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This would be the gown, with me in it. I'm wearing my garnet necklace, fancy beaded
belt, pearl hoop earrings, and green velvet sleeves
(detailed lower herein). The gown is made of $1/yard mystery fabric, which I strongly
suspect is acetate, with a strong cotton twill lining in the skirt and linen/cotton mix
lining the bodice, which is corded. The bodice is embroidered around the edges in plain
embroidery and needlepoint flosses in cream, lavender, and mint green, and of course
strewn liberally with pearls. (Distressing note: The belt could use being taken in a
couple inches.) The camicia underneath the gown and sleeves is 100% hanky linen, cut
with very wide gathered sleeves and a flat neckline.
The bottom of the skirt is finished with a 3/4" or 1" lavender silk-ish ribbon.
The skirt swishes very satisfactorily when I move.
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Gown seen from the side. The shoulders are just a touch too wide, but it does
sit well on me and doesn't shift, thanks to the snug fit. I used plain cotton cording
from Grannd Garb for the lacings on the sides, tipped with aiglets from same. They
are laced to 1/2" brass lacing rings sewn to the inside of the gown. The sides of the
lacings are reinforced with Ridgeline boning for structure.
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These are the sleeve buttons I used -- three-pearl clusters from Joann's, about
$2/pair, and I used about 5 pairs. The buttons were by far the largest single expense of
the entire gown, which I don't think set me back more than $50 total out of pocket. The
sleeves themselves came out of the fabric hoard, as fabric left over from another
project.
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Detail of side lacings.
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This is the first cutting of the bodice, marked for
cording. It's sewn in burgundy linen/cotton mix, with black thread so you can see the
contrast. Click the picture for a slightly larger look at it.
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And here it is fully corded. The lines on the left side are wider
near the centerline because I didn't realize how much room I'd given
myself inadvertently. The entire cording process didn't take more than 2 hours or so,
even given my initial fumblings. Click the picture for a larger look at it.
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