Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Plaid 1850's Dress, Simplicity 3727

A few months ago I posted about the then in progress 1850's dress I was making for my friend Nona. Well, at last, it is finished! Nona came over two weeks ago for the bodice fitting and over the weekend I made the bodice. Since Nona and I are very nearly the same size, here are a few pictures of the finished dress on me.
The dress was fitted to go over a hoopskirt and modern undies.

Even though I wasn't personally thrilled with the overall design for myself at first, and the style is really not appropriate for me to wear for 1860's reenactments, I really really like the finished dress. I need to make one for me!

Even if not for reeancting, it would be fun to wear for church or around the house on those days when I feel like wearing something a bit more exciting than my standard jean skirts and sweaters. I think I'd love a deep blue and brown or gold plaid. And I love black trim. The velvet ribbon and fringe just sets off the lines so nicely, I think. 

Now to plunge back into the 14th century. I have David's basic tunic draped and patterend and cut and partially sewn together. Today I need to make the eyelets for lacing the front. 22 of them.

Love,
Sarah

14 comments:

  1. The gown looks beautiful and you look beautiful in it! Your hair color is really complimented by the dress colors. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sarah, You're amazing!
    Awesome dress,
    d

    ReplyDelete
  3. The dress is beautiful & so are you! The gown looks nice and warm.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jackie, haha, it IS warm! That is my excuse for not making the dress over the summer. :P Nona has been planning this since April or March if I remember right. So it got done just in time for winter. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful! And that is a tough pattern! I know because I gave up on it! Nice work!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am wondering what makes it more of a 1850s rather than an 1860s pattern? I am trying to tune my eye to the fashion of different times.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rachel, the main thing is the collar size. By the 1860's, collars were generally much more narrow and little more than slightly shaped strips basted into the neckline. This collar is shaped and wide.

    The basque bodice also points it to the 50's, although there were forms of basque bodices in the 60's too, but it would not have been a high fashion. The trim is black fringe and from what I've read, fringe was not fashionable for trim in the War Years (came into fashion again afterwards) so the trim also points to a 50's date.

    I think the date for the actual dress this was taken from is the late 1850's.

    I think you could update it for CW use by making a smaller collar, making coat sleeves instead of the wide, pleated sleeves shown and trimming the basque with something besides fringe. I personally love the way basques look and am wanting to make a black wool one for myself sometime soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rachel, the main thing is the collar size. By the 1860's, collars were generally much more narrow and little more than slightly shaped strips basted into the neckline. This collar is shaped and wide.

    The basque bodice also points it to the 50's, although there were forms of basque bodices in the 60's too, but it would not have been a high fashion. The trim is black fringe and from what I've read, fringe was not fashionable for trim in the War Years (came into fashion again afterwards) so the trim also points to a 50's date.

    I think the date for the actual dress this was taken from is the late 1850's.

    I think you could update it for CW use by making a smaller collar, making coat sleeves instead of the wide, pleated sleeves shown and trimming the basque with something besides fringe. I personally love the way basques look and am wanting to make a black wool one for myself sometime soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. thanks so much!
    I knew the collar part of it all, but the rest of it was all great learning for me. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Sarah Jane! This is so lovely, and I am so happy to have found your page. I am creating a similar garment for an artist who is using it in a show. If you don't mind telling me, how much would you charge a client to create something like this for them? Approx how many hours do you think you put into this piece? Any info is helpful for me! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have this pattern and I'm on my second dress. Unfortunately, I've lost piece #21 - the guide for the skirt opening. Can you send me a picture of it with ruler as reference? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I still had this pattern! I believe I gave it back to Nona after I finished making this dress for her. I am so sorry I don't have that piece. :( I hope you can find it!

      Delete
    2. I was able to get the piece information. Thanks!

      Delete

Thank you for your lovely thoughts!