Uploaded December 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I'm sewing a Victorian evening dress for Mirah Lapidoth from Daniel Deronda by George Eliot! Head to squarespace.com/SnappyDragon to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code SnappyDragon.
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot is a remarkable work of Victorian literature, and the BBC's Daniel Deronda 2002 adaptation is a classic source of inspiration for historical costumers interested in Victorian dress. This Victorian skirt is the first part of making a Victorian gown for one of the characters. Making a Victorian ball gown is quite a process, so this video is focusing on how to sew a Victorian skirt circa 1865.
Some aspects of Victorian clothing are deceptively simple, and this is definitely one of the easier parts of Victorian dress making. At this point in dress history, skirts could be made of rectangular panels gathered or pleated to the skirt waistband and with a placket at the closure. This Victorian skirt pattern is all rectangles, and might be a great beginner Victorian skirt DIY ! To fully sew a Victorian dress, I'll be sewing a bodice in a future video.
While the 2002 George Eliot Daniel Deronda is set in 1876, the era of the Victorian bustle gown, I chose to go with the book's original setting of 1864 to 1865 because I prefer mid-Victorian fashion. The finished Victorian evening gown will look very much like a Victorian era ball gown even though it is made with a house concert setting in mind. If you enjoyed reading or watching Daniel Deronda, I hope you'll enjoy this Victorian sewing project series! And if you haven't read or watched Daniel Deronda, I hope you'll give it a try.
Join my Patreon for behind-the-scenes updates, pattern diagrams, research lists, monthly video chats, and more! patreon.com/snappydragonstudios
Or, you can buy me some Ko-Fi : ko-fi.com/snappydragon
Follow me on IG for more stitchy business : @missSnappyDragon
For business inquiries, send an e-mail to : SnappyDragonStitches at Gmail dot Com
I do not take personal costume/sewing or research commissions.
Want to send me letters? Send mail to PO Box 3884, Berkeley CA, 94703! Letters and cards only please 💚
0:00 Spoiler warning + a very brief word from our sponsor
0:12 Reading from Daniel Deronda as I cut fabric
0:50 About the book Daniel Deronda
1:57 Constructing a skirt (and a story)
5:06 Another (brief) word from our sponsor
6:15 Skirt waistband + who is Mirah Lapidoth?
8:03 Fitting, and correcting myself
8:42 Sewing on trim, and why I love this book
10:44 Reveal, and representation!
I'm sewing a Victorian evening dress for Mirah Lapidoth from Daniel Deronda by George Eliot! Head to squarespace.com/SnappyDragon to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code SnappyDragon.
Daniel Deronda by George Eliot is a remarkable work of Victorian literature, and the BBC's Daniel Deronda 2002 adaptation is a classic source of inspiration for historical costumers interested in Victorian dress. This Victorian skirt is the first part of making a Victorian gown for one of the characters. Making a Victorian ball gown is quite a process, so this video is focusing on how to sew a Victorian skirt circa 1865.
Some aspects of Victorian clothing are deceptively simple, and this is definitely one of the easier parts of Victorian dress making. At this point in dress history, skirts could be made of rectangular panels gathered or pleated to the skirt waistband and with a placket at the closure. This Victorian skirt pattern is all rectangles, and might be a great beginner Victorian skirt DIY ! To fully sew a Victorian dress, I'll be sewing a bodice in a future video.
While the 2002 George Eliot Daniel Deronda is set in 1876, the era of the Victorian bustle gown, I chose to go with the book's original setting of 1864 to 1865 because I prefer mid-Victorian fashion. The finished Victorian evening gown will look very much like a Victorian era ball gown even though it is made with a house concert setting in mind. If you enjoyed reading or watching Daniel Deronda, I hope you'll enjoy this Victorian sewing project series! And if you haven't read or watched Daniel Deronda, I hope you'll give it a try.
Join my Patreon for behind-the-scenes updates, pattern diagrams, research lists, monthly video chats, and more! patreon.com/snappydragonstudios
Or, you can buy me some Ko-Fi : ko-fi.com/snappydragon
Follow me on IG for more stitchy business : @missSnappyDragon
For business inquiries, send an e-mail to : SnappyDragonStitches at Gmail dot Com
I do not take personal costume/sewing or research commissions.
Want to send me letters? Send mail to PO Box 3884, Berkeley CA, 94703! Letters and cards only please 💚
0:00 Spoiler warning + a very brief word from our sponsor
0:12 Reading from Daniel Deronda as I cut fabric
0:50 About the book Daniel Deronda
1:57 Constructing a skirt (and a story)
5:06 Another (brief) word from our sponsor
6:15 Skirt waistband + who is Mirah Lapidoth?
8:03 Fitting, and correcting myself
8:42 Sewing on trim, and why I love this book
10:44 Reveal, and representation!
