Despite all the trouble this gown gave me, I’m so happy with how it turned out! I certainly learned many a lesson about fabric choice, sleeve construction, and general patterning. I’m ready to tackle the next project now, hopefully with less worries. 🙂
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| I like how versatile a polonaise’d skirt can be – wear it up with a walking-length petticoat, or down with a full-length petticoat. I don’t have it pulled up all the way here, just a bit. |
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| Historical Dog wanted to be in the photos, that is, until I tied a bow around her neck, then she wasn’t so sure. |
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| This photo shoot was for promoting the new clocked stocking line (you’ll recognize the picture on the left from Facebook maybe). Legs aside, I finally got a chance to wear the painted and be-ribboned Pemberlies I made ages ago, for this dress. |
The Specifics:
1770s Robe a l’Anglaise
– Based on a gown in Janet Arnold, Patterns of Fashion 1: Englishwomen’s Dresses & Their Construction C. 1660-1860
– Upholstery-weight silk stripe, paired with a silk shantung petticoat
– Worn over prow-front stays, small panniers, and one petticoat.
– Stockings and Shoes from my line.
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36 Comments
Mona
August 7, 2012 at 6:28 PMThat robe is just sooo beautiful! I can't believe someone is so talented in sewing clothes worn so much time ago. I mean it's amazingly original-looking! Just wooooow 🙂
Lauren Stowell
August 7, 2012 at 11:07 PMThank you so very much, Mona 🙂
Maggie
August 7, 2012 at 7:07 PMThis gown turned out beautifully! I love how you've styled yourself too. The photo shoot came out wonderfully! Gorgeous!
Lauren Stowell
August 7, 2012 at 11:07 PMThank you, Maggie!
Steph
August 7, 2012 at 8:35 PMJust GORGEOUS!
Anonymous
August 7, 2012 at 10:21 PMOh my god ! It's wonderful ♥
Kendra
August 7, 2012 at 10:25 PMHISTORICAL DOG!!! Your dress turned out beautifully — altho it was more work to make the bodice twice, I'm glad you did because V2 turned out so great! It was fun to have you at CoCo even if I only did get to see you briefly!
Lauren Stowell
August 7, 2012 at 11:07 PMI really enjoyed your class on the Social History of Hair, Kendra. I look forward to taking more of your classes next year, too 🙂
Kendra
August 8, 2012 at 12:14 AMNext year, more shenanigans!
Zach
August 7, 2012 at 10:28 PMI love it! This may be one of my very favorite things you've ever done–it's just so wonderful!
Lauren Stowell
August 7, 2012 at 11:08 PMThank you, Zach!
Tricia
August 7, 2012 at 10:36 PMAbsolutely dazzling, you look beautiful! What apparel are you wearing under the gown to get the back so puffed out?
Lauren Stowell
August 7, 2012 at 11:09 PMTricia, for undies I am wearing stays, then a bum pad and small pocket hoops, The Ugly Puffer, a cotton petticoat, then the green petticoat. I know typically bum pads and panniers were not worn together, but the back seemed a little flat without the bum pad. The stripe fabric also has a lot of body in it, making for good poufage.
Andrew Schroeder
August 7, 2012 at 11:13 PMPretty fabo!
Lauren
August 7, 2012 at 11:30 PMLovely!!!
Jen Thompson
August 7, 2012 at 11:51 PMWow!!! This dress is absolutely gorgeous! And I love the shot of you showing off your legs. That is seriously sexy! 😉
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:52 AMScandal! haha, we needed to show the stockings, for promo 😀
bauhausfrau
August 8, 2012 at 12:06 AMIt looked really lovely in person too, you styled it all so nicely.
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:52 AMThank you so much, Loren
Isabella
August 8, 2012 at 12:09 AMVery lovely! (And tell the pup my pup approves of the bow! 😉 )
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:52 AMI told Historical Dog. She is still not amused. She will be even less amused with I strap on a bowtie for this weekend's Gatsby event, tee hee 🙂
Becca
August 8, 2012 at 3:49 AMAHHH! You look great! You inspire me to sew more!! Just moved to a new place and still settling in, so be on the look out for a line of little girls dress up 18th century gowns!
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:52 AMExcellent! I look forward to it 🙂
Thread-Head
August 8, 2012 at 5:11 AMIt's glorious. The picture of the back skirts (at top) is so elegant! That draping is to die for.
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:53 AMThank you! I love the adjustability of skirts worn a la Polonaise – wear them long, short, down, up, however you feel 🙂
Cation Designs
August 8, 2012 at 5:33 AMOh my goodness gracious…you've blown me away again! I love the soft colors and your hair and the stripes and oh, everything! Especially Historical Dog!
I have the Janet Arnold book and it's so nice to see what these drawings might actually look like as real gowns. Thanks for sharing these pictures and your whole process!
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:54 AMThanks so much! I sortof went off in my own direction, away from Janet Arnold, but the pattern pieces are essentially the same. I think this JA pattern is a good one to start with, for an Anglaise, as it's not *too* crazy
Isis
August 8, 2012 at 6:11 AMI love it! And historical dog is adorable!
My Patchwork Katt
August 8, 2012 at 6:33 AMits even prettier in person & i didnt think that would be possible!!
Kleidung um 1800
August 8, 2012 at 8:22 AMBeautiful dresssssss, so precioussss!!! And your dog is such a cutie! Perfect photo shoot!
Sabine
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:55 AMThank you!
Kiyotea
August 9, 2012 at 1:26 AMMy friend loves your dog!
And the big picture of you and historical dog, I think that looks so much like it could be a painting! I like the colors and the hair and everything… I
'm jealous. 🙂
Kiyotea
August 9, 2012 at 1:28 AMWhoops. I
'm renowned for not checking my typos.
Haha, oops. 😛
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:56 AMHaha, I'm terrible with the type-o's too, don't worry. Thank you for the compliments. I try to get Avi (historical dog) into more pictures, but she can be snarky about it, lol. Puppy treats usually do the trick 🙂
Katherine Caron-Greig
August 9, 2012 at 7:11 AMIt turned out so beautifully! I'm glad we were able to meet, if only briefly 🙂
Lauren Stowell
August 9, 2012 at 7:57 AMLikewise! I hope to have more of a chance to talk next year 😀