18th century gown ideas

[madamemodiste]

Thank you guys so much for the wonderful 18th century gown photos for my new fabric! Since I'm easily swayed and love to do group projects, I'm going to jump on the Polonaise Bandwagon and do Georgiana's gown from The Duchess (Thanks to bauhausfrau for the screen shots!). bauhausfrau even supplied me with a pattern that everyone seems to like: Period Impressions 1770 Polonaise and Petticoat pattern. Though one could also use Butterick 3640 (left hand version) in a pinch.



This all makes perfect sense as one of my favorite gowns from Marie Antoinette is her blue stripe polonaise (thanks to padawansguide's Costumer's Guide to Movie Costumes for the screen shots



All that floufiness is soo delicious!!



I think the fabric I have is a silk taffeta. I'll have to ask Beth for sure. Maybe it's faux? I don't know. It does seem to have a crispness to it, so I think it will work! I hope there is enough of the stripe to do both the overgown and underskirt plus trim!

Comments

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

Honestly, if the overskirt is the solid gray, with the upper polonaise being the stripe? It would be fabulous.

OMG I want one soooooo bad. *sigh*

Maybe in a year or two. :) I have like three things I have to make first...

N.

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

I have to stick to authenticity in this case. The entire overgown would have been of the same material. It was usual to do the underskirt in a coordinating material, though, and I have plans to make an alternate underskirt in the solid silver.

So other than your 19th century maternity gown, what do you have up your sleeve?

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

I want to make a variation on my pink outfit (from SalonCon). I'm changing the collar to a ruffle collar from an Issak Mizrahi pattern, and want to make it double breasted instead of with a panel underneath. To do that I first need to make a muslin of it, then I'll do it in the cream! embroidered! silk! that I got at a closeout. It's soooooo beautiful. That will be paired with an overskirt in a solid color that matches some of the embroidery.

I know it's not authentic, but I'm not big on authenticity. I love the silhouettes but want to do modern twists on things. I love everyone else's historical stuff though. The maternity gown will be authentic though.

I also bought fabric (and need to iron & cut it) for a baby quilt for my baby, a second one for a friend's baby, and a baby sling.

I got day of the dead skull fabric for my baby quilt (http://quiltingasyouwish.com/sales/index.php?main_page=product_fabric_info&cPath=90&products_id=826)!!! WHEE!!!! I think they are SO cute!

Yes, we will be having a goth baby, thank you ;)

N.

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

This (http://pics.livejournal.com/midnightstation/pic/0001q0w2/g21) is the pink outfit I was talking about.

And I'll be changing the collar to be like this one (http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V1052.htm??tab=designer_sportswear_br_suits_coats_jackets&page=1) when it's up, not down. It's Issay Miyake, and not Issac Mizrahi. Whoops. I get my "IM" designers confused sometimes :)

My biggest concern about making it now though, is that I won't be able to wear it, or really properly fit it for a long time, as my belly is already poking out.

Man. I cannot wait to see your polonaise. It's going to be beautiful :)

N.

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

You and I must be on the same pattern wavelength! I also got that PI Polonaise pattern for Christmas. Comparing it to Janet Arnold, the shapes appear to be pretty accurate. But the instructions on construction look like modern substitutes to me (if I'm remembering correctly, I don't have the pattern in front of me now).

To tell if your fabric is silk, you can (carefully!) burn a small piece. If you get a sort of natural ash, it's probably silk. Synthetic fabric will melt instead of burning into ash. I had to do this when ordering some silk off of ebay, because the seller seemed sketchy. But lo and behold, it was real silk!

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the description of what the "burn test" is. I've always heard of it, but no one ever said what the results would be or what they meant!

I don't mind if the instructions are modern. As long as the pattern pieces are cut period accurate, I'm happy for more user-friendly instructions.

[vienna-la-rouge.livejournal.com]

I've been really curious about that Period Impressions polonaise pattern (say that three times fast, lol).
If you use it, please do post snippets of your progress and thoughts on how user friendly and/or accurate it is.
The last 18th century dress I made that was similar, but with an En Fourreau back, I had simply draped on my dress form.
That blue one of mine:
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u49/ViennaRouge/blue.jpg
It turned out fine, but I'd really like to have a trustworthy pattern if I'm making something out of the silk I've been saving for such a project.
There's a Scarlett Pimpernel ball coming up here in Feb. It's a good excuse to make something new just for the occasion ;-)

[madamekat.livejournal.com]

The Great Pattern Review has like 6 reviews of the Period Impressions polonaise, and a few of them give advice regarding authenticity and any changes they made. I think those more experienced seamstresses would be a better judge than I of an 18th century pattern. But one day perhaps I'll know 18th century as well as I do bustle *wish*.

Anyway, you know I'll post progress (ahemHELPINEEDHELPahem) posts as I go along.

Your blue zone front gown is one of my favorites, by the way. I love it!

[vienna-la-rouge.livejournal.com]

Excellent, thanks! I'll be sure to check those reviews out.
J.P. Ryan has another pattern I've heard great things about:
http://www.96storehouse.com/cat/images/jpr-anglaise.jpg
xoxo

[vanityfairy.livejournal.com]

Yay, polonaise bonanza! That gown from MA is my favourite too! I started a polonaise inspired by that one back in June 07 which still isn't finished, geez I'm really gonna have to get a move on with that one... :)

[ghost-ofa-rose.livejournal.com]

YAY, poloniase! This will be a gorgeous gown! And please do a dress diary if you're using the period impression pattern. I'm really curious about that one. I made my polonaise (http://www.deglee.nl/enchanteddreams/Photogallery/pg_viewer.php?lib=2008%20Chateau%20Chantilly&page=0&i=13) from the Butterick pattern last year. It's okay, but no that great.