Cassell's 1869 Infant Shirt

In making a spare infant shirt I decided to try the earlier 1869 Cassell's infant shirt pattern. The measurements were a lot easier to follow than the later 1880's pattern. There are three sleeve options provided. In the shirt instructions it has a sleeveless option and then later in the book it has an option for a one piece sleeve or a gusseted sleeve. The one piece sleeves were a lot easier as they are a single strip of fabric which is folded over itself to create an inbuilt gusset. All sleeves this small are fiddly, but it is an excellent option and fairly straightforward.

The only negative that I found was in the flaps being cut on an angle. This puts the seam on the bias, encouraging the fabric to twist. It also includes the added task of buttonhole stitch bars to prevent stress tearing on the flap seams. The points on the shoulders were also a bit awkward and clumsy in comparison to the clean 90degree straight lines on the later pattern. 

In future, I plan to use the fabric measurements from the '69 pattern, the flap measurements from the '80s pattern and either sleeve pattern. All of these options are seen in extant examples online. 

It is still a very cute little shirt.

**Update - since having my daughter and having tried these on her I have changed my opinion. Amelia May was born at 3.64kgs and 50cms tall, so she is an average sized modern baby and yet these shirts were very large on her. The pointed shoulders on the shirt made it sit better on her than the straight cut sleeves of the later shirt. I assume they were sized larger for the infant to grow into and for them to have a longer usage period. While the shirts are large, they do get pulled in by the adjustability of the flannel and petticoat.

Infant Bibs

The last item of the layet that I needed to complete before the baby is born are some bibs. These will be important to protect both the antique items as well as the clothing items I have made so far. There are a few designs available to choose from in both fashion magazines  and from housekeeping books of the period. There are also a small number of extant examples available through Google Images searches. I decided on making one fancy bib and a few serviceable bibs.

I am well aware of my limitations when it comes to sewing and embroidery. Due to this I was very excited when I came across this quilted infants bib from Quilt Study.org. I love how simple it is, how the stitches are uneven and how effective the design is. It was also an achievable design. I did also decide to only use some of the design, so that I could then personalise it. The diamond in the Center was the perfect location for a 'G' monogram.

http://www.quiltstudy.org/exhibitions/online_exhibitions/marseille/marseille3.html

I used a bib that I was given as a template. As a first time mother I'm still struggling to understand infant sizing. I traced the bib onto cm2 grid paper. I then drew the desired shape over the traced shape. I also then sketched out a rough design idea onto the pattern. I did change the design as I went with the quilting. 

The bib pattern on 1cm square grid paper

I cut out 2 pieces in cotton and 1 in flannel. To ensure my stitching was neat I decided to draw out my design and the sew along the markings to ensure I had straight lines. I only stitched through one piece of cotton and the flannel. 

The first two layers pinned and marked for hand stitching.

The completed design.

Once the quilting was finished I then hand sewed the second piece of cotton on, trimmed the edges and the turned the fabric right side out. With the neck closure there were multiple options including loops that attach to the button or lace on the back of the dress, buttons  or hook and thread bar. I really do not want hooks near an infant, so I chose to use a button for the quilted bib. I love how this bib has turned out. 

The completed bib.

I  also beginning to realise that infants need multiple of most items. I have a number of bibs that I plan to make, but the second I decided to copy was this bib from Wisconsin History. As it will be an everyday bib I made it as simply as I could. 

As with the other bib, I used the modern bib as a grid base and then scratched over it to get the shape.

The pattern and fabric cut out and ready for sewing.

I followed the construction instructions in Cassell's '69 and Godey's January 1864. These indicate that with thicker Marseilles fabric the bib can be finished by being tatted, taped or piped and taped. As I was using a thick woven cotton (the closest substitute I could find) I chose to pipe and tape. 

Back of the bib when piped and ready for the tape to be hand stitched down.

The finished bib is not perfect, but I did learn a lot from its construction. The ties are made from a single embroidery floss that I made tassels out of.

Finished bib front

Finished bib back

When I get some time I would also like to create this bib from MFA. It has a flap that can be tucked into the gown to protect it. I have already made a pattern and will start work on it after I finish making some new winter flannels for my husband. I will probably just add my construction notes and photos here once I find the time to make it.

http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/infants-bib-89287

Update - Third Bib is now complete 14/4

Using 1cm square graph paper I sketched out this pattern to recreate the above bib.

