1897 Evening Dress

[atherleisure]

I made an 1897 evening dress this spring or early summer. I used a reprint of an original pattern from Repeated Originals. The original called for lace applique on the bodice and skirt, but I had a ton of beads left over from a 1920's beaded purse I made a few years ago and decided this would be a good way to use some of them up.

The bodice foundation is ivory silk/cotton faille with pale yellow silk satin for the main fabric. The bits that fill in the neck in both front and back are silk chiffon. The lace on the sleeves is something I got at the Costume College marketplace last year. The skirt is silk satin flatlined with muslin. The satin didn't need interlining to stiffen it, but I wanted to be able to hem to a lining instead of the satin itself. There are 11 or 12 inches of stiff cotton organdy in the hem and then a facing of muslin covering that. The belt is separate and interlined with stiff organdy and lined with muslin. The pattern called for a buckle, but I didn't have one that was large enough and couldn't find one in a search online. I took the beading pattern from a slightly earlier 1890's fashion plate but put it where the lace appliques were supposed to go.

I wore it to Costume College this summer. The bodice ended up a little more bloused than I really like, but since the beading is already there, I don't know that I can do much about it. Other than that I really like the dress and look forward to finding some other event to wear it to.

The pictures were taken by Mark Edwards at Costume College.







And here's one with marianme


https://repeatedoriginals.com/products/1897-satin-gown-sewing-pattern-instant-download-pdf

Comments

[hharris]

What a masterpiece! In silk satin, no less. The era and silhouette suit you so well.

[atherleisure]

Thank you. I found a good sale on the silk satin and was saving it for this kind of thing. I think I did it justice.

[marianme]

It does need another wearing!

[danabren]

Wow, so elegant!

[atherleisure]

Thank you.