Planned Projects for My 18th c. Ladies

What’s in the works here at American Duchess?

KCI’s embroidered voile Regency gown, plus Janet Arnold’s open
robe, done up in gleeming red taffeta.  Deadline for this is
December 18th, so the embroidery will probably be simplified.
Marie Antoinette‘s dove grey riding habit, my version in pale blue velveteen,
using Janet Arnold’s riding habit pattern, with adjustments.
I’m dying to try a little tricorn hat, like this one from Marie Antoinette.
I love these blue and yellow stays from LACMA.  I’m thinking of a version
in olive green and gold.

Pierrot jacket from the Kyoto Costume Institute, my version to be done
in olive green, and definitely with the fringe!

7 Comments

  • Lauren Stowell

    November 5, 2010 at 11:55 PM

    I reckon I'm dillusional. The riding habit coat I know is going to take ages over the winter, because I want to try out the tailoring techniques I recently learned. The green stays and tricorn hat will be soon-ish, but the regency stuff has priority, especially if the Great Basin Costume Society party ends up being December 11th instead of 18th. All that embroidery would be lovely, but probably not possible (for me) by this time next month!. At least I already have patterns ready for both the pieces.

    Reply
  • Steph

    November 6, 2010 at 12:07 AM

    I know this is probably a faux pas, but could you do some of the red embroidery by machine? Free-motion quilting is an artform in itself and takes some practice to master, but still do-able by the time of the Costume Society party.

    Looks great, I'll be watching for these as they develop.

    Reply
  • Anne Elizabeth

    November 6, 2010 at 9:47 AM

    Oh, I can't wait to see the red open robe! It is going to be amazing. Will it be worn with the KCI dress or are these for two different people? Because that would be so nice together with the matching colours.

    Reply
  • Lauren Stowell

    November 6, 2010 at 4:12 PM

    Alisa, the robe and the embroidered gown will be worn together, but it's looking like the event I wanted to make them for is being moved up to December 11th (possibly, I hope not!), so I may have to do the red robe and hold on the embroidered dress, or at least save the embroidery for later. I did espy some stitches on my machines which might make for some simple yet effective red stitching on the dress so I may try that, but if I run out of time completely I have a fall-back voile regency gown.

    All of these things are for "myself" in that I plan on making them to my spec, but with the intention of selling them in the boutique later.

    Reply
  • MrsC (Maryanne)

    November 7, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    Lauren instead of embroidery, how about appliquĂ©? I've often used an appliquĂ© style embroidered lace, cutting out the patterns in it, and machine or hand sewing or visofixing them into place. An embroidered net even would work, just cut the net away. Much quicker than embroidery but just as delicious, and a little fabric goes a long, long way when appliquĂ©ng like this. If you've seen the Laurel Dress on the Dreamstress' blog this is a bit of an example of what is possible, even though in that case the full technique is too obviously machined – appropriate for 1911 but not for 1790! 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply