Thursday, November 17, 2011

Mid-Victorian Blue Silk Ballgown


Pictures of the latest custom order for an Etsy client, for a lovely lady from merry England who is going to be attending a Victorian Christmas ball!

We had to do a bit of searching to find just the right shade of blue silk taffeta. This was a blue/white shot silk, found on Ebay, actually! But - there were only 5 yards of it, so that caused a bit of a panic for me. 5 yards is *enough* for a ball gown, but it leaves absolutely no room for error, which is a bit terrifying! Especially when working with silk taffeta! But, thankfully, no tragic cutting error occured...



Her inspiration pictures, two cornflower-blue silk ballgowns, one with cream lace.
From the films 'North and South', and 'Our Mutual Friend'.



Detail of the bodice ruching and the cream English netting lace.

Eyelets!
Target years were late1850s-early1860s


Back lacing. (didn't fit my dress form exactly right...but you get the idea.:)

Shown with a flower bouquet pinned at the center front. There are so many colors that could be used to trim this dress, pink, red, white, lavendar, plum.....and they would all look scrumptious. I love being able to change up the trims for a whole new look!


The dress is now on it's way across the ocean, leaving me rather wishing I had an exuse to make a silk ballgown for myself.....*sigh*.

...someday I shall!


19 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is gorgeous! That fabric looks JUST like what I used for my Star dress - although I didn't get it off ebay. Koshka Katherine used it for her Marie Antoinette dress, too. Did you find that it wrinkled really easily? Ironed right out, but still wrinkled? And the shot colors were white/silver and deep/bright turquoise?

Atlanta said...

Sweet! I didn't even think about it being like the Star dress, but you are right! (that was GORGEOUS, by the by!)

The wrinkling I didn't particularly notice, but the threads were exactly what you describe, silver white and bright blue.

Naomi said...

WOW Atlanta!! Good job!! (:

Naomi said...

BTW Blue is my favorite color and it goes perfectly with my eyes, so that would definitely be a gown that I would wear!! (:

Sarah said...

What a truly lovely gown! The search for the right color silk was so worth it - what a lovely whispery dress in such a pretty shade. I see so many ballgowns on living historians in deep jewel shades but never many in pale colours. Your client must be thrilled!

Unknown said...

Wow! it is just gorgeous! I wish I had an excuse to make one! Victorian dresses are my favorite (plus I love the North and South dresses) Why can't fashion today be that pretty?! Makes me think that I was born in the wrong era!

Unknown said...

By the by, how much do you usally ask for your custom ball gowns?

Lilac Bud Gal said...

You could host a ball for something like that.. then I would have an excuse too!! :)
Absolutely beautiful dress! I'm sure you've made this customer VERY happy! :)

Colleen Elizabeth said...

That is quite enchanting! It is just the sort of gown one could imagine entering a grand ball room in. I think every girl reading your post is wishing she could have an excuse to wear such a beautiful dress :)

I've just recently come across your lovely blog and am enraptured with it!

Lydia Covey said...

Oh Atlanta, I may just need to have you make my dream ball gown :). For all the ball's I go to... hehe. That is truly lovely, I love the simple elegance of it!
Hope you are doing well, obviously keeping busy with sewing with all these beautiful dresses :)

Abigail said...

Oh, it's just BEAUTIFUL! How did you manage to do it with just 5 yards? I love the simplicity - none of the yards and yards of ruffles and lace, but just enough to make it elegant. I want one like that now!

Miss Elizabeth Bennet said...

It's stunning! I love the color!

Anonymous said...

I am usually not the one to say that old fashioned outfits are pretty/cute. They just annoy me, except this one:awsome

Jenna K. said...

Wow! It's really pretty! (:

SisterlyLove said...

So so beautiful! One of the loveliest ball gowns I've seen. And I've seen a lot believe me!

It reminds me of Meg's blue silk dress in Little Women.

Genevieve

Atlanta said...

Thank you so much everyone for your kind words!! :))

Miss Rose, price inquiries can be sent to my email here: atlanta@bonnyblue.net

Lilac Bud Gal - I KNOW!! You are so right - that would be a fabulous excuse, both to get yall down for a visit and for a new ball gown.....hmmm....;)

Kate said...

Wow, that dress is simply stunning!! What a gorgeous colour!

Anonymous said...

Really Pretty!

Caytlin Sebo

Jenny said...

Gorgeous and inspiring! Looks very like the gown that Gwendolyn wears during her concert in "Daniel Deronda"!

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