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1884 Velvet Ball Gown
There are few garments as complex and beautiful as the grand ball gowns of the 1870's and 1880's. Fortunately the 1884 French fashion publication where this design appeared provided a good description...
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1912 Steel Blue Silk Shantung Afternoon Gown
This lovely 1912 afternoon gown was commissioned for a special event, to be worn by the actress who had played the Countess of Rothes in the 1997 Titanic movie. The gown was made as a replica of the...
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1910-1919 Blouses
Over the years I've created a number of 1910's era blouses, of varying degrees of complexity, some more formal than others. Most of these I've developed into History House sewing patterns graded for 3...
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Ca. 1750 Silk Taffeta Robe à la Française
For those who follow my adventures in making 18th century reproductions, it's no secret that I particularly love the robe à la française style (rather unappealingly, although at least pithily, referred...
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Ca. 1764 - The Countess Howe Gown
This project was a true adventure in reproducing as faithfully as possible a ca.1764 English gown from the iconic image of Lady Howe, by Gainsborough. I've chosen a few representative photos of the...
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Ca. 1770 Long-Back English Gown in Cotton Tartan Weave
The idea of making this gown began in early 2021, sparked by a lucky fabric find. I came across over 6.0 metres of 152cm wide (!!!) cotton on sale in a small local shop, the fabric woven in a...
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Ca. 1755 Elegant Formal Silk Sacque
I enjoy making sacque gowns, as the elegant result always seems worth the dozens of hours of careful planning and hand sewing. This robe à la française was no exception. Made from a luscious...
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1910 Dressy Afternoon or Informal Dinner Gown
Except for dresses worn by very elderly women, formal evening wear in the Edwardian and 1910's era always meant a décolletage (low, open neckline). However, there were occasions where a formal...
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Ca. 1775 Striped Silk Robe à la Polonaise
Before I say anything about this gown, I want to point out that the description -- robe à la polonaise -- is historically correct. I know there has been a great deal of discussion over the use of the...
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Ca. 1750-60 Silk Taffeta Sacque Gowns (Robes à la française)
I've put these two gowns together here as they were effectively made from the same concept, although like any good hand-made 18thC. gown, each one was a unique piece. The first was made of a...
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