Uploaded May 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The first part of the Grape Gown series, this video covers the construction of a historical fashion Italian Renaissance Revival style 1890s Victorian ball gown (the skirt and detachable train)!
I only had about a month to hand sew a complete historical fashion ensemble for a historical ball, and I documented the process for you all to follow. Typically, I opt for daytime Victorian fashion as I find it a lot more practical, but it was a lot of fun making this historical evening gown and playing around with longer skirt lengths.
The ensemble is 100% hand sewn, made from a purple cotton velvet and a lime green silk taffeta. At the end of May, I'll be releasing the construction process for the bodice and hat, and show off the other accessories like a matching reticule, capelet, and more.
Late 19th century fashion is a lot of fun to make, and I enjoyed experimenting with new techniques and methods I hadn't tried before.
I hope you've enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching and I'll see you in two weeks for the final reveal.
🕯 Support my art on Patreon: patreon.com/vbirchwood
✨ Leave a donation: ko-fi.com/vbirchwood
🌙 Books I read, supplies I use, gear I film with (affiliate links): amazon.com/shop/v.birchwood
🪡 Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/vasibirchwood
📖 Business inquiries: sofie@helmtalentgroup.com
Sources:
1890-1901 Fashion Plates:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Freja-_illustrerad_skandinavisk_modetidning_1890,_illustration_nr_19.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Nouveaut%C3%A9,_1891,_No._C12_Passementerie_et_Fournitures_(..),_RP-P-2009-1635.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles,_1_janvier_1892,_No._4866_Toilettes_de_Mme_Gradoz_(..),_RP-P-2009-1547.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Mode_Pratique,_1893,_No._50,_2e_ann%C3%A9e_Figure_1._Robe_de_cr%C3%A9pon,_RP-P-2009-3755.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_moda_Illustrada,_Jornal_das_Familias,_1894,_No._366,_Nr._3016,_RP-P-2009-2877.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles,_1_ao%C3%BBt_1895,_No._5053_Toilettes_de_Melle_Thirion_(..),_RP-P-2009-1568.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles_1896,_nr._4956_Toilettes_de_Mme_Galard,_RP-P-2009-3772.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Mode_Pratique,_1897,_No._29,_6e_ann%C3%A9e_Toilette_pour_jeune_fill,_RP-P-2009-3777.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Go%C3%BBt_Parisien,_1898,_No._38,_No._4748_en_4749,_RP-P-2009-1541.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1899,_aflevering_4,_pagina_32-1.JPG
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Nouvelle_Mode,_Le_Nouveau_Jeu,_Paris_Fashions,_1900,_No._45_Toilette_de_Mme_Jeanne_Granier,_RP-P-2009-3796.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1901,_aflevering_8,_pagina_64-1.JPGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1901,_aflevering_8,_pagina_64-1.JPG
Renaissance Revival Fashion:
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/159452
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dress_(AM_1971.102-1).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Renaissance_revival_pendant_on_chain_MET_DP-12365-008.jpg
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107150
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158666
Renaissance Revival Art and Architecture:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arturo_Ricci_014_(38671994674).jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acht_balusters_Colonnes_et_fuseaux_d_escaliers_(titel_op_object),_RP-D-1996-1-91.jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Breakers_Newport.jpg
Late Victorian High Neck Evening Gown Examples:
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107723
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107639
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/84644
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/157922
Grape Painting:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grapes_by_Antonio_Jose_da_Costa,_1914,_oil_on_cardboard_-_Museu_Nacional_de_Soares_dos_Reis_-_Porto,_Portugal_-_DSC00693.jpg
#1890s #historicalfashion #ballgown
The first part of the Grape Gown series, this video covers the construction of a historical fashion Italian Renaissance Revival style 1890s Victorian ball gown (the skirt and detachable train)!
I only had about a month to hand sew a complete historical fashion ensemble for a historical ball, and I documented the process for you all to follow. Typically, I opt for daytime Victorian fashion as I find it a lot more practical, but it was a lot of fun making this historical evening gown and playing around with longer skirt lengths.
The ensemble is 100% hand sewn, made from a purple cotton velvet and a lime green silk taffeta. At the end of May, I'll be releasing the construction process for the bodice and hat, and show off the other accessories like a matching reticule, capelet, and more.
Late 19th century fashion is a lot of fun to make, and I enjoyed experimenting with new techniques and methods I hadn't tried before.
I hope you've enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching and I'll see you in two weeks for the final reveal.
🕯 Support my art on Patreon: patreon.com/vbirchwood
✨ Leave a donation: ko-fi.com/vbirchwood
🌙 Books I read, supplies I use, gear I film with (affiliate links): amazon.com/shop/v.birchwood
🪡 Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/vasibirchwood
📖 Business inquiries: sofie@helmtalentgroup.com
Sources:
1890-1901 Fashion Plates:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Freja-_illustrerad_skandinavisk_modetidning_1890,_illustration_nr_19.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Nouveaut%C3%A9,_1891,_No._C12_Passementerie_et_Fournitures_(..),_RP-P-2009-1635.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles,_1_janvier_1892,_No._4866_Toilettes_de_Mme_Gradoz_(..),_RP-P-2009-1547.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Mode_Pratique,_1893,_No._50,_2e_ann%C3%A9e_Figure_1._Robe_de_cr%C3%A9pon,_RP-P-2009-3755.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_moda_Illustrada,_Jornal_das_Familias,_1894,_No._366,_Nr._3016,_RP-P-2009-2877.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles,_1_ao%C3%BBt_1895,_No._5053_Toilettes_de_Melle_Thirion_(..),_RP-P-2009-1568.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Journal_des_Demoiselles_1896,_nr._4956_Toilettes_de_Mme_Galard,_RP-P-2009-3772.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Mode_Pratique,_1897,_No._29,_6e_ann%C3%A9e_Toilette_pour_jeune_fill,_RP-P-2009-3777.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Go%C3%BBt_Parisien,_1898,_No._38,_No._4748_en_4749,_RP-P-2009-1541.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1899,_aflevering_4,_pagina_32-1.JPG
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Nouvelle_Mode,_Le_Nouveau_Jeu,_Paris_Fashions,_1900,_No._45_Toilette_de_Mme_Jeanne_Granier,_RP-P-2009-3796.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1901,_aflevering_8,_pagina_64-1.JPGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gracieuse._Ge%C3%AFllustreerde_Aglaja,_1901,_aflevering_8,_pagina_64-1.JPG
Renaissance Revival Fashion:
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/159452
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dress_(AM_1971.102-1).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Renaissance_revival_pendant_on_chain_MET_DP-12365-008.jpg
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107150
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/158666
Renaissance Revival Art and Architecture:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arturo_Ricci_014_(38671994674).jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acht_balusters_Colonnes_et_fuseaux_d_escaliers_(titel_op_object),_RP-D-1996-1-91.jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Breakers_Newport.jpg
Late Victorian High Neck Evening Gown Examples:
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107723
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107639
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/84644
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/157922
Grape Painting:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grapes_by_Antonio_Jose_da_Costa,_1914,_oil_on_cardboard_-_Museu_Nacional_de_Soares_dos_Reis_-_Porto,_Portugal_-_DSC00693.jpg
#1890s #historicalfashion #ballgown
