This breathtaking 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. When I created the drawstring dress option in my Elegant Lady’s Closet, this was one of the gowns I had in mind, particularly when it came to the gently rounded neckline and very short sleeves.
-
Show & Tell
It is always fun to see how others creatively interpret my patterns. If you'd like to share photos with your sewing story in this section, please fill out the Show & Tell Submission Form. Please make sure your photos are sized down to no more than 1000 pixels wide or high to make downloading easier. Thanks!
-
Shopping Cart
Ready to checkout? 
-
Categories
-
Latest Additions
-
“Carpathia” Crochet Earrings ePattern — Only $1! Published on May 21st, 2012
-
NEW! Homefront Hat Crochet ePattern Published on May 1st, 2012
-
Diary of a Titanic Dress: Part Seven–The Big Reveal! Published on April 28th, 2012
-
Diary of a Titanic Dress: Part Six–Finishing Up! Published on April 14th, 2012
-
Ladies’ 1780s Portrait Dress Pattern Published on September 28th, 2011
-
“Swing” Dress Sew-Along! Published on January 10th, 2011
-
Pattern Edits in the Works… Published on March 24th, 2011
-
“Among My Souvenirs” Brooch ePattern – Only $1 Published on December 11th, 2011
-
New! “Wheaton Tam” Crochet ePattern Published on February 3rd, 2012
-
Thank you! Published on May 5th, 2012
-
“Carpathia” Crochet Earrings ePattern — Only $1!
8:54 pm
This dress is absolutely breathtaking!
10:23 pm
I wonder what the fabric is… some type of semi-transparent gauzey fabric, perhapps a cotton voile? Can you tell me what the dress is made of?
10:30 pm
Rebecca, it is English muslin, which over here is more like voile or organdy–only lighter in weight (more like a gauze). The closest you can get to this now is Egyptian muslin, which is still sold in the UK. It’s wonderful stuff!
3:16 pm
Thank you Miss Jennie,
I am planning on making my wedding dress based on this style and have been looking at patterns. Am I right in thinking that the “Elegant Lady’s Closet” pattern would be appropriate? I am also wondering if the bodiced petticoat would be needed for under the dress and is it the same pattern as the Regency underthing pattern?
10:50 pm
Oops! Sorry I missed this earlier! The Elegant Lady’s Closet pattern would work fine for this dress if you follow my tutorial to add a train. If you make a sheer gown, then, yes, you will need the full bodiced petticoat. That is not a part of the underthings pattern but can be made using either the original Regency Gown pattern or the ELC pattern (though you’ll need to take in the bodice more on the latter). The tutorial for the petticoat is online at this link. I hope this helps, and have fun making your wedding gown!
10:41 pm
So simple but very beautiful..
2:58 pm
Jennie –
Who sells egyptian muslin? Can I get it wholesale?
Thanks.
karen cross
3:49 am
Hi, Karen! Unfortunately, you can’t get it in the States (at least I’ve never found it in stores or online). You can get it from MacCulloch & Wallis in the UK, but I think you have to email them with a special request. I’ve run across it here in Kenya, and I’ve entertained the notion of shipping it back to the States to sell through my site. Might do that if I see it again!