To Ball Gown or Not to Ball Gown, that is the question.

Gah! Found out the Ball is Saturday night! I thought I had another day..I do have my muslin cut out, and a good idea of how I want the bodice to look. Man, I am going to be married to my sewing machine for the next 5 days!

I bet it will look beautiful, I can't wait to see!
 
Ok, muslin and fabric have been flat lined, so next up is sewing it all together. Can someone tell me if I really need sleeves, if I plan on have more than one tier of lace? I am thinking with the time crunch I may omit sleeves, bind the holes and make a lace bertha, embellished with this awesome beaded strand(on cotton!)..I am thinking of adding a “belt” of velvet ribbon...save me some time..not enough time..or wine...
 
Not a ball gown expert here, but the pictures I've seen (from Godey's or Peterson's) have short sleeves. Remember that 19th century ladies did not shave their armpits, so would keep them covered! I'd stick with one tier of lace for now--you can always change it for the next ball!

Definitely the velvet belt would be good!
 
Not a ball gown expert here, but the pictures I've seen (from Godey's or Peterson's) have short sleeves. Remember that 19th century ladies did not shave their armpits, so would keep them covered! I'd stick with one tier of lace for now--you can always change it for the next ball!

Definitely the velvet belt would be good!

I did not know about the armpits thing!!!! Is that ditto for legs? If so, I'm sorry, but I'm still going to be farby and shave both areas, probably like most all of my reenactress sisters do. Though I suppose it wouldn't matter, since you can't really see either...
 
So, got up my gumption and registered as a reenactor of the Hale Farm Civil War days in August. (11,12). Now, on the 12th they have a Ball, which I would very much like to go to. No escort, as my kid is working,and hubby has not interest.

I do not have a ball gown. I could, maybe, create a Ball gown style Bodice to “go” with the bodice and skirt I am currently making. I’m not sure if I have enough material to make a matching sleeveless bodice. What I thought I might do is see if I can find some fabric that would compliment what I have, and just whip up something. Trim it out with some really wide lace. Tah-dah?? Of course I have no idea how I would get someone to lace/hook me up, but I bet I could find someone. I’m not shy.

I’m not staying overnight, as the venue isn’t tooo far away.
Not sure how late I'll be staying but if I'm still there when you need it I'll help lace you up! If not, I know a few other ladies I believe are staying for the ball. :wink:
 
So, got up my gumption and registered as a reenactor of the Hale Farm Civil War days in August. (11,12). Now, on the 12th they have a Ball, which I would very much like to go to. No escort, as my kid is working,and hubby has not interest.

I do not have a ball gown. I could, maybe, create a Ball gown style Bodice to “go” with the bodice and skirt I am currently making. I’m not sure if I have enough material to make a matching sleeveless bodice. What I thought I might do is see if I can find some fabric that would compliment what I have, and just whip up something. Trim it out with some really wide lace. Tah-dah?? Of course I have no idea how I would get someone to lace/hook me up, but I bet I could find someone. I’m not shy.

I’m not staying overnight, as the venue isn’t tooo far away.
Last year at Hale Farm:
 
Not sure how late I'll be staying but if I'm still there when you need it I'll help lace you up! If not, I know a few other ladies I believe are staying for the ball. :wink:

Thank you, at least I’ll be able to show you my bodice in person. I’m copying a pattern that I saw online that hooks up the front. Mostly because I figured there would not be anyone I’d know who could hook me up! It’s an early bodice, but I figure I’m old enough to be hanging onto earlier fashions..(Why yes I do still have some clothes from the 80’s in my closet)...
 
Thank you, at least I’ll be able to show you my bodice in person. I’m copying a pattern that I saw online that hooks up the front. Mostly because I figured there would not be anyone I’d know who could hook me up! It’s an early bodice, but I figure I’m old enough to be hanging onto earlier fashions..(Why yes I do still have some clothes from the 80’s in my closet)...
A few years ago I finally threw out late '70's :bounce:
 
*Looks at dress patterns and materials*
*Looks at bank account...*

Fiddle dee dee I'll never get this done!
Ah but remember, patterns can be re-used! The fabric is the most spendy part, in my opinion. Never buy fabric unless it is on sale. And I haunt the clearance section. I also ask for end of bolt prices too. I’m not shy!
 
Not only can patterns be re-used, but they can have design features altered (see Elizabeth Stuart Clark's Dressmaker's Guide) so you don't have to buy a new one. It's a good idea to trace the original pattern and then use the tracing.

Also, since CW era skirts are all made of straight lengths, you don't need a pattern for them, just the bodice. For the skirt, calculate (several times), measure (several times), and RIP!

I never have luck with end-of-bolt sales because they never seem to be the 7 1/2 yards minimum required for a dress! However, I've lucked out on discontinued fabrics.
 
Ah but remember, patterns can be re-used! The fabric is the most spendy part, in my opinion. Never buy fabric unless it is on sale. And I haunt the clearance section. I also ask for end of bolt prices too. I’m not shy!

Oh yes, I'm going to look into at least getting a few patterns, even if I can't afford material yet. I also need to make some underwear too, were we still wearing pantalettes in the 1860's?
 
Oh yes, I'm going to look into at least getting a few patterns, even if I can't afford material yet. I also need to make some underwear too, were we still wearing pantalettes in the 1860's?
s-l1600.jpg
 
Back
Top