A Different Edwardian Lace Blouse | The 1905 Berry Travel Suit Project Part 1

Hello everyone and welcome to a new video!

I'm so glad to FINALLY be able to share this project with you! The folks over on Patreon voted for this costume make back in 2021, and I started in earnest only to fizzle out like a candle at the end of its wick. I managed to get some of it done over the winter of 2021 into 2022, but once the winter was over I lost all motivation. But I decided this was the year to finish it! So back in December, I picked the project back up and I am finally at a point where I can share the beginnings since I am confident in the ending.

-- MORE --
Instagram (perhaps overactive stories): @catscostumery

Music is from Epidemic Sound.

[annerigby]

The cost of sewing is the main reason why I predominantly use cotton. I don't like polyester - sweaty, plasticky - I just can't stand it. So, it's cotton for me. It comes in different thicknesses and so I can always find what I need and wait for sales. Another fabric I have found that I can afford is ramie - it's like linen but made with nettles and a lot cheaper.

[maggierobertson]

The hidden cost for me is that so many projects are 3 or more layers. A 5 yard project can really take up to 15 yards of various materials.

[Rhaifha]

Thank you for discussing budget constraints! It's wild to me how much of the historical costuming community on youtube is like; "Oh yeah, you *have* to buy several meters of silk satin, just because it is more historically accurate!". It gets quite gatekeep-y honestly.

Also, that's a lovely project! I can't wait to see the rest of it!

[quicksilvertears]

The blouse is beautiful. I like yours better than the original.

[jacquelineshrader]

There is an outdoor concert venue near Washington, D.C. in the United States named Merriweather Post Pavilion - named for Marjorie Merriweather Post for her many years of financially supporting the national symphony! I suppose this was her blouse originally :) Love seeing your videos!

[darkeyedfran]

It’s beautiful Cat!!!! I truly enjoy this piece

[pegaseg]

You could put coffee only on the white part of the lace and avoid the net

[maudline]

Love those sleeves! Such a beautiful shape 😻 And that red satin is amazing on you ❤❤❤

[makeda]

It’s pretty!
As much as I love sewing it is a very costly hobby and people don’t realize how much it actually costs. Especially when people will be like, ‘you could totally sell that/setup up an Etsy’ like I have the money to go out and buy yards and yards to recreate things. Anyway, I get it, the cost is real for our pretty things, I hope it’s still good enough and makes you happy. Cotton and discounts for the win~!

[kagamisorrows]

Coffee / tea staining lace works so nicely, even on partly synthetic lace. I found a blog post that listed the different colours that different teas produced a while ago and since then use green tea for a more yellowish creme colour and black if I want more of a pinkish tone. I never thought that green tea would also stain. Never used coffee before, maybe I can try that next.
Also this video makes me want to reorganise my lace drawer 😅

[robintheparttimesewer]

Oh wow this project! I’m going to have to visit the site and see all the pictures!

Your blouse is amazing! All that lace is so beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you do for the suit. Also I’m with you sewing is expensive and as long as you’re happy with the material who cares what anyone else thinks. I’m sure it will be stunning no matter what material you use.

[pippaseaspirit]

I love your comment about “wild hair”! I think your hair is gorgeous! My hair looked at yours and said: “ Wild? Nah! Not really trying!” My hair has unresolved conflict issues 😂😂😂 Yours is just being gloriously unfettered!

The blouse is absolutely gorgeous 😍😍

[vfrances]

Love your work! However, I damn near choked on the high collar! I'm really glad I live in modern times!

[ushere]

cat, it's amazing and stunning and beautiful and perfect! please always use hook and eye tape--i'm sure the victorians and edwardians would have loved to.

[sharontownsend-thompson]

Thank you for good advice about using alternative fabrics to make historical clothing.👌

[theMoporter]

Omg, so so so pretty!!

I agree with your rant from the start but got EXTREMELY distracted by how beautiful it turned out!

[dee-annegordon]

Worth all the time and effort. The blouse is stunning! I love lace and this top is literally dripping lace.

[mrs.knecro]

100% use what you have. I’ve thrifted bed sheets and curtains to make wearable mock ups. I try to go for colors and patterns I like so if it works out I can wear it. If you aim for cottons even better but sometimes polyester is what you get and that’s ok too!

I think it’s so wrong for people to get upset if somethings not exact like it’s your project and your interpretation of the garment they can heck off if they want to be that nit picky about everything

[conniemurdoch]

Coffee is the way I always worked with lace for me. If you have poly laces, poly doesn’t pick up dye but if they are a blend some of the ?poly content might do so. I was always satisfied with the slight amt in reproduction laces which are 90-95% cotton. But there are blends with poly that might do much darker that other mystery element. You will always need to test as you buy fabric/laces. Just always check the % age as that will usually give you a better idea how much content the extras elements could change part of the overall look.

[fatsparrowsewing]

Wow, what an ambitious project! It came out great!!!