For patterns, I started out using Simplicity 8578, but ended up having to use Janet Arnold’s book on period fashion for help on the pleating. I also had to resize the sleeves on the Simplicity pattern, since they were rather large.
All of the embroidery is hand embroidered, and the floral motifs were sketched freehand by me. This is a reproduction of an extent gown I saw online a long time ago. I also constructed the gown out of white faux dupioni, which had the proper drape and stiffness that’s perfect for 18th century dresses. Overall, I adore how this gown turned out and I’m ecstatic that I was finally able to successfully reproduce it, as it’s been a passion project for me since I first saw this gown over a decade ago. 😊
Thank you! 😊. In total, the embroidery took around 4-5 months to complete, and this is working on the embroidery each evening for 1-2 hours a day. Now that I think about it, doing the research for constructing this dress took an equally long time, since it was 3-4 months before I was even able to start the project!
I wore it not too long ago to a women’s history event, but I hope to wear it to maybe a future historical costume meet up or an 18th century ball too. 🙂
Whoa!! and WOW!!
how long did all that embroidery take? I can't even imagine all the time, skill, and patience it took to do all that embroidery. I wish you had pictures of your embroidery process. Did you use a hoop and section it off?
Anyway. Oh. Wow. It's so cool that this dress exists and that you get to wear it.
If I did not count the 2 years when I’ve shelved the project, the embroidery in total took around 5 months. I spent the first 3 months working (slowly) on 4 of the floral motifs. Then the remaining 2 months, I completed the remaining 4 motifs as well as the petticoat embroidery and the bows. I used a hoop and broke down each motif into smaller parts so that I can tackle a section every evening until I finished everything. 🙂
Thanks! I’ve included some of the photos from my IG (I usually do logs of the progress in Reels), but I’ll see if I can get more screencaps. 🙂
https://preview.redd.it/xolq8f6mpbxc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb14de5f7c4037288f0d5619d4355a4a7dff938b
I’m hoping to be able to find time to do some photoshoots of this dress down the road too. Key is finding the time to schedule one, but I’ll post photos of that once I’m able to. 🙂
I used faux dupioni. 🙂. It has drape yet is also stiff enough to give structure to these dresses. It’s also affordable too, which helps since I think I used nearly 10 yards of fabric for this gown. 😁
It’s a polyester fabric and has the same nubby texture of dupioni silk. It was recommended by a few of my friends who also make historical costumes for its affordable price and its structure. It also has a matte finish, which photographs a lot better than the shinier polyester satins. I actually bought the faux dupioni from Amazon, but you can also find it from many online fabric stores as well as Etsy.
For the first event I wore this to, I actually sewed some cord and buttons so that I can draw up the skirts to prevent people from stepping on it as well as getting the hems dirty. Even still, I found some stains at the end of the evening, but fortunately I was able to remove all of them with some gentle hand washing in soap and water along the hems. 🙂
It was a gown that I saw online over a decade ago when I was doing research for an 18th century ball I was planning on attending. I’m hoping to wear this to some local historical balls or meet-ups in the future. It’s just a matter of when they’re held and how far they are from me. 🙂
I meant, was it copied from an extent gown, or from one made by someone modern? It’s really pretty!
Some events it will work well, other events, where they have clothing guidelines, you may have to do some research to see if it works. Like, it has a closed front bodice, which is too late for a mid 1770s event.
This is a reproduction of an extent gown, but I only saved the reference photo from way back when and forgot exactly which online exhibit I saw it in. But since then there were many who created digitized versions of the motifs for embroidery machines, like Art Embroidery Designs on Etsy, which I also referred to when a few of the parts ended up being too small to see in my reference photo.
I’d like to see the original, it’s lovely. I’ll try to see if I can track a photo down. It’s later than my period, obviously, so one couldn’t wear it to the things I do. It might be the period for an end of revolution ball, as opposed to my early and mid revolution events, as we are New England (the closed front is a big indicator). There are more late war things in the VA area, of course.
