This Skirt Uses 4.5 Metres of Fabric | Hand Sewing a Victorian Skirt

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I'm finally able to introduce to you all THE BERRY DRESS! This is the latest historical hand sewing project I've been working on, which will consist of four separate pieces. This video documents the construction process of part one, the making of the skirt.
The Berry Dress is an 1860s four-part historical fashion ensemble designed with fancy dress in mind, but it isn't only to be worn to a historical costume party. It's also suitable for day-to-day wear, which is how I plan to use it! The Berry Dress is an abstract representation of a berry, but in gown form, much like how people would often dress up as natural phenomena or inanimate objects for historical fancy dress parties. The berry aspect may not make sense to you yet, but by the next construction video, the entire vision is going to become much, much clearer.
This Victorian skirt is 100% handsewn and took around 45 hours to complete, which is actually pretty quick for a hand sewn garment! The next part of this series is going to be the sash/Swiss waist, which as of writing I have already almost completed. The video for that construction process will be published in a couple of weeks.
After that, I will be focusing on the bonnet, and finally completing the bodice, which will be the most time-consuming of all the pieces.
I hope you enjoy watching the sewing process of this classic 1860s skirt, designed to be versatile and worn with or without a crinoline.
Thank you so much for your viewership and I'll see you all on Thursday for another video.
🕯 Support my art on Patreon: www.patreon.com/vbirchwood
✨ Leave a donation: ko-fi.com/vbirchwood
🌙 Books I read, supplies I use, gear I film with (affiliate links): www.amazon.com/shop/v.birchwood
🪡 Follow me on Instagram: vasibirchwood
📖 Business inquiries: sofie@helmtalentgroup.com
Due to limited character count, all sources used can be found here: www.vbirchwood.com/sources/i-hand-sewed-a-poofy-green-victorian-skirt
Time Stamps:
0:00 Why a Berry Dress?
2:05 Constructing the Skirt
3:41 Securing the Lining
5:30 Creating the Waistband
6:10 Pleating!
7:58 Centre Back Seam and Placket
8:20 Wearing the Berry Skirt
#historicalfashion #Victorian #handsewing

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Опубликовано:

25 ноя 2021

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Комментарии : 151

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you so much for watching! What sewing projects are you currently working on?

@HattieMcDanielonaMoon 2 года назад

I'm making an apron

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

@@HattieMcDanielonaMoon awesome! And practical 😊

@lisez4600 2 года назад

I'm finishing a wool walking skirt for the winter, then I will make another hand sewn 18th century men's shirt in linen and another one in cotton. I'm working on creating myself a complete wardrobe! come the winter holidays I will be making myself a third waistcoat.

@HattieMcDanielonaMoon 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood Thank you!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

@@lisez4600 Ahhh amazing! These all sounds like extremely wearable and practical options. Happy sewing 😊

@davidcohen3001 2 года назад

Thank you for inspiring me to keep trying to make my own historical wardrobe, even when I’m struggling with my lack of skill and confidence

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks for your comment David! I understand how it can feel frustrating and disheartening sometimes, but please keep practicing and being kind with yourself along the journey. It’s a very up and down type of hobby with a lot of challenging points, but it’s fulfilling and worthwhile. You can do it, I believe in you 😊 Let me know if there’s any sewing things I can help you with.

@judithrussell9162 2 года назад

I strongly relate to your comment, the video made my project seem much more accessible.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

I’m so happy to hear this 😊

@bekabell1 2 года назад

I am continually amazed at your patience to do all of this hand sewing. While I make quilts and all of the quilting, and often the piecing is by hand, I don't have the patience (at least not yet) to construct an entire dress by hand when my machine will get the job done. I admire your tenacity.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you so much!

@elizabethwatson71 5 месяцев назад

Oh,this would make a beautiful cape, with a berry pink velvet liner

@GG-py9vp Год назад

I cannot believe the amount of time you put into hand stitching. Your stitches are small and delicate - just lovely and the skirt is absolutely beautiful

@VBirchwood Год назад

Thank you so much!

