It’s always been more amazing to me, the stunning techniques in the various trades of the 18th century, compared to today’s technology.
In the manner of sewing 18th century gowns, I’m impressed with how little was cut, then draped with tucks and pleats here and there which brought definition and beauty.
Wanting to practice with stripes, I found a lovely soft drape 100% cotton in narrow yellow and white stripe, similar in appearance to one I’ve seen the milliner wear.
Caught up with sewing enough clothing for my kids to have proper attire, I began draping my gown in mid-August.
After handsewing the back pleats, life kept me busy along with a trip to Pennsylvania.
Then unpacking, canning peaches and apples, homeschooling, and a weekend in Colonial Williamsburg, I took my gown out of the sewing basket to drape the bodice.
Another weekend in Colonial Williamsburg for Prelude to Victory, and homeschooling delayed my bodice tweakings to mid-October.
Suddenly, I finished my gown in hopes of wearing it while visiting Colonial Williamsburg for the annual open house for the Costume Design Center…and Napoleon!
Although in the historic area I will wear this gown with white stays I sewed last spring, I modeled the gown with my new green stays which I recently sewed, to see how well they compared.