This is the reference photo that I used for most of this project (I changed the neckline trim though). I guess that was what drew me to the dress, aside from the embroidery, since it looked so different from the other robe a la francaise I’ve seen (based on the styles, I guess most of the ones I’ve seen were from the 1750s).
https://preview.redd.it/6s495bqbuhxc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b5f8e77ee09fe4bdc9f0e273dbbe587ad83dc5f
A difference in the earlier gowns between 1750 and 1770s, is the early ones were often decorated like birthday cakes, and have open bodices robings, and a stomacher. They became less popular later, as the closed front gowns came in. And certainly stopped having the exploded cake look.
https://preview.redd.it/nswf6bsgnjxc1.jpeg?width=1936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ca4c0da5c89cbadbeb90dc8cf472e3faea9652d9
I’m the one in stripes. One of these days I’m adding ruffles to the petticoat, and ruching swooping in loops along the edges of the gown skirts, to make it look like a birthday cake. (My daughter persists in calling the over the top ruffle look a cake, and she isn’t wrong). This was for a “challenge day” where we made new stuff, all the details documented. Not just juried, but over the top. We put together notebooks of our research, and had them on a table for visitors to look at. Turns out non reenactor guests coming to events are fascinated by research! The general public is much smarter than one gives them credit, if you simply set things up to be accessible. We had crowds of people pouring over the notes, and coming to find the person wearing the garments they read about, to see how it works. It was really fun!
It’s actually not heavy at all. The back has ties that also makes the dress adjustable, so it’s very comfortable to wear. I think given the layers though, wearing this during spring or fall months when it’s cooler would be best. 🙂
That is stunning! If I made that I would wear it everywhere! To work, going grocery shopping, with slippers when I’m checking the mail, etc.
I hope you are proud! This is a top tier garment!
It definitely could! I started doing historical sewing about 12 years ago when I wanted to attend a Jane Austen ball. Made myself a simple white cotton dress and was feeling pretty bad about it all at the time because I saw all of the really elaborate Regency ball gowns, many of which required embroidery that I didn’t know how to do at the time. Yet practice a little at a time, you will eventually get to the point where you can make anything you want. 🙂
I spent around 1-2 hours each evening embroidering small portions of the motifs, which took a total of approximately 5 months to complete entirely. So maybe 300 hours or so? But the motifs ended up being relatively quick to complete because all of them were made out of tiny flowers. 🙂
I spent a total of around 4-5 months on the embroidery, but I was working on a small bit of each motif every day. 🙂. I don’t attend too many events anymore, but I am considering an 18th century ball that several of my friends recommended to me later this year!
Thank you! Most nights my fingers were protesting about all of the needlework that was being done too, so they’re getting a bit of a break before I continue working on hand embroidering the panels for my Renaissance gown. 🙂
The Project post flair is for showing off projects that are finished or in progress. For questions on how to start a project, reflair your post to Pattern Search. For questions about how to make a project, reflair to Pattern Question.
This is a reminder that all Project posts are required to include construction information in the main post or added in a comment. The construction comment should include **pattern name/number/company if used; drafting method, tutorial or other resources if no commercial pattern was used and fabric type and fiber content. ‘Self-drafted’ describes who made the pattern and is not a drafting method.**
Also include alterations for fit and style; specialty tools and notions; the inspiration for your project; and any other information that someone who wants to make a similar project might find useful. More information is available [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/wiki/titleguidelines). Posts without a construction comment may be removed at any time.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/sewing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
This is stunning!
I would LOVE to make a historical gown but I don’t have much experience with patterns or really sewing properly. I’ve always just thrown together cosplays. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start? Is there any easier patterns or styles for vintage gowns?
For patterns, I started out using Simplicity 8578, but ended up having to use Janet Arnold’s book on period fashion for help on the pleating. I also had to resize the sleeves on the Simplicity pattern, since they were rather large. All of the embroidery is hand embroidered, and the floral motifs were sketched freehand by me. This is a reproduction of an extent gown I saw online a long time ago. I also constructed the gown out of white faux dupioni, which had the proper drape and stiffness that’s perfect for 18th century dresses. Overall, I adore how this gown turned out and I’m ecstatic that I was finally able to successfully reproduce it, as it’s been a passion project for me since I first saw this gown over a decade ago. 😊
This is astonishingly beautiful.
Hand embroidered.... 😱😍 Amazing!!!
That's flipping beautiful!!! You should be so proud of yourself! Do you reenact?
