Those backstitches were so TINY!!! I don’t think Bernadette could sew them that small. I find it interesting that this “not fancy” dress has nicer stitching and construction than some of the couture gowns of the same period! Thank you for sharing some more of your collection. Have a lovely week!
I would guess that the reasoning for that would be that a dress like this for everyday wear would need to have excellent construction to last a long time whereas a fancier dress would only be for special occasions. Plus, if a couture dress has a lot of embellishments it would make sense to spend more time on that rather than focusing on the construction!
I feel couture would be more of a back and forth creation with fitting, altering, embellishing etc.. thus more unfinished construction... maybe? 🤓 Also the longevity of a couture gown must’ve been better and worth altering over time.. I guess? 🤷🏻♀️ I’m not sure either way really, but this makes sense to me. I love seeing the hodgepodge sewing they could get away with back then! 😂
I'm imagining the young woman having been gifted the silk to make her first grown up dress and working on it under the loving but eagle eyed tutelage of her mother and Meemaw.
Imagine if you could tell the young woman that first wore that dress that two hundred years in the future people would be admiring it and in awe of its beautiful construction. She'd probably laugh and say, this old thing? Great closeup video work. Cheers from Vancouver.
The ginormous “seam allowance” at the top of the skirt definitely points towards this dress being made for a teenager, because it seems to indicate that the maker of the dress left in extra fabric in case the wearer needed it lengthened.
Yes, I think it was implied that it was let out as well to be lengthened as the owner grew. That's the way to go with teenagers. I'm replacing my teenage son's pants every 6 months because he's growing so fast and it gets expensive.
@@cinemaocd1752 My brother once outgrew two pairs of jeans in just under three months. They were brand new. My mother was sort of desperate when she saw his ankles and a bit of leg... but just went with: "here's the thing, school is nearly over and it's summer. We're turning those into shorts."
BrokenMonocle The lack of shaping in the bodice points towards at least that having been made for a teenager from the start, but you may be right about the skirt. In any case, they were clearly anticipating that she might grow taller.
@@ragnkja I agree with you, perhaps a hand me down from an older family member, created for a slightly older teenager and once they aged out of it and required more struggling garments passed it down to a younger sibling who then needed it shortening
It's so good to see that you don't have line everything and do everything perfectly textbook and still have a garment that survives 200 + years. We should learn to be more practical from history 💪😊
I was thinking the same thing.😆 Also "lack of interfacing" that every sewing book I've seen and every modern garment I've studied(that I own) seems to "need", despite the fact all those interfaces pieces with that iron on stuff get more wonky than the rest of the garment. This is my proof that I don't need to interface! (At least not with that gauzy crap.)
@@kanashiiookami6537 One thing to keep in mind re: interfacing is that the cheap, wonky fusible modern stuff is almost exclusively used by either beginner-to-intermediate home sewists or fast-fashion commercial garments. Expert home sewists and better garment manufacturers may use synthetic interfacing, but it will be a much higher quality and almost certainly not the fusible variety. But often as not they'll just use another, stiffer garment-grade fabric instead. Part of the reason is ease of use. It's reasonably effective for less experienced sewists to use for stiffening cuffs and collars when they may not be experienced enough to want to work with a non-fusible option, which is why most commercial patterns call for it (ensuring a higher rate of success for customers in completing the garment, even if it means sacrificing longevity or quality, equals more future pattern purchases). And it also saves time and money when you're producing millions of garments at top speed and low profit margins and don't have the time to waste bothering with the fussier handling of non-fusible interfacing. Another reason is that the modern fabrics, especially cheaper options that beginner-to-intermediate home sewists and fast-fashion houses will likely be using, are often much thinner and more loosely woven than either older fabrics or better quality modern fabrics, in order to maintain an affordable price point (and to increase profit margins for fabric manufacturers). Linen and cotton fabrics are a great example of this. If you get antique linen or cotton, or buy the really nice higher-tier stuff, it doesn't wrinkle as much nor does it warp like the cheaper stuff does, even though it may be softer and lighter in weight than a comparison piece of cheaper modern fabric. This is why modern cotton sheets advise against using chlorine bleach, even though older sheets could be bleached frequently without issue - the modern ones are so thin and the threads of such a lower quality that they'll start to fall apart quickly if you do. As a result of this difference in textile quality and thickness, more interfacing may be needed to stiffen collars and cuffs these days for the general home sewist or fast fashion producer than would be needed in antique items made with better quality fabrics.
