Before Costume College, I was making plans for a new 1790s gown in purple taffeta, called the "
Robe Royaliste." I decided on a chemise style like the lovely green/gold gown in The Duchess:
I've never done a gown like this before, but I enjoy patterning and trying to figure stuff out, and was eager to use the knowledge gained in Jennifer R's sleeve-fitting class I took at Costume College.
I was also eager to try out my first standardized body block I cobbled together after having so many fit issues with the Parisian Gown. It was a combination of a stays pattern drafted from
The Custom Corset Pattern Generator, and an old
Simplicity Renaissance faire bodice that somehow magically fit me. The paper block fit my dress form, at least...
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| I added an additional inch to the shoulder strap, to drop the waist and open the armscye a bit. |
A quick muslin toile also fit, along with my first solo-drafted shaped sleeve (what a bitch to draft, honestly, but I learned a lot)...
The gown is a drop-front, with a smooth back, and a gathered front panel that buttons or pins at the neckline and also the waist. Wary of slicing up an expensive silk, I'm testing out my patterning hubris with a cheap taffeta I found on sale for $1.99.
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| It actually looks how it's supposed to look so far... I are pleased! |
Most of this is pinned together here, but I'm surprised at how quickly this gown is moving along (famous last words?). I'm beginning to hope/believe that perhaps there will be no horrible fit or pain-causing issues, and it may even be possible to have range of motion through the shoulders (zomg!?).
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| Skirt and sleeve just pinned on to give an idea. |
So here's hoping for luck through the rest of this project. :-)
