Design ideas for sheer fabric?

[lastbloom]

I'm getting ready to start a new gown for January, and I am just at a loss about what sort of gown (or which pattern) to use with my very sheer white silk. I have a copy of Patterns of Fashion, the La Mode Bagatelle pattern (which I don't care for), and the period impressions 1809 day dress at my disposal.

I don't have a ton of time, so I'm trying to steer away from anything too complicated. Is a bib front gown appropriate for evening? Do I need to line my bodice, or do I just finish all the seam allowances? My other problem is figuring out what kind of sleeve will go over my longish (mid arm) shift sleeves.

[missmardi]

I use the bib front gown for both my day dresses, and my evening gown. It is all about the fabric, and the embellishment. My ball gown is white muslin (not proper sheer muslin) smocked in silver and gold embroidery thread.

I would say you will definitely want to line the bodice at the very least, and possibly the sleeves as well. Will you be wearing a petticoat as well? Or will you be showing your shift, stockings and garters, ah la marvelous?

I am currently working on a new sheer gown (also bib front), and have chosen to do an under dress. My only real decision is whether to do a strapped petticoat, or to sew it right to the lining.

[lastbloom]

Your gown sounds gorgeous! I've never tried smocking -- it looks so complicated -- but I am glad to hear the bib front worked out well for your ball gown. Which pattern did you use? I love the Lewis & Clark pattern, but the back seems like it would be a real pain in a sheer.

I was just looking through my copy of "Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion" (love it!) and I think the exposed garter and shift look is so awesome, but I don't think I'm that daring. So, I'm working on a petticoat, hopefully I'll have it complete by next week.

I think I'm going to do elbow length undersleeves out of white silk and line the bodice with the same stuff, and do a sheer over sleeve. I can't think of how else to deal with those darn shift sleeves. Sort of the reverse of the dinner dress from Emma: farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2348419703_445e7a5b5b_o.jpg

For your new underdress, are you making it up into a sleeveless "bodiced petticoat" sort of style, or will it have sleeves as well? The colored underdress is such a pretty look, can't wait to see yours when it is done!

[missmardi]

Thank you, I have had several compliments on the smocked gown. I used the period impressions Bib front gown, But it is pretty much identical to the one in Janet Arnold's patterns of fashion (if you are comfortable scaling patterns up).

I will definitely be lining the bodice and sleeves on my gown. There are two reasons for this. First, I am copying an embroidered gown in one of my V&A books. The bodice is clearly lined. Secondly, the overlaps of the seer layers would detract from the gown itself. It is not as clear as to whether the skirt is lined. I have made a couple of changes though. The gown I am copying is white with white and red embroidery. The sheer fabric I found is a pale blue. I love blue and could not pass it up. I am going to embroider it in pale and dark blue. The lining and petticoat would be white.

I really like the daring nature of the sheer with the shift and garter showing as well, and sometimes am somewhat shameless. This has caused me to consider doing the strapped petticoat. Then, on my shameless days, I could leave the petticoat off. It is a project for myself, without a deadline, that is only being worked on Sunday afternoons. I have also decided to indulge and completely hand sew it. This being said, it will probably take me quite some time.

Good luck with your gown.

[lyric]

May we have pics, please???