The Red Dress Project: 18th Century Robes de Cour

The next on my list of Big News to share with all of you is that, due to the popularity of the first 18th century patterns (8161 and 8162), Simplicity has asked me to do another 18th century pattern.

Infanta Maria Josefa de Borbon by Giusseppe Bonito, 1758-59. This is a Robe de Cour with a single skirt, back0lacing bodice, and 3/4 sleeves with flounces.

With Georgian and Rococo-inspired productions fueling pop-culture interest right now, it seemed the perfect time to do a bold, bright, fancy gown, something to contrast the more working-class designs we did last time.

A post shared by Jasmine Cephas Jones (@jazzy_joness) on

As usual, because it’s me, I want to do something a bit more on the historical side, so I’m starting with primary sources for Robes de Cour, then merging this with the needed cosplay references. The plan is to make our dress pattern do-able in all colors – red, pink, yellow, teal – and not too-specific, so that sewists can decorate (or not) to their heart’s content to emulate their favorite characters. Cosplay aside, the pattern will still be primarily drafted from original 18th century gowns. Made in metallic brocade with stacked lace on the sleeves, this pattern will make up into a gorgeous robe de cour too.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

Jean-Marc Nattier (artist)
Duchess Maria Anna Josepha of Bavaria – this Robe de Cour has the 3/4 sleeves with flounces too, different from the tiered ruffle sleeves on many.
Marie Antoinette in court dress – fashion plate – this is from the 1770s, but you can see how this style of gown is quite “fossilized.”
Infanta D. Barbara de Portugal, Princesa da Beira e Rainha da Espanha (1711 – 1758)

Originally I thought to make the gown front-closing, like most 18th century gowns, but when thinking about how to deal with the low neckline, especially if it’s split down the CF, there was an issue with the stays showing.  The Robe de Cour, though, was a back-lacing, fully-boned bodice worn with a separate skirt over a broad foundation. Sometimes the ensemble had a separate train attached.

Queen Sofia Magdalena’s wedding gown – bodice interior photo and drawing, researching by Janet Arnold. Scanned image from Isis’ wardrobe.

These bodices had wide, slightly off-the-shoulder necklines, very low, and sometimes had tabs at the waist like stays. They were constructed like stays, with the decorative fabric mounted on the outside of a fully boned lining. For those with tabs, the skirt went on under the front and back points of the bodice, but over the tabs at the sides, like 17th century gowns.

Extant robe de cour of Sofia Magdalena of Sweden, 1766. The fluffy sleeves are still in tact on this one, and you can see the tabs at the waist.

Fascinating stuff,and completely doable, even though it looks complicated! My pattern will have very large pocket hoops, a single skirt, and the bodice.

Excited? Me too! Now I have *a lot* of work to do to get this all done by October, but I plan to share the progress along the way. Stay tuned!

42 Comments

  • Calevey’s Closet

    June 9, 2016 at 4:53 PM

    Still haven't even started the other patterns, but I'm looking forward to seeing your take on the Red Dress!

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      June 9, 2016 at 7:21 PM

      I know, it seems really fast and crazy! Only crazy on this end, though, lol – the Red Dress pattern won't be out until Summer 2017, but I have to have the pattern and sample done by October.

      Reply
  • ZipZip

    June 9, 2016 at 4:55 PM

    Gracious, this is going to be a beautiful dress, and, I predict, very popular…bet you it gets used for wedding dresses, too. Congratulations on the popularity of the initial patterns!
    Very best,
    Natalie

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      June 9, 2016 at 7:22 PM

      I hope it does get used for wedding dresses! It's a beautiful style and won't require a separate corset, which I think makes it uniquely accessible to beginning costumers too.

      Reply
  • Anonymous

    June 9, 2016 at 6:37 PM

    I recently finished my robe de cour and I have to say that in case you look for a pattern, Janet Arnold actually made one for the first issue of Costume. It contains a few surprise, like people expect the boning layout to mirror the typical 1660s dress boning layout. But it's actually different and that makes a difference in the shape it creates.

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      June 9, 2016 at 7:23 PM

      Is the Janet Arnold pattern in Patterns of Fashion? I recall the 17th c. bodice pattern in there, but I'll have to look again for the Robe de Cour (or is it a different book?)

      Reply
    • Anonymous

      June 9, 2016 at 8:43 PM

      It's in "Costume" the Journal of the Costume Society in the UK. Not readily commercially available, it's an academic journal. Go to your local university library, there's a good chance they'll have a subscription. Until her death in 1997 Janet Arnold (among her other articles) periodically published pattern drafts of extant garments that were not included in the Patterns of Fashion series. Warning – this journal (and its companion publication, "Textile History") is a whole, delightful rabbit-hole unto itself!

