Monthly Archives: January 2021

I love the Edwardian era and the Wearing History 1910s WWI suit pattern seemed smart and cozy. 

I liked the big lapels, sailor collar, and tulip-shaped pockets and cuffs.

I used a gray and black houndstooth wool for the skirt and accents and a yellow wool for the jacket. The black buttons are vintage Czech glass buttons and the the yellow ones are vintage handmade.

There are different options for collars and pockets in this pattern.

The skirt is made according to the construction methods of the era where there’s an internal waistband that actually holds the skirt up. The waistband you see on the outside is attached at the top but not at the bottom, allowing for the gathers in the back of the skirt to hang loosely. 

I made myself a matching hat which was pretty easy! The base of the hat used the same pattern as the jacket belt. I wrapped it around my head at a jaunty angle and pinned it to fit. The center of the hat is just a giant pleated rosette with a pompom hiding the center hole.

I’m afraid I took my photos while it was getting dark quickly during winter, so they are a bit grainy.

Some sizing notes: This is based on an antique pattern from the period.

• The original skirt is quite long (great for tall people) but WH includes a cutting line if you want a shorter version of the skirt. I am 5’6″ and cut the shorter version.
• The shoulders of the jacket are rather broad. I had to take in the shoulders a little bit to reduce the width.
• The jacket is very full and loose but this is intentional. Shaping is done by the belt. You do not need to cut a smaller size; it is supposed to be a bit tent-like. (For security I have some hidden snaps in the jacket and hooks and bars in the belt).

Materials:

• 3 yards gray/black houndstooth wool: $31.50 plus tax and shipping from Fabricmartfabrics
• Pattern from Wearing History: $28 plus tax and shipping
• 4 yards yellow wool: $65 including tax and shipping from a FB destash group
• Vintage yellow buttons: $6 + tax from a marketplace
• Vintage Czech glass buttons: from eBay; I’ve had them for years and don’t remember how much I paid
• Thread, snaps, etc. from stash

I’m not quite sure of the total cost because items 1 and 2 had shipping bundled with other items; I don’t have receipts for everything, and I have leftover wool in both colors, but I hope this gives you an approximate idea of what it will cost you to make your own. Thank you for reading!