Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Hand sewing this dark academia version of an original 1890-91 Victorian walking suit bodice is the secret project I have been working on for the past 2-3 months. I was shocked to find out when upsizing the extant pattern, that the original measurements of the garment are EXACTLY my size. It gave me an especially eerie feeling. Therefore, not only is this bodice a recreation, it's a recreation in the original size.
I'm very pleased to finally be able to release the footage for all of you to see. This late Victorian bodice/jacket was certainly a labour of love, and it took me more than 300 hours to complete. Now, I am on to making the walking suit skirt, which will be released as another video (part 2) in 2 weeks time (June 24th, 2021), at which point I will also do the grand reveal of this entire ensemble. This was an especially fun but tedious process, and as a historical sewing novice, it truly tested my abilities and forced me to think outside of the box and dive deep into research.
Each section covers in-depth the chain of events and techniques required for the construction of this Victorian bodice, however, this certainly is not a tutorial. Rather, a collection of things I deemed might be interesting or entertaining for you all to see.
I cannot wait to add this entire ensemble to my daily historical fashion wardrobe. What historical sewing projects are you all currently working on?
A massive thank you to Fashion Museum Bath for providing permission to utilise the images of the original walking suit.
Hooks & bars and pearl buttons from (not sponsored): etsy.com/uk/shop/MaxwellLace
🕯 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
Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
3:21 How the Garment Fastens
4:16 Drafting the Pieces & Making a Mockup
6:20 Cutting the Fabric
8:12 Back Bodice Construction
9:09 Front Bodice Construction (& So Many Darts!)
11:40 The Tabs & Front Facings
13:34 Ribbon Binding & Boning
15:57 The Collar
17:15 The Buttons and Buttonholes
18:19 The Sleeves & Fixing Errors
20:20 The Stay Tape/What I Still Want to Add
21:06 The Big Bodice Reveal
22:04 Final Thoughts & End Screen
Music sourced from Epidemic Sound.
Sources:
Walking Suit 1889 metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/159303
Walking Suit 1890-95 metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/157222
Walking Suit 1890-91 metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107108
Walking Suit circa 1910 commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walking_suit_MET_44.111.72a-b_threequarter_front_CP4.jpg
Redfern, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quill and paper:
unsplash.com/photos/QdRnZlzYJPA
Books on a shelf:
unsplash.com/photos/jKU2NneZAbI
Books stacked with lamp:
unsplash.com/photos/8muUTAmcWU4
Papers and magnifying glass:
unsplash.com/photos/JtlYforRROg
Walking Suit Extant 1890-91:
Credit to Fashion Museum Bath
#handsewing #historicalsewing #Victorian
Hand sewing this dark academia version of an original 1890-91 Victorian walking suit bodice is the secret project I have been working on for the past 2-3 months. I was shocked to find out when upsizing the extant pattern, that the original measurements of the garment are EXACTLY my size. It gave me an especially eerie feeling. Therefore, not only is this bodice a recreation, it's a recreation in the original size.
I'm very pleased to finally be able to release the footage for all of you to see. This late Victorian bodice/jacket was certainly a labour of love, and it took me more than 300 hours to complete. Now, I am on to making the walking suit skirt, which will be released as another video (part 2) in 2 weeks time (June 24th, 2021), at which point I will also do the grand reveal of this entire ensemble. This was an especially fun but tedious process, and as a historical sewing novice, it truly tested my abilities and forced me to think outside of the box and dive deep into research.
Each section covers in-depth the chain of events and techniques required for the construction of this Victorian bodice, however, this certainly is not a tutorial. Rather, a collection of things I deemed might be interesting or entertaining for you all to see.
I cannot wait to add this entire ensemble to my daily historical fashion wardrobe. What historical sewing projects are you all currently working on?
A massive thank you to Fashion Museum Bath for providing permission to utilise the images of the original walking suit.
Hooks & bars and pearl buttons from (not sponsored): etsy.com/uk/shop/MaxwellLace
🕯 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
Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
3:21 How the Garment Fastens
4:16 Drafting the Pieces & Making a Mockup
6:20 Cutting the Fabric
8:12 Back Bodice Construction
9:09 Front Bodice Construction (& So Many Darts!)
11:40 The Tabs & Front Facings
13:34 Ribbon Binding & Boning
15:57 The Collar
17:15 The Buttons and Buttonholes
18:19 The Sleeves & Fixing Errors
20:20 The Stay Tape/What I Still Want to Add
21:06 The Big Bodice Reveal
22:04 Final Thoughts & End Screen
Music sourced from Epidemic Sound.
Sources:
Walking Suit 1889 metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/159303
Walking Suit 1890-95 metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/157222
Walking Suit 1890-91 metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107108
Walking Suit circa 1910 commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Walking_suit_MET_44.111.72a-b_threequarter_front_CP4.jpg
Redfern, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Quill and paper:
unsplash.com/photos/QdRnZlzYJPA
Books on a shelf:
unsplash.com/photos/jKU2NneZAbI
Books stacked with lamp:
unsplash.com/photos/8muUTAmcWU4
Papers and magnifying glass:
unsplash.com/photos/JtlYforRROg
Walking Suit Extant 1890-91:
Credit to Fashion Museum Bath
#handsewing #historicalsewing #Victorian
