maanantai 16. heinäkuuta 2012

Regency whites

My first Regency gown is ready! I might still add some more embroidery but it works fine as it is, too. The pattern was from the Janet Arnold book, the embroidery patterns I drew myself. Normally I never wear white (and I mean never) but this costume doesn't feel all that strange in its pristine whiteness. I have a mint green spencer in the making and it looks great with the gown but I want to make another one, maybe a black or a red one.


The gown with all the underthings (naturally :) ) and the chemisette I made with Janet Arnold's pattern. I really like the ruffly collar.



A gown like this would require a chamber maid to help one to put it on. Luckily I apparently have contortionistic abilites and managed to button up the back and tie the laces myself...

  
 You cant really see it in the first three photos, but the hem is actually embroidered with a rather large fern pattern. I drew the pattern myself and used fly stitch, chain stitch and something the embroidery book called the rosette chain stitch (pretty direct translation from Finnish; I tried to look for an English equivalent but couldn't find one) for the embroidery.

sunnuntai 1. heinäkuuta 2012

Trip to Bath, part 1

 I'm travelling to London in September and I also plan to go the yearly Jane Austen Festival in Bath which conveniently begins during my trip (I confess, I had a cunning plan when I booked the flights...). Of course the event is a perfect excuse for making Regency costumes! So far I've finished short stays and a shift, high waisted petticoat and I'm now embroidering the hem of my first gown. Also, I have a spencer in the making.


                                           






Here the gown has no sleeves or back fastenings yet. I'm trying it on for size. I crocheted the bonnet from paper yarn :)

Some time ago I knitted a lovely Shetland lace shawl. I think it matches the look perfectly.


Oh, and I made a chemisette too. I really like how it turned out. The pattern is from Janet Arnold book.


A little peek of the hem embroidery. The dress seemed to call for some kind of fern pattern.