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Saturday, August 31, 2013

Past Projects · 1780s Polonese Gown



This is an older project (back in Aug-Dec 2010), that I re-discovered and finally accepted this past year. :-)  I found out about Burnley and Trowbridge's Polonese Gown-Making Class back in 2010 and was just barely able to make it in- someone canceled 2 weeks before the event, and I was first on the waiting list!  I did have a bit of panicking to make a new pair of stays before the class, and thankfully I already had the right amount of silk in my stash for the dress. :-)  It was my first exposure to draping clothing and entirely hand-sewing a garment, but I was committed to learning!  It was SUCH a great class and I learned so much.  At the end of the weekend, I had the dress put together (minus the sleeves).  Once at home, I draped and made a dress for Gretel (which is now sadly outgrown!) so that I could cement the knowledge and Mom draped and set the sleeves of my dress for me.  I wanted a challenge for myself, so I decided to hand-sew every single part of my dress.  A LOT of hemming later, I had the satisfaction of crossing a new threshold in my sewing journey. :-)  After doing this dress, I am so much more likely to completely hand-sew my 18th cen clothing.  It really stretched me and pushed me to the next level!  After making the dress though, I was rather paralyzed by accessorizing it for the next 2 years.  I tend to hang out in the "everyday middling class" of the 18th century, so a silk dress was way out of my league!


After doing this dress, I am so much more likely to completely hand-sew my 18th cen clothing.  It really stretched me and pushed me to the next level!  After making the dress though, I was rather paralyzed by accessorizing it for the next 2 years.  I tend to hang out in the "everyday middling class" of the 18th century, so a silk dress was way out of my league!


We got silk organza to make caps and kerchiefs, but sadly my first attempt at a cap was very dis-satisfactory.  Waaaayyyy too 1760s, not enough 1780s.  I made this cap in Sept 2012, while we were driving through England.  By the time I got to the puffy trim, I found out that I could make amazingly minuscule hems- now I just wish I learned that at the beginning! ;-)


 I'm fairly happy with how the whole outfit has come together, but I'm still on the look-out for some new ideas to do with it.  And, since there are a couple yards of the silk left, I just might have to make a jacket at some point.... ;-)

Photos taken in Colonial Williamsburg by my fabulous personal photographer, Kathryn.

15 comments:

  1. I love your blog! :) And the fact that those stripes match up perfectly. :)

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  2. Ridiculous. That's how incredibly talented you are! If I was you, I would go mad. I'm glad you're you instead because then I can just admire. :-)

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  3. I think you already know, but this dress is amazing! I LOVE the cap too!!

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  4. What fun...a little peak into the world of fine sewing! Everything is perfection...but you had an exceptional teacher and consultant ;)

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  5. It is beautiful!! You are very talented! Excited to read you blog!!!:) ~Kelsey

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  6. All the projects you've shared are just amazing. It's neat to see more close-up details and read some of what went into the making of them. Looking forward to following along with more of your sewing! :)

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  7. Hi Lily!

    I'm so glad you've finally started a sewing blog! With your talent and all the gorgeous projects in your collection already, there will be much to make the costume lover's heart happy here! :-) I look forward to reading it!

    Rebecca

    PS - So glad to see your name on the workshop list! We'll see you there! :-)

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  8. Rebecca, I'm looking forward to the workshop so much! It will be so nice to have some familiar faces there, too!! :-)

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  9. Oh wow, that is seriously gorgeous. Love the tone on tone stripe, it shows the cut of the polonaise so well! Beautiful work!

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  10. Your dress and cap are beautiful. I love to hand sew my costumes, it's calming, and what I am making fits better too.
    You make lovely clothes ( been going through your blog) Thanks for sharing. Paula

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  11. Thank you all so very much!

    Kendra, I'm so flattered that you'd comment!! :-) I've been an ardent admirer of your work for years- thanks for being such an inspiration!

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  12. Simply lovely work, I can't resist striped polonaises! That miniature is a nice touch, too!

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  13. Thank you, Sanna! I've enjoyed reading your blog over the past few months- you're such an inspiration! :-)

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    1. I'm glad to hear that and right back at you! :) Your blog is pure eye-candy and I find this dress very inspiring in particular because a robe a la polonaise is on my to-do list and yours is one of the rare, perfect examples of proper polonaises :)

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