Flappers & Fiction

This practical dressmaking guide, authored by Emily H. May in August 1883, offers Victorian readers detailed instructions for a fashionable new-style wrap. The piece provides step-by-step assembly directions and pattern layouts to help women cut and sew their own “petite visite” garment from small-checked cloth.

Featuring ten distinct late-Victorian garment designs, this 1883 fashion guide outlines detailed assembly instructions and fabric requirements for everything from ladies’ morning wrappers to children’s play suits. Emily H. May curated these practical clothing patterns specifically for the August issue of Peterson’s Magazine.

In the July 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, author Emily H. May guides readers through creating a versatile girl’s frock. The piece outlines detailed instructions and full-size patterns to construct either the “Princess” or “Saxon” version of the dress using fabrics like cashmere or gingham.

This article, written by Emily H. May for the July 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, provides detailed descriptions and styling advice for a variety of late 19th-century garments. It details diverse attire ranging from elegant women’s morning and house dresses to practical, embroidered frocks and suits for young children.

Written by Emily H. May for Peterson’s Magazine in May 1883, this fashion article introduces the latest, most stylish “Postillion” corsage bodice. It provides detailed assembly instructions and a diagram supplement to help readers recreate the sophisticated, plaid-accented Victorian costume.

Published in the May 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, this article by Emily H. May provides a detailed look at the latest seasonal fashions for women and children. It features various high-fashion ensembles, such as promenade and walking costumes, alongside practical descriptions of materials like sateen, foulard, and silk.

This April 1883 article from Peterson’s Magazine, written by Emily H. May, introduces an elegant “Visite Mantle” for spring fashion. It provides detailed instructions and pattern references for constructing the garment using camel’s-hair cloth, lace, and fringe.

Written by Emily H. May for the April 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, this article provides detailed dressmaking instructions and material requirements for various contemporary fashions. The text serves as a guide for creating stylish late-Victorian attire, ranging from elegant ladies’ afternoon and walking costumes to practical outfits for young children.

In the March 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, Emily H. May provides a detailed guide for constructing a fashionable young girl’s frock. The article includes specific instructions for using supplemental patterns to cut, gather, and assemble the garment’s various components.

This article, titled “Every-Day Dresses, Garments, Etc.” and written by Emily H. May, was published in the March 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine. It provides detailed descriptions and material requirements for various late-Victorian fashions, including walking costumes, house dresses, and children’s outerwear.

Written by Emily H. May for the February 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, this article provides detailed instructions and a diagram supplement for creating a stylish “Panier Bodice.” It describes the garment’s construction from five specific pattern pieces and highlights decorative elements such as a moiré sash and palm-leaf outline embroidery.

This article, written by Emily H. May for the February 1883 issue of Peterson’s Magazine, provides detailed descriptions of the season’s latest fashions. It outlines a variety of stylish garments, ranging from elegant walking costumes for women to practical outdoor wraps and attire for young children.