Dona Madre Overskirt

Based on a pattern diagram for a winter costume in the February 1875 issue of Peterson’s Magazine and a pattern issued as a supplement to the Harper’s Bazaar Magazine on July 25, 1874. The Mantua-Maker has placed the full text of both sets of directions at the end of the instructions. Between these two patterns, and many other illustrations and photographs, she has designed a set of variations on a very popular theme. This style of over-skirt was often called an apron tunic. The fashion term tunic generally meant over-skirt. The front piece was often called a tablier, which is French for apron – and because the word is French, so much more fashionable than the English apron.  You will need an underskirt or foundation skirt to wear under this over-skirt, which is not included in this pattern (to keep your cost down). The pattern is named for The Mantua-Maker’s mom. Doña is a Spanish word for lady or noblewoman, and Madre means mother. This pattern includes 12 pages of instructions with historical tips and quotes, and 2 pattern sheets.