Sewing The Edwardian Bicycle Jacket Part 3: Finishing The Jacket and C

Now that all the pieces of the Edwardian Bicycle Suit are complete, it’s time to bring the full outfit together. Edwardian women embraced specialized sporting attire that carefully balanced modesty with a growing desire for comfort and freedom of movement—and this ensemble reflects that shift beautifully.Layer One: The ShirtwaistThe foundation of the outfit is the shirtwaist, one of the earliest forms of women’s activewear. By separating the bodice from the skirt, women gained far more comfort and flexibility than traditional one-piece dresses allowed. Early shirtwaists were modeled after men’s shirts and ranged from very plain to quite decorative. For sporting suits, however, simpler designs were preferred. These fit smoothly under a jacket and could easily be dressed up with a tie.For this Bicycle Suit, the shirtwaist and tie come from our earlier tutorial using the Button-Up Shirt Bundle by Liberty Jane. Other excellent options include fitted or lightly puffed sleeve styles such as the Laura Shirtwaist and Sporty Shirtwaist by Thimbles and Acorns, or Turn of the Century Shirtwaists by Flossy Potter. Find all these patterns in our Edwardian Era Fashions Collection! The Skirt: Freedom with ModestyAs women participated in more physical activities, traditional skirts proved impractical. While trousers were still socially unacceptable, split skirts, bloomers, and knickerbockers became the approved alternatives.For this ensemble, the Edwardian Bicycle Skirt provides the perfect solution. Its clever design allows freedom of movement without sacrificing modesty or the appearance of a proper feminine skirt. This made it ideal for bicycling, tennis, skiing, and even boxing. (Be sure to revisit the Bicycle Suit buttonhole tutorial if needed.)Footwear ChoicesFootwear mattered. Most activities called for sturdy, calf-length boots to protect the feet and ankles, while lighter sports like tennis or golf favored canvas plimsolls—the early predecessor of the tennis shoe. Several pattern options are available for historically appropriate footwear, including spats, lace-up boots, combat boots, and oxfords. Find all these patterns in our Edwardian Era Fashions Collection! The Final Layer: The JacketThe Edwardian Bicycle Jacket completes the look. Its distinctive shoulder-buttoned design allows for greater upper-body movement and can be worn open or closed depending on weather conditions. While the tailored sleeves date closer to the 1910s, they can easily be swapped for puffed sleeves to create an earlier Edwardian or Gibson Girl silhouette. Finishing the JacketThis week’s tutorial video walks you through the final construction steps—sewing the lining, finishing the interior, and completing the last tailored details of the jacket. Take your time with these final steps. This is where all your careful work pays off and the jacket truly comes to life.Next week, we’ll wrap up the Edwardian Bicycle Jacket Sew-Along with a fun Edwardian-themed surprise, so be sure to join us for the final installment!

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