1850's Gray Silk Taffeta Gown

Go read the diary for construction information & research.

Final thoughts? Wow. This dress turned out better than I had hoped. It sat on my dressform for about a month before I finally finished it by adding an additional two rows of trim on the front of the skirt to avoid the dreaded "looks like a giant zipper" effect. ;) Upon further reflection, my hoop looks enormous. It is a scant 90" circumfrence but with my giant petticoat of DOOM, it expands the whole look to slightly absurd proportions. Note to self: Smaller petticoat next year.

Also pictured above from left to right, my handsome boyfriend Michael, wearing a suit made by my mother; Bess Chilver, of My Lady's Wardrobe, wearing a fabulous recreation of a gown from the Kyoto Institute collection; and Edmund Chilver and Jennifer Lemus, the latter wearing an 1840s gown. We had a blast!