vintage

Bleuette ~ 1905 Tablier de Maison

The 1905 Tablier de Maison was one of a few patterns that did not have an illustration with it. It could be made as an “apron for the house” or as the pattern states “one of those American dresses that looks like a smock”. I chose to make Mae’s as an American smock dress. I used a prize scrap of antique fabric to make the outfit. I was told when I purchased it, that it was from the 1880s. It’s a sturdy cotton, but a bit fragile. Also used was dark brown vintage velvet ribbon and a lovely vintage embroidered rosette. If you look close you can see there are tiny metal beads in the rosette that give it so much charm! For a touch of lace, a tiny scrap of vintage hand made crochet edging was tacked along the neckline. Mae is wearing purchased bottines or boots with her American smock dress along with red stockings. She wears a bow of stripe silk in her hair.

1905 Tablier de Maison ~ Upper Detail

1905 Tablier de Maison ~ Bottines and Stockings

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My Bleuette, Mae, has her cuddly pillow and bedcover and is ready for slumber in her 1911 Robe de Chambre and 1915 Chemise de Nuit. The pillow and bedcover are from the 1917 Taie D’oreiller (pillowcase) and La Couverture de Berceau (Crochet Bedcover) patterns.

The body of the robe de chambre, or dressing gown, is made from a very soft vintage fabric with a beautiful surface sheen. The vintage contrast fabric has a little more body, but also has a lovely sheen. It was suited to the chain stitch embroidery quite nicely. The pattern suggested the robe be made of flannel since it is a winter dressing gown. Although I had some in my stash, I didn’t use it since it wasn’t the right color to keep within the blue and yellow color scheme. The pattern illustration does not have chain stitching around the neck of the robe, but the pattern piece showed the chain stitch design. I debated whether to make the collar like the pattern or  save myself some time and make it look like the illustration. In the end I spent the extra time and I’m glad I did. The chain stitch around the neck adds just the right detail to the overall look of the robe.

As the pattern states, the chemise de nuit, or nightgown, is ”piece indispensable au trousseau de Bleuette“. In other words, the nightgown is an essential and indispensable part of Bleuette’s trousseau! Every dolly needs a nightgown! Mae’s chemise de nuit is made from new fabric of a very fine cotton/linen blend. It is a basic and simple nightgown, with blue feather-stitching.

The pillowcase is embroidered in hues of the yellow and blue color scheme. The embroidery is a combination of  lazy daisy stitch and french knots that produces a charming design. I used a piece of beautiful vintage lace for the ruffle that my cousin’s wife sent me (thanks, RaNae!!), and made a faux closure on the back of the pillowcase with vintage mother-of-pearl buttons.

The bedcover was crocheted with fine wool yarn leftover from a needlepoint project I did years ago. Vintage ribbon is added for the embellishment.

1911 Robe de Chambre ~ 1915 Chemise de Nuit ~ 1917 Taie D’oreiller and La Couverture de Berceau

1911 Robe de Chambre ~ Front Detail

1911 Robe de Chambre ~ Back Detail

1917 Taie D'oreiller and La Couverture de Berceau

1917 Taie D'oreiller ~ Pillow Back

Sweet Dreams, Mae!

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