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

[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