@iainmc9859 2 года назад

Your patience is incredible and the skirt looks amazing. It recently took me two days to make a new sash belt to a 1970's dressing gown in gold paisley (very Hugh Hefner), hand stitched because my machine kept dragging the shiny fabric.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you Iain! It's amazing how much hand sewing can come in handy even sometimes when a machine can't do the job. It's such a useful skill to know 😊

@carolinemaluca 2 года назад

This skirt is beautiful!!! I love the idea of your inspiration! And I agree with you on the length. It’s a beautiful length no matter what and it’s practical and wearable! I think the best part of going through all the making is to be able to wear it! I can’t wait to see the whole ensemble finished!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks a ton Sua! I totally agree, wearability is a wonderful aspect when it happens with historical clothing. If I'm spending hundreds of hours making something by hand, I want to be able to wear it for a lifetime lol.

@MiljaHahto 25 дней назад

I just sew an apron in the same colour and type of silk for my folk dress this spring. Turning it by just picking a couple of the verry thin threads with the needle is indeed a major labour! Wouldn't have made it without a very much modern magnifying glass with a lamp, my eyes are not young anymore..

@catherinejustcatherine1778 2 года назад

The thumbnail looks awesome!. I hope to watch soon. I'm currently expanding a favorite dress to fit my current shape (its going wonderfully well, and is my second in the series)

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks so much Catherine! That sounds like a fun and very satisfying (and practical project). I hope it's going well! 😊

@LiljaHusmo 2 года назад

The green 😍😍 I think it might be my new favorite colour! The cartridge pleats makes the skirt catch the light so beautifully!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you so much Lilja 💕 It's such a unique shade of green I feel

@watsonmelon6575 2 года назад

The poof is so amazing and I love it

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you Watson Melon 😊

@analunavelarde 2 года назад

The berry theme is so cute! I'm so exited to see the other pieces.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you Analuna! Can't wait to share it with you all 😊

@marichristian1072 2 года назад

The color of the fabric is gorgeous.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you! 🥰

@Shahrezad1 Год назад

Thank you for this! I am about to make a Victorian outfit and have been feeling pretty intimidated. But your tutorial here shows that everything I need to do for the skirt is just the a step up from what I already can do (gathering, box pleats, knife pleats. I've made a couple petticoats and aprons and I feel like this is just adding on to those skills). Thank you so much for such clear instructions, broken down in understandable steps.

@Christine-tp5pv 2 года назад

very excited to see the rest of this project as I love the concept and color combo

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you very much Christine!

@HattieMcDanielonaMoon 2 года назад

I love your ring!!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you! It's an heirloom from my Tatar grandmother 😊 I talk about it a little bit more in my antique jewellery tour video.

@HattieMcDanielonaMoon 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood I've seen that video and I really enjoyed seeing all of your antiques! I thought the ring was the most beautiful of all. It reminds me a lot of a ring my father gave to my mother and it brings back happy memories 😄

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

@@HattieMcDanielonaMoon awww that's so lovely! Thanks for supporting my channel 😊

@samanthacoe9767 2 года назад

This skirt is remarkable! Not only is the color absolutely gorgeous, the shape and silhouette is stunning! I would have liked to see the skirt in motion without the crinoline (maybe I missed it in the fog my brain has been in due to a nasty cold) Regardless, you did an amazing job and it has definitely inspired my next skirt making adventure.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you so much Sami 😊 You're right, I totally forgot to include a clip of what it looks like without the crinoline in movement, whoops! I'll try to include one with the video of the final garment when it comes out (probably at the end of December). I hope you get well soon from your cold!

@jeaniesf84833 2 года назад

The skirt turned out perfect!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you! 😊

@jameswhalen4507 2 года назад

Beautiful pleating and color!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you James!!

