I Hate Regency, or, Ball Gown Progress

Ok guys, I've got my ranty pants on...

I had this great idea.


via GIPHY

After acquiring some fantastic new stays that are super comfy and keep all the things where they're supposed to go, I thought it would be nice to have some Regency gowns that also fit me well to go over them. A great idea? A great idea!


via GIPHY

So as I started working on a new Regency ballgown for an 1817 event I'm attending in a couple of weeks, I was careful to start from the beginning. I re-drafted the bodice pattern up from Patterns of Fashion (which I've used previously and liked), made a mock-up, fit it, made a second mock-up to be sure, and then started sewing my dress. And somehow, even with all of that, I've ended up re-cutting the shoulder bands twice, unpicking and re-stitching the back three times, and just generally had basically nothing go according to plan.

"You'll have such a solid Regency bodice pattern at the end of this, though," I keep reminding myself. But still. Why is getting Regency to fit so much harder than any. other. period?


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So with some help from The Boy, I got into stays and tried the sucker on again tonight, re-did the shoulder bands again, and finally got something that fits. Hooray! But the angle doesn't match my stays, and they show at the back. Boo!

back problems :/ (the puckers are from pins in the interior)

For the ball, I'm just going to piece in a curved bit of silk to fill in the gap and cover my stays-then I can trace a new shoulder strap pattern piece that incorporates a wider back bit after the ball, when I'm not pressed for time. Because tomorrow sleeves need to go on! At least the fabric is lovely (icy gray-blue silk with embroidered white net over top), so I will look somewhat elegant regardless.

Bah humbug.

the bodice with straps pinned in place-at least my stays are fully covered in front! sleeves tomorrow.

the wretched thing in full.

I know that I'll be happy to have something that fits well in the end, and since I'm carefully keeping the pattern up to date with changes, I'll also have a pattern that fits well to make future dresses. Worth it--even if I'm frustrated now. So I'm taking a break, cuddling with the cat, and ranting on the internet. By tomorrow evening hopefully I'll feel better, and can knock out sleeves without fuss. But tonight...tonight I'm watching Austenland and moping.


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Liebster Blog Award!

I'm trying to have 2017 be a year of cleansing, and that means cleaning out my drafts folder too! Cassidy, fabulous author of A Most Beguiling Accomplishment, nominated me for a Liebster Award back in June. If you're unfamiliar with the rules, each nominee is asked to answer their nominator's interview questions, nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers for the award, and offer interview questions for them to answer, should they choose to accept the mission. Cassidy has some great questions, and I've been working on answers!

let the interview begin!

What is the history mystery (including but not limited to historical fashion) that you would most like to solve?
What is the period or area of historical dress that you first began to concentrate on?
I don't do much of it anymore (so many periods! so little time!), but my first period was the 1860s (American Civil War). In middle and high school I was in a group of living history volunteers in the greater Boston area that researched, constructed, and performed local programs. One of our main periods was the 1860s, and the clothes really spoke to me. I started with day wear, and then evening dresses when a friend introduced me to vintage dance. 

Do you belong to a costuming or reenacting group?
I do! If you'd like to experience a social evening in your favorite period, get into the past for the weekend, or just learn some really fun dancing, you should check out the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers. Most of the outfits and outings I post about involve CVD or CVD friends. The group is a non-profit organization devoted to the study and reconstruction of period dances, including performances and participatory events where we teach. 
I am lucky enough to live in an area with many vintage-themed groups, so I have my pick of events from the Greater Boston Vintage Society and Tweed Outing Club. I have also attended World War II events as a member of the Big Red One Living History Organization, and hope to get involved with the 1st WAC Separate Battalion soon!

What is an area that you fancy studying or sewing that you do not currently do?
 I'd also love to try out a bustle ensemble sometime! But as I don't attend any events in that era, it's not been a high-priority project. There are also some 1950s dresses on my wish list, but somehow I never get to them. Maybe this year... :)

costume sketch by Edith Head for Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas: inspiration for a 50s project that's been on my list for years!

Is there a particular technique that you'd like to learn, but haven't had the time or a project to do it in?
I would love to learn more about tailoring! There are a couple of 1910s suits on my wish list, but I don't feel like I know enough about tailoring to hit that yet. I think if I were less intimidated I might move those projects up the list. One is a suit inspired by a photograph from the family archives, so I really want to do it justice.

What would you make if time and budget (and event) were of no concern?
Something heavily embroidered, probably Regency but maybe 1890s? I used to do 19th century embroidery to moderate my stress in college--mostly little samplers and things but I did do one Regency ball gown! Now I just never feel like I want to commit to the time and fore-planning a project like that would take, but I'd love to someday.

