Gown closed in the front.

[The Major]

Hello All,

This past weekend at our monthly living history event, during an after hours conversation at a social my unit put on, I was in a conversation when the women brought up the question of dresses and if they all button in the back. Because it is such a pain to get dressed by one's self, if their impression is not one of a higher class they wouldn't have a servant to dress them, which they don't in reality anyway. Unfortunately none of the women in the conversation do much online and probably won't join this, or any, forum. So I told them I would ask you all if you knew a something that would help them. Does any know of a regency era dress pattern that closes completely in the front, assisting with a woman getting dressed by herself? I believe they already have a stay pattern that does, but they would like to find a dress pattern.

[dawnluckham]

Past Patterns "Lewis and Clark" round gown closes in the front with pins inside and drawstrings outside.

Period Impressions Bibb Front Gown is a VERY common style of gown closure in period and is completely under represented by re-enactors.

Both of these gown patterns produce really beautiful, flattering gowns.

[The Major]

May 6, 2008 6:16:38 GMT -5 dawnluckham said:

Past Patterns "Lewis and Clark" round gown closes in the front with pins inside and drawstrings outside.

Period Impressions Bibb Front Gown is a VERY common style of gown closure in period and is completely under represented by re-enactors.

Both of these gown patterns produce really beautiful, flattering gowns.

Dear Dawn,

Thank you very much. I will pass this information along.

[aylwen]

The Sense & Sensibility sells an Elegant Lady's Closet pattern that has two options - a v-front almost like a wrap-around gown and a gathered front gown that does not have an opening but you close it with drawstrings. You can see it partway down the page at www.sensibility.com/pattern/regency.htm

Cheers, Aylwen

[dawnluckham]

Of Course! I forgot about the wrap dress option! Thanks Aylwen!

Jennie (from the Sense and Sensibility patterns) does indeed have a wrap dress option! The Elegant Lady’s Closet pattern is a really nice pattern, actually.

I believe Reconstructing History has a new wrap style option as well, but I haven’t yet seen the pattern to make an assessment of it yet.

[aylwen]

The reconstructing history line has drafted up the patterns from Janet Arnold, but to date, has not shown us what their finished product looks like. I'm still waiting....

Cheers, Aylwen

[Val]

I'm still hoping to start sewing my Reconstructing History day dress pattern next week. Still waiting for someone to be here long enough to lace me in my corset so I can fit the muslin. Hubby hasn't been able to handle the tiny holes. Maybe this weekend.
I've talked to the owner of RH on LiveJournal. I'll ask her if she has any photos of completed ones yet.

[Val]

I asked Kass at Reconstructing History is she was going to post any photos of completed dresses, and she said soon but has others that need to be done first.
If and when I get mine done, I told her I'd send a picture.