@@sonipitts you make a lot of good points I didn't even think of. Thank you. ❤ Basically it kinda feels like "old way are best ways". The clothes lasted longer than new stuff today. The appliances lasted at least a generation longer (my grandma had a waffle maker that to this day works whereas any modern thing we'd bought in the last 20+ years has died. Same even with something as simple as a can opener.) Cloth was better made, clothes were better sewn, buildings literally lasted for generations. So I wonder why we decided to give up quality for quantity? Like what part down the road that lead to "now" did people figure it no longer mattered to have things that lasted long enough for even your grandkids to inherit? Anyway, as for the sewing with vs without interfacing, I just know that all the sewists and fabric store people I've discussed sewing with have told me that in no way could, say, a waistband of a garment or a button placket ever hold up to wear without the use of that nasty interfacing. I even said I just planned to use cloth (like I was 100% certain that was used before the invention of that flimsy feeling gauzy interfacing) and was basically told my garment would never fit well or hold up to laundering. As far as I was concerned, though, none of the store bought garments I owned did either, so where was the harm? This video, and videos like these have just proven to me that old ways, in terms of making things, will always be best. 😊 Sorry for the ramble. Have a good evening/night/day/afternoon wherever you may be. And stay safe. ❤
@@ellies9696 yes! Exactly that about the hand sewing! The ladies were like "oh, it's not going to last long. Oh, the seams will break sooner. Oh it's not as strong as what you get with machine." Never mind that it was the same bloody thread. Guterman brand doesn't give a monkey's if it's used one way or the other, so how could this awesome (in my opinion) thread suddenly become weak and frail just because I hand sew with it?! And another thing they don't seem to get is that a machine "needs" all these different presser feet and stitch setting (despite how forever ago they did without) just to sew different cloth, like you need an expensive (in my area) sewing machine just to get a stretch stitch that isn't zigzag. Hand sewing? Backstitch. Prick stitch. Maybe a bit of embroidery type stitches if you want fancy. But beyond that, hand, needle, thread, cloth, done. And cheaper to boot. ☺ I will never understand the reasoning that flits through some people's heads. 🤷
It’s so funny how people freak out about arsenic green with every green dress (especially in this period). Arsenic Green is a completely different color like chartreuse. It would be more common to dye fabric blue then yellow.
@@aimeeinkling Most of them are yellowish green because of the glowing effect it had. It was also quite expensive. I am sure there are dark greens with it but I have never heard of one.
the fact that the skirt is in immaculate condition as well as the bodice and they're both together and not separated from one to the other is amazing this is try rare artefact of that time period for any collector that doesn't belong to a museum
That color is gorgeous honestly my absolute favorite color, I know most people are all about that deep red, but this sort of dark teal/forest green is my jam! The hem facing is beautiful as well, I put a facing in my most recent walking skirt and it is amazing how differently the hem moves when compared to a modern maxi skirt.
I loved this video! Seeing the construction of these dresses makes me feel better about my own skills. It also makes me wish I could of learned more from my grandma when she was alive. She was born in 1910. I started to sew beside her when I was 4. I have no fingers on my left hand, so she was always impressed with what I could do. ☺️
I relate to this so deeply. My grandmother and I bonded over sewing when I was in my 20s, but by then she was in her 80s and had stopped sewing. I wish 10 year old me would have been more interested in sewing. ❤️
@@AbbyCox ditto(on wishing I'd been more interested). Mine tried to teach me when i was little, but I was too stubborn and distracted and stupid to ever learn more than a running stitch. Mainly because I was way to young to understand just what she was trying to teach me. She died not too many years later, so I've been teaching myself all the skills that she would have known ever since. (Its kind of my own way if feeling close to her.)
@@AbbyCox Same. My grandmother sewed and was a quilter, and her mother quilted, but since I became interested in these crafts, I didn't live close enough to her to make learning with her practical. Wish I'd figured out a way to make it work.
Abby: * showing us an excellently preserved 200-year-old silk dress * this is a day dress. nothing fancy. Me: * in my basic 20-year-old cotton t-shirt, ready to fall apart * what!?
I can just imagine a younger sister watching her older sister try it on, then getting all excited because of the pretty color, when it’s taken and shortened for her💕💕💕
It's so beautiful that you can tell the stitches are from a human hand, not a machine! Nothing against sewing machines (they're great), but imagine the patience and care that went into this dress! Instantly makes it so much more valuable.
Okay I think we definitely need a super detailed video about how to sew easy and clever historical darts now! I mean who does not want cool historical details that make your life easier?!
Stunning! I love this short period between Regency and the super doll-like 1830s. Where everything is poofed enough to look lovely, without being too big. And the waist is low enough to be flattering, rather than the empire of the Regency. It’s just perfect.
I am a simple woman; I return from the vet and see Abby has uploaded, I click to watch. There’s a voice you keep slipping into that for some reason makes me think smooth jazz. I love it. That version of you in my head sips espresso outside a cafe with puppers. This dress is absolutely gorgeous. I love that you show us these dresses- it makes sense that people have been saying “good enough!” for forever, but man does it help to see it in action.
Oh, Abby, you have made a believer of me. I love seeing you and hearing you talk about these old textiles, and seeing them, is like time traveling. Thank you so much.
Somebody in the past who was in need of hooks and eyes, probably: ah yes I shall pilfer them from this lovely dress surely they will never be used again wonder what happened to them
She is soooo beautiful in both form and simplicity. For some reason, this silhouette is one of the most pleasant and balanced in all of modern Western dress history...of course, that’s just my opinion...but I do like it. Thank you for sharing her with us😊😌
Wonderfully clear and concise exploration of the construction details. So great that you totally know the stitches by name and are familiar with period techniques. It means that we get SO MUCH MORE information when you’all know where of you speak! ❤️
This makes me feel so much better about making simple garments! I always get caught up in trying to make them fancy but this was a good reminder that strong, simple construction is just as nice!!! Thank you for sharing this lovely lady with us
Ugh all those tiny stitches, it kills me every time. What a wonderful piece, I'm glad such artwork found a forever home with you. You have a keen eye to detect how it was all dyed. You should do a whole video about historical dyeing, and rename yourself as the Dress Detective. I love all these videos, thank you for sharing your collection with us.
abby, she is glorious. thank you so much for sharing her with us. it's lovely to see someone put in the kind of care and attention that only the likes of bernadette banner do today. i wish our daywear today were so lovely, flattering, high quality, simple, and silk. :)
That skirt hem is a really fun detail, especially as when I made dresses for the kids I used to take care of I would use blanket binding as a way to protect the hem from getting destroyed by playing children! It was easier to just replace the binding lol
I love the story this dress tells. Probably made at home, working from a fashion illustration with a few shortcuts taken because "nobody's ever going to see that". Constructed to allow for growth but ending up altered down for a younger sister.
