E-Pattern- 1897 French Bicycle Outfit Pattern- Bodice & Bicycling Bloomers- 30"-44" Bust

Wearing History #E-AC101
E-pattern to print yourself at home using US LETTER or A4 paper. Now also includes A0 size copy shop wide format paper to send away to be printed.

Era: 1890s Victorian

Difficulty: ADVANCED. Please read thoroughly for what is included and what to expect.


This pattern introduces a new line of patterns for Wearing History called Archive Couture. Archive Couture patterns are an exercise for one’s skills, and an adventure into understanding sewing from antique patterns. Please read more details about this pattern below. This pattern was from an 1897 La Mode Illustree magazine.

- - SIZING - -
Sizing retains original period proportions and fit. May require alterations while in the mock up as proportion and fit was different in the 1890's than it is today.

Bust 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44
Waist 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36

– – WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THIS PATTERN – –

-A clean, computer drawn pattern of the basic pattern shapes needed to create the garment illustrated.
-This pattern has been multi-sized, as it was originally only available in one size.
-Original two paragraphs of pattern description and translation from French to English.
-Tips of watch points for this specific pattern during construction and fitting.
-Written tips of making a mock up and using a Pre-1910s pattern
-Period instruction for sewing a pointed placket.
-Unaltered period pattern shape and fit. These pattern shapes retain historical accuracy, however, fit may need to be adjusted in the mock up phase.
-Nine pages of information are supplied to help with using this pattern from period source material, however, there are no step by step or illustrated instructions. Archive Couture patterns are an exercise for one’s skills, and an adventure into understanding sewing from antique patterns


– –WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS PATTERN – –

As per the “About Archive Couture Patterns” paragraph below, what is not included is standard of patterns of this age.

-NO SEAM OR HEM ALLOWANCE- The sewer may add them at their preferred seam allowance width.
-DOES NOT INCLUDE pieces to make the bodice trimming & facings. The dressmaker will need to supplement these by using the pieces included and the original pattern illustration for a guide, as our Victorian sisters would have done. No pieces are included for the gaiters, tie, or rounded collar, as these were not originally included with this pattern.
-NO yardage requirements or cutting layouts
-NO step by step sewing instructions or illustrations. You must be familiar with how to put a garment together using pattern shapes and garment illustration.
-NO finishing techniques

The video below shows how to sew the pointed placket for the bicycle pants:

– – ABOUT WEARING HISTORY ARCHIVE COUTURE PATTERNS – –

Archive Couture patterns are of Advanced Difficulty and recommended for those who are familiar with putting patterns together with little to no instruction, and who are familiar with pattern alterations for fit. These patterns are have been taken from original historical source materials. These sources may include diagrams, overlapping patterns in magazine issues, early tissue paper patterns, or other period source material. The source material was used by experienced home sewists, dressmakers, or tailors of the period from which they are derived. These patterns were only available only in single sizes, with details such as grain lines or buttonholes most often unmarked. Wearing History has clarified markings (where given) and supplied tips for working with these historical patterns. You may choose to have a modern or period sewing book on hand to help with construction and fitting. Archive Couture patterns follow the period shapes of the original period source material, maintaining the historical accuracy and fit of the completed garment. Fitting a muslin mockup is strongly recommended, as all garments were meant to be worn over period foundation garments or corsetry. Fit and proportion of these patterns are different than modern costume patterns and may require alteration to fit your modern body, even when wearing period style foundations. Several mock ups may be required to achieve ideal fit. We believe these patterns should not be lost to time or languish in historical archives, but be made available for historical sewing enthusiasts of today.

- - - - - ABOUT THE E-PATTERN- - - - -

This pattern is tiled into letter sized paper. You will print these documents on your home printer, cut, and tape them together, to form a larger pattern layout. Then you cut and use your pattern just as you would a normal home sewing pattern. This pattern file is formatted to fit on both A4 and 8.5″ x 11″ sizes of paper, and there will be varying thicknesses of white border, which will be cut off, according to pattern instructions. You will need to print this pattern to 100% scale. Open the “READ-ME-FIRST” File for instructions on printing and piecing your pattern.

File Type: PDF
Printing Format: Both USA 8.5″ x 11″ and A4 paper.
Amount of Paper Required: 95 total pages total are required to print all pieces.
Includes 49 pages for bloomer pattern sheet, 35 for jacket pattern sheet, 10 for instructions and cover, 1 for “how to use” sheet. The original diagram for the bloomers is included if you would rather enlarge it yourself rather than trace out our already enlarged and graded bloomer trouser piece.
The download will be done through Etsy. You can find the files under your Etsy transactions in your account.