Making My Victorian Ancestors' Dresses - 1880s Dress

I have a family album from the Victorian Era. I don't know who any of my ancestors in the album were, but I REALLY admire and adore their fashion sense. I don't have any existing dresses of theirs, those are lost to time, but since I can sew I figured I could attempt to recreate them. There are many different styles of dress in the album, from multiple decades in the Victorian Era and the Edwardian Era, but in this video I decided to create an 1880s dress inspired by my family's photos. Come with me on my adventure in recreating my ancestor's wardrobe!

[lucasmcinnis]

I've come across a lot of very similar velvet photo albums, and almost all of them had or have a thin tin floral element on top of the cover. Likely, something like that filled in the floral depression in the front cover of yours.

[nuriafigueroa]

me: i hope no one notices that i made my dress with bedsheets
someone: cute dress
me: do you like it, i MADE IT WITH

loved the video!

[honoraweaver]

I’m in the process of making a mid 1890s dress that is inspired by a photo of my 2nd great-grandmother from 1895. I’m making it for my daughter. When I’m done I’m having my daughter’s photo made to recreate the original photo.

[macstabby_j]

That album is so wonderful. What a gift to have! And your corset is great- I was like, "dang girl, nice hipspring!" Really enjoyed this video.

[Emperatriz_Valentina]

Correct me if I'm wrong but we don't get to see much plus size representation in the historical community apart from lady rabecca fashions, so it is quite pleasant to see some of that here <3

[pipers_river]

Thank you so much for sharing that photo album. It really is something to behold!! I'm amazed at how far back it goes into the Victorian era. I adore the outfit that you came up with. Absolutely stunning work!

[serahloeffelroberts]

Repurposing textiles was a skill used a lot by our ancestors. My grandmother used to cut down her old dresses to make dresses for her daughters.

[flores]

Hello Victoria. You are super talented and lovely. You make your ancestors proud. Yes to making this into a series!

[adedow]

What a cool place to find inspiration! That album is amazing and I'm so jealous 😍. Well done, especially with the corset and bodice!

[ReinaElizondo]

Love the final outfit! Would love to see more details on how you drafted the corset! Also looking forward to more from the family album. That is such a cool thing to have!

[kathrynthompson]

This is such a cool idea, and the outfit turned out beautifully!

[maybeadreamer]

thank you so much for flipping through it and showing us the old photos and amazing clothing!

[deefitzgerald]

YOU are my kind of Girl…..I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this time period and I feel That I Lived this time In another life…..I will look at pictures read anything about this time….The Clothing was insane I wish there was a Store to buy these thing’s…
Looking at those pictures it’s hard to believe they Actually lived and what’s so sad is that they are somebody’s family…..I can’t imagine any families not wanting to keep things like that it’s really sad 😢 You can make BEAUTIFUL Clothing
Watching from Virginia 🌹

[mountainbikingvampirewitch]

I just found your channel because of your IKEA curtains video (which I also loved), but this is just incredible! You could have made a 5 part series out of this and I would have watched every minute! 😊 that corset looks so so so good on you and it turned out great! I hope you keep posting! ❤

[lesaschmidt]

This is so cool! What a great inspiration. And there is lots more in that album.

[kimjohnson-ely]

You could make one or two different skirts, and then change all the shirtwaists to make all the different styles. I would give just about anything to have an historic wardrobe to wear. You are blessed.

[lucyleptonyx]

Oh my gosh this is GORGEOUS holy cow the style and the color choice is pire perfection 💖🖤💖🖤

[dontcallmegerbs]

The outfit is very lovely and the album is a super cool thing to have from your family!

[midoriya-shonen]

The amount of rainbows laid gently over your fabrics in this video is divine, god bless 💝

[Happyavery]

Holy wow the corset turned out amazing you SHOULD be so proud of that!