Becky's 1910s Tea Gown

Becky's 1910s Tea Gown | Sense & Sensibility Patterns

Side view of Becky's 1910s Tea Gown | Sense & Sensibility Patterns

Becky's 1910s Tea Gown (side view) | Sense & Sensibility Patterns

Becky's 1910s Tea Gown (back view) | Sense & Sensibility Patterns

Bodice Detail of Becky's 1910s Tea Gown | Sense & Sensibility Patterns

Our county fair is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year. There are many special centennial classes plus a heritage day to dress up in a period costume form the last 100 years. Combined with my children's homeschool formal and some beautiful taffeta on clearance provided me with a great excuse to make a 1910s Tea Gown as a formal gown.I knew the taffeta would be a bit stiff for it, but I loved the colors I found. It turned out beautiful. The blue and gold have embroidered dots scattered over it for some added interest. The sage green I used for the sash has matching blue vines embroidered on it. I tried to gather the lace inset, but I couldn't get it to look the way I wanted, so I went with pleats. The rose for the back waist turned out so well I made two more, one for my hair and one for the front as a pin.I have been sewing for 20 years, but I learned two new techniques: narrow rolled hem with my traditional machine and standard foot, and sewing with lace. I was very excited at my success with both. I am very pleased with how it fit and how it looks. I wore it last week to participate in our homeschool co-op's formal (pictured is me dancing with my husband). In late July I will enter it in the Saginaw County Fair. ( I hope to complete a walking suit and a girl's dress from the same period also for the fair.)~ Becky N.

Wonderful work, Becky! I especially love the pleated inset. What a lovely detail!