Issue 5 - Civil War / Victorian Collaboration Scarlett's Green Curtain Dress by Sata & Haykush Designs

Scarlett's Green Curtain Dress

By Sata & Haykush Designs

Scarlett O'Hara's curtain dress is one of the most iconic costumes in cinema history, symbolizing resilience and survival.  In the book the dress is described as a vibrant moss-green velvet gown  fashioned from curtains that hung in the parlor at Tara.  As Scarlett was desperate to save her home and needed funds to pay the property taxes, she devised a plan to visit Rhett Butler in prison and charm him to get the funds.  Rhett was rumored to have made a fortune during the Civil War on smuggling in goods during the blockade.  For this plan she needed a grand outfit and the only thing she had available was the fabric from the velvet curtains in the parlor.

I used two contrasting velvet fabrics to create this outfit.  I used American Girl Caroline's Parlor as a background for my Scarlett O'Hara photoshoots.  I replaced the original white lace curtains with the green velvet ones to add an original detail to the scene.  My intention was to remove the green velvet curtain in the parlor for this photoshoot, but I forgot to do that!  Let's just pretend there were multiple windows that had the same curtains and this curtain got spared.

My mom has made this dress a few times in the past, so I decided to use her pattern to make one for this collection.  The dress is fully lined with cotton fabric, including sleeves.  I hand-hemmed the skirt and I used buttons in the back for closure.  The dress has a cape draped over one sleeve, a very distinct element of the original costume.  I used golden trim at the shoulder and on the edge of the cape.  The dress features a V-neckline like the original with a small collar.  The golden trim was also used on the skirt to define the edges of the skirt insert.  

To finish the outfit, I made a sash with tassels, a hat and a purse.  The hat is dual sided with dark green velvet on the inside and the light green velvet on the outside.  I trimmed the hat with the golden trim and added tassels and a brooch.  The purse is made with dark green velvet and is fully lined with matching cotton fabric.

Scarlett wore this dress in 1864, when the full skirts were still in fashion.  To give this dress that full look I made a petticoat that has a built-in hoop in the middle and 3 layers of cotton eyelet lace ruffles at the bottom.  I also added green satin ribbon to each ruffle.

In addition to the underskirt, she's wearing Victorian drawers made using "1860s Victorian Unmentionables" pattern by Thimbles and Acorns, and chemise and corset from Bbeauty Dolls.  Given the darker color of this outfit, I decided to pair it with a pair of Victorian Button Boots in brown from Bbeauty Dolls.

I paired this outfit with dangling earrings and a matching necklace set.  The necklace features a magnetic clasp which makes it super easy to put on and take off.  I used high quality 18K Gold plated brass beads with Zircon gemstones and added peridot crystal dangles.

If you ever have a need for custom jewelry for your dolls or outfits that you are making, please reach out to me.  I have collected an enormous supply of beads, crystals, and all the other necessary supplies for making jewelry.

I also wanted to remind everyone to participate in the Photo Contest that Heather has announced in the first issue for a chance to win several jewelry sets made by me.  All you need to do is post a photo of your AG doll or RRFF doll in your favorite Victorian or Civil War era outfit on Instagram with the following hashtags: #civilwarvictoriandolls #bbeautydollsphotocontest

How to find me:

Etsy: https://satahaykushdesigns.etsy.com

Facebook: Sata & Haykush Designs

Instagram: @satahaykushdesigns

The green curtain dress featured in this newsletter will be available to purchase through the link below as an eBay auction:

 https://ebay.us/m/CAfFcy