Little Women Inspired 1860s Wrapper Gown || A Dress for Beth March
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- Опубліковано 19 сер 2024
- Thank you to Greta Gerwig’s Little Women and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for sponsoring this delightful project!
Greta Gerwig's Little Women is available now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital, and to mark the occasion Sony asked me to create a dress inspired by Beth March! I decided to make Beth a typical 1860s wrapper gown.
This newly released version of Little women includes over 45 minutes of bonus features, including a deep dive into Jacqueline Durran's Oscar-winning costumes for the film.
I am not alone in this endeavor! All four March gals got a new dress, so check out my "sisters" and their creations:
Redthreaded as Meg: / @redthreadedcorsets
Angela Clayton as Amy: / @angelaclaytoncostumery
Rachel Maksy as Jo:
/ @rachelmaksy
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Costume Details:
Pattern: KayFig Lady's Wrapper (KF611): www.figleafpat...
Fabric: Silk Sarcenet with a lining of Cotton Sateen, both from Burnley and Trowbridge: www.burnleyand...
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BEAUTIFUL
Thanks sis!
Beth is FINE! Beth is FINE we're ALL! FINE! 😭
So beautiful, Taylor!
HAHA! I filmed that a month ago but it definitely feels very relevant right now!!!
It seems you were all assigned your perfect sister. Sony definitely did their research. ❤
It really did go perfectly! I'm impressed with how well they nailed it!
This is giving me all the feels for an alternate universe where Beth is the spinster aunt for all her nieces and nephews when they need a quiet place to just *be*. I imagine with such a large family, things can get quite boisterous and overwhelming for any introverted members of the March clan and they'll always find a safe haven with Aunt Beth.
I LOVE how the cherry blossom petals slowly stuck the to the hemline, something ethereal about it.
That was such a magical place! We went very early one morning so we could make sure it wouldn't be crowded (for social distancing purposes, but it worked out for filming, too!) and it was beautiful.
I straight up started bawling when you said you were going to go forward as if Beth grew up. My mother very much wanted me to be a Beth-type, being very selfless and giving all the time; and as I grew up living up to that expectation, I found that all that giving and pleasing others left me drained all the time. I had no personality of my own and no love left for myself. So Beth broke my heart in the book, because she takes that burden on gladly, and it comes naturally to her to suppress her wants to help others; but if she had just been a little more selfish, she might have lived enough to come into her own and learn to love herself as much as her sisters loved her. My beautiful sweet girl, I’m so glad to somehow see her grown ❤️ and choosing a wrapper is perfect. I remember in the book at the Christmas after she recovered from the scarlet fever, she was given a scarlet wrapper, and you just knew from that moment that she came down the stairs wrapped in scarlet that that disease would never truly leave her
She is a very complex and touching character! Generosity can be a double edged sword sometimes ❤️
I have struggled between being too much of a homebody who wants to make everyone comfortable to be as successful as Joe, but also needing to reach intellectually beyond what I was given. I was supposed to grow into a people-pleasing wife, and it also drained me more than I was already drained by chronic illness and ADHD. I wish I had been more selfish and come into my own earlier. It's tough, isn't it?
@@melissamybubbles6139 I know I’m way late, but this reads like you are telling my story. I hope you are well.💚
@@its_me_jen_jen9204 Thank you so much. I'm in some ways better than I've ever been, and in others, still struggling. Such is life, but I'm more at peace now. I hope you are well. It's quite a journey.
Louisa, in real life, frequently beat herself up over the way she and the others took advantage of Beth's selflessness and gentleness, and after Beth got sick fought viciously for her care and rest, personally nursing her. She actually echos what you say in her diaries - that if Beth could have cared more about herself, and cared more about her own happiness, and been more like a typical young girl, she would have possibly lived longer. But she was so quiet and so patient and so selfless that people ignored her pain.
she survived to see her sister married in a casual way, she might have attend her sisters marriage in such a dress (though in the book the dress is described as a silvery drab so maybe a very pale green or a very light tan). the marriage took place at home and her sister declare 'she wasn't a show'. Also before her death her favorite thing was to make small gifts for the school children who had to walk past their house to get to school, needle books, pen wipers and gloves and mittens were amoung the gifts she made. They repaid her with kind notes and smiles. i could see her living with her older sister Jo at Plumfield school and doing the same. Making thing of use and making life happy for those who she loved.
I like to think she would grow up to be a piano teacher!
