Victorian Seasonal Traveling Ensembles

Article and Photos by Niz Hadid

Editor’s note: Niz has a sewing side business called House of Tinkers.

I recently completed and sent a collection of dresses for a YouTube channel “Black Girl in a Big Dress.”

The idea I had was basically supplying everything you would need for a season traveling abroad during the Victorian era. Some of the hats are not exactly period but I felt they fit in nicely. It was a lot of work but I love making dresses. I used Truly Victorian patterns for this collection and I think they turned out great.

The colors that were chosen for this collection were primarily from what I had on hand (years of hoarding fabric paid off) that would suit the actress’s skin tone and would have been in fashion at the time.

The Truly Victorian patterns were: 

Spring is TV 440 with modified sleeves from pattern TV 410. 100% cotton, cotton lining, double lined skirt and satin ribbon. A perfect little Spring dress to go walking on the beach, pick strawberries, play croquet and even picnic.

Summer uses TV 405 and TV 440 again with modified sleeves. Faux raw silk and real silk fabric, cotton lining to help keep it light and airy. The first bodice is great for going out to tea or shopping. The second one is appropriate for gardening, painting or needlework since the sleeves can be opened and set out of the way.

Fall is TV449, TV 405 and TV 442. This one featured a cotton blend, plaid and velvet.

Winter is TV 405, TV 440 and TV 442. Satin fabric was used with hints of velvet, light cotton lining.

The winter and fall outfits have three bodices; a ball gown bodice for attending balls, the opera and the theater. Another for attending visitors at home. And a third for going out shopping or meeting friends for tea.

I varied the style of the skirts, so it would not get repetitive. 

The spring and summer skirts are more walking skirts and the fall and winter styles are skirts that can be worn with different sized hoops. Of course, the white blouses add another outfit choice with any of the skirts.

The inspiration came when I watched a show on YouTube that was about starting in cosplay and all that comes with it. I wanted to help, so I offered to make some sample pieces and in my enthusiasm the project went from one sample dress to a full wardrobe, complete with matching hats, purses, gloves, shawls, blouses and pockets. 

When I was 8 years old my Mother taught me to sew. She was an amazing seamstress and had attended college for it. She started me off making baby doll clothes and by the time I was 16 I could read a pattern and make my own clothes. She also taught me how to knit, crochet, do counted cross-stitch and embroidery. We lost my Mother last year, and while sewing I feel that a part of her is still with me.

Growing up overseas in Jordan, I didn’t even know there was such a thing as Dickens Fair or costume events. But after returning home to California, and then in 2002, I was introduced to Fair and my creativity went crazy.

Things about me!

My family and chosen family are the world to me. I travel a lot and I’ve lived on three different continents (so far). I am a nut about tea, Jane Austen and sewing. I have an associate degree in culinary arts. I was awarded a four-year full-paid scholarship to an art school in Colorado my senior year in high school but didn’t take it because I didn’t want to leave my life in California.