Wake the Heart & Stir the Soul - 1830s Photoshoot

Happy Valentine's Day - wishing you pretty flowers and chocolates, ribbons and ruffles, and all that your heart desires!  Just for the occasion, I thought it befitting to finally share the results of a late-summer photoshoot that features my red-hued 1830s dress and the poetical gem, "Love's Coming" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox.

Awaiting Love that wakes the heart and stirs the soul!
(Photograph by Maria M.)

Location & Clothing Details

Way, way back in August of 2018, Maria, the sister and photographer extraordinaire, indulged me in an afternoon photo shoot along the Erie Canal.  Our specific location was Pittsford Village's Erie Canal Park, or what we've come simply, yet fondly to call "the canal."  It's a favorite spot for a summer stroll, and where we often walk Finn, our golden retriever puppy.  There's a little, corner treat shop where Maria will get her gelato and I, my fancy coffee fix.  The path travels right along the Erie Canal, and can be quite busy, full of pedestrian and bicycle traffic, or just right for quiet contemplation.  Once I walked six miles, happily lost in thought and the experience, before realizing that I'd past a third lock and had yet to turn around.  (I even had the sunburn to prove it!)   Anyways, since it's completion in 1825, the opening of the Erie Canal forever changed travel and trade, making it the perfect backdrop for a late-1820s to early-1830s dress.

The location of our photo shoot:
Erie Canal Park in the Village of Pittsford, NY

For the photo shoot, I wore what was at the time a newly completed late-1820s to early-1830s striped dress, featuring liberal use of bias cutting and self-fabric trim.  Many may recognize the extant garment from the Snowshill Wade Costume Collection (below) as the main inspiration.  This fashionable silhouette was supported by the wearing of a chemise, corset, small bum pad, three petticoats (one corded and two tucked) and sleeve plumpers underneath.

Dress, c.1825-1830
Snowshill Wade Costume Collection
Source:  National Trust Collections, 1349130

My version, complete with a basic front, back and side views of the dress:  (Eventually, there will be a follow up post for the making of this project, as there are plenty of interesting construction details to discuss)

Front view.

Side view.

Other side view.

Back view.

To complete the look, I accessorized with a ridiculously ruffly chemisette, green silk belt and reproduction buckle from Ensembles of the Past, and beribboned net cap, which is featured in the blog post, here: 1830s Cap of Lace, Net & Ribbon.  I am also wearing stockings with matching, red side-lacing boots from Amazon Dry Goods, and occasionally appear holding a paisley-printed, pashmina shawl.



Completed Project Shots

As always, I am infinitely grateful to Maria, the sister and photographer, for her time and for allowing me to share the products of her talent with a camera in the following: *All photographs courtesy of Maria M.* 

She had looked for his coming as warriors come,

With the clash of arms and the bugle's call;

But he came instead with a stealthy tread,

Which she did not hear at all.

She had thought how his armor would blaze in the sun,

As he rode like a prince to claim his bride:

In the sweet dim light of the falling night

She found him at her side.

She had dreamed how the gaze of his strange, bold eye

Would wake her heart to a sudden glow:

She found in his face the familiar grace

Of a friend she used to know.

She had dreamed how his coming would stir her soul,

As the ocean is stirred by the wild storm's strife:

He brought her the balm of a heavenly calm,

And a peace which crowned her life.

And finally, what kind of photo shoot would this be without a silly outtake?
Searching for Love - is that what I spy across the canal?

The poem is "Love's Coming" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, an American poet (1850-1919). 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a very Happy Valentine's Day!