I am chronically ill, and one of my illnesses has weakened my heart. Without modern medicine I wouldn't be here. I've been feeling scared because I live in Tacoma WA and I have lots reasons to worry about what will happen if I get sick, and this video was a little overwhelming... then your cat went for the orchid and now I'm dying of laughter. I have 3 cat goblins who chew on my orchids, and that was just the most relatable moment lol. Thank you for leaving it in!
P.S. your kitty is absolutely ADORABLE!!
I'm so glad you enjoyed little Oliver! He is a terror but I'm so grateful to have him especially right now. I hope you stay well! I visited Tacoma last year (Lakewold Gardens) and it was beautiful!
@@DamesalaMode thank you! It's beautiful here at least when it's sunny lol. Oliver is so cute! I love gray kitties.
You 4 made better dresses then the movie... Beth is the most out there but overall remind me of the Winona Ryder little women. Which is the best in my opinion
I need to do a little women movie marathon!
When ever I see Beth, its the image from the 90s film, of her coming down the stairs and the piano is gifted to her. Love Beth to pieces.
Omg that part always makes me cry
rachel sent me! i'm starting my very first attempt at sewing a garment by myself tomorrow to help challenge myself and feel productive while socially distancing so am in need of more wholesome movie inspired sewing content to encourage me :3
Good luck!
Yay! That is very exciting! Good luck with your first garment - you can do it!
Good luck, I hope it turned out well. I am doing the same right now and it's taken me almost two weeks but I love it.
This is the third of you ladies I have seen making the "Little Woman" gowns. I must say I love them wall so far. Now I can't wait to watch the last little woman make her version. I love plum and strips that fabric is the shiznitz of silk and cotton !!!!
It was really fun to see how each of us interpreted our sisters!
So sensitive and lovely. We all wish she could have lived and had this lovely gown for herself.
It felt very special to make something just for her :)
I just want to say that one of Beth's Christmas gifts in the book, their second Christmas when their father comes home, is a "Red cashmere wrapper" presumably a lot like this one. So Beth does get this dress, in essence, and Alcott talks frequently in her letters and journals about making accessories and garments for the real Elizabeth Alcott while she was alive.
You are the perfect Beth as I imagined her if she lived through. I imagine her to be the only sister not to marry, and take care of the Mother and Father in their old age.
I imagine Jo March-Bhaer's Plumfield property as the gathering for a summertime reunion(as is what happened in the book) Thanksgiving would be at Meg and John Brooke's and Christmas with the Marches, with dear Auntie Beth as the hostess. Then a grand affair at Laurie and Amy Laurence's for the New Year!
I really loved the dress and the making process video. I am definitely trying that piped seam!
Thanks so much!
The amount of stripe matching on this gown is beyond divine.
Thank you! That always adds a bit of challenge to an outfit but I just love stripes so much!
I think you captured Beth perfectly. She was my favorite as a little girl and when she died in the ‘94 version (I hadn’t read the book yet) I cried. I haven’t seen the new version but based on the book the ‘49 version and the ‘94 version (my personal favorite other than the book) this gown is Beth. I always wished we could’ve seen who she would’ve grown into and seeing this gown makes it real. So beautiful!!
Thank you! I hope I did her justice!
The dress turned out beautifully! I love how swishy the silk skirt is. I’m also very glad I’m not the only one who wraps herself in the fabric when it arrives!
It's step#1 to any costume!
Love your analysis of Beth and the choice of gown for her based on that. As a housebound chronically ill person I agree that Beth would want a simple, elegant, and looser style which wouldn’t be too hard putting on or taking of for when she needed to rest. That’s all I want myself. ❤️
I am really tempted to make a shorter more casual version of this as a modern house dress!
I found this wonderful series via Angela Clayton. But I'm so happy I did. she might be a perfect Amy, but she needs the rest of the sisters to flesh out the story and ground her costuming fantasies. I'm very happy to have found your channel. Congrats on Beth, it was beautiful.
Thank you so much!
🤣🤣🤣 it was published in the 1860’s so... if you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting on! 🤣
Hahaha, right?!
Beth is also my favourite March sister. The first time I read the book, I remember whispering to myself "no, no, no, don't die Beth, don't die".
She is truly a lovely and wonderful character ❤️
Beth is my favorite March sister, too. I love your color and fabric choices and how you matched it to the character in the film. Seeing the construction of the wrapper style was really interesting - not what I expected.
it is definitely a wacky style! I'm so glad I got a pattern - I wouldn't have figured that out on my own!
It's very "March sisters" to make do with what you have. You did a wonderful job!
