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cuppa-darjeeling asked: Goodness! You're making your own quilted petticoat? I was wondering, what are you using for batting? I haven't got the time to start one just yet, but it's on my to-do list.
I am! This time around, I’m not quilting it myself - I used pre-quilted cotton fabric from Joann, which has a polyester batting. I just don’t have the time to hand quilt before my Williamsburg trip! I am, however, planning on picking the seams of my cream silk satin petticoat after the trip and quilting that for future use.
Wool batting is the textile I’ve seen used most often by costumers who choose to tackle the hand quilted petti!
![In honor of my working on some finishing touches on my own quilted petticoat today, I give you a new favorite that I love because of its uniqueness - a black silk petticoat! Never before have I seen this color. Due to the difficulties with black dye and its lack of colorfastness, this must have been for quite a wealthy woman.
[18th century, Met Museum]](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m964v7nZ4z1qa95lvo1_400.jpg)
In honor of my working on some finishing touches on my own quilted petticoat today, I give you a new favorite that I love because of its uniqueness - a black silk petticoat! Never before have I seen this color. Due to the difficulties with black dye and its lack of colorfastness, this must have been for quite a wealthy woman.
[18th century, Met Museum]
I’ve been madly sewing along while my co-mod, Rachel, visited me, and I proudly have something to show for it.
Say hello to my loverly 18th century bodice pattern that is absolutely perfect in every way (and which I owe a great deal to Rachel)!


I am also nearly finished with my quilted petticoat - the pleats simply have to be sewn down to twill tape (which will also be the straps that tie it). I bought pre-quilted fabric since I have neither the time nor the inclination at present moment to hand quilt my own fabric. I was a bit concerned that there were no examples of simple, diamond-patterned quilted pettis, but I have found one in Costume in Detail as well as this girl’s petticoat (and now I’m convinced there are more) so I am well satisfied! The white panel at the top is to reduce the bulk and bunching of the quilted fabric around the waist. I’m quite happy with the pleating in front, but I’m really debating taking it out in back and rearranging so it lays nicer (although the bulky quilting makes the arrangement tough as it is). Sorry for the strange coloring, I couldn’t make it light enough in the room!




And finally and just for fun, take a look at my perfect new little 18th century shoes from Fugawee! In the future, I will close them with buckles but for now I am using some remnants of purple silk ribbon left over from my white 1861 ball gown. They are lovely and I just adore them.

And that is all! I hope I haven’t bored those of you who aren’t interested - if so, keep on scrolling! I promise I’m done with the personal costume photos for now and I shall get back to regular posting :)



