Ladies Gilded Age Bustle and Work Dresses

      This dress is thought of as being a Civil War dress yet it goes from pre Civil War up near the 1870's as people moved more to the west. This is a very loose fitting dress for travel west by wagon etc.

     NOTE: This dress is very full, it is NOT for women that are concerned about a small waist look. It is great for those that do not like a confining dress or are pregnant. By adding a half apron you can give the waist of this dress a more defined appearance.

     This is a camp dress. It's great to wear around camp for cooking, cleaning and chasing children around. It can be made to be plain /simply, yet we do like to add a little trim for contrast and appearance. Still it's nice to even look good, even in camp. Also very good for those that do the out back/ country re-enacting and you don't want to wear a hoop or take a chance on your nice day dresses. Although you can add a hoop and dress it up for evening wear.

     This is gathered at waist or straight cut, drop sleeves and a large (tall) ruffle at bottom. Buttons down front. Can be with straight cut sleeves with piping at wrist for pre war, or full sleeves with cuff band.

   Optional;  With wrist ruffle, straight sleeve, or full with cuff band. Round Peter Pan collar or piped around neckline. Matching tie for waist, are partial waist band added to tie in back.

    Suggest: An apron, a under hoop slip. The long padded bonnet, that is pictured below, is great when out in the sun.

     E-Mail us with color/fabric design interests.

     Measurements: Fill out Measurement Chart.

Expecting, Work or Camp Dress (0711-Homestead) Click an image below for a larger view
Sample A Front with Apron	Sample B Front	Sample B Back	Sample C Front
We DO NOT make identical dresses. DO NOT ask for a dress "just like" one that we  have already made. Something must be changed: color, trim, fabric design or dress pattern. Also many of the fabrics shown are no longer available. That is why we don't list specific fabric choices.
Sample D Front with Apron	Sample D Back with Apron	Matching Quilted & Padded Bonnet

    This is  a Civil War dress, yet it is pre Civil War (Late 1850s to 1860s) and goes up into the 1870's as more women moved west

    Of the two camp/ work dresses, this one is more dressy. This is made with a waist band. Great for those that work around the camp site cooking and/ or chasing children. Also good for those back woods camping re-enacting, where as you don't want to wear your hoop are damage or dirty your fine day dresses. Yet, if you want you can add a hoop and can be ready for evening.

     It's made off the shoulder with piping at the edge and followed further down, piping again. the bodice is lined and boned. Comes with matching or contrast piping on sleeve. Above the breast it's gathered yoke to give full comfort.

     Optional; are a piped (collarless) neckline or round peter pan collar. With full sleeves or cuffs. I recommend cuffs for real wear, due to the fact, that full sleeves tend to get into things, like cooking, fire, etc. Also optional, is with the top being of a solid color and the bottom a print. Note: put in comment field if your plan on wearing a hoop and the size, for correct sizing of bottom of skirt.

    Matching or Contrasting Material Top & Skirt: Both Top and Skirt in the same Material, or contrasting.

    Suggest: bonnet, that is on the other page of camp dress and under hoop slip.

     Measurements: Fill out Measurement Chart.

Ladies Camp and Work Dress (0803-Round Dress / Pioneer) Click an image below for a larger view		Some of the fabrics on hand. Many other choices are available, including Reproduction 1800s Fabrics.
Sample A Front		Earth-Tone Light - Medium	Pink Light - Medium DD-002
We DO NOT make identical dresses. DO NOT ask for a dress "just like" one that we  have already made. Something must be changed: color, trim, fabric design or dress pattern. Also many of the fabrics shown are no longer available. That is why we don't list specific fabric choices.

    Custom made item, please allow 4 - 8 weeks for delivery. Custom Clothing and Uniforms are not returnable. Starting price is for cotton material and style shown, other materials, modifications, additional trim or other changes will affect the price. Rush orders MAY be available for an additional price, call us about this. A rush order reduces the manufacturing time but DOES NOT include faster shipping, for faster shipping use the shipping option on the "View Cart" page.

    This bustle dress can be worn from 1870s thru the 1880s.

    Although this dress, is a two piece, it's designed to be worn with the large bustle, or padded bird cage style, which we also make. See bustle or call on this item.

     The picture on the left shows it to be a bodice, separate from the skirt. It's pointed in front with a little ruffle look in back. Buttons down front. Long full 3/4 length sleeves that tie above elbow, yet can be made straight and wrist length if you like. There's lace/ ruffle around collar. Bodice has that sort of a jacket look, that they wore then. At waist there's a tie, that goes around and ties in back.

