Women Dress to Impress at the Victorian Festival in Northville

The Victorian Festival in Northville is a time to embrace all things Victorian. Sometimes that calls for wearing a pillow on your derrière.

"You can't have too much embellishment, too much lace, too much anything," said Janet Urbahns, a vendor at the Victorian clothing sale Thursday at Mill Race Village.

The pillow fits into what's called a bustle, she said, which women used to emphasize their rears.

>>See Urbahns, owner of Stitches In Thyme, showing the different parts of a women's Victorian dress in the video above.

Urbahns, of Northville, made the Victorian style dresses by hand, which is not an easy task considering all of their components. A traditional women's dress included a wide hoop skirt, a separate blouse and a bustle.

Women would often complete the look with a cape, which range from simple to decorative, and a hat.

Urbahns said her dresses take her 20 to 40 hours to make. Those interested in her pieces can reach her at 248-349-4534.

Have you decided what you will wear to the Victorian Festival this weekend? Tell us in the comments.