Revisiting the blue robe à la Francaise

I made my first and so far only robe à la Francaise in 2015 but never wore it to an event until the Christmas ball last November. As I had reworked the trimming entirely, I thought to write a new post about it.
Initially I was happy about the general shape of the robe but the trimmings I first put on it did not feel right. So last year I finally got around changing them and the result is in my opinion much better, frillier, and definitely much more 18th century. The trims consist of  ruched robe fabric frills wit pinked edges, double edged wide lace pleated partly on top of that and partly winding around it, taffeta bows, and hand-crocheted-by-me trim on the sleeve frill edges. The petticoat is also decorated with the same lace and bows and to tie it together with the robe (since they are of different fabrics) I put a net ruffle on the hem of the petticoat. I might make a new petticoat later if I ever manage to find suitable fabric, but the one I have now works fine, too. I still have to adjust the engageantes, because I attached them too low under the sleeve frills and they reach my wrists, which they really shouldn't.
The photos below were all taken by Sanna of Rococo Atelier, and Mia did wonders with my hair.

I had some misgivings about having TOO MUCH frills and bows on this, but then I got over it. Too much frou frou in the 18th century? There is no such thing.

Looking at pictures of the latest hair styles.

The feathers refused to settle and kept turning into this very bunny ears type of an arrangement so I just gave up trying to fix it :P

Blue robe à la francaise

I finished my first robe à la Francaise yesterday! Hooray!

*Throws confetti*


I've worked on it on and off for months and months and originally it was supposed to be ready for the Bal Masque in the end of April but that didn't happen. There'll be other events to wear it, though. I decided that I would rather take time to finish it properly than hurry to get it ready in time and do sloppy work.

The vital statistics of this robe are:

The style/pattern: I wanted a later model of the francaise, with a front closing bodice, not a stomacher and the fiddly "pin these pieces on your stays" business. I suppose my robe would be somewhere in the 1770s; I was inspired by this, this, this and this extant example. I used my anglaise bodice as guidelines and consulted the Janet Arnold book for the back pleats and the front hems. Also, a thanks to Sanna of Rococo Atelier, who gave me advice on the width and depth of the back pleats.

The fabric: some kind of viscose (?) blend, with a woven stripe. The fabric was originally silver gray, but I dyed it and it became sort of forget-me-not/periwinkle/pennywort blue. It's very hard to photograph but just take my word, it's a beautiful shade in person :) The bodice is lined with cotton. I chose not to make the conventional adjustable lining for this dress.

The petticoat is a surprise find from the stash. I had been searching for a suitable fabric for the petticoat because I never had enough of the robe fabric for a petticoat too. It's a cotton blend (I think).

The trimmings are of the robe fabric and leftover scraps of my Courtois dress fabric.

Onwards to the pictures. There are loads.

The amazing bunny ear feathers. I recently bought three of these brown ostrich feathers from an interior decoration shop that was closing down and selling everything half price :)

I like how the train pools on the floor. Though I might be of a different mind later, I have yet to wear this around other people so I haven't experienced the dreaded trample on the train.

Awkward 18th century portrait pose with a harp.

"This is good. Where are you going to sit?" :)