Is there a particular museum exhibition you'd like to go back in time or travel across the world to see?
I love museum exhibitions, and so this was a hard question! I was tied on two. First, I think I would pick the Paris Salon of 1877, in which May Alcott's still life was displayed. After years researching and playing May, I would love the chance to attend this moment, which was one of her most public successes. Second, how cool would it be to attend the Great Exhibition of 1851?! It would be an incredible opportunity to see a moment where science, industry, innovation, and fashion all collided during a turning point of the industrial revolution.

still life by May Alcott, courtesy of LMAMA

What's your favorite reference book or fashion history text?
I have two again: for actual support with construction, the first place I look is always Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion. Even just seeing the pattern pieces can help me determine if I'm aiming for the right shapes. For inspiration, I love 19th Century in Detail from the V&A. It's one of my favorite sources for trim, cool fabrics, and interior shots.
I'm also a huge fan of museum catalogs-either as a way to take home exhibits I really loved, or to get a glimpse of exhibits I couldn't see. Impressionism and Fashion from the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a great one.

If you could design your perfect historical reenactment event, what would it be like and where?
ooooh, great question! I would love to organize a series of events that focus on the diversity we usually don't see represented-a variety of people representing different classes, in different jobs, of different races...basically, what somewhere like Boston would have "actually" looked like. There are some people doing great work to this end already, so I hope to attend some of their events! 
I'd also love to flip the traditional timeline event (which typically includes military units) on its head and do a women's history timeline that invites living history groups and military units (like WWII WAVEs and WACs) that are primarily focused on (and lead by) women.

What motivates you in your historical recreation and/or public education?
I've always loved history, and the more I learn about where we've gone before (especially regarding technology and cultural trends), the more I recognize the cyclical nature of our experiences. I want to share that recognition with others, in hopes that we can all learn from the past. Also...it's fun! Getting to learn through experience while wearing great clothes is hard to beat :)

Do you like reading historical and/or classic fiction? (For the latter, I include any old books, whether or not they're critically esteemed.)
I don't read much historical fiction anymore, although I used to quite a bit. I do still read a lot of classic fiction. Although to be honest, as I'm currently in grad school I don't read much at all. In between semesters I marathon through books before I have to start homework again! This break I re-read Persuasion, and went on a women in STEM non-fiction kick with Rise of the Rocket Girls and Hidden Figures. 

a throwback-reading War and Peace in a tiara...as you do.

I am cheating slightly and posting fewer than 11 nominees, because it turns out that most of the blogs I read have more than 200 followers! So here they are:

Our Girl History-I love reading Eliza's posts on working at a historical sight, and her thoughts on the role of women as both historical voices we need to interpret and as interpreters dealing with the public. 

Ballgown In a Backpack-Emma just started blogging, but so far her posts have been entertaining and interesting! I look forward to seeing what else she pulls out of the bag. Puns!

Fishy Fashion and Maritime Modes-This is a topic I don't know anything about, and it's interesting to see how material culture is re-created and examined...as well as how modern people respond!

The Laced Angel-ok, this one is slightly out of the follower limit, but I get some much hair inspiration from here that I couldn't leave it off!

The Quintessential Clothes Pen- Quinn does such a good job documenting her sewing process and construction! Plus, her insides are as neat as her outsides :)

Here are my questions for you all, should you choose to participate:
1. How did you start making historical garments?
2. What is your favorite part of blogging?
3. Describe a time you struggled with a historical project. What did you learn from the experience?
4. If money and restoration were no object, what piece of historical technology would you love to try using? 
5. Do you watch or listen to anything while you sew? If so, what is your favorite background?

Late Regency Pelisse Inspiration

The Regency season is upon me! Or rather, I have a bunch of Regency events coming up (wooo! exciting!), and I will be a much happier dancer if I have new clothes. Due to ongoing undergarment problems, I've held off on making any new Regency ensembles. That was definitely the right decision, but now that my silhouette is sorted, I'm excited for some new frocks!

in a very old frock at the 2016 Regency Weekend-a frock that was only every supposed to be a pattern test, but then I never made another one!

In the plans are three new garments: a ballgown, a day dress, and a pelisse. My grand plot is to work out a base dress pattern with gathered front and plain front options that fits me really well, and that I can use as a base for any future Regency projects. To accomplish this I'm starting with Janet Arnold, because there happens to be a dress in Patterns of Fashion that fits me really well. I'm in the process of mockups right now, but I'm also planning that third piece. A pelisse has been on my list since I started doing Regency in 2012...and I've had the fabric for one since then too!

Yep, I admit it, this is a long-time stash project. I bought grey-blue velvet and pumpkin taffeta for a pelisse during a sale on New Years Day 2013. The pretty pile has been languishing in a tub ever since, in three different apartments. So I'm thrilled to finally be starting this project!

I haven't totally figured out the exact details, but I'm leaning towards a "van dyked"/pointed motif. Here are my inspiration images, which (almost) all include a base color and contrasting color:

fashion plate, 1822

La Belle Assemblee, 1817

La Belle Assemblee, 1818

The Mirror of Fashion, 1815

Ackerman's Repository, 1818

I am especially leaning towards the first image (white with blue), but I want a larger collar so there will definitely be some other elements. I'll just have to see what I'm struck by once the base garment is up and running!