The color of her is SO BEAUTIFUL. Such a lovely, simple yet wonderfully constructed dress. That detail of the piping cord peeking through!!! (and also stinking cute button ;) )
Right!?! And I love that it doesn't look like they cut the darts - especially at the waist. Just flattened to one side so maybe if they had to be let out later they could be! Construction for more than the use of one person.
@@a.k.v.3042 To me, everything from the lack of bust shaping in the bodice to the material left at the seams as well as at the top of the skirt point towards this being made for someone who was likely to continue growing.
Great video, museums should do this kind of thing, showing us the guts of works of art, and of clothing/textile art! Chanel, Dior etc, have started doing this, and noticed that people are very interested in this 'backstage' of things, and adds value to their stuff.
I very much enjoyed this mellow video. Very much a "grab some tea and look at this pretty thing" kind of video. I am all about it! I love all our videos but I think this would be a great style of video to add to your rotation.
Oh Abby, your love of these garments just comes through so strongly in this video! From your attention to all the details to your tone of voice! Brava!
I am in love with this piece! As a museum director, I adore historical garments. We have an 1830’s French lace wedding dress, and some of the stitching is spot on. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for this. Fascinating stuff. I'm beginning to think I might have to try hand sewing something. Between you and Bernadette, it seems inevitable, somehow. The results are so wonderful.
The arsenic/green thing. It sounds like a number of viewers always connect green with arsenic - I don't. For me, I found myself really admiring the color of this beautiful dress. Not sure if you want to go down the arsenic rabbit hole but putting together smart and funny informative videos is your jam and I would like to hear your take on the arsenic/green thing. If it only takes combining yellow and blue dyes to produce green, what was the benefit of using arsenic?
If I was do to an article about arsenic green thing, it would probably be a roast on terrible click-baity 'fashion history' articles that make me want to flip a table. 😂 (it is a good idea though...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm)
Your passion for antique/vintage clothing really comes through in your videos, makes me feel less alone! I've always loved history, especially the clothes omg I could go on all day. Thanks for showing us, she is absolutely gorgeous!! The green looks like dragonfly wings, stunning.
That is a very smart idea to attach the skirt to the sturdier underlining. Especially when the skirt is long, the pretty bodice silk won't tear when you accidentally step on the hem. I imagine this way will also make the waist band look smoother.
Wow! I love it! It gives me some ideas of what I would like to try for my own dress "pattern", if I ever get sewing again. No, not if, when I get sewing again.
Gotta do that for all my darts. Looks way easier and like it will sit well. (Unlike my manky looking misshapen darts.) Thanks for the video. At first wasn't sure it was you for some reason, (despite the obvious fact it came from your channel) I kinda miss the exuberance that brightens my day when you give us these types of videos....(the button did it for me, though. I was like, "yeah, that's her❤") but I got the feeling you've had this dress long enough for the "meh" to settle in, unlike the intense passion we get to see in your unboxing videos. Anyway, thank you for another great look into garments of the past. (I am living my dreams through your videos. You are so lucky to be able to see and touch and study these amazing garments!❤)
Loved the voice over version of going over this historical piece. The hemming must have been from passing the dress on to a younger sister, cousin, etc. Such a great basic piece that each girl could add accessories and apron to. I'm surprised it is in such great condition since it was an everyday dress 😃
What a lovely video for this week! The dress is in delightful shape and a beautiful color! Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era! I would just love to recreate and perfectly hand sew a dress so nice and get away with wearing it around town without getting a few odd looks.
Thank you for sharing this. I learn more and more everytime i watch something from you. I love being able to see these garmets. It makes me want to go sew and learn more about construction of the Historical clothes so i can do better with my recreation. I hope.
Wow! What a wonderful addition to your collection! As a self-taught tailor, I love, love seeing how vintage garments were constructed. Thank you for sharing.♥
I was watching some of Noel's older videos and saw you modeling an American Duchess sewing pattern and was like - "oh my god! Is that Abby Cox!" You looked amazing, as always.
Ooooh thank you for sharing! This is almost exactly where I want to work up to in my sewing skills for reproduction, except something more 1850s styled. Definitely gives me some inspiration and direction in that regard.