     The top shorter skirt will have material or lace ruffle on the end, along with the lower skirt. Suggest walking length.

     This dress can be made to fit a variety of images, from the everyday woman up through a wealthy upper class woman, depending on material and trim. Prices vary according to the materials chosen and the amount of work that goes into making each dress.

     We do have the have the slip with the train that goes with this dress, although we haven't had the time to add it, along with the large padded bustle, which is cotton shell with poly fill, instead of horse hair. Just inquire at azrahist@aol.com

    Materials: can range from cotton, drapery, and taffeta. See general information above. Call or e-mail Frances to discuss your needs and desires.

    Trim and Style (Use): The amount of trim varies with the intended use and social status of the owner. It can vary from no trim for a simple work/day dress to very fancy for a fancy tea or evening dress. The shopping cart offers five (6) levels for this dress: Plain Day Dress, Day Dress (simple trim), Day/Tea Dress (moderate trim), Tea Dress (fancy), Evening Dress (fancy or very fancy). We will add more pictures to show samples of the different levels as we can. For other variations or amounts of trim, please call or email us and talk about your needs/desires.

    Period: This dress can be made for the 1870s or 1880s period.

    Train: The train can be made as a Straight (Walking) Train, a Short Train or a Long Train.

Measurements needed:
1. Height:  With shoes you will be using (Item 1 from measurement chart).
2. Bust/Chest: Around the chest (Item 4 from measurement chart).
3. Waist: Around the natural waist (Item 14 from measurement chart).
4. Stop Sign: From center of base of neck to the middle of wrist. With the arm straight out and elbow bent with the forearm vertical, like stopping traffic. (Item 10B from measurement chart).
5. Center Back Length: From base of the neck to the waist. (Item 13B from measurement chart).
6. Waist to Floor: From the spot where your waist band goes, over the hips, then straight down to the floor. (Item 17 from measurement chart).

    Or even better fill out Measurement Chart.

Ladies 1870s & 1880s Day, Tea or Evening Bustle Dress Click an image below for a larger view
Sample A	Sample A	Sample A	Sample B	Sample C	Sample C
We DO NOT make identical dresses. DO NOT ask for a dress "just like" one that we have already made. Something must be changed: color, trim, fabric design or dress pattern. Also many of the fabrics shown are no longer available. That is why we don't list specific fabric choices.
Sample D front view	Sample D side view	Sample D rear view	Sample D Bertha	Sample D (left) is made from Silk Upholstery Fabric $1,025.00 as shown
Sample E front view	Sample E front close-up view		Sample E front close-up 2 view

    It's made of pin stripe cotton with two tone for contrast for the ruffles and the bustle in back.

    The bodice/ top has long sleeves, yet can have the 3/4 sleeves for this time period. It comes up to the neck, with a stand up collar and buttons down front, although if you wish can hook and eye down front. And can also have a lay down collar. Also the top is lined and boned and has piping.

    NOTE: If using homespun cotton, plaid or drapery material we do strongly suggest a dust ruffle on the end of your skirt.

Trim:
1. Day - Plain - no ruching / ruffles (Not Shown).
2. Day/Tea - Sleeve and Sleeve Cap Ruching Trim Only (Not Shown).
3. Tea - Full Bodice Ruching and Bows, as shown in picture.

Note: Ruching: material making a ruche. Ruche: a strip of pleated lace, net, muslin or other material for trimming or finishing a dress, as at the collar or sleeves.

Ladies 1873-74 Bustle Dress: Day or Tea Click an image below for a larger view
Front	Side
We DO NOT make identical dresses. DO NOT ask for a dress "just like" one that we  have already made. Something must be changed: color, trim, fabric design or dress pattern. Also many of the fabrics shown are no longer available. That is why we don't list specific fabric choices.

    We can make Formal, Wedding, Reception and Ball bustle dresses for the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s periods. Call, Write or E-Mail with your interests and we will try to accommodate your needs.

    The dress pictured on the left is one that is already made up and ready to ship, it does not count as a "Custom Item". It is a "One of a Kind", as all of our dresses are. Click here for more information on this dress.

    Please Call, Write or E-Mail with your specifications for having a custom dress made. Prices vary depending upon the amount of work and materials used.