Who wouldn't want a Regency gown?

As you might have figured out, I have a thing for history, sewing, literature, and dressing up. I am a Ren Faire junkie, and I love watching Jane Austin movies. This holiday I decided to take another whack at the ‘Sense and Sensibility’ pattern since my first attempt was a) rather less than skillfully executed in more respects that I care to name, and b) I have lost a bit of weight since then, and now it REALLY didn’t fit me well. So, Beth gave me some cloth that would work (finding a SMALL print fabric in Zambia is rather an accomplishment), and I set to work.

The hardest part about this pattern is getting the bodice adjusted to your personal size. One of the things I love about it is that not only is the pattern well thought out, but there are some great ideas on the website to guide you through the process. Once I got that sorted out I was able to easily modify the rest of the gown and get it cut out. This time I did a much better job of sewing things together, and I even messed with the button on undersleeves. While the result is not perfect, I was delighted with what I had created. Here are a few pictures of me modeling my gown on a sweltering afternoon.

One of the features I love about this gown is the gathered back. I suppose this got out of hand and lead to the bustle, but I love the way this disguises some figure flaws.

With the fiddly button on undersleeves-

Without the sleeves!

Where do you plan to wear this outfit you might ask? Perhaps I’ll sip tea out of a tea cup while I write letters at my writing desk with a dip pen by candle light and channel my inner Jane. Perhaps I’ll be able to work it into a birthday party theme one of these days. Perhaps I’ll wear it some day next holiday. The point is not how much I’ll use it; the point was the journey of creation and knowing that I now have a Regency gown should I ever want one!