I've finally broken down and joined Pinterest. It took me a while to be convinced due to copyright concerns, as I want to be careful that original creators get their due (photographers, designers, etc.). I've always been happy for visitors

One of my customers purchased this extant Regency gown at auction a few years ago and sent me detailed photographs so I could study the drawstring closure and short sleeve/undersleeve combination. I didn't end up making the drawstring bodice in my Elegant Lady's Closet as gathered as this one, but I absolutely love this look.

This breathtaking, all white Regency gown is in the collection of the wonderful Valentine Museum in Richmond, Virginia, which boasts one of the largest historical costume collections in the South. I photographed this during a visit in 1998 to file away.

This is a reproduction Regency gown I made in 2001, savoring every moment of this delectable project! My customer asked me to copy the gown and the chemisette with standing "ruff" collar seen in the Regency portrait at left.

The gowns above used to be on display in Jane Austen's house, Chawton, England. Note the beautiful shawl and the draping detail on the bodice at the right. Below is a photo from A&E's "Emma," and you can see the same draping detail was used for Jane Fairfax's ballgown.

Left:

One of Elizabeth Bennet's beautiful Spencer jackets from the recent A&E "Pride and Prejudice" miniseries. This one features nice sleeve details with "toothed" sleeve caps.

Here are several shots from the Miramax "Emma," starring Gwyneth Paltrow. Clockwise from top left: Day dress of a lovely sage green with a patterned muslin overdress; plainer day dress with gathered bodice and a gorgeous shawl; day dress of striped pink with a more squared neckline; morning dress with "drop-front" bodice; ball gown with sheer sleeves

Top left: "Mariann" and "Elinor" ride in the coach to their new home in "Sense and Sensibility." I love the bonnet Kate Winslet is wearing. Top center: The Dashwood ladies listen attentively to their mysterious guest. Mariann's daydress is simple and lovely.

This satirical cartoon spoofs the length of some ladies' trains during the early Regency (ca. 1797). So funny!

A hilarious Regency cartoon, poking fun at the increasingly deep bonnet styles of the period.

Fashion plate of mid-Regency bonnets. Note the tall crowns, which became quite the rage through the early 1820s.

Here is something quite unique. These photographs were taken in the late 1800s. The young woman pictured is wearing an 1820s dress with a "calash" bonnet (very typical of the late 18th century through the early 19th). Perhaps she is modeling what her grandmother wore?

This is an original ballgown from 1818. Note the beaded fabric and gold trim details. The sleeves are very large, which points to the late Regency period.

These paintings were done in the Victorian era but showcase the fashions of a generation before. The gorgeous portrait on the left shows the Grecian influence so prevalent during the Regency period (particularly early on). Note the trim on the sleeves and the gold band in the lady's hair.

Here is a Regency lady dancing in her ballgown.

Note the asymmetrical overskirt with tasseled trim.

These illustrations are from a 1910 novel, D'Ri and I, by Irving Bacheller. The story is set during the War of 1812. I think the gowns illustrated here are just lovely.

This illustration is from a 1911 cover of Ladies Home Journal.I love this very accurate and beautiful painting of a young woman in a pink bonnet. Note her reticule and beautiful, colorful shawl.

English fashion plate of a woman wearing a Spencer jacket, circa 1818. Note the long scarf tied around the high neck of the jacket.

Here is a scrumptious early 1820s ballgown (when all the puffs and furbelows really came into style with a bang!). Look at all the detailing on this gown and imagine the work! The slashed sleeves are simply a feast for the eyes, and the cording on the bodice just amazes me with its perfect stitchery. This is another gown you can see in Jane Ashelford's book,

This is an original woman's day dress, circa 1810, which is on display in the Danish Museum. The fit of the dress has a very modern flair to it. This is another extant gown that directly inspired my original Regency Gown pattern, particularly when it came to the shape of the skirt, which I love on this gown.