1890s Reproduction Green Ball Gown was made for a ball that was not attended.
So, it was finished and first worn with friends to the first night of a showing of "The Hound of the Baskervilles"
that had a Victorian costume discount.
Dress
Green synthetic bodice and skirt are separate.
Bodice
Green synthetic lightly boned bodice with large puffy sleeves interlined with netting, white eyelet collar from the edge of a drapery swag, laces up back with
modesty panel. Cotton polyester blend green flatlining. Black synethetic flower pin.
Pattern: Laughing Moon 103 1890s Waist View C Size 14 top and size 16 waist, length shortened 1", waist decreased by 3/4"
Finished measurements:
Bust: 38"
Waist: 30"
I thought I was making this smaller with more adjustability. Apparently not. On the plus side, it was fairly comfortable with the expanded waist.
At a sewing party, I sewed most of these lacing eyelets by hand. The inconsistencies in size are not
as noticeable when laced.
View of the sleeve from the underside showing the inner facing and outer sleeve.
Skirt
Green synthetic skirt with hidden back pockets, gored front panel and pleated in back, back hook & eye closure and
inner drawstring on waistband for adjustability. Faced interfaced hem. In shortening the skirt, forgot that shortening would lengthen the diagonal side
seam so had to ease the back seam in to meet the side seams. I also thought I was making the back longer than the front and ended up with a
skirt that was the same length in back as front so did not do the skirt length adjustments correctly.
Pattern: Laughing Moon 101 Five Gored Skirt Size 16 shortened 3.5"
Finished measurements:
Waist: 30"
Skirt length: 38"
Skirt circumference approx.: 128"
Butt Ruffle
The back of the skirt looked too flat so I used cotton twill from my stash to make
a butt ruffle.
Using existing ribbon meant sewing lengths of a different width ribbon to the front.
Finished this old UFO petticoat to wear underneath. It needs shortening by a couple of inches to
stay underneath the skirt.
Over Petticoat
Originally finished a petticoat for a different skirt to wear as the over petticoat, but
it squashed the butt ruffles.
Shoe Clips
American Duchess Tissot Victorian reproduction shoes were dyed green.
Green synethic fabric bows were attached to shoe clips and added to the shoes.
Reticule
Black velvet cotton drawstring reticule with navy blue polyester satin lining was started many, many
years ago has a tassle on the bottom.
Completed: April 2016