A couple of months ago I had questions about constructing my first
early-19th century gown. So many of you were very helpful--many thanks!
The corset went well, as did the petticoat and shift. I wore the gown to
my first English Country Dance ball.
Here's a pic:
http://www.uvm.edu/~hag/ballgown.jpg
Here's what I like/don't like/plan to do differently next time:
1) Fabric: I always tell myself not to get sucked in to fabrics that
aren't authentic looking just because you liek them. I didn't heed
myself this time: I absolutely fell in love with the fabric. It's an
embroidered sheer. The colors/pattern would do better for an early 20thc
entury dress, but I couldn't resist. sigh.
2) The underdress/lining is a pale green silk shantung. Shantung wasn't
my first choice, but it was on super sale at fashionfabrics and I
thought for a first attempt I'd better mind the budget.
3) The sleeves are a variation of a gown in the McCord museum. The
petals are a bit ballet-costume maybe.
4) The pattern is basically from Nancy Bradfield's "Costume in Detail"
gown from 1823, drawn on p. 119.
5) In the pic I drew in the neckline ribbon a bit too tightly in the
front. Should be worn with the neckline wider.
But generally, I'm pretty happy with it! I also made a white day gown
that's a much closer replica of an 1815 gown in Bradfield but no pics yet.
Comments that would be helpful for the next attempt would be welcome!
Next up: for the holidays, another ball gown, probably a taffeta, late
teens-early 20's, solid color with piping details.
- Hope
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