UPDATE:  Applications are now closed, thank you to everyone who applied

Amber of Virgil’s Fine Goods and I have another fabulous late 18th century pattern almost finished, so we need testers to help us check the final fit and instruction details. 💛

We’ve already asked a number of testers with specialised skills, so we’re only looking for a few extra testers. If you’d like to be one of them, keep reading to learn more, and how to apply.

The Pattern:

The pattern is a fashionable ‘Italian’ Gown with two bodice views, three sleeve length options, and two front closure options.  The fronts and backs are interchangeable, and the skirt can be made with or without a train.  View B can be made with or without a cutaway front.

The armscye and side back seam are identical to the Angelica, so the fronts, backs and sleeves are also interchangeable with the Angelica Italian Gown.

The new pattern will be available in the full Scroop + Virgil’s Size Range of 30”/76cm bust to 52”/132cm bust.

Testers:

This is an advanced pattern, and we’re looking for testers with prior historical sewing experience, OR extensive non-historical sewing experience.

Testers MUST have the correct undergarments already. As part of the application you’ll need to have a photo of yourself in 1770-1790 suitable stays that you can send us a link to.

To be a tester you will need to:

• Be able to print patterns in A4, A0, US Letter or US full sized Copyshop paper sizes
• Have the time to sew up the item. You’ll have 10 days to sew a toile and check the initial fit.  This can be done by machine, and takes Leimomi less than 90 minutes from fabric to finished.  You’ll then have a further four-ish weeks to make a finished dress, photograph it, and provide feedback.  For reference, Leimomi was able to sew View A by hand in 18 hours.
• Be able to photograph your make being worn, and be willing for us to share your photos on this blog and instagram.
• Provide clear feedback
• Agree to a confidentially agreement regarding the pattern

We would hugely appreciate it if testers would share their finished make once the pattern launches, but this is not mandatory.  We’re asking for TESTERS, not marketers.

As always we’re looking for a range of testers. We need a spread of geographical location, body type, sewing experience, and personal style.

Based on previous calls for testers, we will get 30+ applicants in each of the most common size ranges (34-40 bust), so if we don’t choose you, it’s not that you weren’t fabulous, it’s that there were many applicants.

The Timeline:

Materials:

If you’re selected to test we’ll let you know and send you the materials requirements, line drawings, and the full pattern description by 6 pm NZ time on Wed the 4th of Jan.  This is Tue the 3rd for most of the rest of the world.

Patterns:

We will send out a digital copy of the pattern to testers before 10pm NZ time on Wed the 11th of Jan.

Testing & Reviewing:

As this is a pretty time intensive pattern, testing will go for five weeks.  We will ask for a toile check in one week in.

Testers will have until 10pm NZ time on Sat the 21st of Jan to do an initial toile of the dress bodice and respond to the initial set of testing questions.

We’ll need testers to provide final feedback by 10pm NZ time on Thur 16th Feb.  They will need to be finished with their dress and provide photos by 10pm on Tue 21st Feb.

What you get:

Pattern testers will get a digital copy of all three size packs of the final pattern, lots of thanks, and features on my blog and our IGs.

Hope to hear from you!