Inspiration:

After having seen the films Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma I was filled by a strange (and very usual) desire to make a Regency gown. A lot of time passed before I was actually able to start one and so by the time I finally sat down and decided to the project, I had a number of things in mind. I wanted my gown to look very innocent and feminine; sort of light and airy, as was common on the lovely Austen heroines. I had some good ideas, but since I didn't have any particular design in mind, and wasn't yet too daring with my pattern alteration skills, the look would be up to the fabric and the pattern that I chose.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma, Jennifer Ehle in Pride and Prejudice, Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Gemma Jones in Sense and Sensibility.

Materials:

Sense and Sensibility's Regency Gown Pattern, 6 yards of printed cotton, 8 plastic (unauthentic :) buttons, hooks and eyes.

When looking for my fabric at JoAnn's Fabrics I immediately fell in love with a pale blue, very delicately printed cotton. It had a regency-ish look, and so I bought it on the spot. Originally I planned to make my dress using a (now out of print) Simplicity pattern that I already owned. But after hearing the rave reviews of Jenny Chancey, of Sense and Sensibility's, pattern, I decided to give it a try.

Construction:

The bodice of the dress has gathering under the bust and the skirt has gathering in the back. I added about an inch to the front of the bodice so that the neckline wouldn't be too low and instead of using buttons I used hooks and eyes. This was because the back didn't overlap enough to make button holes.

Instead of making long or short sleeves, I used Mrs. Chancey's simple directions to make detachable under sleeves and they came out better than I had expected. The under sleeves have buttons on them and the inside of the sleeve band had button holes in it. Therefore you just button the sleeves in!

The Finished Gown:

After a lot of work, I finally finished my first Regency Gown. Overall it was a very nice experience and I can't wait to make my next one! I had a few little problems and there are a couple small things that I would adjust in regards to the bodice for next time, but I'm very happy with this. I think that this is one of the prettiest dresses I've made so far, and I can't wait to wear it out!

To see more pictures of me wearing my gown view the Fezziwig Christmas Ball Pictures and the Thomas' Regency Tea Pictures!

Updates:

Although the dress was complete I couldn't wear it because the neck seemed too wide and gaped when I would bend forward - not exactly what I want :). I tried numerous ideas and finally ended up making a casing on the inside of the neckline with bias tape, and running a ribbon through it. When tied securely, this helped the dress to stay put and not give me any problems. I also ripped out the sleeves to widen the armholes (it seems that everyone who has used this pattern has had to do the same thing). After these changes were made to the dress it was quite comfortable and fun to wear - absolutely perfect!