1770s Powerpuff Polonaise Progress

I’ve been working little by little on the pink polonaise I started last weekend. It’s been incredibly tricky to figure out, but it appears to be working.

I re-fit the side pleats and back seam, and after more fiddling, I see I need to take another side pleat. Those side pleats are vital for fitting the front hang-y bits, which do hang close to the bodice, but are not sewn down. If I ever make one of these again, though, I would include the pleats in the pattern piece and cut it to omit them completely (if that makes sense), like Merja did on her Coqueluchon (hooded Polonaise).

I have made a lot of progress, though. I put the sleeves together, piecing in the pink cotton that will underlay the organza sabot cuffs. I made the sleeves quite short, and intend the sabot cuffs to come up quite high on the arm. An additional rufflepuff will emerge from the sleeve, to just below the elbow.

Enormous cuffs and lots of trimming on this one. Good inspiration, though mine won’t be quite so lacy. (via)

Also very deep cuffs, and a good view of the back seams, and how the skirts are drawn up. (click for a larger view)

I also fussed out the waistcoat-y thing, which is attached to the gown at the side seams. This little piece is pretty vital, as it holds the back of the gown in place, for that nice tight fit.

Waistcoat futzing – may need to take a little tuck in the waistcoat, to get it to lay smoothly over the petticoat, but then again, this style seems to want to be a bit casual and rumpled

I still have so much to do – set the sleeves, finish the waistcoat, and piece the heck out of the matching petticoat, which may or may not work. I’m enjoying this project, though! It’s such an unfamiliar type of gown, and I like the challenge.

My goal is to look as good as Johanna!