Sunday, February 9, 2014

A Regency Winter Walk

A member of our local costuming group was having a birthday, and desired a Regency Winter Walk in Philadelphia.  Since I had no cold weather Regency wear, I had to get sewing!

My gown is the Period Impressions 1809 gown.  The only changes are that I switched out the front skirt panel for the Simplicity 6630 so it could be flat front, and I had to take out about half the back skirt width because the velvet I used was so thick that it wouldn't fit into the bodice otherwise.

                 
 


With my gown I am wearing a cute brooch I found on Etsy


I also retrimmed a bonnet I made a few years ago from the Timely Tresses Virginia pattern.





Here is my inspiration for the gown 


I love that the lady in the portrait has a brooch on her gown that looks like mine!



A warm gown was not enough.  I needed a warm pelisse, too.  I used the Wingeo #255 Pelisse and Spencer pattern.  The drawing is a little misleading because the sleeve heads are very full.  Much more like this


I LOVE the military looks, so I was inspired by many paintings and fashion plates that depicted braid trim on pelisses and spencers



But I was very happy with it and it went together very well.  The pattern comes with very little instructions, so previous experience with putting together a coat is needed.


I also made that reticule.  I followed the pattern from HERE but made mine 4 sided instead of 3 so I could fit as much as possible inside.


Here are the photos from our day out!  We visited The Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Independence Hall, and had an AMAZING lunch at City Tavern and got to meet its famous chef Walter Staib, who treated us like royalty (sadly, chef not pictured).







11 comments:

  1. Your out fit turned out beautifully! You looked beautiful and toasty.

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    1. Thank you! So great to have proper outerwear!

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  2. Beautiful as always, Kat. I love the lace you used on the inside of your bonnet. I must remember that. Very elegant looking, right down to your pelisse & reticule. I too love to use little treasures I find on my gowns.
    Val

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    1. Thanks, Val! I found it hard to find affordable "English net" lace in the U.S. I finally found this at eJoyce.com.
      http://www.ejoyce.com/pmain?cmd=e_view&num=28420&acode=000100120018

      I have had luck in the past at laceheaven.com, but they didn't have the width I needed this time. Anyway, I think I used nearly two yards on the bonnet.

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  3. Seriously? You look utterly fabulous! I love your new dress! Everything about it is perfect! And your brooch is awesome...I am jealous. And your coat? So incredible!!! Your bonnet is so great as well as your reticule!! You are the prefect Regency lady my friend!!!! What a great inspiration!!

    Blessings!
    g

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  4. The whole outfit looks so pretty and cozy. Thanks for telling us what patterns you used. I wondered about the Wingeo one for a pelisse, so it's nice to have some info on it. Such a fun event!

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    1. Thanks! Yeah, I didn't find any info on that pattern, either. One of the reasons I wanted to comment on it!

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  5. I love how your reticule turned out! Very lovely with the embroidered flowers on the fabric!

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  6. Fantastic! The bonnet trimming and your ringlets are just divine :) Great idea to make the reticule larger - might have to steal that tip

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    1. Thank you so much! Yup, these days we need to carry our phones, wallet, a little make up and maybe stuff our gloves in there. I need more room than they needed in 1810.

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