I didn’t know how to sew a button when I began making this gown.
This is a self-drafted, Rococo-inspired robe de cour created for the Fêtes Galantes at Versailles. While inspired by mid-18th century court dress, it is not intended to be a strict historical reproduction.
Pattern/Drafting:
Bodice/stays and grand pannier were drafted using references from Patterns of Fashion 5 by Janet Arnold (School of Historical Dress), then extensively modified to achieve my desired silhouette and design.
We wrapped my torso in Saran Wrap and masking tape and drew the bodice outline on me, cut it off, cut the pieces and accounted for a 5/8th’s seam allowance and 2 inch reduction.
Additional draping and fitting were done directly on the dress form.
Fabric:
Main gown: silk brocade (silk blend jacquard/brocade)
Foundation garments: cotton coutil
Boning: synthetic whalebone
Petticoats: cotton
Trim and embellishments applied by hand.
This was my first 18th-century gown, and with the help of my best friend, a seamstress, I learned a lot about historical sewing while making it.