The Florence Maud Dowding Project

So, now I can tell you about what I've got planned for the next few  challenges on the Historical Sew Fortnightly. This is a picture of my great  grandmother, Florence Maud Dowding. Florence was born in 1896, and this  photograph was taken when she was 16 years old, so in 1812 or 13. Florence was 1  of 15 children, and we're lucky enough to have some of her memories, recorded on  cassette tape by a neighbour and lovingly transcribed by my mum (and believe me,  a lot of love was involved as my mum is not a fast typer at all!) She talks  about going into service at the age of 12, because she'd been very ill and the
doctors prescribed a change of air - the only way that could happen was to go as  a servant. Her mother took in laundry, and she talks about how the family were  always well turned out, and her mother would make clothes for them to make sure
they all looked smart. I love to imagine the story behind this photograph - how they probably saved up to have it taken, Florence and her mother probably worked  on putting together an outfit and maybe her sisters helped, or loaned their
jewellry or best gloves for the special occasion!

 I've always loved this picture and fancied the idea of recreating it,  and  that’s what I'm going to do for my next few challenges. Of course,  historical  accuracy starts with the correct silhouette, which means the  correct underwear, so this is how I'm thinking it's going to fit with the  challenges.

 Challenge #3, Under it All - a 1910s corset 
Challenge #4, Embellishment - 1910s combinations with lots of lace and/or embroidered chemise/collar and/or embroidered ribbon trim for the neckline and sleeve of the dress.
Challenge #5, Pioneers and Paupers - this is about  making a working class outfit, and I'm hoping I'll be able to complete the  dress by the end of this challenge.
Challenge #6 - I'm probably gonna  skip this one as I think I'll have some  catching up to do!
Challenge  #7 Accessories - time to try and make that enormous hat!

I think I'll  also need to make a petticoat and some kind of bust supporter  - I'm hoping  I can either squeeze these in or complete them after the dress - this is the wrong way round really so we'll see what happens!

Next post: The  corset