Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Red Flannel Garabaldi



For years it had been a vague goal to eventually make a period-correct wool Garabaldi bodice. Then one day online I saw the above French fashion plate and I yelled out 'That's the one!!' It was pefect. Red - one of my favorite colors. Military inspired sutash trim - graphic, but not too complicated. And - I already owned a black wool dress from which I could 'borrow' the skirt. 

My lovely friend Ginger sold me some red wool flannel she had left over from a petticoat project. It was perfect! The dusty rose red color matched the fashion plate almost exactly.



I did decide to do a waistband instead of the sash. I also opted for normal cuffs instead of the pointed fold back cuffs as seen in the plate.


Pattern used: Past Patterns #709
The foldover collar pattern I nabbed from the Gallarock men's shirt on the square pattern.

In case you are not familiar with Garabaldi shirts, here is a brief description from my Historical Help page:

In many pictures and fashion plates from the 1860s, you may see ladies wearing a colored or patterned skirt paired with what appears to be a white shirt. This was a fashionable ensemble worn mostly by wealthy young ladies during the mid to late 60s. These 'shirts', or more correctly, bodices, were often called 'bodies' and were lovely and many times rather complicated affairs sewn from very fine sheer or semi-sheer white cotton. As the bodice was made from expensive fabric, the skirts you see in pictures will also be expensive fabrics. (silk or wool) The original 'Garabaldi' shirts were battle shirts worn by Guiseppe Garabaldi the popular Italian leader and his troops. This type of military-style shirt became a fashion fad, and carried over into women's dress. These were often made of wool flannel (a fine thin wool fabric) and trimmed in narrow wool braid in military-reminiscent designs. Again, this was a garment for wealthy, fashionable younger ladies and girls.

The original - Guiseppe Garabaldi



This was a really fun project. I like making unusual things. Ones sees many 'farby' blouse and skirt combinations at reenactments, but not many accurate ones. I would like to start a new trend...:^)

12 comments:

  1. This is beautiful!!! Did you have a pattern, or did you just make it up?

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  2. Thank you!

    I used the Past Patterns Garabaldi bodice pattern.

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  3. I love it! Red and black are a stunning combination. And that skirt is amazing...I know it's not the focus of this post, but it's cool! And the black trim on the bodice...very nice.

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  4. I absolutely LOVE that outfit!!! SO cute and period! lol!! I am determined to help you in your new trend.. lol!! So, when I make my first dress, you have to help me so I don't do anything farby.. :)

    Love ya!! S

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  5. What a great blouse! I love it when costumers make 'everyday' clothes. Hmmm...I guess that means I should make less ballgowns (blushing)...

    The trim is fantastic - it really makes the blouse! It's so period, but also understated.

    It looks to me like the skirt in the fashion plate is black silk taffeta, rather than wool. The wool works very well too.

    I can't believe you didn't do the sash though! It's so fabulous! Do you have extra red wool? You could make an over-sash to wear on some occasions.

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  6. absolutely stunning! I don't often say this, but you look like you stepped out of time, it's a perfect recreation of the feel and proportion of the fashion plate!

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  7. A really lovely dress and splendid craft too.

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  8. nice french fashion..really a good examples of Contemporary Upscale Women's Clothing & Accessories now a days it looks old but still nice to wear. I just remember wearig some clothes like this in a masquerade bull...nice dress

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  9. Thank you, everyone!!

    Dreamsress- ERrrr...I'm not sure if I have enough of that wool left for a sash or not. I'll have to dive into my fabric stash and see. Now that you mentioned it, I suppose it *would* be nice....

    Now I have yet *another* project. lol.

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