Teens evening gown from January 2010

[lastbloom]

This is the ball gown I made for the Jane Austen Evening in Pasadena this past January. I used the La Mode Bagatelle pattern's cross over bodice and gored skirt, which created a teens silhouette. The gown is made from crimson taffeta, trimmed with black velvet ribbon and some salvaged 19th century beading kindly given to me by my best friend. The lace shawl is over 100 years old and was worn as a head covering for mass by the lady who owned it before me. I made my turban by wrapping a black velvet shawl around my head and tacking on more beading and a few black feathers. I'm not crazy about this gown, as it is not really my style, but it sort of designed itself from things I had laying around in my sewing room...(I've had the fabric for 12 years, yikes!). The hem decoration was inspired a mid-teens fashion plate.

[Anna]

Very cute! I usually hate the puffed hems in fashion plates, but I love it on a real person!

[lastbloom]

Thanks, Anna!

This dress was really not my style at all, but I wanted to use things I had on hand already...and the shoes were my starting point (great, very period-looking black velvet flats with a pointed toe and a ribbon cockade and long tongue found at goodwill for $5!). I was worried the puffy trim would look silly but it wasn't overwhelmingly so in person

[Val]

Hey, I see you're with Lauren, Katherine, (friends of mine) and Addi. I loved that color of Lauren's blue gown.
I love what you did with your gown. The puffs are fabulous, and it's something I'd like to try someday. I don't dance so the fancy dresses haven't been at the top of my to-do list.

[lastbloom]

Hi Val!

I believe I've heard Lauren talk about you before She's my "particular friend" (I love that phrase...so much fancier than BFF!) and will be up visiting me this week. Lauren's gown was so gorgeous -- this little picture doesn't do the sleeves any justice.

I hope I will have the pleasure of meeting you at an event in the near future!