I cut out one layer of woven cotton canvas and one of cotton calico. I sewed both layers together, leaving a gap to turn it correct side out when stitched. I then whip stitched the opening closed. Once complete I then lined the outside of the bib with tracing braid. To finish I hand stitched button holes and used antique porcelain buttons.

I love how this bib turned out. I think it is my favourite of the three. I hope to make more using this design once I have more time. I still have the wool cape to make and two petticoats to finish the layet for this time period. I then have a number of other projects to complete before my little one arrives in 6 weeks.

Challenge #3 2016: Protection

What the item is: Mid Victorian Infant Bibs
The Challenge: Protection
Fabric/Materials: Cotton, Flannelette, Woven Cotton

Pattern: Self drafted and adapted using a combination of  Cassell's Household Guide 1869 as well as extant examples available online.
Year: 1850s-1860s
Notions: Cotton Thread, Cotton Cord (piping), Cotton Embroidery Floss, Porcelain Button,
How historically accurate is it? Quilted Bib is about 80% and the Woven about 60% due to fabric
Hours to complete: Approximately 6 hours total
First worn: They will be worn when the baby arrives in May
Total cost: $0, it is all small scraps and notions from my stash

Fancy Infant Gown

Close up of completed gown front

Next on my sewing list for preparing for baby's arrival is infant gowns. After looking at all the amazing designs in the fashion magazines and extant examples available on Google, I decided to try my hand at a very over the top gown. A few years ago, a friend of my husband gave me some panels of antique embroidered voile that used to belong to his grandmother. It has been waiting for the perfect project. I also had some similar design thinner voile tape that complimented it beautifully. As I was going over the top on this gown it also needed lots of pin tucks. 

To begin with I wrote down the gown measurements and construction notes from Cassell's Guide 1869. It was interesting as the paragraph on gowns begins with a warning on the absurd lengths that gowns had been previously made. It also instructs that gowns should not exceed a yard in length, and that the yard should include the bodice. 

I began by laying out my cotton voile fabric and insertions to settle on a design. I chose to use a voile fabric as it was the closest match to the insert panels. Once I was happy with a design, I worked out the maths for the front panel lengths to cut it as a single piece before adding the pin tucks. I find that folding paper helps to get an idea of pin tuck width and separation. Once the panel had been completed by machine, I cut the panel down the center to make two sections.

Machine sewing the pin tucks

I then attached these on either side of the center embroidered panel. I hand sewed the seams into a flat fell. One frustration was that the panel had stretched/warped with age, making it a little tricky. 

The completed front skirt panel and a close up of the hand whip stitching to fell the seams

I wanted the front panel to be wider at the bottom. From extant examples I had seen the panels both gathered and cut to angle out. After laying it out, I loved the fullness of the gather more. I also repeated the process from the skirt to make the bodice, but I did shape the pin tuck panel to remove the fullness from the bodice.

Experimenting with gathering or shaping the panel

The front top was shaped to remove bulk

The rest of the construction followed the instructions in Cassell's. The back panel is a single piece of fabric cat to the same measurements as the front (1 yard by 1yard). As instructed in Cassell's, I put a slit down the center back and narrow hemmed it by hand.

Narrow hemmed slit down the back panel for the back opening

The neckline was gathered onto a a strip of bias tape. This tape also has a drawstring inside of it to adjust the neckline to the infant. The sleeve was drafted using the sketch in Cassell's and the measurements provided. I also played around with different design ideas for the sleeves. In the end I decided that less was more and to leave the sleeves as plain fabric.

Close up of neckline and sleeve design ideas

The completed sleeve

 

 

I am very happy with how the gown turned out and I cannot wait to try it on my little on in two months time. On a funny note a friend recently asked me what I will do if my baby is a boy. After I stifled my giggles I explained that all infants wore the same clothing until about 3 months of age when slight differences in trim occur and that boys did not often wear pants until after they had been toilet trained. My husband also added that I can run some gender specific ribbon through some of the lace if it makes people feel more comfortable, at a later date.

The front of the gown completed

The completed back of the gown

Close up of completed front of the infant gown

Infant Flannels

With my baby being due in the middle of winter, it was essential to make some flannel petticoats. I wish that wool flannel was available in Australia, but it is not (to my knowledge) and the postage costs are higher than the cost of the fabric to order it from overseas. So, as much as I hate to, I had to compromise and use cotton flannel (whinge over).