@ericalarochelle3779 2 года назад

I look forward to the rest of the dress!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you Erica! 😊

@CarolineElizabethMartin 2 года назад

I love raspberries. I’m obsessed to the point that I’ve ripped up my ornamental front garden and planted blueberries and raspberries instead

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Hahaha how wonderful. I much prefer berry gardens then ornamental ones myself 😊

@threadfollower 2 года назад

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying your videos! I discovered you this evening after a long day of writing and sewing and was happily swept into your world of historical fashion. I don't wear historical fashion myself but I have always been passionate about textiles, textile history, and historical fashion. Your channel is a tonic and I will definitely enjoy following you!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Awww thanks so much! I'm glad you've been enjoying the channel so 😊

@Pop-zb3wr 2 года назад

Love the colour.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you! 🥰

@Ellaodi 2 года назад

I love the practicality of this and the creative waistband solution!!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks so much Laura!

@JoelleFromParis 2 года назад

I absolutely love this dress! The color is absolutely stunning, and the pink detail is everything! I am amazed at your skills after only about a year of sewing. You are an inspiration!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you so much Joëlle 😊💕

@SewSewDrew 2 года назад

Vasi! I want this skirt so badly. I really enjoyed the entire video. Good idea adding organdy to the waistband. I could see the difference.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks so much Drew! 😊

@mahel2002 2 года назад

Oh, this looks amazing! I love the inspiration - that is such a creative idea! Will be waiting most eagerly to see the finished dress!!!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks so much Olympia! 😊I'm really excited to share it with you all.

@elizabethhatfield2115 2 года назад

I love the color!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you Elizabeth! 😊

@annavafeiadou4420 2 года назад

It's amazing your hard work paid off marvelously and I love the berry theme (l am from Greece and when we were young the summer in my village in the mountains we were going walks in the nature and eating wild strawberries and berries from the bushes) and I also love carnival costumes !!!! This is just amazing 🌹🌹❤️❤️👍🥰

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you very much Anna 😊 what a lovely memory to have attached to berries as well!

@flores2629 2 года назад

Thank you for sharing this process. This color is gorgeous👏🏻

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you very much Maria 😊

@judithrussell9162 2 года назад

I love this video. You explain everything so beautifully and the skirt is a jewel. Looking forward to the next instalment.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you so much Judith 😊

@catherinejustcatherine1778 2 года назад

PS: Another delightful video. The skirt does look wonderful; so much meticulous arrangement and perparation!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks so much Catherine 😊

@michellecornum5856 2 года назад

This is beautiful.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you 😊

@elsa_g 2 года назад

I've been looking at swiss waists for a couple months now, excited te see your take on it! Also love that color of skirt and the volume.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you very much Elsa! Swiss waists are super cool and can completely change an outfit which is so fascinating. I’m really excited to share the creation of mine with you all!

@katwitanruna 2 года назад

Well done!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you 😊

@AliciaB. 2 года назад

you are admirably patient :)

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you Alicia 😊

@Namiyasi 2 года назад

I loved it, absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for the video, I enjoyed it 💗

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks so much Nato! 😊

@mariehavlickova4702 Год назад

Very beautiful ❤

@VBirchwood Год назад

Thank you 😊

@ladypinkbagsetc.9116 2 года назад

Absolutely gorgeous! Well done💞

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you very much! 😊

@nataliestanchevski4628 2 года назад

I love the colour combination of the bright fushia Swiss waist with the muted green-gold skirt and bodice! I'm with you on practical hem lengths; I just made a floor length medieval cyclas but I need to chop off 20cm or so or I'll kill myself going up and down stairs lol.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks a ton Natalie! Hahaha stairs are such dangerous things 😂 Slightly shorter hem lengths are the best honestly, even if they just skim the floor (or almost do) they just become suddenly so much more wearable.

@theglitterballlifestyle675 2 года назад

This is so cute 🥺 and the pink hem tape is smart too since it’ll help Protect the hem Of your skirt :)

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you 💕 Yes exactly! And also helps a bit with holding the skirt out 😊

@feijo6519 4 месяца назад

I'm taking this as a tutorial so i can make a skirt for the entity i work with

@anieth 2 года назад

Look at you! Over 5000 subscribers! YAY!! This is a fun project. I don't like silk, but I have a wonderful collection of hand dyed, sewn linen dresses, mostly in the Reform Dress/Art Nouveau history bounding style with a number of dirdl and bunad type over dresses that are embroidered. I almost can't wear cotton any more. But I would love to live in England again and get wool...(drooling) :D

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks so much! I feel really grateful for the growth 😊 Oooo your wardrobe sounds lovely! Linen and wool are definitely such magical and versatile fabrics.

