We made this lovely Young Lady’s Autumn inspired 1840s era work dress for Historic Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tennessee. We didn’t have quite enough fabric for a full dress so we got a little creative and added a complementary warm brown and mocha zig zag print to the hemline and cuffs. I think it worked out quite well, don’t you?
We added little decorative covered buttons to tie the contrasting hem and cuffs to the bodice. Using complementary prints is a great way to keep things interesting. So next time you find that perfect print but just don’t seem to have enough yardage, think about adding a second print! That’s what our ancestors did in the 19th century!
For more information about our Young Lady’s 1840s era Autumn work dress or any of our custom made historical fashions, visit our catalog or blog to find your next inspiration!
The size and shape of this narrow braid 3 end straw plait bonnet is based on an extant c. 1835 bonnet in the collection of the MFA Boston. This bonnet style was popular during the 1830s and 1840s and was worn in rural areas well into the 1860s. Best worn with ties or a hat pin.
Wanting to keep my millinery skills fresh, I recently put together two matching silk drawn (or shirred) bonnets. Inspired by an original in the Henry Ford Collection, I was intrigued by the hybrid construction of this particular bonnet.
Image courtesy The Henry Ford.
My 100% silk reproduction bonnet is constructed over a small buckram frame that sits at the back of the bonnet to provide structure, durability, and shape. The body of the bonnet is drawn over canes and hand stitched to the wired frame. The front of the bonnet around the face is “free” or structured solely by the canes.
A narrow matching ruffle is hand stitched to the interior brim of the bonnet and hand made rosettes accent each side. A vintage button sets off each of the rosettes. The interior of the bonnet is fully lined in cotton muslin.
These two bonnets are for sale in my shop. The are identical.
You can view more of our ready to ship garments in our shop.
For more information about these bonnets or any of our historical fashions, please visit our catalogs or email us for custom designed garments.
This Romantic Era dress is a modified version of our Brooks Dress and is inspired by two original gowns- one c. 1838 formerly in the Tasha Tudor Collection and the other c. 1835 in the collection of the Bunka Gakuen Museum in Japan.
Cotton Yoke front gown c. 1838. Image courtesy Augusta Auctions.
Silk gown c. 1835. Image courtesy The Bunka Gakuen Museum- Japan.
This transitional style gown features a yoked neckline and gathered front bodice. The bodice closes at center back with either buttons or hook and eyes. The fitted upper sleeve sits low on the shoulder and bellows out into a wide gathered lower sleeve that closes with a cuff. The sleeves are adorned with ruffles.
The skirt is attached to the bodice via a fitted waistband. This gown fits at the natural waistline and is hemmed to the lower ankle. Shown over a corded petticoat and standard petticoat (not included but recommended.)
Details: 100% cotton; partially lined; 132″ wide skirt; standard hem length- 38″; machine sewn with some hand stitched details
The Anne dress is one of our a custom gowns and can be ordered in your choice of fabric.* It is available in either standard sizing (see sizing reference below) or custom sizing (see our custom order form).**
You can place a custom order for this gown conveniently through this posting or over in our full shop!
Please note this is a CUSTOM ORDER gown. Please allow 3-4 weeks for completion. Custom Order items are filled on first come first serve basis. To avoid delays, please contact us to enquire about our current custom order turn around times.
*Pricing DOES NOT INCLUDE fabric. You need to purchase 7 YARDS of our reproduction cotton fabric to complete your order.
**Please use our CUSTOM MEASUREMENT form for non standardized sizing. Please submit your completed measurements to info@maggiemayfashions.com. Custom orders are NOT placed on the sewing calendar until measurements are received.
This Romantic Era dress was inspired by an original cotton American gown c. 1847 in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
American Dress c. 1847. Image courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This transitional style gown features wide, yoked neckline and gathered front bodice. The short, fitted sleeves are adorned with two rows of ruffles. The skirt is attached to the bodice via a fitted waistband. This gown fits at the natural waistline and is hemmed to the lower ankle. Closure is conveniently located at the center front. Shown over a corded petticoat and standard petticoat (not included but recommended.) Cameo not included.
The Brooks dress is one of our a custom gowns and can be ordered in your choice of fabric.* It is available in either standard sizing (see sizing reference below) or custom sizing (see our custom order form).**
Details: 100% cotton; partially lined; 132″ wide skirt; standard hem length- 38″; machine sewn with some hand stitched details
You can place a custom order for this gown conveniently through this posting or over in our full shop!
Please note this is a CUSTOM ORDER gown. Please allow 3-4 weeks for completion. Custom Order items are filled on first come first serve basis. To avoid delays, please contact us to enquire about our current custom order turn around times.
*Pricing DOES NOT INCLUDE fabric. You need to purchase 6 YARDS of our reproduction cotton fabric to complete your order.
**Please use our CUSTOM MEASUREMENT for non standardized sizing. Please submit your completed measurements to info@maggiemayfashions.com. Custom orders are NOT placed on the sewing calendar until measurements are received.
These 1830s-1840s era dresses were designed for a museum in Arkansas for their children’s interpretive center. These dresses open all the way down the back for ease of getting on and off and have small snaps on the bodice to attach the pinner aprons for a mix and match look. These dresses are made in 100% reproduction cotton prints and have button closures at the back.
Bright turkey red calico suitable for a girl age 5-7. Turkey red was a popular color in the 1830s!
Yellow calico cotton dress with 1830s gigot sleeves. Dress suitable for girls ages 7-10.
Dress with pinner apron.
Girl’s 1840s era dress of period reproduction cotton print. Suitable for girls ages 5-7.
1840s era dress with apron. Perhaps my FAVORITE from this collection!
Bold print 1840s era dress suitable for girls ages 7-10.
1840s era girl’s dress shown with pinner apron.
1840s era dress detail. Sweet little ribbon and lace adorn with 3/4 length close fitting sleeve.
For more information about our custom made historical children’s clothing or any of our historical fashions, please visit our website at www.maggiemayfashions.com
This 1840s-1850s era work dress is a custom made version of our American South dress with apron. It is headed to Historic Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tennessee to be worn by their Junior Apprentices.
Fore more information about our American South dress or any of our custom made garments, please visit our website at www.maggiemayfashions.com
This 1840s era girls’ dresses is cut in the style of the period. This dress and apron are part of a larger commission headed to Historic Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tennessee. During the early part of the 19th century, Exchange Place was a stagecoach stop for settlers heading west into the then wilderness of Eastern Tennessee.
This sweet little dress is quite possibly my favorite from this commission.
For more information about these dresses or any of our custom designed historical garments, please visit our website at www.maggiemayfashions.com
