With a fancy Regency Ball to be attended last December, my friend Kathryn needed a dress suitable for the occasion!
There was a lot of agonizing over what style to settle upon, but one thing was certain- she wanted silk. She also wanted something very drapey, so we settled on a silk habotai. The gold color was partially just a result of the fabric available, but I'm so glad that's what she chose! The color is stunning on her, and is perfect for the style and the setting! :-)
The dress closes in the back with covered buttons.
And just act like you didn't see those machine-sewn buttonholes. I probably should be so shamed by them that I learn how to make nice hand-sewn buttonholes, but I'm not. Yet.
Maybe that should be one of my New Year's Resolutions- perfect my hand-sewn buttonholes. ;-)
One of my favorite parts of regency dresses- all of those lovely skirt pleats! :-)
I just love this back view!! So pretty. I am in dire need of a silk regency dress now. Like, right now.
The dress is very simple, so we decided that detailed sleeves were a "must". The sleeves are lined in quilting-weight cotton to add more body and strips of fabric "bunch" the sleeve up.
The bodice is gathered in the front, and has a small drawstring in the neckline to ensure a perfect fit each time. The waistline is trimmed with large piping, which adds just a touch of detail and makes the dress look more complete. :-)
· Photos by oh, wait... me. With Kathryn's camera. ;-) ·
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That is a most beautiful ball gown!! And a most beautiful lady!! :)
ReplyDeleteI just love the details - the pleats, the drapiness of the fabric, the covered buttons, the sleeves. So much prettiness! The piping around the waist is perfect. I need to make my ball gown soon!! Even if I have no ball to go to!! ;)
Lovely, amazing job as always, Lily!!
Goodness! I absolutely love that dress! You are sooo talented. :)
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That is a beautiful dress! I love the pleats at the back! What pattern did you use?
ReplyDeleteNuala, thank you! :-)
DeleteI was very remiss to not mention the pattern- thanks for reminding me! I used Sense & Sensibility's Elegant Lady's Closet pattern as a base, changing the sleeves and neckline a bit. The skirt is cut from the S&S Regency Gown pattern with extra fullness in the back pleats.
Hope that helps!
Yes, that helps-thank you!
DeleteVery beautiful! The color looks smashing on her.
ReplyDeleteNot all regency gowns are beautiful nor do they usually suit the wearer. This one is both lovely as well as perfect for the wearer! I love the tone, as well as the perfect drape of the fabric. Before you mentioned the pleats of the skirt, I was planning on mentioning them; I noticed that you excell in doing perfectly delightful pleats, Lily! The bodice is perfect as well. These dresses look simple enough but I know it takes talent to make them fit so nicely. I'm sure Kathryn was delighted.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! :-) My perfectionistic tendencies tend to manifest themselves whenever pleats enter the picture..... ;-)
DeleteIt's a beautiful dress on a beautiful girl! Lovely work as always, Lily. I like the gorgeous drape of the fabric and the beautiful simplicity of the style.
ReplyDeleteYou're the best. :-D
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the prettiest Regency dresses that I've seen! It's absolutely lovely. (And her hair is amazing, too :)
ReplyDeleteOh so lovely! You're right about the color too. It's perfect! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is SO beautifully gorgeous! How crazily talented are you?!!! Those sleeves especially, and the golden colour. The first picture isn't the only one that could fit right on a book cover! Great, great amazing job.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! And I think machine sewn buttonholes can be excused... for now that is. Besides, the rest of the absolutely gorgeous dress makes up for that small "failure". ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Brigid
the Middle Sister and Singer
Thank you all so much! This was a fun project to work on, but it's even more fun admire it in action! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely dress! And those sleeves! What pattern did you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gabriela! :-) I used Sense & Sensibility's "Elegant Lady's Closet" pattern as a base, with possibly(?) some alterations. I don't quite remember all of what I did, but I'm pretty sure I added some length to the sleeves and then added the bands to "scrunch" them up. :-)
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