With the impending date of an 1830’s Romantics Era picnic at Ardenwood Farm put on by the Greater Bay Area Costumer’s Guild, I commenced work on my gown. Pinterest was the first place I headed for inspiration. There are so many examples of dresses from the era, it was easy to find several that I could draw from for designs. Finding fabric was next and then building all the undergarments. I never did finish ALL of the undergarments, but I did make a set of stays, a shift, drawers (aka bloomers) and a corded petticoat. And I was also gifted a second petticoat that helped fill out the dress as well. Hard to believe there should be MORE underneath the gown, but there is - Sleeve puffers, some additional petticoats and a bum ruffle. I’ll save that for next time or for the Dicken’s Faire.
Read moreModern & Vintage - Combine your patterns for a Retro Look
This Dress was a long time coming. I started working on it in November of last year. Originally, I intended to make it from a wool crepe and that the red rayon would be a wearable muslin. Using the Colette Patterns Oolong Dress pattern (purchased for 1/2 price, when they were discontinuing the pattern), I decided to make one modification - add godets to the skirt in the princess seams to give it a little flip and flare....
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