Here I go again watching some of your videos over again. Absolutely love this dress. I live vicariously through you. I started buying antique clothing and sewing things (as my mom would say "accruements".But had to give it up with lack of space. I still buy sewing things secretly (55 later) that my husband doesn't know. I love the way you say Louisville. My mom pronounced it the same way. She grew up in Madison Indiana. (I think I wrote that once before) I love Indiana. It is so beautiful and green and flowers grow there, and all my mom's family live there. I grew up in California and didn't get to know most of my family. I now live in Pahrump Nevada. Our back yard is plastic grass.. It looks nice but it is just not like the real stuff. I envy your move where mom would call back home. (I know you didn't mention it in this video but I saw today's video. I hope that you have found a house and are settling in nicely.
Your mother has a great eye for finding such a lovely dress. I was aware of arsenic green issues, but I had no idea about the color contract to the overdyed blue green, so thank you for the explanation. I have only recently become aware of your work, so don't laugh, but you could have an asmr sideline. Thank you for such a lovely little escape today.
I would love for you to make a video comparing an dress you made and wear that you recreate based on it an antique dress. I think it would be awesome to see the two side by side.
beautiful dress. There is a story about my great-great grandmother taking pleats out a dress as a teenager during the Civil War. Her mother was so impressed that she was then made to make all of her own dresses. Sadly this talent for hand stitching did not get passed down to me.
When an exhibition came out and spurred an obnoxious amount of click-baity articles about arsenic green. (My favorite one is where the writer called *that* arsenic green dress *the first green dress* and dated it to the 1700s. 😂) 🤦🏻♀️
I love how rough this dress is. I always feel intimidated by historical garments because they look so perfect. It's great to see some simple everyday clothing that isn't as scary.
@@AbbyCox YES! That would be amazing. Meemaw was born in 1810 and would be middle aged around the time she wore the other bodice. I love that! I still have clothes from my youth that I can't bear to part with even though I know I'll never wear them again. I could see myself justifying keeping it for parts like meemaw did. Are their hooks and eyes on the meemaw bodice?
Loved this style of video. I got a lot more of an understanding of the dress and the lovely calm voice over style was great. More like this, but don’t completely loose the zany Abby.
The voice over was both engaging but soothing. Perfect sort of video on a day like this.
it's amazing how quiet i have to be when i'm talking to myself in my closet... 😂😂😂
@@AbbyCox that actually made me lol!
I thought she was channeling Bob Ross. 😁
Agree lol I woke up so sick and in so much pain. This video was so soothing ❤️
@@AbbyCox thank you!! That was my first a d truly great laugh today.
Those backstitches were so TINY!!! I don’t think Bernadette could sew them that small. I find it interesting that this “not fancy” dress has nicer stitching and construction than some of the couture gowns of the same period! Thank you for sharing some more of your collection. Have a lovely week!
I would guess that the reasoning for that would be that a dress like this for everyday wear would need to have excellent construction to last a long time whereas a fancier dress would only be for special occasions. Plus, if a couture dress has a lot of embellishments it would make sense to spend more time on that rather than focusing on the construction!
I feel couture would be more of a back and forth creation with fitting, altering, embellishing etc.. thus more unfinished construction... maybe? 🤓 Also the longevity of a couture gown must’ve been better and worth altering over time.. I guess? 🤷🏻♀️
I’m not sure either way really, but this makes sense to me. I love seeing the hodgepodge sewing they could get away with back then! 😂
I'm imagining the young woman having been gifted the silk to make her first grown up dress and working on it under the loving but eagle eyed tutelage of her mother and Meemaw.
@@cincocats320 Yes, that's what I was thinking to. The person who made this, personally cared about the outcome.
>”I don’t think Bernadette could make them that small.”
Ooooooh. Did you just challenge Bernadette?
I think that was a challenge.
Imagine if you could tell the young woman that first wore that dress that two hundred years in the future people would be admiring it and in awe of its beautiful construction. She'd probably laugh and say, this old thing? Great closeup video work. Cheers from Vancouver.
Vancouver B.C.? Me too!
@@edwardbradbury6502 Well hello there fellow British Columbian!
Same here! Cheers! :)
Go Team Vancouver!
The ginormous “seam allowance” at the top of the skirt definitely points towards this dress being made for a teenager, because it seems to indicate that the maker of the dress left in extra fabric in case the wearer needed it lengthened.
Yes, I think it was implied that it was let out as well to be lengthened as the owner grew. That's the way to go with teenagers. I'm replacing my teenage son's pants every 6 months because he's growing so fast and it gets expensive.
@@cinemaocd1752 My brother once outgrew two pairs of jeans in just under three months. They were brand new. My mother was sort of desperate when she saw his ankles and a bit of leg... but just went with: "here's the thing, school is nearly over and it's summer. We're turning those into shorts."
I think it might also be likely that this was an adult dress modified to fit a teenager.
BrokenMonocle
The lack of shaping in the bodice points towards at least that having been made for a teenager from the start, but you may be right about the skirt. In any case, they were clearly anticipating that she might grow taller.
@@ragnkja I agree with you, perhaps a hand me down from an older family member, created for a slightly older teenager and once they aged out of it and required more struggling garments passed it down to a younger sibling who then needed it shortening
It's so good to see that you don't have line everything and do everything perfectly textbook and still have a garment that survives 200 + years. We should learn to be more practical from history 💪😊
AGREED! 🎉
I was thinking the same thing.😆
Also "lack of interfacing" that every sewing book I've seen and every modern garment I've studied(that I own) seems to "need", despite the fact all those interfaces pieces with that iron on stuff get more wonky than the rest of the garment. This is my proof that I don't need to interface! (At least not with that gauzy crap.)
