A Modern Twist on an 18th Century Skirt Design | Wrap Skirt
Looking for something different in a skirt pattern? The Coquelicot Skirt by Wildflower Designs is a beautiful, modern take on an 18th century skirt design. It uses ties to close rather than zippers and has 18th century inspired pocket details. This is a great way to add a touch of history to your wardrobe without looking like you’re wearing a costume!
The skirt and its designer
Introducing the Coquelicot Skirt from Wildflower Designs! This beautiful piece of clothing is sure to bring some uniqueness into your wardrobe. Crafted by designer Melanie Boivin, this unique skirt features a nod to 18th century dressmaking with how it closes (and how the pockets are drafted – perfect for an eye-catching look whether you’re going out for a night on the town or just catching up with friends. Get ready to get compliments left, right and centre with the Coquelicot Skirt! This is not a historical re-creation, but an everyday skirt you can wear all the time!
The Coquelicot Skirt by Wildflower Designs takes its inspiration from vintage sewing techniques and pattern drafting to create a uniquely beautiful piece.
The full Sew Along can be found below.
The Coquelicot Skirt has some interesting features
The Coquelicot Skirt has some intriguing features that make it stand out amongst all other skirts on the market. Drawing inspiration from 18th century pocket design, this skirt has all the functionality needed while looking super chic and sophisticated. Whether you are dressing up or down, all eyes will be on you! The freedom of movement and fashionable nature of this piece makes it a must-have in any wardrobe and the perfect way to show off your unique style.
The pockets are something to pay particular attention to, as this is where the glorious vintage elements come into play. Similar to the 18th century pockets that were typically a separate pocket piece that was tied over a petticoat, this design incorporates them into the skirt.
Another feature that I found quite intriguing is the view A version with the lace up internal waistband. I love the fact that this makes this skirt adjustable (and perfect if you are expecting or postpartum), among the obvious pretty inside details.
A brief history of the 18th century skirts and pocket details
18th century skirts were revolutionary fashion statements, but the introduction of pockets in the 18th century was a true game-changer! Not only did it provide women with a convenient place to store their necessities – it also allowed them to add a touch of personality to their looks thanks to the many fabrics and colors that became available for pocket detailing. Looking back on the 18th century, we can appreciate how far fashion has come and the clever ways people used fabrics and colors to express themselves.
Did you know that there were pockets for women in the 18th century? Imagine women of the 18th century going about their daily tasks sans pockets. In the 18th century, pockets weren’t just for pants – they were even hidden away in skirts!
Below are examples from pockets from 1700-1750, image credit: The Met museum
The modern equivalent of a purse, a pair of stylish little sacks that are tied around the waist between the petticoat and over skirt layers were what they opted to use instead! It can be hard to visualize without seeing it, but once you do – all becomes clear. Women kept handbags tucked neatly under their dresses so that whenever things needed carrying about, all it took was a flash of an arm. From keys and coins to snacks, thimbles, and secret love letters – whatever your heart desired could fit snugly into these mini-pouches. Talk about fashion with purpose!
This tie skirt is adjustable to multiple waist sizes in one skirt
If you sew your own clothes, it can be quite a challenge to make something adjustable to fit multiple waist sizes — until now! This tie skirt is the perfect solution. It’s easy-to-follow tutorial (don’t forget to watch the video we made) takes the guesswork out of adjusting the size to accommodate multiple wearers, and you can make one to last a lifetime. It is even fabulous for pregnant women gaining and losing weight, who want to me more sustainable and not purchase more clothing to accommodate their changing weight. So go ahead and be thrifty, stylish, and sew an adjustable tie skirt today!
The version we sewed up
I did not have enough fabric to make View A, so I chose the waistband from View A (I needed that lace up detail) and then the half circle skirt of View B. Now, this skirt required a bit more personality and what better way to add personality than to add a nice ruffle to the hem. Therefore, I hacked the pattern so that I could add the ruffle hem (check out the video for how I went about that).
This skirt was a bit fiddly to make and does take a full day of sewing, but the end result really is worth the effort, as you get a very unique garment that you most certainly not see in any of the high street shops out there. I really enjoyed making this up.
Spruce it up with a ruffle hem
By sew a ruffle hem on to a skirt or dress, you can transform any basic outfit into something chic and stylish! Thinking of the perfect way to spice up your wardrobe? Look no further than adding a delightful ruffle hem to whatever piece you choose. Just think of all the creative possibilities, you get the same great clothes but with an added touch that really showcases your unique style. Sounds too good to be true – well, it’s not! Get sewing and spruce up your wardrobe with a ruffle hem!
How to style the skirt for different occasions
Styling tie closure skirts don’t have to be a stressful ordeal! Whether it’s for a formal event, casual outing, or something in between – tie closure skirts can be styled to make sure you’re the best dressed in any room. For those with a knack for DIY, tie closure skirts are the perfect canvas to craft unique handmade clothes and your choice of fabrics can completely change the look and feel of the skirt. Get creative and showcase your own personality – mix up colors and cuts to create something that is truly one of a kind! Unleash your fashionista within and let the tie closure skirt do its magic.
So, there you have it: an 18th century pocket skirt that is not only stylish and easy to wear, but also adjustable to multiple waist sizes! If you’re feeling inspired to make your own, be sure to watch the video sew along on our YouTube channel. And don’t forget to tag us in your photos @SheerStitchery and #SheerStitchery so we can see how you style your new skirts!
Oh, and for even more – check out this guest blog post we wrote for the Wildflower Designs blog.
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