A few days back I got the bee in my bonnet to start sewing on this 1790s chintz gown, inspired by the Museum of London gown everyone loves so much:
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| Museum of London Chintz Gown- this fabric is of course far lovelier and more subtle than the dark ground Indienne chintz I have. I don’t think my final product will do this gown justice, as my fabric is so big and loud… |
I hacked up my Robe Royaliste pattern, shortening the waist up to the empire line, then added the sleeve pattern from my 1780s cream Indienne gown (the only sleeve I’ve ever drafted that actually fits), and there we go.
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| The back of the bodice with the skirt just haphazardly pinned on, so I can see how it will sortof look. This fabric doesn’t mirror patterns, so I tried to cut the pieces so that there would not be any obvious repeats, especially in the center back (had this problem on my ivory version, and it bugs me to this day). |
I decided to deal with the drop-front portion of the gown after completing the back and underbodice on the front, since it will take some mocking up to get the neckline. In the process I was tickled to find that without the bib and front skirt panel, you just have an open robe.
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| Fitting the under-bodice over my new Regency stays. The bib will lap over the top, covering the boobular region, but only just… |
There must be something magical about this fabric, because it just goes together so nicely. (famous last words?). I have the other sleeve to put on, then the trained back skirt. After that, I get to deal with the bib and front skirt, but I’m hoping with a little experimentation, this will go together nicely too. 🙂
7 Comments
ipatchandquilt
June 21, 2013 at 11:31 PMLove the fabric! Love the richness of the colours!!!
Esther
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Rachelle
June 22, 2013 at 4:19 AMGorgeous, I'm trying to find fabric locally that would work for something like this without breaking the bank.
Lauren Stowell
June 22, 2013 at 4:44 AMThanks! If you have a Lowes nearby, they'll have these curtains, also in the ivory and red colorway. Joanns also has a blue/yellow colorway that's quite pretty too, in the home decorator fabrics.
Angela
June 22, 2013 at 5:05 PMThis looks fabulous Lauren. I have a bee in my bonnet to make a Regency wardrobe. Why? Hell if I know. Well, The GBACG is having a sailing event on the Martha Washington and the Chieftan on the Bay in October – it is a Regency event. Then I hope, cross your fingers…I can save the money to go to Bath, England for the Austen Festival in 2014….might as well start now so I am NOT sewing up to the last minute! 🙂 Cheers
Amanda
June 23, 2013 at 6:24 PMLADY Washington, Martha is the name of the figurehead. (I am related to the guy who carved her name plate.)
Never been on her in period costume, maybe someday.
Hana - Marmota
June 22, 2013 at 5:17 PMOpen robe indeed! That's fun.
I'm looking forward to seeing your cording at the neckline. 😉 Good luck!
Anastasia
June 23, 2013 at 8:54 AMI absolutely adore this fabric! I must have been a sofa in my past life because a have a real thing for large, rich floral patterns.