For the construction, I used the pattern in the 1840s Work Women's Guide as the bodice is lined in cotton.  The similar pattern in the 1869 Cassell's Guide is unlined and the edges are bound. I prefer the look and extra warmth provided by the lined version. Both styles were still in use in the 1850s and 1860s, as seen in extant examples. The pattern is very simple and goes together very easily. I did change the construction of the shoulder straps and waist tapes in inserting them into the lining, whereas the pattern instructs them to be attached to the outside. Some of the extant examples do have the straps inserted into the lining and it looked more finished. I made it in two sizes (using modern infant sizing) to hopefully fit the baby from newborn to about 6 months of age. I also plan to make a cotton calico 'flannel'/petticoat later, as even in winter it can get very hot in Australia during the day time.

Completed flannel lying open

Outside closeup of side and wrap overlay closure

Inside lining closeup of side and wrap overlay closure

Preparing for Our New Arrival

Now that I am entering my third trimester, I am busily preparing for the arrival of my little one. I have loved looking at lots of pictures of Victorian babies and extant garments. I have decided against a full living history clothing approach for the child. I will make all the correct clothing and outerwear, but I will not be putting the baby in period correct pilches/nappies. Instead, I have decided that I will use modern re-usable nappies under the baby's clothing (very farby I know :-P).

I have already purchased an original infant dress from an antique store. I will try to make further garments at a later date, but as these are more complicated and fancy (the ones I like) its nice to not have the pressure of making the gown straight away.

Close up of Bodice of Original Infant Gown

Full Size Image of Original Infant Gown

Unfortunately, the best infant patterns by the Sewing Academy do not ship to Australia. The postage is also astronomical and costs more than the cost of the pattern if I purchased from other online sources. Thankfully, I was able to use two original pattern books available online for free.

Workwoman's Guide 1840

Cassells Household Guide 4th Edition ca 1880 (the first edition dates to 1869).

There are also numerous original extant infant garments available to view online. I found that in the 1850-1860s there seems to be a combination of both the earlier and later designs of infant undergarments.This meant that I should be able to select instructions and diagrams from both books.

Infants undergarments are very simple, but also complicated in the tiny nature of the sewing. I will never complain about sewing gussets again since sewing one that is 1.5" square. I cheated a lot on the bonnet as I decided to machine sew the majority of the cap. I also found that extant examples from the 1850s were a lot simpler than the earlier bonnets in the Workwoman's Guide. I am very happy with how it turned out. I also added 3 pin tucks to match my nightcap and trimmed the brim with some vintage net lace. It is very cute and I already have plans to make some more caps in different designs. I just hope the baby will keep them on its head.

Infant Cap

The second item that I have made is an infant shirt. From my understanding, these function as a chemise for small infants. I like that they are short waist-ed, so they should not add to much extra bulk on top of the nappy. I used the measurements and design from Cassell's, but I did have to make the shirt smaller as I found the original measurements to be way to large for a newborn infant. For the sleeves I added the three pin tucks to match the cap and a trim of vintage eyelet lace from my stash. This was completely hand sewn. I found it very quick and calming to make and the narrow hemming is a lot softer than the machine hems on the bonnet.

Infant Shirt

Infant Shirt

Close Up of Sleeve and Gusset

On a side note, Nic and I found the most adorable 1850s infant plate in an antique shop. It has the alphabet around the rim and a transfer of a girl and boy playing hide and seek. We have hung it on the wall of the nursery, as it is too precious for our baby to actually use. 

I am having a fantastic time so far planning for our baby. I have also been busy working on the nursery. It is not perfect and I still need a crib and a change table (a friend has one for me that she is planning to sand and stain to match the room). I have also used my wedding veil for the bassinet. I love personal touches like that.

 Challenge #2 2016: Tucks and Pleats

What the item is: Mid Victorian Infant Shirt and Cap
The Challenge: Tucks and Pleats
Fabric/Materials: Cotton Voile
Pattern: Self drafted and adapted using a combination of The Workwoman's Guide (1840) and Cassells Household Guide (4th edition ca1880) as well as extant examples available online.
Year: 1850s-1860s
Notions: Cotton Thread, Vintage net lace, Vintage Eyelet lace
How historically accurate is it? Cap is about 60% as it is machine sewn, the Shirt about 90% as I had to adapt the measurements given.
Hours to complete: Approximately 3hours
First worn: It will be worn when the baby arrives in May
Total cost: $0, it is all small scraps from my stash.