You see…it all started when I suggested that someone should have a Gatsby themed party to ring in 2020. Complete with costumes, a secret password to get in, and awesome music. I was the one that ended up throwing said party, and it was a BLAST! This was right before covid came in and uprooted everything. Ever since then, with ever time period that gives me dopamine, I’ve been obsessed with the 1920s and it’s fashion since then. Now, don’t ask me which era is my favorite, because it depends on the mood, what movie or show I just watched, and a slight shift in the air. I’m joking on the last part.

So anyway, I’ve been obsessed with cocoon robes. I’ve actually been obsessed with Mimi’s, caftans and all of that-so it just made sense for me to fall in love with this style of robe.

I started by looking up pictures of cocoon robes on google. I saw the Paul Poiret style, and while beautiful-it wasn’t exactly what I as looking for

And then I saw the style that I wanted. It would be a bay wing cocoon coat, and I got my inspiration from these:

I just LOVE the way it drops, and notice the little neck scarf with the tassels on the left, that little bit of extra did it for me!

On to the sewing!

Now this was super easy to do. I would say for me the hardest part was the draping by eye to get it just right. Typically for a cocoon robe, you can put the fabric over your shoulders, and connect each corner on each side (the top and bottom), leave room from the edge for your hands to get thee, and then sew it. I made a video documenting the process! Overall it took me about 2.5 hrs to do, with most of it figuring out the draping.

Happy sewing!

Did I just get my sewing mojo back? I think I did! When I say that I haven’t actively sewn anything without rushing it because I pushed it off to the last minute, I mean I haven’t done so in YEARS! So it feels good to get back into my groove.

I actually took the time out and started writing down the projects that I want to accomplish this year. I used to tackle projects one by one, and with having ADHD -I would lose focus easily because my brain would also want to do 101 other things. So I would convince myself that I can’t start a new project until I get through my current, and because I lose focus, it took me longer to want to pick it up again to finish, and that in turn frustrated me. It was a weird little vicious cycle. I decided that this year, by having the projects already written, I don’t have to stick to a set order. And I plan on dedicating at least 1 hr a night to sewing. Whether it be hand sewing or machine work, or just drafting and cutting out the patterns, 1 hr is a good springboard for me. And hey-if I feel like keep going even after I hit the one hour mark? Even better!

So anyone, with all of that said-I want to show you a quick little project that I did over this past weekend. Most of being done while hanging out at my sisters house.

I hand stitched a pair of engageantes for my 18th century gowns! Better yet, I upcycled a lace shirt that I snagged at Goodwill to make it. I have enough left over to make a lace tucker, and I believe just enough after that to make a lace ribbon choker! And I spent maybe $2 on that shirt!

I haven’t photographed them finished with the complete ensemble yet, but here are some progress pictures.

I still need to edit and narrate my 1920s cocoon robe video and post it here and on my Instagram reels for you guys to watch. And then of course make a blog post for that detailing the process. Which wasn’t hard at all actually!

So I am going to try to get my measurements and draft out a scaled down pattern to make an Edwardian walking skirt before I go to bed. Happy costuming!