I am so inspire by your work I’m going to make a regency dress for myself, just looking for a pattern on line.
This is so pretty. Hope the lucky young lady who now owns this will send in pictures of herself wearing it.
Beautiful! I love how you did all the detailed work by hand (like the buttonholes)