1887 Bat Costume
1887 Bat Costume 1887 Bat Costume

Reproduction or inspired by an 1887 print labelled "Travestissement: chauve-souris." To be worn at Gaskell's Fancy Dress Ball in October. Because this looks more like a show/costume rather than straight bustle sort of dress, this is a can-can version of it.

1887 Bat Costume 1887 Bat Costume 1887 Bat Costume 1887 Bat Costume

1887 Bat Costume 1887 Bat Costume 1887 Bat Costume 1887 Bat Costume

Items constructed for this costume:

1887 Travestissement chauve-souris bat costume engraving

Inspiration

Print from 1887 of a bat costume 1887 Travestissement chauve-souris.

1887 Travestissement chauve-souris bat costume engraving

batty drawers

Drawers

White cotton drawers pleated into set in waistband, four layers of ruffles on leg cuffs, purple ribbon through beading, three button back closure.

Pattern: Laughing Moon #105 Saloon Girl

batty drawers batty drawers batty drawers batty drawers

petticoat

Petticoat

White cotton petticoat made from sheet set. Five rows of ruffles on inside hemmed with black ribbon. Three rows of ruffles on outside. Set in waistband with hook and eye closures.

Pattern: Laughing Moon #105 Saloon Girl

petticoat front petticoat back petticoat under ruffles

Before outside ruffles and waistband added added. Petticoat can stand on its own.
petticoat petticoat petticoat

skirt

Skirt

Purple polyester taffeta, pleated onto black polyester taffeta circle skirt. Slightly gathered into black waistband, 3 hook and eye back closure, hidden side pockets.

pleated circle skirt pleated circle skirte pleated circle skirt

Pleating with Clothilde Perfect Pleater board:
pleater

Pleats not quite perfect, some didn't iron flat:
pleat detail

bustle

Bustle

Black polyester taffeta, pleated and gathered into black polyester taffeta waistband, 5 hook and eye side closure, netting and twill tape draws inside.

Pattern based: Laughing Moon #105 Saloon Girl. Changed front drape.

bustle bustle bustle bustle

bodice

Bodice

Black polyester taffeta bodice with peplum/pleated back, sheer black short puff sleeves over black polyester lining with black satin ribbon arm ties. Hook and eye front closure.

Pattern base Laughing Moon #105 Saloon Girl. Elongated front, shortened front sides, added another bottom front side dart.

bodice bodice bodice bodice

bodice drape

Bodice Drape

Black striped netting over the shoulder drape gathered and pinned to front with furry bat.

bodice drape bodice drape bodice drape bodice drape

bodice drape bat detail

 

Choker

Black striped netting over taffeta, two hook and eye closure
bat head hat
bat head hat

Hat

Bat head hat, wire frame with fur, black and purple polyester taffeta, netting, yellow felt, and animal eyes.

Newspaper mock up
bat head hat

Wire frame
bat head hat wire frame bat head hat wire frame bat head hat wire frame bat head hat wire frame bat head hat wire frame

Wire frame with some fur
bat head hat wire frame with fur bat head hat wire frame with fur

Final with taffeta ears and nose
bat head hat bat head hat bat head hat bat head hat bat head hat
bat head hat detail bat head hat ear bat head hat



Completed: October 2008