@@kanashiiookami6537 One thing to keep in mind re: interfacing is that the cheap, wonky fusible modern stuff is almost exclusively used by either beginner-to-intermediate home sewists or fast-fashion commercial garments. Expert home sewists and better garment manufacturers may use synthetic interfacing, but it will be a much higher quality and almost certainly not the fusible variety. But often as not they'll just use another, stiffer garment-grade fabric instead.
Part of the reason is ease of use. It's reasonably effective for less experienced sewists to use for stiffening cuffs and collars when they may not be experienced enough to want to work with a non-fusible option, which is why most commercial patterns call for it (ensuring a higher rate of success for customers in completing the garment, even if it means sacrificing longevity or quality, equals more future pattern purchases). And it also saves time and money when you're producing millions of garments at top speed and low profit margins and don't have the time to waste bothering with the fussier handling of non-fusible interfacing.
Another reason is that the modern fabrics, especially cheaper options that beginner-to-intermediate home sewists and fast-fashion houses will likely be using, are often much thinner and more loosely woven than either older fabrics or better quality modern fabrics, in order to maintain an affordable price point (and to increase profit margins for fabric manufacturers). Linen and cotton fabrics are a great example of this. If you get antique linen or cotton, or buy the really nice higher-tier stuff, it doesn't wrinkle as much nor does it warp like the cheaper stuff does, even though it may be softer and lighter in weight than a comparison piece of cheaper modern fabric. This is why modern cotton sheets advise against using chlorine bleach, even though older sheets could be bleached frequently without issue - the modern ones are so thin and the threads of such a lower quality that they'll start to fall apart quickly if you do. As a result of this difference in textile quality and thickness, more interfacing may be needed to stiffen collars and cuffs these days for the general home sewist or fast fashion producer than would be needed in antique items made with better quality fabrics.
@@sonipitts you make a lot of good points I didn't even think of. Thank you. ❤
Basically it kinda feels like "old way are best ways". The clothes lasted longer than new stuff today. The appliances lasted at least a generation longer (my grandma had a waffle maker that to this day works whereas any modern thing we'd bought in the last 20+ years has died. Same even with something as simple as a can opener.) Cloth was better made, clothes were better sewn, buildings literally lasted for generations. So I wonder why we decided to give up quality for quantity? Like what part down the road that lead to "now" did people figure it no longer mattered to have things that lasted long enough for even your grandkids to inherit?
Anyway, as for the sewing with vs without interfacing, I just know that all the sewists and fabric store people I've discussed sewing with have told me that in no way could, say, a waistband of a garment or a button placket ever hold up to wear without the use of that nasty interfacing. I even said I just planned to use cloth (like I was 100% certain that was used before the invention of that flimsy feeling gauzy interfacing) and was basically told my garment would never fit well or hold up to laundering. As far as I was concerned, though, none of the store bought garments I owned did either, so where was the harm?
This video, and videos like these have just proven to me that old ways, in terms of making things, will always be best. 😊
Sorry for the ramble. Have a good evening/night/day/afternoon wherever you may be. And stay safe. ❤
@@ellies9696 yes! Exactly that about the hand sewing! The ladies were like "oh, it's not going to last long. Oh, the seams will break sooner. Oh it's not as strong as what you get with machine." Never mind that it was the same bloody thread. Guterman brand doesn't give a monkey's if it's used one way or the other, so how could this awesome (in my opinion) thread suddenly become weak and frail just because I hand sew with it?!
And another thing they don't seem to get is that a machine "needs" all these different presser feet and stitch setting (despite how forever ago they did without) just to sew different cloth, like you need an expensive (in my area) sewing machine just to get a stretch stitch that isn't zigzag. Hand sewing? Backstitch. Prick stitch. Maybe a bit of embroidery type stitches if you want fancy. But beyond that, hand, needle, thread, cloth, done. And cheaper to boot. ☺
I will never understand the reasoning that flits through some people's heads. 🤷
It’s so funny how people freak out about arsenic green with every green dress (especially in this period). Arsenic Green is a completely different color like chartreuse. It would be more common to dye fabric blue then yellow.
Especially silk, because you cannot dye a protein fibre green with arsenic, because it would turn blotchy and blackened.
My understanding is that there is a range of hues that can be acheived with arsenic.
@@aimeeinkling Most of them are yellowish green because of the glowing effect it had. It was also quite expensive. I am sure there are dark greens with it but I have never heard of one.
the fact that the skirt is in immaculate condition as well as the bodice and they're both together and not separated from one to the other is amazing this is try rare artefact of that time period for any collector that doesn't belong to a museum
That color is gorgeous honestly my absolute favorite color, I know most people are all about that deep red, but this sort of dark teal/forest green is my jam! The hem facing is beautiful as well, I put a facing in my most recent walking skirt and it is amazing how differently the hem moves when compared to a modern maxi skirt.
I gotta do a hem facing like your skirt and the 200 year old dress!
