Tasks this week were petticoats, source fabrics and toile (prototype dress). Petticoat is made -
The robe anglaise style dress I'm planning on is pleated on the back, en ferreau (back bodice and skirt is cut as one)and front closing. General ideas for the shapes are from Janet Arnold's Patterns of Fashion 1 and from extant examples in the Metropolitan Museum. The closest examples to the painting seem to be from 20 years later but....
Toile is kind of done, it's a little awkward as the pins are nearly as big as the seams. But the fabric choice remains a problem. I posted for advice on facebook and received some good insights, duchess satins or silk taffeta seemed to be the consensus. Not in abundant supply in York but did find some, not the right colours, but had a try. These are probably the right stuff for period etc but not at this scale- they both bulk up alarmingly as soon as they are pleated and have a dislike of tight corners and shapes. The waist is only 5 1/2 inches and I want to knife pleat the skirt on to this. Compromise time - I'm going into town on Tuesday (hope) to buy what ever will do the job- should be shiny, softly drapey and as close to the slightly greenish yellow ochre colour as I can. I don't quite believe the colour in this copy - think it is too rich, so will have to pop back into Fairfax House to double check. Do wish they would allow photography.In the mean time - distractions -
Sewing buttonholes and buttons onto Gwen's Rupert frock coat,
Trimming the Victorian 1890s day skirt,
Actually got some drawings taken and now published by the Stamp Press, Manchester.
And there is to be a new fabric in York - Yipee!
Still can't wrinkle forehead following the botox treatment 9 days ago - will keep trying.
But at least The News Quiz is back on Radio 4!
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