For those who feel as if they were born in the wrong era, The Quintessential Victorian is a place for you to indulge in all things Victorian. Fix a cup of tea, relax, and allow yourself to be transported to the most glorious era in history...

Monday, October 28, 2013

Living the Victorian Life-Archery

This weekend at the Battle of Brattonsville I took up a new sport, archery.
I had a wonderful instructor who was very knowledgeable and extremely patient. 
I never would have thought I would enjoy archery as much as I did and now I am hooked!
Archery was an acceptable and popular sport for Victorian ladies.






Monday, October 14, 2013

Emma's World-It's About Time


 Keeping time in the Victorian era looked much different than the digital world in which we live today.
Instead of an electrical cord or batteries clocks were wound with a key.
 
The clock was powered by the swing of a pendulum.
Some were very ornately embellished.
 
Clock faces varied greatly from simplistic to fancy designs...

 A series of gears, chimes, and other workings kept the clock running.
 
Various types of clocks could be found in Victorian homes including grandfather clocks, 
mantel clocks,
and shelf clocks.
 
Most clocks were eight day clocks wound weekly using a key.
Two holes in the face of the clock were used, one to wind the chimes and the other for the time.
 
The rhythmic tick tock of an antique clock announcing the hour with melodic chimes to pass the time of day is a comforting sound indeed.
How do you prefer to keep time?

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Emma's New Dress

I attended an event this evening wearing a new 1880s ensemble.
Lizzy wanted some love.
 The patterns are from Truly Victorian.
 I hand embroidered the flowers on the front panel and side inserts.
Antique tatting frames the front panel.

 Detail of side panel.
The tassels came from a thrift shop and are backed by a piece of vintage tatting.
Instead of adding a gathered  ruffle to the underskirt I did a pleated ruffle to compliment the Asian pattern of the fabric.
The tasseled trim on the overskirt was a remnant from a friend:).
 The sleeve is trimmed with antique lace and tatting.
 
Thanks for visiting!
 
Blessings,
Kim