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The Angelica Gown: Tester Makes! (Part I)

It’s time for everyone’s favourite part of a pattern launch! Tester makes!

Testers are fabulous! They allow you to see what the pattern looks like in a whole range of fabrics, styled on in a whole bunch of different ways, on a whole range of bodies.

They also help us make sure we deliver you the best possible pattern. They point out any bits that are rough or confusing. They provide feedback on things we can’t decide between: we could include X or Y, but not both. Which is better from their perspective?

So we are so immensely grateful to the people who are willing to pattern test. Thank you so much!

There were so many AMAZING testers for the Angelica Gown pattern, and they took so many gorgeous photos, and some of them even made multiple versions of the gown (which has to be a very good sign about how good the pattern is!) that we can’t cover them all in one post, so here’s just a small sampling. 💛

View A:

Natalie of @time_traveling_native

We knew from the minute we thought about testers that we wanted Natalie as a pattern tester for the Angelica Gown. Natalie’s fairly new to historical costuming, but she’s thoughtful, and meticulous, and checks and asks about things that are confusing. So she’s the perfect example of the adventurous early intermediate historical costumer who could successfully tackle this pattern.

Image shows a woman with dark hair standing with her back to the camera, wearing a late 18th century gown made of pink and grey striped silk

Based on her make, we can say that she was very successful indeed in making it! Look at those pleats… And that bodice fit!

Scroop Angelica Gown by @time_traveling_native

Her fabric is a striped silk taffeta from Burnley and Trowbridge. And she took her photos at Niagara Falls! How special!

Scroop Angelica Gown by @time_traveling_native

Natalie made a Size 44.

More tester versions of View A coming soon…

View B

Dr Christine of @sewstine

I am waiting on tenterhooks for photos of Christine in her Angelica Gown, because it’s AMAZING!. She’s reproducing one of my favourite dresses in the Metropolitan Museum of Art! Isn’t the reproduction silk gorgeous?

Christine will be sharing photos and a YouTube video shortly, but for now we have to content ourselves with how glorious her make is on a dressform.

Christine made a Size 34. The fabric is from @summersunstories

Jessi of @mezzo.jessi

Jessi also chose the most amazing fabric for her Angelica Gown, and I’m dying of how fabulous it is! It’s equally as brilliant as Christine’s while being totally different!

The ankara is SO AMAZING made up – it was birthday fabric and we’re beyond honoured she chose to use it to make up our pattern!

Plus, let us take a moment to appreciate her fabulous pocket commentary on the last few years…

Jessi made her View B in a Size 48. There are more images, including beautiful detail shots of the making, on her instagram.

Jen of @festiveattyre

Jen was one of my inspirations when I first started historical costuming, so I was utterly delighted when she applied to be a tester. I was not disappointed – her Angelica make is SO inspiring!

She styled it as pretty 1780s working wear:

She styled it as 1780s aristocratic elegance:

She styled it as romantic pastoralism:

Her gown is made of blue striped wool (thrifted! As are most of the materials for her accessories!), and is a wonderful example of how versatile this pattern is with different stylings.

Jen made View B in Size 42. See more of her gorgeous images on my instagram.

A huge thank you to these testers for all their work and feedback. 💛

More tester images coming soon!

Get your Angelica Gown here!

The Scroop Patterns + Virgils Fine Goods Angelica Gown 1775-1790 scrooppatterns.com

Meet the 1780s Angelica Gown!

Published by The Dreamstress

We are so excited to show you the newest Scroop + Virgil’s Fine Goods pattern! The gorgeous, delectable, Angelica Gown!

Buy the pattern here! – and get 10% off for the first week!

We know it’s been a long, long wait for the third Scroop Patterns + Virgil’s Fine Goods collaboration, but we think it will have been worth it.

We put so much work into this pattern to make it as well fitted, historically accurate, easy to make, and fun to wear as possible. Hopefully you’ll like the result!

The Angelica Gown features three front bodice options, two back bodice options, and a floor length or trained skirt. Mix and match bodice fronts and backs and skirts for a whole range of looks!