Same fam. Green for the win
She's lovely and the stitching is divine. Whoever made that really had some serious skills and great eyes to be able to see those tiny stitches. ❤️❤️
I loved this video! Seeing the construction of these dresses makes me feel better about my own skills. It also makes me wish I could of learned more from my grandma when she was alive. She was born in 1910. I started to sew beside her when I was 4. I have no fingers on my left hand, so she was always impressed with what I could do. ☺️
I relate to this so deeply. My grandmother and I bonded over sewing when I was in my 20s, but by then she was in her 80s and had stopped sewing. I wish 10 year old me would have been more interested in sewing. ❤️
@@AbbyCox ditto(on wishing I'd been more interested). Mine tried to teach me when i was little, but I was too stubborn and distracted and stupid to ever learn more than a running stitch. Mainly because I was way to young to understand just what she was trying to teach me. She died not too many years later, so I've been teaching myself all the skills that she would have known ever since. (Its kind of my own way if feeling close to her.)
Kudos to you EmPolarBear for sewing in spite of what some may see as a setback!
@@AbbyCox Same. My grandmother sewed and was a quilter, and her mother quilted, but since I became interested in these crafts, I didn't live close enough to her to make learning with her practical. Wish I'd figured out a way to make it work.
What a fantastic story you have to tell...at 4 years old you were determined to inspire and create! Nothing was going to hold YOU back!
Abby: * showing us an excellently preserved 200-year-old silk dress * this is a day dress. nothing fancy.
Me: * in my basic 20-year-old cotton t-shirt, ready to fall apart * what!?
I can just imagine a younger sister watching her older sister try it on, then getting all excited because of the pretty color, when it’s taken and shortened for her💕💕💕
It's so beautiful that you can tell the stitches are from a human hand, not a machine! Nothing against sewing machines (they're great), but imagine the patience and care that went into this dress! Instantly makes it so much more valuable.
Your excitement over the tiny details is so infectious! I didn't know I loved garment analysis until your videos.
Okay I think we definitely need a super detailed video about how to sew easy and clever historical darts now! I mean who does not want cool historical details that make your life easier?!
It’s sooo pretty. I’m obsessed with vintage and antique construction details so this was SUPER fascinating to watch.
Stunning! I love this short period between Regency and the super doll-like 1830s. Where everything is poofed enough to look lovely, without being too big. And the waist is low enough to be flattering, rather than the empire of the Regency. It’s just perfect.
I just love your videos. I think we are both old souls. I get lost in these old dresses. I wish people dressed this beautiful today!
Whoever the original seamstress was had some great knowledge of sewing ❤
“I could eat it if I wanted to, I’m just not going to because that’s kind of gross, right?” 😂😂😂
These chill vibes were just what I needed today ❤️
I think this is the only video or situation where “side piece” is interesting and a good thing.
Some very nice close up shots that help you appreciate the skill that went into this dress. To think that this was everyday wear boggles my mind.
Thanks for sharing! Not only do we get to study a really nice dress, but I also learn little sewing things from each video!
If you want to do more of these super soothing voice-overs...I am so here for it!
Me: is stressed out. Wants to cry.
My notification: Abby’s being awesome again.
Me: okay my homework can wait I need this
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a precious beauty that dress is! I am in awe of the stitching and overall craftsmanship that went into it.
I am a simple woman; I return from the vet and see Abby has uploaded, I click to watch.
There’s a voice you keep slipping into that for some reason makes me think smooth jazz. I love it. That version of you in my head sips espresso outside a cafe with puppers.
This dress is absolutely gorgeous. I love that you show us these dresses- it makes sense that people have been saying “good enough!” for forever, but man does it help to see it in action.
Oh, Abby, you have made a believer of me. I love seeing you and hearing you talk about these old textiles, and seeing them, is like time traveling. Thank you so much.
this ASMR-esque format is everything I didn't realize I needed
Somebody in the past who was in need of hooks and eyes, probably: ah yes I shall pilfer them from this lovely dress surely they will never be used again
wonder what happened to them
...I've definitely done it to my own costumes 😂😂😂😂
I love that this is the dress the young lady wore while she 'just did the thing.'
Lovely soft voice Abby. Pleasure to have your company on a lazy Sunday afternoon
She is soooo beautiful in both form and simplicity. For some reason, this silhouette is one of the most pleasant and balanced in all of modern Western dress history...of course, that’s just my opinion...but I do like it. Thank you for sharing her with us😊😌
Wonderfully clear and concise exploration of the construction details. So great that you totally know the stitches by name and are familiar with period techniques. It means that we get SO MUCH MORE information when you’all know where of you speak! ❤️
This gave me Bob Ross feels. I think it was the light soothing way of your voice and I'm totally here for it. This was lovely.
This shade of green is stunning
This makes me feel so much better about making simple garments! I always get caught up in trying to make them fancy but this was a good reminder that strong, simple construction is just as nice!!! Thank you for sharing this lovely lady with us
Your love of clothing history is beautiful.
Ugh all those tiny stitches, it kills me every time. What a wonderful piece, I'm glad such artwork found a forever home with you. You have a keen eye to detect how it was all dyed. You should do a whole video about historical dyeing, and rename yourself as the Dress Detective. I love all these videos, thank you for sharing your collection with us.
abby, she is glorious. thank you so much for sharing her with us. it's lovely to see someone put in the kind of care and attention that only the likes of bernadette banner do today. i wish our daywear today were so lovely, flattering, high quality, simple, and silk. :)
Was having a rough morning and TH-cam recommended this video from two months ago and it was exactly the energy I needed.
