Peach Silk Regency Apron Front Dress

A Regency dress commission I was working on most of the summer for a client in Australia. Not that the dress should have taken all summer - but I worked on it here and there in bits and pieces, and there was *lots* of handwork, so things went slowly. It was so nice to finally get it all put together!

The pattern is the wonderful Regency apron-front style that I love so much. The fabric is a gorgeous semi sheer silk and cotton blend made by J Crew, shimmery peach in color with a teeny cream colored pinstripe. The fabric was a dream, so ethereal.

Edges of neck and sleeves have a bit of lace edging.

Very small fitted back bodice, and super full gathered skirt.

 

 Dress shown worn with a simple V-neck chemisette.

An elegant train in back. (This dress also has detachable long sleeves, not shown)

Just before finishing the dress I had also made this really fun orange/gold silk Regency weskit. I loved the way it coordinated with the peach dress! (this was not part of the dress order, just a little something I got inspired to make) Instead of my usual lacing in front, I went with covered buttons this time - and I really adore the look. I want to do more in this style in different colors for the shop.

 

The weskit shown and two style of regency chemisettes are currently available in my Etsy shop, which by-the-by has a new name. My old shop that was named 'Bonny Blue Historical Clothing', is now simply 'Atlanta Goodwin'.

Pale Green Linen Regency Dress

 

 A new Regency dress is listed in the shop. (finally!!) I've been working on this one since last fall. Not because it was all that time consuming, but because I've only gotten to work on it in bits and pieces, and kept having to put it away for other projects or trips. It's a wonder I didn't loose some of the pieces over all this time!

 

Anyways. Pale green linen in an 'apron front' or 'bib front' style. I love working with pure linen.

 It drapes and flows so nicely.

 

The pattern is from one found in Janet Arnold's 'Patterns of Fashion'

 

At the last minute I also constructed an apron to accompany it in brown linen. I most enjoy making 'everyday' Regency clothes - or actually historical clothes in general. It seems like a lot of what you see available is all geared towards representing the rich and fashionable, but I prefer to make clothing items that 'normal' people would have worn. The upper classes are often far over-represented in reenactment/sewing world.

Very small back bodice with higher waistline than the front. Makes a very elegant silhouette with the back skirt train. Because I was on-the-go a lot of the time while working on this, much of it is hand-sewn, all the exposed seams, and many of the inside ones as well.

More pictures and details at the shop listing for dress and apron.

Regency Bodiced Petticoat

 

An historical Regency"bodiced" petticoat.

Basically just a sleeveless dress, made from super-soft white cotton batiste.

 

 

 

I took my basic Regency drawstring dress pattern and lessened the gathers, lowered the neckline

 and narrowed the shoulder straps.

 

 

I made one for my personal Regency wardrobe,

 but I haven't had them available in the shop until now. If you haven't yet added a petticoat to  your Jane Austen ensemble - you will be surprised at how much it adds to the look of an outfit.

 

It's now available to be ordered in your custom size in the shop!

My Coral Necklace

Hello again after a long Christmas break! Jordan is now back in Tennessee building our house, and I am getting busier and busier with wedding preparations, and getting woefully behind on my blogging!

I know its long past Christmas now, but I wanted to share a special gift I recieved with you, as I thought it might be of interest to other historical costume enthusiasts!
I mentioned once to Jordan, many months ago in passing, that I had always wanted a real coral necklace to wear with my Regency dresses. Well, he remembered, and guess what he got me for Christmas?

This darling coral bead necklace, in the loveliest shade of pink.

I had never seen coral in person before, it was quite different from what I expected. I thought it would be lightweight, almost like some kind of organic plastic. (don't know where I got that idea...)

But the beads are very heavy for their size and feel just like polished glass.

I had seen portraits and heard of simple coral bead necklaces being popular during the 18th Century and Regency era, but once I started researching, I was astounded at how many eras in which this simple piece of jewelry seems to be fashionable!

Basically from what I've seen.....ancient times to modern...(correct me if I'm wrong!)

 Isn't that incredible??

Here are a few paintings from different periods to illustrate:

 

Domenico Ghirlandaio (1449-1494)

Portrait of a Young Woman
 

Portrait of a girl by Domenico Ghirlandaio c. 1485

Regency Portrait

Portrait of a Young Girl Wearing a Coral Necklace

and Holding a Red Rose,

  c. 1815

(apparently coral was deemed especially appropriate for children)

Late Regency Portrait - Coral Necklace & Earrings

Princess Murat, 1854 Winterhalter portrait. Coral necklace and brooch.

Mid 19th C. Portrait by Jean-Jackques Henner

Maria Sawiczewska in coral jewlery, 1861 Löffler portrait.

'Girl with a Coral Necklace' by Eugene Edward Speicher (1882-1962)

                                                         Carved coral necklace, c. 1860

Coral bead necklace c.1818

Carved cameo coral necklace c. 1860

Further reading on historical coral jewelry:

Regency Coral Necklaces

Precious Coral

Gallery of Antique and Vintage Coral Jewelry



Where to buy: 

Antique Coral Necklaces on Ebay

Red coral Regency reproduction necklace

Red coral Renaissance necklace

So, expect to see my new favorite necklace inclulded in many different historical ensembles!



Regency Ball Gown and Day Dress

What I've been working on this week. A lovely lady that I met at last yea'rs Jane Austen Convention, is getting ready to go again (but this time it's in Brooklyn, hence I am not attending. :)

She sent me a package of material, and requested a couple of new dresses, in whatever styles I chose, as long as they were appropriate for a ball gown and a day dress.

The fabrics were a turquoise blue satin, a vintage silk sari in colors of dark turquoise, maroon, and gold bordered, and a medium weight green/brown checkered fabric.

From the satin and silk, I mad this two-piece ball gown. The sari overbodice is classical-inspired, featuring a criss-cross bodice, and the gold border used as trim.

The satin underdress. This could also be used as a dress on it's own, worn over a sheer blouse.

Over dress comes back into a graceful min-train that I know will be lovely when dancing.

The day dress is a simple apron front style, with medium length puffed sleeves.

A rounded square neckline

Showing the inner fastenings of the apron front style.

A small back bodice and full gathered skirt.