Regency

The regency time period is one of my favorites! (mainly because of the dresses) My sister and I sewed these regency gowns that you see here. We make one a year. Our goal is to have a closet full of them! Elizabeth Bennet, Emma Woodhouse, Marianne Dashwood, and others are our inspirations.

puffed sleeves!

I grew up with three older brothers. Consequently, I played with army men more than dolls, went frog hunting rather than going to tea parties, and wrestled instead of playing dress up. The brothers are grown now and out of the house, so my sister and I are finally realizing the true joys of the things we missed when we were younger.We love to sew, bake, play dress up, have tea parties, read Jane Austen novels, etc...

plain and simple

 Yes, I made the plain black, cotton dress. My sister likes the more elaborate ones, however, cotton is much friendlier to the sewing machine, than taffeta. I plan on making a ball dress eventually, but I'm too practical. This dress I will wear more often than my sister will wear hers. I chose this fabric because it won't show stains, it doesn't fray, it's a nice, cool cotton and I like it! Hope you like the pictures.

crushed taffeta regency ball gown

This dress and mine above are done from the same pattern. I chose to make alterations, though. I cropped the sleeves to make it cooler to dance in, didn't sew my sash to the dress and instead of gathering in the back, I made pleats. I think it makes the skirt lay different - less puffy and more flowing.