Here is a pattern with something for everyone! I took some designs I’d played around with years ago and turned them into a “mega pattern.” All of the pieces are totally correct for the time period (ideal for 1790s-1805) and can be mixed and matched to create an entire wardrobe of gowns! You’ll be able to create day gowns, half-robes, visiting gowns, and evening gowns with ease. Best of all, this pattern is ideal for expectant and nursing mothers, since the drawstring gown accommodates a tummy, and both gowns are nursing-friendly! More photos are below to give you an idea of how you can use this pattern. Important: The gowns in this pattern were designed to be worn over period underpinnings and will not fit correctly over modern undergarments. Please make sure you have your proper underpinnings before you use this pattern!
- Sizes 6-26DD all included in one envelope.
- Illustrated instructions make construction easy!
- Options for long sleeves, fitted elbow-length sleeves, and short puffed sleeves, as well as two different bodice styles.
- Bonus: Includes authentic embroidery motifs as well as patterns for two “ridicules” (Regency era purses)!
- Click here for the Elegant Lady’s Closet yardage chart
- Also available for instant download as an ePattern in PDF format!
Note:If you purchased a copy of the paper pattern prior to May 2010 or the ePattern prior to March 2012, click HERE for corrections/revisions.
6:24 am
Thank you so much for the links to those pictures. What a wonderful prom dress! Both gowns gave me some good ideas for reworking my dress.
1:44 pm
Hi Jennie,
So after looking at the pictures, I went with the Regency gown and it came out beautifully – much easier (and quicker!) to sew than I had anticipated. So thank you for a beautiful pattern!
It does seem a bit big so I may size down the next time I try. But this is just for halloween so I’m not too concerned.
http://www.box.net/shared/xxz111cql6dbrif24yob
I am considering trying to surprise my best friend from high school with a Jane Austen weekend at One Hundred Main next spring – if I am able to pull it off would you recommend a drawstring gown since I wouldn’t be able to fit my model? I’m thinking it might be a bit more forgiving.
Thanks!
Kayla
1:16 am
Good news, Kayla! So glad it worked out. Be sure to see my fitting tutorial, “Why Doesn’t This Look Like the Pattern Cover?”, as it will help you with any fitting issues (there are really very few “standard” bodies in this world!). And, yes, the drawstring gown is very adjustable–just pull up the strings and go–so I’d recommend it for someone whose measurements you have but whom you will not be able to fit personally.
3:51 pm
Hi Jennie,
A silly question, but I’m trying to decide between this pattern and the original Regency gown pattern. Is the Regency gown duplicated in this Elegant Lady’s Closet pattern or are they entirely different?
Many thanks
3:11 am
Hi, Serena! Nope, this is a completely different pattern — totally different shape to the bodice back, armholes, sleeves, everything. The bodice pieces are also shorter and do require the proper underpinnings to fit correctly. Hope this helps!
2:54 pm
Thank you so much Jenny for such a prompt response! I ordered the original Regency dress (the underpinnings as well)and will definitely be back for the Elegant Lady’s Closet and Spencer patterns soon.
I can’t wait to go fabric shopping!!
5:57 pm
What time period are these dresses based on? I’m looking for a dress that would work for late georgian to early regency, and this one caught my eye.
2:32 am
Hello! These gowns are based on extant garments from the mid-to-late-1790s, which is early Regency. If you want late Georgian/early Regency, I recommend the drawstring dress option from the Ladies’ 1780s Portrait Dress Pattern. Hope this helps!
8:47 pm
hello, i love these dresses but i have a question about the yardage. i have cut fabric from many years ago and it is just about 3 1/4 yards. i am short, 4ft 8 and i wanted to know if it would work. thank you.
5:36 am
Hi, Mollie! Yes, you will have plenty of yardage, as the skirt length will be shorter. You won’t have enough for the optional extra skirt panel for the crossover gown, but you can always make that from another material (similar in color and type). Hope this helps!
5:17 pm
thank you sooo much!
5:35 am
I see that you have to have proper underpinnings for the “gowns.” My question is regarding the maternity blouse that is pictured. Does that require special underthings as well? How many patterns in this package are meant to be worn with standard issue lingerie? It is so hard to find pretty and modest clothes. Even maternity clothes are too low cut or too short in the skirt. I love the elegance of these dresses but I don’t want to deal with underpinnings.
