Simplicity 8881

[madamemodiste]

So I've begun the new Ren gown. I got out my Simplicity 8881 that I used 10 years ago only to find that the only piece that is cut out is the over skirt.

? o_O ?

I'm wracking my brain trying to figure out how that is possible. I made the dress. I'm looking at it right now. How is only the overskirt cut out of the pattern? I was just learning to sew then. Did the girl helping me loan me her pattern, and later I bought my own? There are no tracing marks on the pattern, so I didn't trace it. I have no memory of it! And here I thought I'd be one step ahead because I thought the pattern was already cut out! LOL!

One trick that girl taught me was instead of inserting boning, cut a sheet of plastic canvas to the shape of the front of your bodice and flatline it to your interlining to get that stiff, conical shape that was popular. I think something more period correct would be to use buckram or serious padding, but I am trying to use stuff in the stash and am not concerned with being period correct in this instance.

OK, I'm off to cut out fabric now! Wish me luck!

[edit] Ahh! The plot thickens! There are two copies of one of the pages of directions in the pattern bag. This proves there was once another copy of this pattern! I wonder what happened to it?

Comments

[centuriessewing.livejournal.com]

I think the bodice is split all the way down and then might up the front with a hidden set of lacing strips and then hooks closed. The lacing strips would take the strain of the gown being closed and the hooks and eyes would hold it shut.

Or if you use just hooks and eyes the large coat sized ones should hold together well. I have yet to make that style of gown, but I used them on a doublet without too many gapping issues.

Few other paintings in the same timeframe/similar style

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60861613@N00/3931699170/sizes/o/in/photostream/

http://www.elizabethan-portraits.com/Elizabeth124.jpg

http://www.elizabethan-portraits.com/Elizabeth1.jpg
Hard to tell on this one but might be front opening bodice

http://www.elizabethan-portraits.com/Elizabeth20.jpg

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thanks for the visuals. Very helpful! And I'm so glad I can make it so I can get into it by myself. Thanks for the help!