Copyright AriaAustin, 1999 - 2009, all rights reserved.
This black silk velvet regency gown was made sleeveless to be worn with opera-length black satin gloves. Lined in cotton, front of the bodice is fan-gathered and the back has princess seams. The armholes and neckline are bias-bound with black silk velvet. The waist band and bottom of the gown are decorated with blue and metallic gold woven ribbon. The skirt below the ribbon on the bottom is lined with silk velvet rather than the cotton used for the rest. The four buttons on the back are decorative and the gown closes with seven hooks and eyes, which makes dressing easier when alone. Fabrics were pre-washed, making this gown as easy to clean as throwing in the washer and tumble drying on low.
This little girl's grape silk regency dress was made in the same manner as above, only using a crisper silk and fuller sleeves.
Crisp silks do not flow freely the way softer silks do, but they do make a lovely rustling sound when moving.
Rather than line in a matching fabric, I used a similar color as the lining above for contrast. If you look at the sleeve hole in the photo to the left, you can just make out some light blue.
This gown closes with six silver flower buttons with rhinestone centers.
Crisp silks do not flow freely the way softer silks do, but they do make a lovely rustling sound when moving.
Rather than line in a matching fabric, I used a similar color as the lining above for contrast. If you look at the sleeve hole in the photo to the left, you can just make out some light blue.
This gown closes with six silver flower buttons with rhinestone centers.
Regency Gowns
This lovely, summery regency gown is made from 100% cotton with a sash of 100% silk chiffon. Both were pre-washed twice to get all shrinking out of the way, and then the silk chiffon was hand-dyed to this beautiful beachy blue. It was washed yet again to remove all excess dye. Of course all this washing means this gown is as easy to clean as tossing in the washer and dryer.
With the exception of the sleeves, this gown is fully lined and hemmed by hand. It closes up the back with four functional buttons as well as the sash. As one would expect, it has the "princess" seaming and dropped shoulder seams commonly seen in this era.
This gown was loosely based on the ball gown worn by Jane Bennett in 2005's
Pride & Predjudice.
You may enjoy this Making of the Cotton & Silk Regency Gown with more photos.
With the exception of the sleeves, this gown is fully lined and hemmed by hand. It closes up the back with four functional buttons as well as the sash. As one would expect, it has the "princess" seaming and dropped shoulder seams commonly seen in this era.
This gown was loosely based on the ball gown worn by Jane Bennett in 2005's
Pride & Predjudice.
You may enjoy this Making of the Cotton & Silk Regency Gown with more photos.
This springtime regency dress is made in the exact same period-authentic styling as the rest. A lilac print cotton and cottn muslin are pre-washed, and pink gimp braid used to trim the neckline, waist,
and sleeves. The
sleeve bands are
flannel inside for
softeness. A
built-in petticoat is
also of cotton
muslin. This gown
closes in the back
with pink buttons.
Tucks can be
added to these
skirts to grow with
your child.
Pinafores also
add a lovely touch.
and sleeves. The
sleeve bands are
flannel inside for
softeness. A
built-in petticoat is
also of cotton
muslin. This gown
closes in the back
with pink buttons.
Tucks can be
added to these
skirts to grow with
your child.
Pinafores also
add a lovely touch.
This precious, historically-patterned regency gown was made of a polished cotton broadcloth and lined with cotton muslin for the little girl of an ex-Sailor. The color was hard to photograph with the sheen of the fabric, but it is as true to navy in color as possible.
The neckline is hand-trimmed with silky white cord, and the sleeve bands and waist are both trimmed with white satin ribbon.
The back closes with white pearlesque buttons with a darling rope trim design, and the gown, including sleeves, are fuly lined with no exposed seams on the sleeves or waist line.
The neckline is hand-trimmed with silky white cord, and the sleeve bands and waist are both trimmed with white satin ribbon.
The back closes with white pearlesque buttons with a darling rope trim design, and the gown, including sleeves, are fuly lined with no exposed seams on the sleeves or waist line.
This charming infant dress is made from 100% cotton in regency style, complete with the shoulder seams dropped to the back and princess seams on the back. The neckline is top-stitched. The lining of the skirt is edged with white cotton eyelet lace, and navy gimp braid decorates the waist. Only the sleeves were left unlined, and the sleeve cuffs were hand-finished. The back closes with five navy buttons. The seams at the waist are turned toward the outside and are covered by the braid to give the inside a smooth finish that won't irritate a little girl's skin. Since young childen grow up faster than they grow out, this style dress can be worn a litte bit onger than most as it will go from being full length to ankle length rather than becoming too short. As long as it buttons, it will fit her. These regency dresses are suitable for heirlooms.
Lower left: Notice the princess and drop-shoulder seams.
Below: The dress turned inside out to show the separate lining and waist finish.
Lower left: Notice the princess and drop-shoulder seams.
Below: The dress turned inside out to show the separate lining and waist finish.
I made this precious silk charmeuse dress for my own daughter. Sueded silk charmeuse is the softest fabric I can think of, soft as chinchilla fur. It is lined with a crinkled habotai and closes in back with five Italian glass buttons tinted a very soft blue. The seams at the waist are hidden under the waistband on the outside, keeping the inside waist smooth against a child's delicate skin. The outer non-period modifications I made were to remove the princess seaming from the back (this may have been done, though I haven't seen much in my scant research into children's dresses) and to move the top seams to the tops of the shoulder instead of a few inches further back.
The small picture below, in the center, shows the smooth waist inside. Yes, that is the inside of this gown!
The small picture below, in the center, shows the smooth waist inside. Yes, that is the inside of this gown!
