In this video, I'm recreating a look from the August 1917 issue of 'le Petit Echo de la Mode'.
I rarely do recreations of fashion plates or pictures, so this was a new experience for me!
As always, I'll show you a bit of my planning process first.
I am using a pattern for a 1916 suit made by Wearing History.
It needs some alterations to fit the fashion plate, but it was a near perfect match.
Where the fashion plate mentions a knit and/or wool fabric, I chose linen for my suit. Because it's suitable.
I love everything about this outfit but the cap. But to be fair, it will be the key element to turn this outfit from Santa Claus to Super Mario.
So stay tuned to see me look like a 1917 Super Mario!
I think it's wise to pre wash this linen first, so into the machine it goes.
(I did add some other stuff to this load, to fill up the machine a bit more, though.)
...perhaps not wash the red with the light fabrics the first time!!
My favourite part! Ironing! (this is a lie)
I'm going to start with the skirt, so that's the first pattern I'm printing and assembling.
As you can see, I was in a stripey mood!
After inspection, it's time to cut the fabric.
The skirt closes in the front and has a button option, so I'm first finishing the center front edges with some linen 
tape.
At this point I'm not sure about the construction, so I'm ironing and basting these edges until I decide what to do.
The magazine is called le Petit Echo de la Mode so it's only logical that I use French seams at the sides.
The skirt is subtly gathered at the back.
Determine the length by asking your Patrick to pin it 'at the top of the bow tattoos on your legs'. Very high tech 
method, can recommend.
Dangerous cutting method. Do not recommend.
As mentioned on the pattern, the skirt panels are very long. I cut off enough that I could use the remnants as hem facings!
I recently did a video on different kinds of hems, check it out if you haven't already!
I love the kind of fabric that you can pinch-iron.
Found these two buttons to close the waistband at the front.
I decided to sew the front shut, and leave the top opened, to be closed with the two buttons only.
With the skirt done, it's time for the jacket!
The advised method is to paste all pages and then cut, but sometimes I like to work by 'row'.
For each row I cut out and paste the parts I can, and then move on to the next row, like a printer.
I ended up not using this part.
Everything on the floor belongs to the inspector.
Figuring out the collar was a bit tricky.
But, as with many things, once I saw it, it was simple enough.
I used some fray check on the corners to be safe.
And I felled down the inside parts of the collar.
Guess what I was watching in the comments. (No sound for you because it's directly streamed into my brain, thank you Oticon)
Double folded hem for the jacket.
And four beltloops.
After some frustration I solved the stripe situation with some fabric manipulation, it was a simple equation.
(album will drop soon)
I decided to just make a rectangular panel for the front of the jacket, instead of a whole stripey top.
It snaps into place at the inside of the collar of the jacket.
The belt and the cap both get some floofy pompoms. I made some cardboard templates and used undyed wool from my stash.
The taming of the belt.
And here you can see me struggle to sew on some pompoms. Because that's way harder than sewing an entire outfit.
I was glad to have the perfect shoes for this outfit, my well worn Londoners from American Duchess.
A very light and thin vintage petticoat, perfect for a summer outfit.
The stripey panel snaps into place, and the belt closes with a single or double knot.
So there it is. my fun fashion plate recreation!
All I'm missing is my sailboat and a friend with a matching aqua outfit.
-I mean, opera glasses count as binoculars, right?
How do you think I did?
I think I prefer my vintage boater to the cap!
I'd love to read what you think in the comments below!
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