I’m a chronically ill musician and Beth is my favourite too, for obvious reasons hehe. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to her character! 💖
What a lovely idea for Beth! You really took the prompt to a wonderful place and I can totally see a grown-up Beth wearing your morning dress :)
Thank you so much!
The bit where you just wrapped yourself on the fabric and draped it around is so relatable!
My grandmother's, who lived through the Depression, made piping with found materials. Shoelaces, postal string, or yarn as you did. You can also use "petit cording" which is without the cord, just the folded tape.
Cording is always made with narrow biased tape (1.25 in) to allow it to go around curves without pulling things off kilter. The easiest foot to use while sewing cording is a simple zipper foot that allows the needle to run along the side of the foot and next to the cord.
I liked this video.
Nice work!! I love the final product. A hint for cartridge pleating thinner fabrics - fold the top edge over so you'll be sewing on the fold, and cut a strip of a thicker fabric (like flannel) and insert it inside the fold. This provides bulk to fill out the pleats, and makes the whole thing more secure :)
Yes, that what I did on a recent Venetian Renaissance gown, but this fabric is so thin that even testing that method I couldn't get it quite thick enough!
“I’m just gonna pretend that Beth is fine... this is my version and I want Beth to make it. So I’m just going to pretend everything is fine.” This is the most relatable thing tbh. Beth’s death has always been such an injustice to me, as someone who really connected with her character.
I couldn't agree more!
i love every syllable of how you frame the making of your dress--from the inspiration to fanfic it a little to the why's and wherefore's of the style of the gown. perfection! [chef's kiss]
Thank you!
Oh, how lovely! It looks cozy and elegant at the same time. The finishing-touch jewelry give it that little something extra. Beth would be the envy of her sisters in this gown!
😁😁😁
Wow I love this. The final reveal brought tears to my eyes. Beth totally deserved to have a beautiful and comfortable dress like this. I really like the style and fabric you chose, it felt very fitting and respectful to the character. I'm grateful for this collaboration/sponsorship because I have followed Rachel and Angela for quite awhile but you and Redthreaded are new channels to me. I admire your craftsmanship and your personality made this fun to watch. Well done 💙
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
This is so beautiful! I love that you joined “Team Piping” in the end. And Yes. Meg would have loved this dress, as she played piano after her morning tea.
What a wonderful gown for Beth! I read a lot of L.M. Montgomery - she wrote a lot more than Anne of Green Gables - and there is always talk of wrappers, now I know what one looks like! BTW - 19th and early 20th century books for girls like Anne and Little Women are an excellent way to escape the quarantine blues.
I have just finished rereading the whole Anne series and I think I'm going to look into the rest of Montgomery's works - I have read any of her others!
The cat and the orchids!! Giggled out loud and watched that part again.
Love this! It’s really cool of Sony to reach out to you guys for this and I hope it inspires more productions to do similar! Great job. :)
I was really excited and I hope so, too! I'd love to see more costumer interpretations!
I haven't seen the newest incarnation of Little Women, I have seen two other versions though. The one with Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon is my favourite of two I've seen.
Loved watching the four of you creating something for each of the sisters and how different each of your approaches was.
Sniffle it was SO SAD when Beth died :-( I'm glad she got this lovely, lovely dress because she is FINE
SHE'S FINE!!! 😊😊😊
M`Dear, this video has it all! Solid historical and sewing-technique information, humor and personality and beauty in the outside shots, the gown and you!! Thank you for this!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Just Perfect! Taylor you continue to be a sorce of Admiration and Envy - at least by me!! Sony's choice of 'Beth' was spot on! Congratulations!!
Aw thanks so much!
This is what Beth absolutely deserved 🥰🥰🥰
i always envision, had Beth lived, that she would be the kind aunt that always has a hug ready for her nieces and nephews, and would even enjoy playing the pianoforte for them, or even teaching them either in her parents' home or at the school Jo started in Aunt March's old house.
I also see her as still doing things for the downtrodden, even though she, herself, cannot deliver whatever she has made for them. I can see her slowly coming out of her shell, however, and play at small social gatherings at the Lawrence household during Christmas festivities--even if it's just for the immediate family.
this dress was amazing and the color does go perfect with Beth (it's 2022 and i still have not seen the newest version, but i can easily see the 1940s or 1990s Beth wearing this dress!)
It’s an honour to see anyone bring the Little Women girls to cosplay and glad you appreciate them in the way that I do.
Thank you!
Dames a la Mode just curious if you saw Beth as having dark hair, to me she really suited that red wig and the look I thought worked, I’d love to know your opinion.
