Dear Lacemakers, Recently, I wrote about short lacemakers having, at times, to stand up to see the back of their work on lace pillows. Since so many of us have shrunk as we have aged, this does pose a problem. Even with adjustable tables, you do have to have room for your knees when setting up a table and chair. I recommended a costume book by Kay Staniland, that gives many photos of Queen Victoria's clothing, and mentioned that costume experts had found a need to make shorter mannequins for the clothes she wore in her later years. Someone wrote to say this could be because she wore high heels in her early life. I have gone through the book, which has portraits and specific photos of shoes (anyone writing about fashion must include shoes -- a subject of great interest to many people). In the Princess Charlotte section, I have examined 6 photographs of shoes. In the Princess/Queen Victoria section, I have examined 11 photographs of shoes belonging to her and to her children. The style of all is what we today would call a flat or ballet slipper. The soles can be seen in some. They appear to be one piece that extends from toes to heel. In a couple, there is an added heel that looks to be about 1/2" or less. This is in line with what I remember in museum exhibits in London. The shoes were held on the foot by long ribbons that crossed the foot and tied around the ankle. Given the floor-length very full skirts and petticoat layers the Queen wore, my thought is that to have worn heels would have posed an accident hazard. It has never seemed in group paintings, that she cared about her height, and for years she was pregnant and probably sought comfort. Anything resembling a modern high-heeled shoe would not be practical. I'm inclined to agree with Staniland, that the Queen lost height as she aged. A description of a pair of Princess Charlotte's shoes says "they are identical to any made at the time. Only her satin indoor shoes have survived, although she must have had much stouter shoes for day wear and for her rambles round the Claremont estate." It says such shoes could have a very short life: those who participated enthusiastically at balls needed several pairs per evening. No wonder they had to be tied on!! To repeat, the book is "In Royal Fashion - The Clothes of Princess Charlotte of Wales and Queen.Victoria 1796-1901". In color. The 2 wedding gowns and Queen's coronation wardrobe are worth studying. The other book to get from InterLibrary Loan or a Lace Guild library would be "Royal Honiton Lace" by Elsie Luxton and Yusai Fukuyama, Batsford, 1988, ISBN 0-7134-5764-3. No color. In addition to details of Queen Victoria's wedding gown and veil, there are other Royal items and gowns made of Honiton lace. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
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