Sense and Sensibility's Regency gown, in a
blue-on-yellow cotton calico print ($1/yard, Wal-Mart). This pattern made up quickly and the
directions are straightforward (and the online assistance is valuable, too),
but fitting this gave me fits! Evidently
I am much longer from shoulder to bust than average; the underbust seam
originally hit me across the points of my breast -- so of course it didn't come
close to closing in the back. I had to
add two inches to the bottom of each bodice piece, and widen the sleeves. Luckily, they're all simple shapes and this
was not difficult (and I had enough fabric to redo the bodice). My changes are detailed on the S&S page http://www.ehow.com/how_5178367_fit-pattern-elongated-neckline.html Once this was done, the underbust seam was
exactly the right diameter for me without adding any width at all. I also found the sleeve bands aren't wide
enough to easily put in buttonholes for attaching the removable long sleeves; I
ended up slipstitching the sleeves in and can remove them when I need to wear
the gown in warmer weather. The bonnet
is an original design by a very talented friend of mine, Shenlei
Winkler.
My first Civil War ballgown. The bodice is from the Fashion Historian
Simplicity 5724 ballgown; the box-pleated skirt is a copy of one in the Morris
County Historical Society collection.
Made up in a bright salmon moire (deeply discounted on Philadelphia 's
Fabric Row) with a ribbed cream bertha and cream grosgrain ribbon trim on the
skirt. The bodice pattern is very easy
to work with, and the design of the sleeves -- a sleeve within a sleeve --
ensures a nice puffy shape. I redesigned
the back so that it closes with a row of small shell buttons, rather than
lacing up the back. As I am
hair-challenged, I made a simple headpiece on a headband with silk leaves and
berries matching those on the bertha.
This withstands waltzing well. It is now in the collection of a friend of mine.
A Civil War one-piece daydress based on the Past
Patterns Garibaldi shirt (709) and drawing on originals in the Morris County
Historical Society collection. The skirt
is just three lengths of fabric cartridge-pleated onto the same waistband as
the bodice. I put a pocket into one of
the seams. This dress has a dogleg
closing, meaning the buttons run down the center front, then the waistband
continues to the side, where the skirt pieces overlap in an opening. This is a soft cotton plaid flannel from the
$1 bin at Wal-Mart, and took less than a week to complete. (Why am I standing that way? I don't know.) Unfortunately, it turned out too big for me (so it's available for sale).