Thank you for all the fascinating information. I really like that this is just an "ordinary" dress. So well made and so beautiful!
That skirt hem is a really fun detail, especially as when I made dresses for the kids I used to take care of I would use blanket binding as a way to protect the hem from getting destroyed by playing children! It was easier to just replace the binding lol
They sure did an amazing job of felling back then! The piping was also amazing! Thankx for sharing it with us!
I love the story this dress tells. Probably made at home, working from a fashion illustration with a few shortcuts taken because "nobody's ever going to see that". Constructed to allow for growth but ending up altered down for a younger sister.
The color of her is SO BEAUTIFUL. Such a lovely, simple yet wonderfully constructed dress. That detail of the piping cord peeking through!!! (and also stinking cute button ;) )
SHES BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!
... Please make a video explaining that dart technique...
Right!?! And I love that it doesn't look like they cut the darts - especially at the waist. Just flattened to one side so maybe if they had to be let out later they could be! Construction for more than the use of one person.
Yes, please!
@@a.k.v.3042
To me, everything from the lack of bust shaping in the bodice to the material left at the seams as well as at the top of the skirt point towards this being made for someone who was likely to continue growing.
I enjoyed your comments and the humor you put into them! What a lovely collection you are acquiring. Next - the Abby Cox Museum?? 🤣
Omg that colour 😩 I just can’t deal........so beautiful 😍
Great video, museums should do this kind of thing, showing us the guts of works of art, and of clothing/textile art! Chanel, Dior etc, have started doing this, and noticed that people are very interested in this 'backstage' of things, and adds value to their stuff.
A very lovely and chill video. Teal and periwinkle are my two favorite colors 👍 thank you for sharing!
Wow! This little lady is adorable, love it.
I very much enjoyed this mellow video. Very much a "grab some tea and look at this pretty thing" kind of video. I am all about it! I love all our videos but I think this would be a great style of video to add to your rotation.
Oh Abby, your love of these garments just comes through so strongly in this video! From your attention to all the details to your tone of voice! Brava!
I am in love with this piece! As a museum director, I adore historical garments. We have an 1830’s French lace wedding dress, and some of the stitching is spot on. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for this. Fascinating stuff. I'm beginning to think I might have to try hand sewing something. Between you and Bernadette, it seems inevitable, somehow. The results are so wonderful.
YESSS!!! Try it!!! Start small and enjoy the journey - hand sewing is such a great skill to develop and is so relaxing! ❤️
Thanks to you and Bernadette I'm hand-stitching masks for my family... no, it's not because I'm scared of my machine!! I'm totally blaming you two.
watching this as i clean/reorganize my room to make space for my very first sewing machine!! feeling very excited and now, very inspired!!
Please do more of these! This was really nice
The arsenic/green thing. It sounds like a number of viewers always connect green with arsenic - I don't. For me, I found myself really admiring the color of this beautiful dress. Not sure if you want to go down the arsenic rabbit hole but putting together smart and funny informative videos is your jam and I would like to hear your take on the arsenic/green thing. If it only takes combining yellow and blue dyes to produce green, what was the benefit of using arsenic?
If I was do to an article about arsenic green thing, it would probably be a roast on terrible click-baity 'fashion history' articles that make me want to flip a table. 😂 (it is a good idea though...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm)
@@AbbyCox As someone who loves your videos but doesn't know anything about Arsenic Green, I'd love to hear more!
They had this Shiele's (I can't spell it, I apologise) green craze and arsenic was a way to get that shade.
@@chelsead6054 ❓ IDK
@@nerissacrawford8017 scheele's green! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheele%27s_Green
Abby, hunny, you have 68,000 subscribers! That's just incredible ❤ thank you for sharing this beautiful dress.
Your passion for antique/vintage clothing really comes through in your videos, makes me feel less alone! I've always loved history, especially the clothes omg I could go on all day. Thanks for showing us, she is absolutely gorgeous!! The green looks like dragonfly wings, stunning.
I'm obsessed with this dress. Elegant in its simplicity
That is a very smart idea to attach the skirt to the sturdier underlining. Especially when the skirt is long, the pretty bodice silk won't tear when you accidentally step on the hem. I imagine this way will also make the waist band look smoother.
Wow! I love it! It gives me some ideas of what I would like to try for my own dress "pattern", if I ever get sewing again. No, not if, when I get sewing again.
Gotta do that for all my darts. Looks way easier and like it will sit well. (Unlike my manky looking misshapen darts.)
Thanks for the video. At first wasn't sure it was you for some reason, (despite the obvious fact it came from your channel) I kinda miss the exuberance that brightens my day when you give us these types of videos....(the button did it for me, though. I was like, "yeah, that's her❤") but I got the feeling you've had this dress long enough for the "meh" to settle in, unlike the intense passion we get to see in your unboxing videos.
Anyway, thank you for another great look into garments of the past. (I am living my dreams through your videos. You are so lucky to be able to see and touch and study these amazing garments!❤)
I love this little treasure. I would love to know how to do piping like that 🥰. So tiny!
