Inspiration
My inspiration for this project is actually a hat I bought at Costume College in 2001. I had seen a lovely piece of fabric at one of my local fabric stores that I thought might work well with it. Add to that a perfectly coordinating piece of dupioni silk a friend game me, and a lovely idea was born!
I will be using the La Mode Bagatelle pattern to make a cross-front bodice and simple round gown skirt. This will work well with the fabric I have, and the simple straight skirt is correct for the hat, which I believe was fashionable around 1809 or so. Certainly an earlier style than the shaped skirt would warrant. I will also be making a Spencer from the same pattern package, so the dress will do dual duty as a day and evening outfit. Yay for cross-functional dresses!
Under the dress, I will be wearing a proper corset. Strictly speaking I don't need to wear one, but the bodice petticoat idea is not period, and the dress on it's own will never hold me up. I am going to have to work out some kind of petticoat or underskirt to hide the hip line of the corset and, besides the dress fabric is rather more sheer than I am comfortable wearing without a slip. I'm still debating about the chemise. Something must be worn under the corset, for comfort and to keep it clean, but I'm not altogether sure what I want to do about this.
I will be using the La Mode Bagatelle pattern to make a cross-front bodice and simple round gown skirt. This will work well with the fabric I have, and the simple straight skirt is correct for the hat, which I believe was fashionable around 1809 or so. Certainly an earlier style than the shaped skirt would warrant. I will also be making a Spencer from the same pattern package, so the dress will do dual duty as a day and evening outfit. Yay for cross-functional dresses!
Under the dress, I will be wearing a proper corset. Strictly speaking I don't need to wear one, but the bodice petticoat idea is not period, and the dress on it's own will never hold me up. I am going to have to work out some kind of petticoat or underskirt to hide the hip line of the corset and, besides the dress fabric is rather more sheer than I am comfortable wearing without a slip. I'm still debating about the chemise. Something must be worn under the corset, for comfort and to keep it clean, but I'm not altogether sure what I want to do about this.