I am watching this and I am totally amazed. I am not a seamstress at all, I never knew how much work was involved. Beautiful! I can totally see Beth in this garment. Thanks for taking us along.
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it!
I love the bit where you get the fabric and start wrapping it around yourself. It makes me really feel the excitement of a new project 💕
About the back fitting. You may have a narrow back, but it may also be that your shoulder blades are more prominent than is accounted for in standard patterns. That would push the fabric away from the small of your back. Slashing and spreading extra width in the princess seam area and then adding a dart at the shoulder seam (and widening any waist darts) would probably help.
OK, you have made me cry. That is the loveliest "practical" dress I have ever seen. Thank you so so much (and Sony too) for sharing this. I never really liked the book (that's just me) but I love the everyday clothing of the time. My great-grandmother (alive when I was a little girl) was born in the 1860s so her mother would have been wearing a dress like this.
Aw thank you! It is very nice to have a gown that is both practical and lovely!
Wow, gorgeous dress. The fabric is fabulous, you did a wonderful interpretation for Beth. Spot on😍
Thank you!
Lovely, prior to you mentioning the dampened hem, I thought perhaps you added a trim...lol...then realized it was damp....glad it dried well....Beautiful gown..
It was so funny how it turned out to be the EXACT same color as my velvet sash! It was a very odd coincidence!
@@DamesalaMode agreed it looked deliberate...lol...
I have a chronic invisible illness & am on disability, - I wear corset-like back & hip braces - & I had breast cancer - so even before quarantine most of my going out was to various doctors - so this is the dress for me ! That open front might even work for breast exams ! Thank you so much for this video !
What a beautiful graceful gown, I love Beth too.
Beth is my favourite too and I love how you envisioned her the gown was so beautiful and oh my goodness your skills are incredible! You looked so beautiful in the dress those colours really suited you I think a nice shawl would just finish it off I always picture her being cold xx
Yes, a shawl would be the perfect addition to this!
In new England at that time, I think that it's a given that she would be cold.
I can see Jo splurging on a nice silk shawl for her Beth.
I'm sure Beth would love your take on her dress I know I do
Aw thank you!
Beautiful work, I still think I love the version with Winona Ryder and Claire Danes as Beth when Beth dies, I watched it with my friend when we were both a uni and I lost her in 2016 to an undiagnosed heart condition so it now makes me sob even harder. Thanks for this lovely video 💌
That corset is a miracle worker!
Truly love this recreation. I was always fascinated by the clothing descriptions in the book. You created a beautiful piece. I really appreciate the fact that you used hook and eye tape. Simple ways to cut corners but keep the integrity of the project are always helpful.
Oh it turned out SO beautifully! Beth would be delighted. Love!
Thank you!
Oh my goodness. So beautiful. Beth’s my favorite too. And, even more than the stunning historical evening wear,I absolutely adore a beautiful Wrapper Gown.
I'm so pleased to better understand body shapes, my dresses haven't fit because I have the opposite problem with a short torso. Thank you for helping me see I'm not weird and this is a real problem for many people- the typical commercial made to wear clothes are not one-shape-fits-all
I find it fascinating that she is so good at coordinating fashionable and well fitted classic clothing but then is wearing jeans that are easily 2 sizes too big and crocs. The juxtaposition is fantastic😂 the work-woman-ship😘 is brilliant and I had a great time watching you make this.
Loose jeans (or yoga pants) and crocs/flip flops is 100% my aesthetic in real life lol! I find it very odd that I am drawn to elaborate historical costumes when I can't even be bothered to wear nice clothes in everyday life haha!
Fabulous work! I wish I could sew. Little Women is my favorite!
You guys did such a good job! Love the cherry blossoms so uplifting in this time of being stuck indoors. I love the stripes and the colors. Very Beth if she lived.
Everything about the timing worked out so perfectly that I finished these right as they were blooming!
Thank you for making such a different and pretty dress, I learned a lot by watching the technics and the way is constructed. I also think beth would wear it.
Love the dress and that Amy lives at least in your version. Totally enjoyed this whole concept would be great if more movies did this. I agree with others the choice of who portrays who was perfect
Thanks! It was *very* cool to see how we all interpreted each character differently! I hope more movies do this, too!
The amount of care and heart you put into this project and video has made this my favorite of the little women dress series! I also had to subscribe and am looking forward to binge watching your videos during quarantine
Aw thank you so much! That is a high compliment indeed - everyone did such a great job on their "sister"!
It came out stunning...Beth would have loved it....I cried so many times throughout that movie.
