Revolution Dress – Coming to the End…Sortof

I’ve spent all day sewing on the Revolution Dress, for this weekend’s festivities, Gaskells Ball and Pirate Faire.

The gown is done (yay!).  I’m proud of it!  Lilly’s not wearing stays, so she’s kindof burstin’, but the bodice does fit very nicely over my own body, in stays, and is relatively wrinkle-free (though there are still some warps, I shall never best them!!)

I plan to polonaise the skirt, but it can be worn down too, with a slight train

…but the whole costume is not complete.  I’m wearing the cream-colored taffeta petticoat for the formal ball on Saturday, but Sunday the gown will be paired with an open-weave striped, walking-length petticoat…that isn’t done yet. I also need pockets, a fichu, and to trim my new, big straw hat.

Here it is polonaised.  It’s tied up just once on each side.

So it’s almost there…but not…but almost!

The back.  It rumples where it hits the petticoat waistbands underneath.  I’m thinking of adding a line of boning down the center back, to help this.

16 Comments

  • ZipZip

    June 16, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    Dear Lauren,

    Wow, and even more wow in the color combination. Might I ask wherever you found such suitable lace?

    Very best,
    Natalie

    Reply
  • Lauren R

    June 16, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Hi Zip,
    I got the lace at a local store called Mill End Fabric. They have a ridiculous selection of lace, although it's different every time (hence the "mill end," once a fabric or trim is gone they won't get any more in).

    Reply
  • Sanna K

    June 16, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    Woah, that's so beautiful!Personally I prefer the skirt when it's not polonaised, actually! Great work, I enjoyed following the whole process!

    Reply
  • Madame Berg

    June 16, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Stunning! The colour is so perfect and the buttons the icing on the cake… Or if it's the lace. Must see it on!

    Reply
  • Lauren R

    June 17, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    Thank you so much, everyone. There is a second impression for this gown, that will go to Pirate Fair, with a walking-length skirt made from striped, open-weave cotton stuff, and I can't wait to show you the whole thing together, I mean, the hat, the wig, the two skirts, the shoes.

    Lydia, I like the skirt down a lot too. It drapes nicely in the back, but last time I wore even a slight train to a ball my skirt almost got ripped off! Hence the polonaise, hahaha.

    I'm so glad you guys like it. I know it's not dead-on period accurate, but I was going for the overall look, and I'm really pleased with it. I'm glad you are too!

    Reply
  • Jenny

    June 18, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Accurate, schmaccurate! GORGEOUS! The haters I read about on your fb page need to go hand stitch their own mouths shut. You are so talented. I still want to be you when I grow up. 🙂

    Reply

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