Updated Post on the DIY Bat Dress Pattern from EvaDress
All links have been updated and work as of October 2016.
All photos in the main collage are by Cynthia DeGrand at cynthiadegrand.zenfolio.com. They can be found on EvaDress’ Blog here.
This is an advanced sewing project from EvaDress. The Bat Dress was inspired by the illustration Travestissement Chauve-Sourisin in La mode Illustrée, Journal de la Famille,1887 below.
About the EvaDress Patern
The $28 pattern by EvaDress can be bought at evadress.com here. You can also buy the Bat Dress Pattern on Etsy here.
The 21 piece pattern includes:
pieces for the wings
corset bodice
flounced skirt
gloves
polonaise
fichu
The dress comes in the following sizes:
Size set A: 33" to 39" bust, 22" to 28" waist, 33" to 37" hip
Size set B: 41" to 45" bust, 28" to 34" waist, 39" to 43" hip
You can find a post on making the Bat Dress Gloves here.
The Bat Dress Crinoline Progress is detailed on EvaDress Blog here.
EvaDress’ daughter made the Bat Bust Ornamentation using paper and fabric mâché.
Other Bat Dresses
Sewing to Distraction has an entire post dedicated to her experience sewing the EvaDress Bat Dress here.
For another interpretation of the Bat Dress, check out Darling and Dash’s post here. The Bat Headpiece was made from, “Black striped netting over the shoulder drape gathered and pinned to front with furry bat.”
Bat Dress Background
There is an excellent post on Victorian Bat Dresses on Cogpunk Steamscribe here, titled: The Victorian Batgirl: a Steampunk Feminist Perspective
Below is a Victorian German photograph of a “Bat Woman” costume found here.
Another Bat Costume photograph is from the Museum Victoria here.
Lastly, check out this Bat Fan from the 1900s that sold at auction here.
“Hand painted, exceptionally rare miniature bat fan. On thin shaved wood. One of the most unusual items we have seen. Wingspan 3.5 inches. Circa 1900.”
I am so unspeakably jealous of people who can sew this.
