The Idea and Inspiration:
I have a bit of an obsession with paisley and the history of Kashmiri shawls. The way the the introduction of Kashmiri shawls impacted Western fashion, and the way the Western fashion in its turn impacted on the paisley design is just fascinating.
I’m particularly enamored of the dresses made of Kashmiri shawls that were so popular between 1805-1825, and have desperately wanted to make one, but where to find a paisley shawl that I could cut up without feeling terrible? Then Global Fabrics brought in a marvelous charcoal grey wool with paisley borders taken directly from early 19th century examples. Serendipity! I bought two lengths and waited for the opportune moment.
Inspiration Gallery
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| Fashion plate, 1812 | Fashion plate, 1812 | Comtesse Walther, Lefevre, 1811 |
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| Dress of net w/ paisley, ca. 1810 | Evening dress, ca. 1810 | Countess Demidoff, Lefevre, ca 1805 |
Fabric and Materials:
- Lightweight twill-weave charcoal grey wool with paisley border pattern
- White linen bodice lining
- Cotton thread to sew
The Undergarments:
- Still to be made
The Dress Diary:
- The idea and inspiration
- Construction beginnings – fabric and skirts
- The bodice and a mostly-done photoshoot
- The finished dress
- Skirt construction details
- The fabric and historical accuracy
- Bodice construction details
- An evening photoshoot
- A Pride & Prejudice with Pohutakawa’s photoshoot
- The gown being worn, with a focus on hairstyles
Research and helpful links:
- Notes and Illustrations on Regency Dress at Pemberly.Com
- Regency Gown Construction Tips
- Arnold, Janet. Patterns of Fashion: The Cut and Construction of Clothes for Men and Women, 1660-1860.
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- 1813 Kashmiri dress and pohutakawa blossoms
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- 1813 Kashmiri dress and pohutakawa tree
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- 1813 Kashmiri dress
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- 1813 Kashmiri gown
Wow that is absolutely gorgeous!
You look lovely:-)
I love its elegance. Beautiful work!
You nailed it! Beautiful!
Thank you Georgina!
Oooh oooh ooh. I have a shawl that has gotten some rather large holes and have been trying to figure out what to do with it. Now I have all the ideas…..
Yours is just spectacular.
Thank you â¤ï¸