PBS Teen's era dress

I'm a docent at a local museum, and the local PBS station asked us to host a Downton Abbey styled evening for some of their top supporters.  I made a new dress for this.  Here's my inspiration

My dress:

antique jet buckle from Ebay

I used three patterns:
1)Simplicity 1517 for the underbodice, underskirt and purple sequin net crossed overskirt.  

2)Then I used Simplicity 9699 for the black top-most overskirt, 

3)and Laughing Moon #104 for the black net dolman sleeve overbodice.

Game of Thrones party

Judy and her friend Sarah threw a fantastic Game of Thrones party at Stokesay Castle in Pa.  So fun!

 I made a wrap front gown with long hanging sleeves.  Inspired by a few dresses from the show, and a little "Lwaxana Troi" the extravagantly dressed and over bearing yet lovable mother of Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation, who was always wearing some outrageously shiny purple dress.

So here I am!

I also made J an outfit that he also wore to the Ren Faire.  I made the shirt, sleeveless jacket, and hat

Regency Weekend outfits

In October I attended a private Regency "couples" Weekend in Baltimore.  I had long wanted to make the Queen Louise of Prussia spencer, so I did that paired with a bib front day dress out of Swiss dot, and a cranberry velvet bonnet and matching reticule.

(worn again to a Regency tea later in the Fall)

Some have said that Swiss dot fabric wasn't used for dresses in the Regency era, but I don't know... these look Swiss dot-ish to me:

I also made a court dress and train.  Dress is a lovely pre-embellished bridal fabric:

 Hem of fabric was scalloped, embroidered and beaded.  That was lucky!!

My husband had nothing to wear, so I made him a shirt, vest, and wool tailcoat

Pants from Gentleman's Emporium and boots from Shoebuy.com

Blue stripe Regency ballgown

In August of 2015 I attended a Regency ball at Gadsby's Tavern in Alexandria, Va.

I had always wanted to do a dress inspired by the striped dress worn by Mrs. Hurst in the '95 Pride and Prejudice, and I found this blue/silver/black stripe that seemed appropriately dark for mourning, yet in line with the dress I wanted.

(photo from Cosprop exhibit)

I wore my Queen Maud replica tiara (Ebay), my pearl swag necklace from Inthelongrun, and white lace mitts from Last Kiss

Regency mourning dress

As I mentioned, my dad passed away last summer, so when I threw my annual Victorian party (broad costume range of 1800-1918), I made a quick black shadow stripe Regency day dress using the Laughing Moon wrap front pattern #130.  Went together like a dream, which was good because I didn't feel much like sewing.

That's my Fail Cake.  It fell apart, so we put it in a bowl and scooped out portions.  Still tasted great :)

Bonnet from The Bohemian Belle

Early Edwardian Racing Dress

Sorry for the long absence.  My father passed away soon after I made this dress, and then my terminally ill mother moved in with us, so I haven't sewn as much.

Last May, Judy and I attended the Winterthur (Delaware) Point-to-Point races!  We decided to go in costume.  She wore her fabulous new 1920s ensemble and I wore my new 1900s dress with an antique hat.  My dress was a black and white stripe with a black lace overlay, and the collar and sleeves are a sheer cream net over a cotton organza lining.

It was loads of fun!  Picnicking on the vast lawn was great.  Everyone had food and champagne, and people walked around with bottles of champagne sharing with their neighbors.  There was a vintage car show, a vintage carriage parade, and tons of shopping, too.  This year it takes place on Mother's Day, so I can't go, but I hope to go again in the future!

Here's the pattern I used, Butterick 5970 :

Here are some inspiration dresses (https://www.pinterest.com/victoriankat/1900-1908/)

  I even found an original Edwardian dress pattern that is likely the inspiration for this pattern!

Notes about the pattern:  The neck-hole (neckscye??) and collar should be close fitting to my neck, but it's not.  Next time, I'll adjust that.  Also, the forearm sleeve section was WAY too big...should also be close fitting and it was baggy, so I took that in with tucks when I realized it.  Other than that, I was really happy with this pattern!