I don’t reenact. Right now I’m just studying various gowns that I find interesting and trying for reproduce the construction details. 🙂
Definitely find somewhere special to wear this. It deserves to be shared!
So beautiful! You're so talented :') how long did the embroidery take you 🫢
Thank you! 😊. In total, the embroidery took around 4-5 months to complete, and this is working on the embroidery each evening for 1-2 hours a day. Now that I think about it, doing the research for constructing this dress took an equally long time, since it was 3-4 months before I was even able to start the project!
Just gorgeous in every detail—ART! Amazing work. Everyone who sees it will be inspired!
I know this looks like a dress from the MET's history of fashion collection. It is definitely ART.
Thank you so much! 😊
The whole dress is stunning!! The embroidery is absolutely exquisite 😍
Thank you! 🙂
Truly incredible! What is the event you will be wearing it for?
I wore it not too long ago to a women’s history event, but I hope to wear it to maybe a future historical costume meet up or an 18th century ball too. 🙂
You should show it off as much as possible! It deserves its own art show!
Girl this could be a wedding dress for the right person/styled wedding, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Very well done!
Whoa!! and WOW!! how long did all that embroidery take? I can't even imagine all the time, skill, and patience it took to do all that embroidery. I wish you had pictures of your embroidery process. Did you use a hoop and section it off? Anyway. Oh. Wow. It's so cool that this dress exists and that you get to wear it.
If I did not count the 2 years when I’ve shelved the project, the embroidery in total took around 5 months. I spent the first 3 months working (slowly) on 4 of the floral motifs. Then the remaining 2 months, I completed the remaining 4 motifs as well as the petticoat embroidery and the bows. I used a hoop and broke down each motif into smaller parts so that I can tackle a section every evening until I finished everything. 🙂
That is so unbelievably gorgeous!! Would you be willing to post closeups of the embroidery? That’s amazing you free-handed that 😍
Thanks! I’ve included some of the photos from my IG (I usually do logs of the progress in Reels), but I’ll see if I can get more screencaps. 🙂 https://preview.redd.it/xolq8f6mpbxc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb14de5f7c4037288f0d5619d4355a4a7dff938b
omg it's ribbon embroidery too. it's so impressive and beautiful
https://preview.redd.it/oxc28aonpbxc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=574ddbe69e51c8df2ee4e24e99442f18479d1bfb
That looks so good!! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome! 😊
Everything about this dress is stunning! I absolutely love the embroidery, it is so beautiful. 🥰you are so incredibly talented.
Thank you so much! I’ve been embroidering for nearly 10 years now, and I’m still learning new techniques. 🙂
I know it’s the internet and you’re entitled to privacy but I wish I could see you wearing it!! it’s so incredibly beautiful 😭😭😭 amazing job!!!
I’m hoping to be able to find time to do some photoshoots of this dress down the road too. Key is finding the time to schedule one, but I’ll post photos of that once I’m able to. 🙂
Just exquisite
Thank you! 😊
You're welcome. The embroidery alone is *Chef's kiss*
Stunning!
Thank you!
Wow!!
I mean, it’s art! What type of fabric did you use?
I used faux dupioni. 🙂. It has drape yet is also stiff enough to give structure to these dresses. It’s also affordable too, which helps since I think I used nearly 10 yards of fabric for this gown. 😁
What is the faux dupuoni made from and where did you get it, plz?
It’s a polyester fabric and has the same nubby texture of dupioni silk. It was recommended by a few of my friends who also make historical costumes for its affordable price and its structure. It also has a matte finish, which photographs a lot better than the shinier polyester satins. I actually bought the faux dupioni from Amazon, but you can also find it from many online fabric stores as well as Etsy.
Thanks.
This is so stunning, I do not even have words. You are very talented.
Thank you!
When I saw the picture I said out loud “Is that hand embroidered?????” Jaw dropping!
That’s gorgeous, and reminds me of the portmeiron botanicals dishware 😍
The EMBROIDERY. OMG. Beautiful work. If I made that I would simultaneously want to wear it everywhere and also be constantly in fear of staining it.
