This 1850s Raspberry Swirl gown with evening and day bodice is still in progress.
The Idea and Inspiration:
To create an 1850s dress with a tiered, ruffled skirt, and alternate day and evening bodices. I was inspired by some lovel raspberry paisley muslin gauze which I got on sale for $2 a metre:
and these dresses:
Fabric and Materials:
Cotton muslin with a self-stripe weave and a pattern of paisley designs in raspberry pink. Skirt lined in brown paisley cotton muslin, bodice lined in cotton calico/muslin. Plastic boning, metal hooks to fasten.
Undergarments:
The Dress Diary:
Draping the bodice and matching fabric
Corded skirt ruffles, a tutorial
Pleating and gathering the skirt
Cutting and assembling the evening bodice
Trying on the evening bodice and the skirt
Drafting the sleeves for the evening bodice
Evening bodice boning and fasteners
The Raspberry Swirl gown in the garden
The Raspberry Swirl gown at tea
The Raspberry Swirl gown at tea…again
The Raspberry Swirl Gown on Theresa
The Raspberry Swirl gown in the park with Theresa
Research and references:
Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion 1660-1860
Demode, The Eugenie Project
Waugh, Norah. The Cut of Women’s Clothes: 1600-1930. Faber and Faber: London. 1968
Not sure my first comment went through. This dress is absolutely gorgeous. I would love to make something even close to it. I’m making my first hand-sewn quilt so have plenty of opportunity to practice my stitching. Can you recommend a modern pattern that I could start with? I’ve very impressed with your designs!