Inspiration
The inspiration for this dress actually came from some lovely trim I found at Britex several years ago. I found all of the fabrics to go with it shortly after I found the trim, picked up some lovely beaded trim bits at Costume College in 2001, and the whole has sat in my stash from that day to this. How tragic. But now I have an event to wear something Edwardian to, and neither of my old Edwardian dresses fit, so I am finally making this dress.
The gown itself will be based on the Laughing Moon pattern (because I am too lazy to completely draft my own pattern). I'm doing the kimono sleeved bodice option with a split over skirt. The underdress will be made up in a mustard silk charmeuse. The kimono bodice and split overskirt will be done in a green georgette with the trim applied to the edges. I'm rearranging the closures as back closures are not at all typical for the period and will look exceptionally bad with the lovely silk. The underdress will close down the side, and I think I can get the kimono bodice to close in the front. It'll be a bit of a trick but will look nice and no one will have any idea how I get in to the thing. The belt will be done in burgundy, to match the trim. I just have to find the right piece of fabric or cording to do this piece with.
I'm making a 1902 corset. Before everyone starts having a panic attack about this, I'm going for the 1909 line, with a bit more a curve than the latter Poiret inspired dresses had, and the corset pattern is actually rather more straight than one might expect. This 1909 corset ad looks a lot like the pattern I'll be using.
The basic design and richness of the trims seem a little more evening-dress like to me, so I might end up making a lace underblouse to wear during the day. We'll see how over-dressed I feel I look once I get things started.
The gown itself will be based on the Laughing Moon pattern (because I am too lazy to completely draft my own pattern). I'm doing the kimono sleeved bodice option with a split over skirt. The underdress will be made up in a mustard silk charmeuse. The kimono bodice and split overskirt will be done in a green georgette with the trim applied to the edges. I'm rearranging the closures as back closures are not at all typical for the period and will look exceptionally bad with the lovely silk. The underdress will close down the side, and I think I can get the kimono bodice to close in the front. It'll be a bit of a trick but will look nice and no one will have any idea how I get in to the thing. The belt will be done in burgundy, to match the trim. I just have to find the right piece of fabric or cording to do this piece with.
I'm making a 1902 corset. Before everyone starts having a panic attack about this, I'm going for the 1909 line, with a bit more a curve than the latter Poiret inspired dresses had, and the corset pattern is actually rather more straight than one might expect. This 1909 corset ad looks a lot like the pattern I'll be using.
The basic design and richness of the trims seem a little more evening-dress like to me, so I might end up making a lace underblouse to wear during the day. We'll see how over-dressed I feel I look once I get things started.