Mid 18th Century Undergarments
Hand Stitching for Days
These undergarments were made to accompany a forthcoming project to recreate Madame de Pompadour’s dress from her 1756 Boucher portrait. The undergarments consist of a linen shift, matelasse underpetticoat, panniers, and a pair of silk cover hand-stitched court stays. Unfortunately, during the construction of the stays, my body measurements changed and thus the fit is imperfect… thus is life.
Patterns and Materials
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The shift was self-drafted and handstitched from white linen.
The underpetticoat was constructed with instructions from The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking. The cotton matelasse was bought from Renaissance Fabrics.
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The pattern for the stays came from Corsets: Historical Patterns and Techniques.
The silk jacquard was bought from FabricMart.com but is no longer available. Synthetic whalebone from WM Booth Draper. The lining and interlining of the stays was the unbleached linen from Renaissance Fabrics.
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The pattern came from Corsets and Crinolines.
The unbleached linen was from Renaissance Fabrics and the steels were from Truly Victorian.
Watch the Construction of the Panniers
This video is the first part of the Madame de Pompadour project, which has been put on the back burner for the moment.