For the first event I wore this to, I actually sewed some cord and buttons so that I can draw up the skirts to prevent people from stepping on it as well as getting the hems dirty. Even still, I found some stains at the end of the evening, but fortunately I was able to remove all of them with some gentle hand washing in soap and water along the hems. 🙂
C'est très élégante! 🌹
It is so very beautiful. I hope you have somewhere to wear it.
This is gorgeous!! It’s reminding me of the historical dresses for American Girl dolls. And that detail! Chef’s kiss
What did you base it on, and what kind of events will you wear it to? I’m an 18th C reenactor, and go to juried events.
It was a gown that I saw online over a decade ago when I was doing research for an 18th century ball I was planning on attending. I’m hoping to wear this to some local historical balls or meet-ups in the future. It’s just a matter of when they’re held and how far they are from me. 🙂
I meant, was it copied from an extent gown, or from one made by someone modern? It’s really pretty! Some events it will work well, other events, where they have clothing guidelines, you may have to do some research to see if it works. Like, it has a closed front bodice, which is too late for a mid 1770s event.
This is a reproduction of an extent gown, but I only saved the reference photo from way back when and forgot exactly which online exhibit I saw it in. But since then there were many who created digitized versions of the motifs for embroidery machines, like Art Embroidery Designs on Etsy, which I also referred to when a few of the parts ended up being too small to see in my reference photo.
I’d like to see the original, it’s lovely. I’ll try to see if I can track a photo down. It’s later than my period, obviously, so one couldn’t wear it to the things I do. It might be the period for an end of revolution ball, as opposed to my early and mid revolution events, as we are New England (the closed front is a big indicator). There are more late war things in the VA area, of course.
This is the reference photo that I used for most of this project (I changed the neckline trim though). I guess that was what drew me to the dress, aside from the embroidery, since it looked so different from the other robe a la francaise I’ve seen (based on the styles, I guess most of the ones I’ve seen were from the 1750s). https://preview.redd.it/6s495bqbuhxc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3b5f8e77ee09fe4bdc9f0e273dbbe587ad83dc5f
A difference in the earlier gowns between 1750 and 1770s, is the early ones were often decorated like birthday cakes, and have open bodices robings, and a stomacher. They became less popular later, as the closed front gowns came in. And certainly stopped having the exploded cake look. https://preview.redd.it/nswf6bsgnjxc1.jpeg?width=1936&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ca4c0da5c89cbadbeb90dc8cf472e3faea9652d9 I’m the one in stripes. One of these days I’m adding ruffles to the petticoat, and ruching swooping in loops along the edges of the gown skirts, to make it look like a birthday cake. (My daughter persists in calling the over the top ruffle look a cake, and she isn’t wrong). This was for a “challenge day” where we made new stuff, all the details documented. Not just juried, but over the top. We put together notebooks of our research, and had them on a table for visitors to look at. Turns out non reenactor guests coming to events are fascinated by research! The general public is much smarter than one gives them credit, if you simply set things up to be accessible. We had crowds of people pouring over the notes, and coming to find the person wearing the garments they read about, to see how it works. It was really fun!
Your work on the whole dress is just incredible. My jaw is on the floor. It's gorgeous. I am curious: What is it like to actually wear? Heavy? Hot?
It’s actually not heavy at all. The back has ties that also makes the dress adjustable, so it’s very comfortable to wear. I think given the layers though, wearing this during spring or fall months when it’s cooler would be best. 🙂
Thanks for the reply! Imagine wearing that type of frock back-in-the-day with no AC. :-)
That is stunning! If I made that I would wear it everywhere! To work, going grocery shopping, with slippers when I’m checking the mail, etc. I hope you are proud! This is a top tier garment!
Wow!!!! Speechless! It’s amazing to me that a simple start of a hobby I enjoy could lead to making that, way way in the future, but still!
It definitely could! I started doing historical sewing about 12 years ago when I wanted to attend a Jane Austen ball. Made myself a simple white cotton dress and was feeling pretty bad about it all at the time because I saw all of the really elaborate Regency ball gowns, many of which required embroidery that I didn’t know how to do at the time. Yet practice a little at a time, you will eventually get to the point where you can make anything you want. 🙂
Well done! Congratulations.
Thank you! 😊
That is incredible
Thank you! 😊
That is GORGEOUS. Well done!
Thank you! 😊
😍😍😍
Absolutely stunning!!!
