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Post by Goblin, esq. on May 17, 2010 16:56:36 GMT -5
I have started on making a skeleton suit for my three-year-old son for a picnic in early August. Specifications so far are: blue-grey linen, unlined, and with a great deal of letting-out potential. I expect him to grow long faster than wide, so I plan on jacket and trouser cuffs to be easily let out, and to make the jacket long enough that I can lower the buttons that attach the trousers as he grows. Who knows, this may last him 18-24 months if I do it right!
I'm planning on making a pattern free hand based on the one in Federalist & Regency Costume: 1790-1819 by R.L. Shep
So far I have only got about half way through the shirt. I'm hoping to be able to make sleeves that can be let out from the shoulder, as the cuffs are more complicated than the shoulder seams.
Obstacles so far are: a three-year-old who hates the sewing machine (so it'll be hand-sewed) and who really wants to "help". (It's next to impossible to deny a small boy who asks "Is there anything I can do to help?" in a polite voice.)
I'm also hoping that by writing this here, I'll actually manage to take pictures and write progress reports.
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Post by artemisiajolie on May 18, 2010 0:06:55 GMT -5
Can't wait to see the progress!
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Post by lastbloom on May 18, 2010 20:52:58 GMT -5
Oh wonderful! I am so excited to see your progress.
I also have a small son (10 months old today!) and always worry about what to dress him in if I were ever to go to an event again. He's terribly active so anything with a skirt would just get under foot.
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Post by dawnluckham on May 19, 2010 15:38:28 GMT -5
Goblin, I'm sure you're going to do an amazing job! I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
I would love to see more parents dress their little boys in appropriate clothing for this era: So many of them insist on putting them in miniature adult styles. Such a shame!
What you're doing is exciting!
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Jun 29, 2010 16:09:41 GMT -5
Well... I didn't get around to writing progress reports, but I took a number of pictures of the garment in progress, so I'll probably post a couple of faux progress reports with the pictures. In any event, it was done in time for the JASNA ball last Sunday, and he looked adorable!
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Post by dawnluckham on Jun 29, 2010 20:28:33 GMT -5
Can't wait to see the photos! What pattern did you end up using? Ooops! I see you mentioned the Shep book - What page is the skeleton suit on? I don't recall seeing one in that book at all!
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Jun 30, 2010 0:37:08 GMT -5
I drafted my own pattern, basing it roughly on equal parts the one(s) on pp 117 of Shep's Federalist & Regency Costume: 1790-1819, and the other adult patterns in the same book. I did a fitting with a muslin, and a basted fitting of the final garments, and only had to redo the back seam of the trousers at the end. I also completely finished it the night before, and got a full night's sleep as well! (This is uncommon, the way I sew to deadlines!) The shirt was a scaled-down copy of the shirts I make for myself, minus the button to keep the collar closed. I did not put any ruffles along the collar. I was also thwarted in my plan to make the sleeves extendable from the shoulder, when I remembered that the sleeves are gathered at the shoulder, and any extra fabric would have been much too bulky. The jacket is a simple four-piece body, unlined, except for facings at the front and a small piece at the upper back. Because of the lack of interlining, I strengthened the collar with stay-tape. The sleeves are straight (no elbow curve) and have deep 5-inch hems, so they can be let out fairly easily. The body of the jacket also has generous seam allowances in the side and back seams, in case they need to be let out, too. The trousers were made last, as they are worn outside the jacket. I've made enough pairs of breeches that they went together pretty easily, though this was the first time I didn't use the pre-Regency gathered baggy bottom. Again, the cuffs have 5-6 inch hems. Here is the partially completed jacket with the mock-up of the trousers. The subject was bribed with a lollipop for the fittings. Tape was used to hold things together in lieu of pins, as subject was wary of pins, having been told umpteen times that he can't have them as they're very very sharp. Note that the trousers do not have a waistband yet. When done they will come up even higher. Here he is at the JASNA ball, playing with not-very-period Lego with a new friend. He was eager to put it on, and happily wore the suit all afternoon. He's glad to play dress-up when his parents do!
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Post by nomadicdragon on Jun 30, 2010 6:59:05 GMT -5
That is so adorable.
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Post by dawnluckham on Jun 30, 2010 8:46:52 GMT -5
What a beautiful little boy! I suppose it’s no surprise as he was a sweet baby in past photos. Wonderful job on the skeleton suit! Found the boy’s suit on p.117! So do I understand correctly, then, that you graphed the pattern from this with additions from adult patterns? Will you share what changes you made from the boy’s patterns? Questions - Inquiring minds want to know! Is the back of the jacket sewn to the trousers or buttoned? It looks sewn, but I’m not sure. One would assume more torso-length growth room would be there with buttons. How easy is it for the little guy to get out of for washroom necessities? I’ve been wondering about this very practical issue for a while now after talking about skeleton suits to a mom of little boys. This was an issue she raised. I’ve seen extent suits with a tiny little “fly” opening (almost hidden) at the center seam. I, however, have no little boys to try this out on to learn what the issues are. I’m sure you’ve looked carefully at this already, but here is a pretty picture for you. dept.kent.edu/museum/exhibit/nudity/HLOM_95_236.htmThis was a hard-playing little suit. It’s got patches. This suit (dated a tiny bit later) has the hidden opening in the crotch seam. dept.kent.edu/museum/exhibit/nudity/CD_1982_64.htm
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Post by Goblin, esq. on Jun 30, 2010 14:22:29 GMT -5
What a beautiful little boy! I suppose it’s no surprise as he was a sweet baby in past photos. Wonderful job on the skeleton suit! Found the boy’s suit on p.117! So do I understand correctly, then, that you graphed the pattern from this with additions from adult patterns? Will you share what changes you made from the boy’s patterns? Questions - Inquiring minds want to know! Thank you. The pictures don't really show how well-behaved he is, too. We are very fortunate! The trousers button to the jacket in four places; roughly where suspenders would attach to trousers. The jacket is long enough that there is room for about 3-4 inches of growth, just by moving the buttons down. He's still in diapers, but since the trousers unbutton, and are otherwise loose, it's almost easier getting them off than his usual elastic-waisted pants. The fall front is also completely functional, for when he goes beyond diapers. I had not actually seen these before; thanks! The first one looks almost the same color as the one I made.
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