Slowly Becoming a Victorian Mob Boss. Making a Pinstriped Skirt w 19th c Sewing Methods

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Images of extant skirts are from Butterick patterns, 1891.
Thanks Jen for allowing me to film in your Great Hallway of Mysteries!

Pinstripe fabric: UK Textiles, Goldhawk Road, London
Brush braid: very kindly sent by a viewer many a year ago

Editing by @DannyBanner
@danbanstudio

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[_veronica_r]

Pattern: * has seam allowance *
Bernadette: *"and I took that personally"*

[solidseagull]

Finally, a skirt that says "I'm a consummate professional" as much as it says "I will break your kneecaps if you don't pay on time"

[bewilderbeastie]

It never fails to amuse me how you finish all your raw edges so neatly while the Victorians and Edwardians were like "ah fuck it" and the insides of their clothes were a warzone.

[AnanasZombie]

So, now we have seen Bernadette making both Lady Holmes AND Lady Moriarty suits and I am very much here for it.
The skirt sliding down the centre back reminded me about these strange late-victorian/edwardian double snaps that I found from a thrift store a couple of years back, still in their original papers and all. I might need to post them somewhere...

[MoggiesTen]

The Victorians and Edwardians had a very practical fix for the skirt falling down in the back. They put two large eyes on the back of the blouse at the place where the ties for the bloused front were attached (reinforcement), and two hooks on the inner waistband of the skirt. I do this and it solves the problem.

[edwardrolenc]

As an eighty year old, your sewing channel brings back many fond memories of my mother. She was an excellent seamstress and did a lot of sewing for a family of eleven. I recall her explaining seam allowance to me since I watched her sewing. I had so many questions but she was always patient with me and explained what and why she was doing what she was doing. Sewing was one of the many 4-H projects I partook in when I was young. Our times together helped mold me into who I am. Thanks you for your sewing channel!

[mxheathcliff]

"no more free feet" absolutely killed me 🤣

[Chibihugs]

The sleekness and boss nature of pinstriped fabric lends itself to making this beautiful garment so badass. Such a cool look. I love the higher waistline.

[kjmav]

When I was a little girl in the early 1960s, I remember exploring a trunkful of my great grandmother’s aught-something clothes and, specifically, I remember the rough band that encircled the hems of her skirts. I was really small, and I remember running my fingers over the textured band. I never knew what it was, and of course, when I was a four year old, I didn’t care. But now I know why that band was there! Thank you, Bernadette, for that explanation, and for bringing this particular lovely memory back to mind. I’m sure her clothing is long dumped off and deteriorated in a landfill somewhere. I sure wish I had that trunkful of clothing now!

[myrrhee]

Suddenly I understand why pinstripe clothing is so expensive 😭 matching the stripes must be such a tedious process

[mybelovedchaos]

I read this as 'Becoming a Victorian Bob Ross' and now I think I need it in my life.

[katherinemorelle]

Honestly, pre-finishing the seams is a genius thing to do, and I think that's something I might incorporate into my own sewing, especially for massive skirts. It's just easier than trying to wrangle this huge thing in order to finish the seams. Also, a princess skirt has suddenly risen to the very top of my to do list. Who'dave thought that an extra bit at the top of the waist would make such a difference in how it looks? Amazing.

[aliceg]

VERY THREATENINGLY 10/10



My main issue is the ever growing list of "Oh! I absolutely MUST try to make one or three of these", every time I see something that's vaguely Victorian silhouetted. 😭😭😭

[jenhofmann]

This is absolutely stunning. And not just the labor intensive skirt, but also the video production, even down to the CC subtitles describing the ASMR of the sewing machine sounds. Your attention to detail (and seeming joy in it) is unparalleled.

[manmaas]

I found your channel at the start of Covid and as a guy that likes to mix contemporary wear with quality tweed was drawn to your aesthetic enthusiasm toward all things cloth related. I work regularly in the film business on period dramas as an extra In the UK and gained an insight into how men used to dress much more interestingly in casual day wear than is obvious now, which subsequently impacted on my own choice of daily outfits. Your note on waistcoats was on point as the baggy shirt at the waistline is so unattractive to the eye and yet so very often seen by City gents who would rather see themselves as stylish when in truth they ain't living it. It's a problem I have with mine since I don't have high waisted trousers and so with your work as inspiration I was tempted to start making my own. Alas, my enthusiasm, lack of cash, and admittedly a decreased focus of patience(!), didn't match my skills and the sewing machine sits gathering dust atop a flight case of my music gear. So instead I watch to admire your expertise and easy elegance. You look mighty fine in your moll costume and I envy that waistcoat, well the skirt too actually but that's a different story.

With the autumn season now upon us, I can again dress more extravagantly in clothes layered to move rather than merely hang off the body, with overcoats that add a little swagger, not perhaps quite as flirtatious as your skirt... however, I do enjoy an animated coat.

Well, a quiet Sunday finds me writing far too much for a YouTube post, especially on a phone so I'll take my leave. So to finish I'd again like to say how appreciative I am of your content.

Enjoy your day.

[hannafiddler]

Sooo as someone who didn't immediately finish the seams of her Viking dress - cause I want to wear it, dammit! - it only took me twelve years to actually get around to doing that. Which, if you've ever worked with linen, you know is a bit of a nightmare. In the end, I only got around to it because the dress needed an overhaul anyway.

Finish your seams, kids. Your future self will thank you.

[charlesashton]

I’m not a skirt person, but imagine pants with such a high waist. A literal dream.

[gecfes]

I had the thought the other day that it would be really neat to see Bernadette make literally any of the clothes from Howl's moving castle. Howl's cape? Sophie's turquoise dress? Her yellow dress? Any of them!

[meganjennifer]

I would be interested, when the time comes, to see the processes of replacing the hem brush braid (I think that’s what you called it) and the hem guard you had done on at lease one previous project. It may seem dull to many but I imagine you wear these regularly. And whether it is a few months or a year or two before these need replacing, I would find it interesting to see this process done. You have a way of making this app very interesting 🙂

[blackivy]

It not only gives Victorian mob boss vibes, but also "extra dapper Lady Jack Skellington" vibes. But you know, without a problematic creator and thus is wonderful in all the best ways