New Wool Dress!

Just today - this very day - I finished my new wool dress. I purchased the lovely fabric at Golden D'or in Ft. Worth. It was labeled as Italian wool. $10 a yard. Not a steal-deal, but not too bad. Also - it wasn't a color I would have chosen (I look washed out in pale colors), but the fabric bolt almost jumped into my arms and begged me to take it home. So it did. To make up for the color it does have some good qualities- it is so lightweight (almost thinner than quilting cotton) yet has a gorgeous drape and hand. I'm hoping it will be warm enough for cold weather events!

This is meant to be an 'everyday', mulit-purpose dress. It's not too nice that I will be afraid to wash dishes, yet it is classy enough that I wouldn't feel ashamed to attend an informal country dance.

The sleeves are a pleated variation on a bishop sleeve. I pulled them from an 1854 Godey's. I've had them sketched up and waiting for my next wool dress for several years now. 

Buttons are vintage white china piecrusts. Decorative - not functional. The patterns I worked from were Past Patterns Darted Bodice and Garabaldi Shirt. (yes - I've  been very bad and haven't made my own toile yet...)

I had lots of fitting issues with the bodice and armscyes. Hopefully your eyes don't see all the little imperfections mine do. :^) But - over all I am very happy with the way it turned out. Now I just need a reenactment...

Well, well. Without further rambling, on to the pictures. Enjoy!