1780s Waistcoat

I pinned the linen lining to the outer fabric last night. I wanted to start the final assembly of the waistcoat, but I was too tired. I knew that If I did any sewing, there would be mistakes. So, I have learned that when I am tired, for me its best to stop.

This morning, I got up early 6am, walked the dog, had coffee and immediately started to stitch the lining and the outer fabric together.

I don't think that I shared with you what the fashion fabric looks like for the waistcoat. I selected a mid weight upholstery fabric. It was bluish grey with little embroidery pattern of a single dusty rose flower surrounded by a blue circle. It was on the remnant table at the fabric store last year and even than I thought that it reminded me of an 18th century fabric pattern. I did not have any idea what I would do with it. There was only a yard and 1/2. Wait, I believe that I had intentions of using it as the outer fabric for an 18th century corset. But that never materialized.

Anyway here is the fabric.

I really think it is perfect for an 18th century waistcoat. Plus, since I don't know how to embroider, this fabric was a great compromise.

Caraco Jacket

When I saw the picture of the Blue Caraco Jacket from the Musee Galleria, I imediately thought of some of the fabric that was in my stash.

The top picutre is a light peace color grosgrain frabic which I obtained last year from JoMar fabric store here in Philadelphia. It's date tag says, Nov. 13, 2009. The two middle pictures are of the fabric which I think matches pretty well the blue fabric of the Musee's Caraco. The brocade fabric is much busy with is floral pattern than the original, but my fabric does contain silver background similar to the original as well.

I took the picture of the fabric with the flash on my camera and it came out with only the orange registering in the picture. When I turned off the flash, I was able to get a some what better picture with the silver in the pattern clearly visable.

The bottom fabric, I purchased this summer, June, and it matches the orange tunes of the fabric quite well. I could use either the peach or the more bold orange fabric for the petticoat to go with the floral caraco.

I even have the pattern which I purchased this summer from www.lostcoastpatterns.com

when they were having a summer sale.