Loved the voice over version of going over this historical piece. The hemming must have been from passing the dress on to a younger sister, cousin, etc. Such a great basic piece that each girl could add accessories and apron to. I'm surprised it is in such great condition since it was an everyday dress 😃
What a special delight to see this! I love this. What a treasure and to see how is made! Awesome!
What a lovely video for this week! The dress is in delightful shape and a beautiful color! Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era! I would just love to recreate and perfectly hand sew a dress so nice and get away with wearing it around town without getting a few odd looks.
That was an incredible way to start my Monday morning!
This dress is gorgeous, thank you for sharing it with us!
Thank you for sharing this. I learn more and more everytime i watch something from you. I love being able to see these garmets. It makes me want to go sew and learn more about construction of the Historical clothes so i can do better with my recreation. I hope.
Really missed your enthusiastic examination that you normally do. I love seeing these through your eyes.
Wow! What a wonderful addition to your collection! As a self-taught tailor, I love, love seeing how vintage garments were constructed. Thank you for sharing.♥
Loved the pace of this video!! The voiceover was so relaxing!
I was watching some of Noel's older videos and saw you modeling an American Duchess sewing pattern and was like - "oh my god! Is that Abby Cox!" You looked amazing, as always.
I love this calm, detailed analysis! Both soothing and informative, which is perfect rn
Ooooh thank you for sharing! This is almost exactly where I want to work up to in my sewing skills for reproduction, except something more 1850s styled. Definitely gives me some inspiration and direction in that regard.
Here I go again watching some of your videos over again. Absolutely love this dress. I live vicariously through you. I started buying antique clothing and sewing things (as my mom would say "accruements".But had to give it up with lack of space. I still buy sewing things secretly (55 later) that my husband doesn't know. I love the way you say Louisville. My mom pronounced it the same way. She grew up in Madison Indiana. (I think I wrote that once before) I love Indiana. It is so beautiful and green and flowers grow there, and all my mom's family live there.
I grew up in California and didn't get to know most of my family. I now live in Pahrump Nevada. Our back yard is plastic grass.. It looks nice but it is just not like the real stuff. I envy your move where mom would call back home. (I know you didn't mention it in this video but I saw today's video. I hope that you have found a house and are settling in nicely.
Thank you so much for the super close details! Just makes my heart sing! 😍😍 loved this video
this is one of my FAVORITE videos of yours, thank you for this!
This one has really healed up nice.
I really enjoyed the format of this video, it was nice hearing your soothing voice whilst getting those delicious close-ups ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing Abby :) it's so fascinating to see actual magical time traveling garments
Your mother has a great eye for finding such a lovely dress. I was aware of arsenic green issues, but I had no idea about the color contract to the overdyed blue green, so thank you for the explanation. I have only recently become aware of your work, so don't laugh, but you could have an asmr sideline. Thank you for such a lovely little escape today.
I would love for you to make a video comparing an dress you made and wear that you recreate based on it an antique dress. I think it would be awesome to see the two side by side.
beautiful dress. There is a story about my great-great grandmother taking pleats out a dress as a teenager during the Civil War. Her mother was so impressed that she was then made to make all of her own dresses. Sadly this talent for hand stitching did not get passed down to me.
Marvelous dress!!! 😍
Thank You so much!!! 💗❤️💖
Perfect video before heading to bed... Adore it!
Love your videos when we can learn something. I also love any video you post. Zack is doing his part now with a men's waistcoat with messy insides.
😍😍😍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😍😍😍 so pretty! I'm leaning so much from you-- thank you!
I look forward to your videos every week, thank you so much for sharing this dress. She's BEAUTIFUL!!!
Interesting way of dealing with the hem. And when did we decide everything historic and green has arsenic?
When an exhibition came out and spurred an obnoxious amount of click-baity articles about arsenic green. (My favorite one is where the writer called *that* arsenic green dress *the first green dress* and dated it to the 1700s. 😂) 🤦🏻♀️
Ahh yes. Clearly the color green in clothing didn’t exist before the 18th century.
“Eh-hem!” Says (almost) every culture ever
@@Love-and-Salt Haha basically.
I love how rough this dress is. I always feel intimidated by historical garments because they look so perfect. It's great to see some simple everyday clothing that isn't as scary.
Petition for more dress detail asmr because my insomnia does not stand a chance against this content 💙
I am happy to oblige! I had a lot of fun doing this one, a different change of pace for me. ❤️
A soothing video, for sure. It is a beautiful dress, so simple and well constructed.
I found your videos by chance and really enjoy watching them. I like your insights and reflections.
Awww meemaw's little sister
Crackpot theory - what if this *IS* meemaw's dress - from when she was 17? *cue conspiracy music*
@@AbbyCox How close is the back measurement? IIRC, Meemaw was something of a linebacker in build, yes? :-D
@@AbbyCox YES! That would be amazing. Meemaw was born in 1810 and would be middle aged around the time she wore the other bodice. I love that! I still have clothes from my youth that I can't bear to part with even though I know I'll never wear them again. I could see myself justifying keeping it for parts like meemaw did. Are their hooks and eyes on the meemaw bodice?
Hmm
I wonder what the story is with the other sleeve? Ah, mysteries, mysteries, mysteries. Stay well! Love this!
Loved this style of video. I got a lot more of an understanding of the dress and the lovely calm voice over style was great. More like this, but don’t completely loose the zany Abby.