The detailed historically accurate sewing instructions cover everything you need to make your own beautiful versions, from first fitting to final trimming. There’s even a guide to making sleeve ruffles, tuckers, and fichu!

We’ve even developed an extremely clever pattern method for the skirt based on 18th century patterning techniques.

The pattern comes in bust sizes 30”-52” (76-132cm). To help you get the perfect fit there’s a 9-page fitting and pattern alteration guide.

Both views feature a fitted bodice which laces closed at the center front, a deeply pointed back, and just-past the elbow sleeves.

The sleeves may be snug, but clever patternmaking means they don’t restrict movement.

Thanks to Amber’s historical knowledge the patterns are filled with meticulous historical details that will help you get the late 1770s-1790s look just right.

View A has a plain bodice front with a short pointed front curve that ends in a truncated V, a three-panel back, and a skirt that finishes just above the floor.

View B features a longer sloped V at the front waist, optional serrated trim along the front waist edge, a two-panel back, and a slight train.

Buy the pattern here! – and get 10% off for the first week!

The Angelica Gown is the third collaboration between Scroop Patterns and Virgil’s Fine Goods. Our patterns combine Amber of Virgil’s Fine Goods’ extensive mantua making skills with my patternmaking skills.

Our goal is to bring you easy-to-use historical patterns with comprehensive size ranges and detailed historically-accurate instructions. The patterns are available as downloadable print-at-home patterns, to make historical sewing more accessible to sewists everywhere, and as paper patterns through Virgil’s Fine Goods and other stores.

We’re extremely proud of this pattern, and are so excited to see your versions!

All the gorgeous tester versions will be coming shortly! Their makes are so inspiring. They combined views, used our trim suggestions, and styled the gowns to their own taste.

Evening dress, 1860–62, American, silk, Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 2009.300.2976,

Rate the Dress: early 1860s formal foliage in bronze

Published by The Dreamstress

It’s cold and winter-y and rainy here in NZ, and I planned to find something deliciously floral and summery and light to show you for this week’s Rate the Dress, but somehow my inspiration lists and boards just did not supply. Instead this week’s pick is dark and lush and winter-y.

Perhaps that will appeal to those of you suffering with hot weather? You can dream of a time cool enough to wear it…

Last weeks (ish) rating: an 1890s tea gown in the aesthetic style

Most of you liked last week’s dress, but few of you loved it. It was just…nice. But not amazing.

The Total: 7.9 out of 10

Nice. Not amazing.

This week: an early 1860s formal gown in brocaded silk.

The museum listing for this gown describes it as an evening dress, but, despite the lush brocaded fabric, I think it’s actually a formal afternoon dress. The high neck and long sleeves are more consistent with daywear than evening wear in the late 1850s and early 1860s.

Evening dress, 1860–62, American, silk, Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 2009.300.2976

The fabric is definitely the centerpiece of this gown: a visually striking black on bronze weave, which has been carefully cut to mirror the pattern placement across the back and front of the dress.

Evening dress, 1860–62, American, silk, Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 2009.300.2976

In addition to the fabric, I thought this dress was an interesting Rate the Dress choice for the sleeves.

Evening dress, 1860–62, American, silk, Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 2009.300.2976

The slim trumpets with deep ruffles below the elbow are less commonly seen than the wider pagoda sleeve, and rather remind me of the ruffle sleeves that were recently fashionable today.

This would have been worn with a little lace collar, and embroidered lawn undersleeves.

What do you think? Is this better than just nice?

Rate the Dress on a Scale of 1 to 10

A reminder about rating: feel free to be critical if you don’t like a thing, but make sure that your comments aren’t actually insulting to those who do like a garment. Phrase criticism as your opinion, rather than a flat fact. Our different tastes are what make Rate the Dress so interesting. It’s no fun when a comment implies that anyone who doesn’t agree with it, or who would wear a garment, is totally lacking in taste.

As usual, nothing more complicated than a .5. I also hugely appreciate it if you only do one rating, and set it on a line at the very end of your comment.