Simple, but beautiful! And, yay to your piping success!! This makes me want to make this pattern.
Gorgeous! 😍 I love the flowy & drapey bodice front of the wrapper. Well done!
Thank you! The fabric ended up being so perfect for what I envisioned!
Awww, sweet Oliver! Loved his cameo, and I am SOOO happy you got this opportunity! 💛💜💛
Hehehe. I couldn't possible edit him out :)
This turned out so beautiful! I love the thought you put into it. And I bet you wet hems are 100% historically accurate :)
I just watched all four of you lovely ladies make your Little Women costumes, and I have to say that yours is my absolute favorite!! It's so gorgeously simple, but has all those details that make my heart flutter. That piping was worth every second of uncertainty and fiddling, GAH I can't get over how perfectly you brought together the glorious fabric and all the elements of this gown!
Aw thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I really loved seeing how each sister interpreted the character - there was so much variety!
@@DamesalaMode yes, I think each of you really captured the spirit of your respective sister!
I got lost, completely reveling in your photo shoot in the beautiful park. We were transported back in time. Then suddenly saw cars whizzing by in the background and I was literally shocked back into reality. I didn't want to come back. 😔 So beautifully done!
Hahaha! Thank you :)
Oh my goodness, it's PERFECT! And so well thought out. Thanks so much for making this!
Just gorgeous. And you were scared of the piping, you aced it.
Thank you! I love how it looks!
The dress is beautiful and others below have said this better then I have. Sooo....
The kitty just wanted the orchid so bad, it was so cute.
I had to move it up to a high shelf because he just couldn't bear to leave it alone 😹
Never thought a costume video would make me bawl! Such a gorgeous gown. Beth definitely deserved a dress like this!
Aw I hope they were happy/touched tears! Thank you :)
i had no idea that some 1860s dresses had that sort of drapey front opening piece over the bodice (that part that was secured at the end with the belt) really cool! and awesome video!
I didn't either, honestly, until I got this pattern! Such a cool feature and makes it great for changing figures (or wearing it uncorseted!)
Beautiful dress! Well done! Inspiring!
Thanks so much!
The blossoms gathering at the bottom of the dress looked beautiful
really beautiful - love the tone of the fabric
It really is a lovely color. It was so nice to work with!
The dress is absolutly beautiful
Thank you so much!
wow it looks beautiful! And you're so excited, it's adorable. You give off some Beth vibes too I can see why they picked her for you. Amazing work🤍
Beth is my favorite too!
Woo hoo! Team Beth!
the gown is just plain lovely, and you look lovely in it.
Beautifully done. Will give piping a try now too.
I came here from Rachel Maksy and will now be binging your videos. You are just so delightful and your enthusiasm is contagious. Thank you for making me smile on a stressful day.
Aw thank you! So glad you're enjoying them ❤️
Gorgeous!! The fabric choice is stunning.
Thank you! It was such a delight to work with this fabric!
It came out so beautiful! You did such a great job with this!
alright, I think I know what my next sewing project will be. The dress looks absolutely lovely on you!
I’m so excited about this pattern! Thank you for this video, we are doing the little women in our theatre here in SC and the pattern is from here. Can’t wait to try this. The dress turned out beautifully!!!
It seems just the kind of thing Jo would buy to spoil Beth right after getting a commission for one of her stories. ❤️
Aw what a lovely thought ❤️
WOW! beautiful. Thank you for the fitting techniques.
You're welcome! Hope they help :)
This is such a beautiful gown.
Thank you so much!
I loved hearing your thought process for the gown. ❤ I am now subscribed and will enjoy more of your videos. (Kitty: oh look, mom is recording. I'll just get in front of the camera. Now I'll chew on the orchid.)
Thanks so much! Oliver the kitten says hi 😹
i love this dress. i think it is my favorite. i did like Rachel's Jo as well.
Thank you!
Oh I'm so happy that this project led me to find your youtube channel!! I love your work so much and can't wait to see more :D
Thank you! I hop you enjoy everything :)
Me too .
I need to make a similar dress!! It looks so beautiful!
Love listening to you - so lovely - and the dress is beautiful
Thank you so much!
@@DamesalaMode Very welcome - thank YOU for sharing!
And i feel u with the slim bottom back. I always put darts in the back.
Nice work! Piping is great stuff. 😄
Those sleeves are wonderful! I really like the shape.
Thank you! They are so comfortable and roomy, too! I'm so used to wearing tight 18th Century sleeves and these were like a vacation!