19th Century Paper Dolls

Just a quick update with a book review. This compilation from Stella Blum is one of the nicest (and cheapest) resources available for black and white fashion designs from the 19th century. It's available at Amazon with a new cover. The version I posted at right is the one I actually have (an earlier edition). I use this book a lot to get ideas and have learned a lot about the construction of these clothes (especially all of those complicated folds and tucks!) from studying the pictures.

The original source of this material, was Harper's Bazar, a large-format fashion magazine that began publication in 1867. Harper's Bazar included fashion patterns for ladies to make their own clothes. You can usually see copies of the magazine for sale on eBay and the like. They are not very cheap to purchase individually, which makes this compilation quite nice, even if it only shows a representative portion of fashions compared to the original source. The original magazine was densely illustrated and showed a great deal of detail, not only on the clothes, but patterns for embroidery, lace, and other trims as well ~ along with accessories (hats, gloves, shoes, etc.).

Theodore Menton and Tom Tierney both created a lovely paper doll sets based on these magainzes, both of which I will blog about later (with pictures of course!).

I have been absolutely wretched about updating. I never knew it would be so hard to juggle two blogs, several writing endeavors, and two online webcomics (but now that I think of it: duh!). So I am feeling like something must go. I don't want it to be this paper doll blog, however, because I enjoy this little space away from all of my other projects. While I look for balance, however, I hope you will be patient with my non-updating!

As an appeasement, I've added a category specifically for "fashion plates". When I get bogged down on other stuff, I promise at the very least I will post pretty pictures of 19th century fashions from the period (like the one at the left! Click to see more details, as always).

And I really am still working. I have some dresses on the docket but I just haven't had the focus to sit still and actually paint them. I am hoping to do so this weekend. I admit, part of my hesitation is the whole color issue, but I guess I have to tackle it eventually. One way or another, I promise I will have some clothing done over the weekend and posted by next week (after which I am visiting with family and so things may go a little quiet again for a short spell).

This particular fashion plate, by the way, is from Peterson's Magazine, 1859.

I didn't get as much done as I wanted to this weekend, so I drag myself here humbly to post someone else's good work while I try to catch up on my own.  Along with numerous other blogs that I follow, the above doll comes from Agence Eureka, which is a French blog, but that's immaterial; the dolls and vintage book illustrations posted there are a joy. Unfortunately, the categories there are a little messy, so you kind of have to root around to find stuff, but I find that checking in from time to time will assure that I see some neat old ephemera.

This weekend I am definitely going to have some new stuff to show, so hang in there!