5:16 pm
I have a question: how do the e-patterns work? do you print them on your printer? Thanks.
5:22 pm
Hi, Mollie! All the FAQs on ePatterns are at http://sensibility.com/resources/faqs/#epatterns-1. Hope this helps!
12:03 am
thank you
12:57 pm
Which dress is in the very first picture, also, does the ballerina neckline apply to it? Thanks!
2:27 pm
That’s the crossover bodice, Hannah. If you have a ballerina neckline (low bust point), you may need to add length to the bodice. However, since this pattern calls for period correct underthings (chemise and stays), you will probably find the low bust point “fixed” by stays, as they lift the bust. Always measure over the undergarments you intend to wear with the gown before cutting or altering. Hope this helps!
9:32 pm
Which pattern would be easiest and turn out best if you sewed it by hand?
2:06 am
Hi, Liz! The drawstring dress can easily be put together by hand. In fact, I’ve made one that way myself and really enjoyed the work.
11:33 am
Thanks Mrs.Chancey!
8:44 am
The pattern worked super, thanks!
I made the dress from a red/fuchsia sari
10:40 pm
Hello there! I was wondering how to get the smooth skirt front that is on the brown drawstring gown in the pictures above. Thank you!
4:41 am
Hi, Kelly! The smooth skirt front is from my original Regency Gown pattern. You substitute it for the drawstring skirt front, then gather the lower bodice front to fit it. Some ladies can pull the dress over their heads without the additional ease in the empire waist, but you can also make the gown button up the back instead. Hope this helps!
2:14 pm
Hi Jennie,
I have some questions about making a regency ball gown that I hoped you’d be able to help me with.
First, the ball I’m attending is from 10:30-3:00, instead of an evening ball, so would it be appropriate to make my gown from calico? (like a day gown)
If it should made out of a more formal fabric, would a ribbon taffeta like this one be appropriate? ;http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-YARD-RIBBON-TAFFETA-FABRIC-58-LT-PLUM-/300499640506?pt=US_Fabric&hash=item45f72ca0ba (mine is in a hot pink, I’m wondering if the color is anti-period?)
Also,I read in a “regency ball attire” article that a balconette bra would be acceptable to form the correct regency silhouette, instead of the short stays. Do you agree with this?
Thank you so much,
Chloe
3:15 pm
Hi, Chloe! It all depends on how the ball is billed. If it is a fancy dress ball that is just being held in the daytime for convenience, I’d make a formal gown. If it’s a country dance for intimate friends, you could get away with a cotton print like the ones seen on ReproductionFabrics.com (check the 1775-1825 “shelf”). Hot pink is actually a color I have seen many times over in museum collections, so it’s entirely appropriate! The fancy taffeta looks more like 1818-1825, but that still works. Finally, you can get away with a balconette bra if it truly creates a “shelf” look by pushing the bust in a bit rather than just hiking it up higher.
If you are a “B” cup or smaller, it will be perfect. If you are a D or more, I’d recommend a minimizer bra to help hold things in. Have fun preparing for your event!
3:02 pm
Thank you so much for your advice and such a very prompt reply! Your advice was very helpful and I really appreciate it.
Thank you again so much and God bless you!
2:36 pm
Is there any way to make any of these nursing mother appropriate?
Thanks!
4:28 pm
Hi, Kati! No need to change them, as nursing access is built in. I nursed twins in gowns made from both options.
11:55 am
Oh that’s wonderful! Which options did you use? Maybe it would make more sense if I saw the actual pattern but I’m trying to decide which pattern to get first! I’m loving the Regency, Elegant Lady’s Closet and the 1912 Kimono. I am a beginner. I also live in a pretty warm area and summer is upon us so I want something I won’t have a heat stroke in hehe. What would you suggest?
7:59 am
Both, actually! You can easily nurse in either option. With the drawstring option, you just loosen the neckline ties for access. With the crossover option, just open one side for access. You still need a cover-up, but it’s not difficult to nurse that way. The 1912 Kimono Dress has nursing access instructions in the pattern for a lift-flap access. But for comfort, the drawstring dress from the Elegant Lady’s Closet is my favorite. I even make hip-length blouses from it!