chemise a la reine update.... A few hours later

Just couldn't do it, just couldn't leave it.  Kept it at bay by gardening etc, but then it rained. Trapped indoors with a nearly right costume and all the doings ready to hand......

Version II - muslin frill gone, lace attached. Did take over an hour to do but fortunately it was a good long shower. This time did remember to add a sash - a silk scarf. 



The lace is a straight strip so needed to be gathered slightly over the shoulders and back to give a frill rather than a collar.
I'm afraid it isn't antique - old nylon, but at least it isn't bright white and has a slightly yellowed pattern worked through it.







The scale of the new frill has changed the look of the dress. It may still be quite Edwardian but id less top heavy. The distance from neck to waist looks longer and the front pleating is visible without the monster overhang.  Okay the sash is a bit of over kill but the dress does look happier overall.

Every solution  does involve creating new problems- The shoulders are more exposed now - does the gap at the top of the sleeve look too big? More smocking? Yes, it does but not tonight now the light is fading. With the upper section narrower it should give that bell like shape over the elbow. The ribbons need to be on the lower gather aswell. I am reluctant to do too much to the sleeves - they will never work properly until Gwen gets arms, but still....

Does it look more like the original portrait of Marie Josephine? I think so.

spencer portrait... and oops.

as promised the last vision of the Purple Regency Spencer With The Wrong Buttons ( must find an easier name for it) as  a painting.  I tried and failed to ignore that sketch of Jane Austen, I find her expression.... disconcerting.
 Lacking my own model  I've borrowed from several 1800/1810 portraits and fashion plates for style and pose. An oil sketch by Raeburn was the start - the pose is so school photograph it amused me. He looked up at his model but mine seemed all chin so I levelled the gaze but kept the leaning forward on a box idea. The quarter turn presents the shoulder which is where I wanted the focus to be.

 
The initial drawing has emerged looking very Renaissance - the exaggeration of the neck, the clothing detail- was seriously tempted to add a white ferret at this stage.  It doesn't have the snooty expression yet, looks more sulky. The initial watercolour has changed it - the face is more reserved, worried and upright  but alot more is needed on the clothing






Regency spencer portrait

I've tried to keep the face light and minimal - she looks a little upset by this but the purpose was always to show the clothing.


 I do like how the clothing detail worked out - the lawn and lace looks lighter in texture and weight than the silk, and that has appropriate body and sheen.
 Spot the big mistake? THE REALLY BIG MISTAKE. The toooo big to worry about, much too big mistake. Such a stupid thing to do!
Pretend it didn't happen, fussing would only draw attention to it.

Could I add a skirt to the spencer and call it a pelisse?

Back to sewing for next time. It hurts more but at least I can unpick.