Simple Sewing: 1930s (Probably) Bed Jacket

Bed Jackets

As someone who regularly sits up in bed reading until the wee sma's, I can't believe that I don't already have at least one of these in my wardrobe.  I have decided to rectify the situation. 

There are so many different styles of bed jackets.  A cursory search on Pintrest will show you all manner of confections from flimsy lace & silk, to quilted flannel.  Some are very simple and some are ruffled and puffed and flounced, cropped versions of pajama tops.  It appears that the more jacket-y of bed jacket styles was popular from the later 1930s-1950s.  The looser, more cape-like styles seem to be popular before that.

These two glorious samples are from the Met:

This one is dated 1939-1959. 

And this, 1920-1939

 

One of the earliest I've found is this "pattern" outline.  It is clearly from the 1920s, but I could not find a source or a specific date on it:

This one is dated 1935, from Eva Dress Patterns:

This is the Magic Bed Jacket, originally from a 1930s edition of Fashion Service Magazine published by the Women's Institute of Domestic Arts & Sciences--really it's a bed caplet:

And this, is the Cozy Bed Jacket from the blog Sentimental Baby.  It is undated, though the style of illustration & instructions looks similar to those from the Midvale Post--could be late 1920s:

All of these look quick & simple to make--which is just the kind of project I need after my recent sewing struggles.  I need some instant sewing gratification, not to mention the fact that the nights are chilly and I have a new novel that is begging to be read. . . like tonight, if possible.  So, as adorable as that cape is, I will save it for a later date and will attempt the Cozy Bed Jacket pattern.

Mockup accomplished!  It fits!  I'm shocked!  And pleased! 

On to the proper fabric:

Here are the final Historical Sew Monthly stats--

What the item is: bed jacket

How it fits the challenge: This is for March's Theme of "Small is Beautiful."

Material: brocade.  It's something of a mystery fabric: I have no idea how old it is or from whence it came.  I think I was gifted this.  The lining is a bit of rayon/ silk blend I had in my stash again of mysterious origins.

Pattern: self-drafted from the blog Sentimental Baby. 

Year: I *think it is a late 1920s pattern.

Notions: a bit of a gold ribbon also from stash.

How historically accurate is it: very. I did a very simple version; many of the extant garments I've seen have added appliques or lace or whathaveyou. 

Hours to complete: roughly 5.  7 counting the mockup. 

First worn:Valentine's Day weekend. 

Total cost: $0