Darted Bodice

[bennettgirl]

So I was wondering how the late regency smooth bodices where put together. Obviously they had some sort of darts in them. But I would like to know what kind, where they curved seams like a princess seam or where they triangular darts under the bust? Or something all together different. does anyone know?

[dawnluckham]

They used darts: This is a bib front gown - but if you look at the larger bodice picture you can see the darts in the bib.

www.vintagetextile.com/new_page_736.htm

[bennettgirl]

thanks for the link. that's a very interesting extant gown.

[bennettgirl]

but how do you get the neckline to lay flat/ ungathered?

[dawnluckham]

The fabric is cut to the shape of the body. A lot – if not all gowns were draped right on a person.
They used seaming and darts just as we do today.

I don’t know that they’d call them “Princess seams” but they had a kidney shaped side piece that was commonly used in the bodice. Often there was no side seam but this curved shape that can be found at side bust and you can see it clearly in the backs of many gowns. It generally doesn’t go right through the bust, the way modern Princess seams do.

americanhistory.si.edu/collections/costume/enlarge.cfm?imageid=180&recordnumber=361864

[lastbloom]

Great color! I am also surprised to see that such light colored thread was used throughout the dress. Thanks for sharing this!

[artemisiajolie]

That's a fantastic link Dawn! Makes me want to attempt to copy the pattern

[ista]

There's another darted bodice (later) on Vintage Textiles, and this one shows the inside of the bodice. I can't wear yellow without looking like liver failure, but I'm always drawn back to look at this dress.
www.vintagetextile.com/new_page_57.htm