1940s Silk Robe

To keep a living history event going at overnight events I like to wear historic lounge wear.  For 1840s/1850s events I have a linen nightgown I made from The Workwoman's Guide and a wool/cotton challis wrapper based on an extant garment.  For the overnight 1940s events I've been attending I recently made a silk robe from a novelty print fabric I bought in the LA fashion district.

1940s Wrap Dress/Robe pattern

Novelty print silk detail

Complete with camel pocket!

The vintage pattern I used is genius as there are no buttons or zippers and goes together in less than a day! I spray starched the cut pieces, let them air dry, and then pressed each piece, which stabilized the fabric enough that it was a lot less painful to sew with than I had anticipated.  I used pinking shears to finish the seams. If I am diligent enough this week after work, I may have a pair of 1940s pajamas to wear at the event this weekend too!

1840s to 1940s

I've been participating in living history events in the Bay Area this past year and finally got around to make myself a wool crepe dress for 1940s civilian.  The dress is actually two seperate pieces and I have enough wool left over to make the matching bolero! I need to shorten the skirt a little more but overall I am really pleased how it came out.  I never sewed with wool crepe before and it was lovely to sew.  I also made shoulder pads using the directions with the pattern and they were the perfect size to give a nice shape to the shoulders without looking like a line backer!  The hat I am wearing is vintage and the pocket square is my grandmother's who was training to be a nurse during World War II.  

Photo by Dave Nelson

Edited to add: I made the matching bolero June 2014.