#edwardian gown

Hi there! I really tried not to disappear again for over a month but I’m in the midst of moving at the moment and it’s been super stressful. I really thought I could start the new project before but it was impossible. It’ll take a while now to get settled and get everything sorted and by the time I do I think I’ll be starting uni again, but my deadline for this one is June next year so I will definitely have to start it at some point. So I decided to post a quick little sneak peek while I’m sorting out my sewing stash -

This will hopefully be made into a beautiful early 1900s gown, with some alterations to bring it a little bit into this century so I can wear it to a wedding and not feel completely out of place. I might add that the bride is very extravagant in her clothing as well and she granted me permission for this so I definitely will not outshine her. I’ll tone it down a notch too, so don’t worry. She said as long as it’s not white I can come up with whatever I want.

That being said, I’m basically going to be following (or trying to) this pattern from Patterns of Fashion 2:

It’s not going to have the massive train and the flounces at the sleeves, and I don’t think I’ll be wearing a corset with it, much rather just a corset cover for the shape and put some additional boning into the bodice itself so the silhouette will still be there, roughly. The rest I think I’m going to make up as I go. It is also completely possible that I’m going to scrap this project last minute and buy a dress from the store. If it turns out nice, I’ll wear it!

This is it for now, and I’m truly hoping to start working on it this month but realistically speaking, I don’t know. Hopefully soon though!

I have been thinking. A few weeks ago I posted how I was planning to make an Edwardian inspired dress for my cousin’s wedding, and now I keep looking through pictures I find online of either extent garments or replicas and I just don’t know how to modernize anything. Then I wanted to check something I had posted quite a while ago and came across these pictures:

This beautiful gown from Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion 2. I’ve been in love with this dress ever since I first laid eyes on it and I totally forgot about it until now! And now I am seriously considering just making this gown and wearing it to the wedding. Too much? Probably, but my cousin and I both love extravagant or a little “over the top” dresses, we’re usually both the overdressed ones so she’ll be fine with it. And I feel like this isn’t too in-your-face-clearly-Edwardian-outdated-garb, so that’s sort of exactly what I wanted. I could totally see this being sold as a ballgown in a store.

Obviously, I’d have to finally give in and make some Edwardian undergarments, consisting of:

1 - a chemise and corset

I found a pattern for a similar corset, and I honestly might do one of these ribbon corsets. They seem easy to make and they were worn in the early 1900s, and if I remember correctly the dress is from 1902. This particular corset is from 1903. Longer corsets became more popular lateron. Or I might just go with an 1890s corset that at least I know how to make who cares at this point.

2 - a corset cover

and 3 - a petticoat

Even though this is a 1908 petticoat I think that’s what it’s supposed to look like for this particular dress.

I know drawers would have been worn but I might cut the line there and opt for modern underwear.

Or maybe I’ll just end up saying screw historical accuracy this is a wedding in 202? I can’t wear a corset all day and just wear a really good bra

Logically thinking, I should make the undergarments first but honestly, now that I found this gem of a dress again I can’t wait to start making it! As I already mentioned in my first post about it, I want it to be lilac. I’ve never imagined it in a different color, not even once I saw a photo of the actual gown (which was not purple). It just stuck with me and I think that dress would look amazing in a soft lavender.

So… now at least I have something to do until I start university again in a few months. I changed studies and I finally got the acceptance letter today so yay I’m happy!

Pattern: Truly Victorian TVE45 and TVE23

Fabric: Beaded Silk Chiffon and Silk Damask

Modification: None

Notes: Edwardian style evening gown made of a kimono style blouse and a princess seamed gored skirt. The challenge lies in fabric choice. Working beaded fabric takes a lot of patience. Most of the time were spent removing and then securing the beads. I almost felt like machine sewing didn’t really save that much time for t his at all. Hand sewing is the way to go.

As usual, Truly Victorian pattern are well drafted with clear instructions.

Possible improvement: None that I can think of but I would need to work on some historically accurate undergarments to complete the look.