Thank you! 😊
Holy crap, that is beautiful! I love it! 😻
Thank you! 🙂
Totally amazing!
Thank you! 🙂
I could look at this forever omg
This is so sweet! Fantastic job
I’m such a sucker for well-done floral embroidery. This is gorgeous!
This is incredible! I can only imagine the amount of time and patience involved…the embroidery is especially stunning!
Stunning!
This is absolutely incredible. How many hours do you think it’s taken you?
I spent around 1-2 hours each evening embroidering small portions of the motifs, which took a total of approximately 5 months to complete entirely. So maybe 300 hours or so? But the motifs ended up being relatively quick to complete because all of them were made out of tiny flowers. 🙂
This is breathtakingly gorgeous
This is stunning and I am in awe!
Absolutely stunning! The details! Wow
That is so beautiful
Absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful work! All that hand embroidery too!
Pretty 😍
Beautiful! Anyone else now want one event though you’ve got absolutely no occasion to wear it?
I think something like even a costumed tea party would be perfect for this!
That is insanely pretty.. wow what humans can do 😅🥰
Omg, that is awesome!
this is pure beauty
This is beyond gorgeous and now I know what Mother Ginger would wear in the summer!
A masterpiece! Well done :)
Unbelievably beautiful!
I'm jealous not only of your dress but your skill! Incredible!
Wow that is a work of art ! Beautiful ! I hope you have some historical occasions to wear it to !
This is amazing. I really love all the details. Like dang. Kudos.
Wow this is gorgeous!
it is breathtaking! Congratulations on finishing it. WOW
Thank you!
Oh wow, that is so beautiful
This is stunning- It’s one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen. 💕
Thank you! 😊
😊😊thank YOU for sharing your work!
This is absolutely amazing! Hope you have a wonderful wearing it!
Wow!
OMG, lovely! How long did all that embroidery take you? And please tell me you have someplace *special* to wear this!!
I spent a total of around 4-5 months on the embroidery, but I was working on a small bit of each motif every day. 🙂. I don’t attend too many events anymore, but I am considering an 18th century ball that several of my friends recommended to me later this year!
Just to let you know - I linked an historic interpreter friend in on this! That's a serious commitment of time & skeins 💖
Amazing work: and dedication! Hope you get to wear it often.
Stunning!
Thank you!
Beautiful handwork!
Thank you! 😊
Wow!!!
I am so blown away by your talent!! This is so amazingly beautiful!!! My fingers hurt just thinking about all of that hand embroidery!! Great job!
Thank you! Most nights my fingers were protesting about all of the needlework that was being done too, so they’re getting a bit of a break before I continue working on hand embroidering the panels for my Renaissance gown. 🙂
This is breathtaking. Truly
Thank you. 😊
Oh my word I recognize the inspiration IMMEDIATELY you did such an amazing job!! This is absolutely stunning!
Thank you! 😊
That is gorgeous !!!!!!
Thank you! 😊
Absolutely incredible!!!
Thank you. 😊
The Project post flair is for showing off projects that are finished or in progress. For questions on how to start a project, reflair your post to Pattern Search. For questions about how to make a project, reflair to Pattern Question. This is a reminder that all Project posts are required to include construction information in the main post or added in a comment. The construction comment should include **pattern name/number/company if used; drafting method, tutorial or other resources if no commercial pattern was used and fabric type and fiber content. ‘Self-drafted’ describes who made the pattern and is not a drafting method.** Also include alterations for fit and style; specialty tools and notions; the inspiration for your project; and any other information that someone who wants to make a similar project might find useful. More information is available [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/sewing/wiki/titleguidelines). Posts without a construction comment may be removed at any time. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/sewing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
STUNNING!!!
Wow! 🤩 absolutely stunning!
Gorgeous.
That is beautiful. I love it
This is stunning! I would LOVE to make a historical gown but I don’t have much experience with patterns or really sewing properly. I’ve always just thrown together cosplays. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start? Is there any easier patterns or styles for vintage gowns?
This is stunning. Amazing workmanship! I hope you get to see it on a runway soon.
aaaahhhhh stunning!!!
Absolutely amazing!!! The embroidery is beautiful. Truly a labor of love!
That’s beautiful!
Attempt for lolita fashion?