@stevezytveld6585 2 года назад

Oh-my-lord. That skirt is beautiful. So worth the time investment. Well done! _Pleat suggestion_ - I just came across a pleating hack I found in a subtitled 'how to make a modern Hanbok (a Korean pleated skirt)". You use a piece of cardboard and turn it into a template. Mark out a minimum of 2 repeats of the measurements you need and you can move down the length without the tape measure. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks a ton Cathy! And thanks for tips about pleating 😊

@stevezytveld6585 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood Seriously - beautiful work. It's stunning. And that pleating trick just about blew my mind. You just have to be really clear in the labeling if you're keeping it as a pattern piece... I love how smart the Grannies were.

@katwitanruna 2 года назад

Plus you can use the extra you cut off of the skirt for the bodice and bonnet.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Absolutely! I've already used up quite a bit of it for the Swiss waist in fact 😊

@femalism1715 2 года назад

Magnificent!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you 😊

@SingingSealRiana 2 года назад

I adore this idea ^^

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you Ariane 😊

@SingingSealRiana 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood ^^

@jessicabey275 2 года назад

beautiful! I am trying to figure out how to incorporate historical into modern

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you!! I actually have a video on that exact topic. It was from maybe about 4-5 months ago if you go back in my videos 😊

@jessicabey275 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood I seen it right after i commented!

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Ah wonderful!

@jessicabey275 2 года назад

@V. Birchwood - Historical Fashion I am thinking about making a summer dress from linen and putting some pleats at the lower back, maybe box or kingussie pleats. Also try out a corset as well! I have been having dreams of a wool coat with pleats were the shoulder blades are as well like what you see on the dresses and I think you have some of those dresses, that's what gave me the idea 🙂

@allenkim7819 Месяц назад

nice job! I wonder how you wash the piece

@Nadia-uc1tb 3 месяца назад

Beautiful work as usual. I want to make a similar skirt but I cannot seem to understand how you sewed on the waistband. In the video it looks like you're sewing on the pleats to the waistband a bit above the edge but on the finished close-up there are whipstitches on the very edge of the waistband. I like this look where the very top of the pleat is not visible, how exactly is that achieved? :)

@melissel5648 2 года назад

Love this project :D Also, I come from the Chartreuse region and I already knew this name what better known for the alcohol that comes from there than for the actual mountains... But I had no idea it was also used as a color name (probably after drink I guess?), that's funny to learn ^^

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you Mélisse! Yes I believe it is indeed named after the drink, and it’s a very similar colour so it makes sense hahaha 😊

@SimpleDesertRose 2 года назад

Oh my your are feeling ambitious. I would not have patients to handle sew that much fabric. It would forever be banished to the UFO pile. You have the patience of a saint! That skirt turned out amazing too. The colors just complements you skin tones so well too. I'm looking forward to seeing berry dress come to life. ❤️ Quick question for you, where do you get your stockings? Do you make them too or do you have a seller you highly recommend? With the cold weather starting to set in, its time to start wearing real shoes again, but not in the house. I would like to have some cute stockings to wear around the house to keep my feet warm.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you very much DesertRose! 💕 As for stockings, I do not make them. Suppliers I’ve purchased from in the USA are mainly PennyRiver (on Etsy). Their stockings are great! In the U.K. there’s Darcy Clothing, but it’d get a bit pricey I think to ship it to the US.

@SimpleDesertRose 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood thanks I will check them out. See you next week ❤️

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

@@SimpleDesertRose see you next week! 💕

@hypatia4754 2 года назад

Very nice skirt. The hooks and eyes needed to be on the edge of the waistband though so the leftover edge doesn´t stick up.

