I love reproducing historical clothing and my inspiration can come from many different sources. Sometimes an extant garment catches my eye, or an original photograph. And sometimes the inspiration comes from an old oil painting. Such is the case with this reproduction. When I first saw this fragment of a 1740’s painting, I knew that someday I would reproduce this outfit.
Here it is – the jacket, green petticoat and pinner apron are completely hand stitched, using period appropriate techniques.
Here is the original inspiration – a 1740’s fragment of a painting entitled “Chocolate Girl”
![bdec9aa903c7ad4515ca922d80ba84de[1]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sewdecadesago.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bdec9aa903c7ad4515ca922d80ba84de1.jpg?resize=400%2C672&ssl=1)
Although in this painting the petticoat and jacket appear to be made of silk, I chose to make mine out of wool for an October living history my family and I were attending. I’m glad I did, because it was a very cold day! These pictures were taken recently, though, in our farmhouse’s summer kitchen.
My orange jacket was made from 100% beautiful wool, using a J.P. Ryan pattern in the 1740’s style with a long skirt and winged cuffs. It overlaps and is held with pins in the front.
A linen-cotton blend fabric serves as lining.
I followed the example given here to construct my jacket. This picture is from “Costume Close-Up” by Linda Baumgarten.
Hope A Luca
I love colonial jackets for women and bought pattern and fabric but having a hard time understanding doing small dart in front on jacket..
Could you please give advice.
SewDecadesAgo
Hello! I looked at my jacket and the pattern I used (JP Ryan’s 18th century jackets, view A) and I don’t see any darts in front of jacket. Which pattern are you using? I really would love to help you, so please give me more info and we’ll try to figure this one out together
Laurence Li
This is such a lovely recreation! May I ask what skirt supports are you wearing under the outfit?
SewDecadesAgo
Thank you so much! I have a linen petticoat and a false rump underneath my outer petticoat. The false rump is moon-shaped and small, but it gives just enough lift in the back to have a pleasing effect. Hope this helps and thank you so much for visiting my blog!
Catherine Robbins
Your hand stitching is so neat and tidy! Thank you for sharing. This is one of my favorite paintings of this time period. I have just begun the process of creating my own 18th century working woman’s ensemble. Your work is lovely, I appreciate your sharing your process. Best wishes!
SewDecadesAgo
Thank you so much for stopping in and reading my blog. I’m sorry it took me so long to respond – my administrative site crashed and I wasn’t able to log in until it was fixed. I’m much better at sewing than technology :). Best wishes to you – enjoy sewing your very own 18th century ensemble!
Charles Coan
Hello , do you make these? My wife loves this.
SewDecadesAgo
Hello and thank you for visiting my blog :). I’m sorry, but no, I do not make 1700s garments for sale. If you check Etsy, though, you might find those who do. Good luck!
Charles Coan
Thanks for letting me know!