Pack up your toubles in your old kit bag, and smile, smile, smile.

Moodboard for 1940's lingerie (centre image taken from Sunday Times photoshoot)

Back in the summer, I got asked to design and make Lingerie for ‘John Hansard’s Gallery’ in Southampton. It was for the exhibition ‘Embodied Memories 2011′. My brief was to design and make Lingerie dated around the 40′s era, to be made from parachute silk or something similar, using only sewing methods that were used back then.

A challenge is good, but I was quite unaware about the length of time it would take. Every seam was a french seam, every button had to be hand covered, every button hole stitched using just a straight stitch.

Making every one the same size proved a real challenge, I had to count my stitches, (they were 11 stitches by 3 stitches if you’re interested). Each hook and eye had to be hand stitched on the bra.

With the time and effort it took, I now fully understand why clothes back then lasted so much longer.

Three toiles, two fits, and one deep breath, saw the lingerie come to fit. The hardest part was that the high waisted bloomers had to go over the hips, but then sit tight in at the waist with no elastic. It always a panic when there's no access to the final model, will it fit? Thankfully it did

Welcome to the 40s..........