      Reply
    • Isis

      June 10, 2016 at 6:53 AM

      You can buy just the article in iteself if you go to Costume's webpage, though it isn't exactly cheap. I have it and used the pattern for my yet-to-be finished cour.

      Reply
  • Anonymous

    June 9, 2016 at 7:28 PM

    This is AWESOME!! I can't wait to see it as well.
    Are you going to be adding in the "nude" panel with lace overlay from the book's description (ie, possibly as a modesty panel for those who aren't quite so brave to go unsupported in the front?)

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      June 9, 2016 at 8:00 PM

      I'm thinking of having two neckline options – the straight across you see on the original gowns, and then a sweetheart neckline option. It won't be "down to her third rib" like is described, but a tasteful plunging neckline meeting at a center front seam that each sewist can leave open or sew up as they like.

      Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      June 10, 2016 at 12:16 AM

      There may not be room on the pattern tissue for sleeve options, but if we aren't able to fit them, then it's something we can "hack" later 🙂

      Reply
  • Unknown

    June 9, 2016 at 8:14 PM

    WOW! You certainly have your work cut out for you but I fully believe it will be wonderful when you get it all done. Good luck and get cracking!

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      June 10, 2016 at 12:17 AM

      Thank you! For this one my first task is to make some seriously big pocket hoops, lol. Luckily those are easy and quick 🙂

      Reply
  • Sparrow's Flight of Fancy

    June 9, 2016 at 8:14 PM

    Started the Outlander pattern 2 weeks ago and have followed your instructions on how to add more boning and am also handsewing the eyelets!! Cannot wait to get this pattern!

    Reply
    • Rosa

      June 10, 2016 at 10:56 AM

      Oh yes!!! That feeling sounds very familiar:-) Really, they seem to be living things sometimes, with minds of their own:-) One bonnet I'm working on now definitely feels that wayXD

      Reply
  • Rosa

    June 9, 2016 at 8:24 PM

    I kinda wonder if it would work for a Period Lolita dress, to be honest, it's just so awesome… though the neckline would have to be higher:-D

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      June 10, 2016 at 12:14 AM

      Anon, it depends on the changes you make. If you're adding a skirt to the bodice to make a jacket, for instance, then yes, you'll need more fabric.

      Reply
    • Anonymous

      June 10, 2016 at 12:21 AM

      Thank you. I am going fabric shopping this weekend and just wanted to know if I needed to get a bit more than the pattern said.

      Reply
  • Unknown

    June 10, 2016 at 1:15 AM

    Are there any plans to do the "New Look/Bar Suit" ensemble or other costumes from season 2? I'm hoping I make some sort of sense!!!

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      June 10, 2016 at 1:58 AM

      Not as a pattern from me, but I do believe JP Ryan is working on a riding habit pattern that could be used for the bar suit jacket.

      Reply
  • Unknown

    June 10, 2016 at 11:45 AM

    Good God, I wouldn't know where to start with something like this but oh, that red dress from Outlander!!! I am completely in love! I haven't seen any of this series yet but now I really, really want to. I will definitely follow your progress with awe. xx

    Reply
  • Winter Moon Art

    June 11, 2016 at 5:47 AM

    I think I've seen others make this request, but please consider a version that would allow for self-dressing! Thanks! PS, Have made and completed both the chemise, stays(with the extra boning) and gown from your first Outlander patterns. Very pleased with how they came together. Can't wait to do more with the hacks as you post them. Thanks!

    Reply
  • Sanna K

    June 14, 2016 at 2:00 PM

    Congratulations on your success with the previous pattern! It's really exciting that you get to make a court dress pattern. I think it can be a bit challenging but it's a really good idea to make it more authentic than the movie version!

    Reply
  • Jen in Oz

    April 14, 2017 at 12:27 AM

    I see it's now available! (Yay! I've been hanging out for this one!) Will there be a later release of an appropriate petticoat? "Includes pattern and instruction for panniers for underneath the skirt to create fullness and structure. Petticoat not included."

    Reply
  • Bethy{aka}lilsis

    April 16, 2017 at 10:01 PM

    Have you considered a bar suit one yet?

    Psst- will be checking my Joann's to see as soon as they get this pattern in!

    Reply
    • Lauren Stowell

      April 17, 2017 at 1:00 AM

      We won't be developing any more patterns inspired by the TV show costumes, but we do have other 18th cebtury historical patterns in the works.

      Reply

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