Fashion Friday

 I am going to try to keep a regular post about Fashion, costuming, re-enacting etc.

Like the Book Tuesdays eventually I hope to have it as a monthly post on the second or third Friday of the month.

To start us off here is a very interesting post from the blog at Marna Jean Davis- Clothing Historian

The post is entitled:

What Not to Wear (A basic guide to choosing a Historic Late Victorian Dress) 

Lots of good information on practical late Victorian outfits suitable for re-enactors and historical displays.

Here is a short excerpt to give you a taste 😀

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I realize not everyone has the same goals in costuming. If you are just having fun playing dress-up in pretty Victorian-esque dresses,  living out alternate realities in Steampunk timelines, or just having tea with the girls, this is probably not the blog post for you.

IF HOWEVER, you are wanting to get involved in living history, or volunteer at historic sites. If you care that your kit be fairly close to what was worn "back then" this will be a VERY basic guide to things to be aware of when looking for vendors/dressmakers.  This is not the be all end all, simply  some hints to at least help you winnow out the chaff from the dresses that will at least be a decent starting point.

 

What Time Period is "Late Victorian"
For the purposes of this article Late Victorian is 1870 through 1900. There ARE several major changes  pattern shapes will go through and when there are specifics I will attempt to point them out. I am also going to attempt to explain why some details make a difference.

What to Look/Not Look For

Princess Bodice Seams on the Front are out- Darts are in
If you see a curved front seam to help fit the bust area, be EXTREMELY cautious.  The greatest majority of late 19th century dresses are fitted with two darts on each side of the front piece. There are a few bodices that only have a single dart (half-fitted) and some that are loose with no fitting darts (saques). Princess cut seams (a seam that goes from the front armscye over the bust to the waistline,) are generally only seen on 1870s princess wrappers- a dress without a waistline seam, and even then only rarely.  By the 1880s the curved front seam is nearly non-existent for all practical purposes. Most bodices that appear to have a curved seam will be found most often to be an overlay, rather than a separate seam.

1874-75 basque Notice the front has two vertical darts on each side, and one horizontal dart at the waistline. This helps remove the crease formed there before 1876-77 when another seam/bodice piece was added for easier shaping.

1880s bodices no longer have the horizontal waist dart, just two vertical darts on each side. By this timeframe instead of 3 major bodice pattern pieces, there are 4 with the underarm piece being added.

While some bodices appear to not be fitted by darts, looking on the interior and by pattern reference, you will notice that fitted linings are still common.

Well worth checking out!

Enjoy
Victorian Society of Alberta

 

January Book Tuesday

 Happy New Year!
First Book Tuesday of 2022

This is an epic history of "The West" of Canada up to 1871.
By Arthur S. Morton at the University of Saskatchewan.

Packed with information, maps and details this 995 page tome is worth a perusal.

Available at the Internet Archive in many formats.

A History of the Canadian West to 1871

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 From all of us at the Victorian Society of Alberta, wishing you a very merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy New year!

 

Saskatchewan Brewery in Medicine Hat?

 

The Saskatchewan Brewery in Alberta? 

 

Well, at the time, it would have been the North-West Territories.

The Saskatchewan Brewery was the first brewery in Medicine Hat, built by Thomas W. Ireland, who brewed "Saskatchewan" beer. It opened 1884 and closed in 1887 when the need for regulations for the brewing industry became an issue.

PAA Photo #: A471
Saskatchewan Brewery in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

From the
Provincial Archives of Alberta

December Book Tuesday

Here is our recommendation for this month's Book Tuesday

With cooler days coming, we start thinking of cozy sweaters.

From 1908, lots of ideas and plans for knitted and crocheted items.

Enjoy

The Victorian Society of Alberta

The Columbia Book of Yarns
by Anna Schumacker

Louis Riel Day

November 16, 2021
Ottawa, Ontario

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Louis Riel Day:

“Today, we join the Métis Nation and all Canadians in commemorating the legacy of Métis leader and founder of Manitoba, Louis Riel.

“A politician, an impassioned activist, and a visionary, Louis Riel advocated and fought for equality, social justice, and minority language rights. Although he was elected to represent Manitobans in Ottawa, he was never permitted to take his duly elected seat in Parliament. In spite of this injustice, his contributions to defending the rights and culture of the Métis Nation and Francophones have left a lasting impact on Confederation and paved the way for a more inclusive country.

“As we celebrate Louis Riel’s life, we also acknowledge the injustices and systemic racism the Métis people – and all Indigenous peoples – have faced for centuries, and continue to face today. We know that it is only by working together that we will make real progress in righting these wrongs.

“The Government of Canada continues to work with Indigenous peoples to build a renewed relationship based on affirmation of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. We are working with the Métis Nation to amplify its voices, address its unique needs and concerns, and advance its inherent right to self-determination and self-government. Louis Riel’s vision will keep inspiring us as we continue to walk the shared path of reconciliation and to strengthen the Canada-Métis Nation relationship for the benefit of our country and all Canadians.

“On this day, I invite everyone to honour Louis Riel’s enduring influence, and to celebrate and learn about the Michif language as well as the culture, traditions, and way of life of the Métis. Let us recognize the essential role they have played, and continue to play, in building a better Canada.”

 

Lest We Forget

 Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

From 1921 to 1930, Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week in which November 11 fell. In 1931, Alan Neill, Member of Parliament for Comox–Alberni, introduced a bill to observe Armistice Day only on November 11. Passed by the House of Commons, the bill also changed the name to “Remembrance Day”. The first Remembrance Day was observed on November 11, 1931.

Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember the more than 2,300,000 Canadians who have served throughout our nation’s history and the more than 118,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.