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks Hypatia! My weight has been fluctuating a ton lately, so I wanted to have a little extra room in order to readjust the hooks when it does. My weight was lower when documenting this construction process, so I had to move the hooks in a bit closer, and I figured the Swiss waist would be covering it at some point anyways, so it wouldn't be too terribly noticeable in the completed garment 😊

@gildedgitta 2 года назад

This looks fantastic, and I love the little pop of colour you added with the hem tape! Such an adorable detail! I am currently shopping for my next skirt fabric, and as much as I like my historical style, I am extremely tempted to buy this very cheap and adorable cat printed cotton for my lining. Because linings can be full of secrets that no one else will see, right? :D

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you so much! 😊 Yessss!! You totally should do it and surprise anyone who ends up seeing the lining!! Haha. It would probably be especially funny on a coat or something like that 😂

@22mononoke 2 года назад

Such a beautiful result with those cartridge pleats

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thanks so much! Definitely try cartridge pleating as it’s pretty straightforward and has a nice result 😊 i typically buy 7-10 metres of fabric for an ensemble like this with multiple pieces, but it isn’t due to the silk, it’s due to the cartridge pleating! The downside about the method is that it absolutely eats up fabric. Some skirts will even have like 5-6 metres of fabric condensed with these pleats. So yeah, other types of pleating are way more effective when it comes to fabric conservation, but the sheer volume of fabric is also part of why cartridge pleats makes the skirt look so voluminous.

@22mononoke 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood Thank you! This is very helpful. And in that case I don't I'll start out using silk for cartridge pleating then - a cheaper cotton or linen blend would probably be better for the novice and won't break the bank! Thanks again Vasi, this is great content

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

I started on cotton as well, which is what gave me the confidence with this silk, so yes definitely good thinking there 😊 my pleasure!! 💕 thanks for your comments and support!

@chtitmog 2 года назад

What a beautiful skirt you made! The colour is 😍!! I love cartridge pleats. Used them on my daughter’s costume and the result is dreamy - lots of work, yes, but totally worth the look. And the process is very relaxing to me. May I ask what I the model of your Singer sewing machine that we see at the end of your video please? I am looking for a vintage one but Singer produced so many models that it is not easy to find which ones are worth the investment. Thank you! x

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you! 😊The Singer is a 15K hand crank machine I believe, from the 1930s. I'd recommend getting a slightly younger one (from the 21st century for example) as it's easier to find parts. I don't have a ton of experience with the machine, as I just hand sew my own clothes, but it comes in handy for things like household linens (hemming curtains, pillow cases, etc.) and also apparently it can sew through leather which is pretty awesome!

@chtitmog 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood Thank you very much for your reply and advices! 😄

@johnchenard-sh8gd Год назад

Hi my name is Karen I have been watching your videos for the past two weeks and I love the information you share about historical clothing I to make and wear them. My question is how can a woman like me I have two rods in my back and every time I wear a corset or anything like that my lungs start hurting and I was wondering what is your advice for someone in my situation who love corsets but can’t wear them because of my rods in my back

@Funkyappeltj 2 года назад

Such a beautiful result! Where did you buy the fabric?

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you! From a deadstock fabric supplier in the UK called AmoThreads :)

@barefacedquestions Год назад

So the Victorians didn't use elastic band to make waistband (of course 😂). How flexible is the gathered waistband is in accommodating fluctuating waist measurement?

@nevem5010 2 года назад

💕

@elizabethworley7073 Месяц назад

Hello. When making a skirt like this, how do you know how many meters or yards someone needs to make enough pleated fabric to go around you and be fairly even? It is your waist, plus a specific amount or something else?

@emilyparker4316 2 года назад

beautiful,,, do you prefer silk thread

@VBirchwood 2 года назад

Thank you! I do indeed. Often waxed if I’m not sewing with silk fabric and I use button weight silk thread for basically everything now because I just find it to be far more study and reliable.

@emilyparker4316 2 года назад

@@VBirchwood awesome thank you for your help