V15: 1912 Titanic Abbey Dress Progress

I’ve been on an Edwardian binge lately, and working ever so diligently on my 1912 gown.

I know it’s only January, but why not go on and get something done early, for once?

One net panel on the front, so far.

Normally nothing I sew goes together easily, but this dress seems to be working out pretty nicely.  I haven’t had any major “uh oh” problems (yet), although working the straight beaded edge onto the curved bodice was a challenge.

The sleeves will be a challenge too, as the net will need to be roll-hemmed on curves, and this stuff doesn’t fancy it.

The lavender sash will cover the waist.  The waist is higher than my natural waist, but not quite up there in space, right under the girls.  The bodice has a little boning in the front, with one horizontal bone across the bust, to give the mono-bosom prow front.

I received a fat parcel full of all four Janet Arnold “Patterns of Fashion” books last night, from the incomparable Joe and Nyxie, bless their little cotton socks, and instantly put Patterns of Fashion 2 to work, drafting a very basic under skirt – 3 pieces with slight goring, based on the Laurel Dress pattern.  Something like this:

More to come next week. 🙂

p.s. The Laurel Dress pattern to which I refer regularly is found in Patterns of Fashion 2: Englishwomen’s Dresses & Their Construction C. 1860-1940 , along with lots of other gridded patterns from the 1860s through the 1930s.