18th Century Reproduction Short Gown

Short gown made for a GBACG Revolutionary Picnic in 2012 using directions for making a short gown from a GBACG article.

Revolutionary Picnic

[20120930]

Didn't make a fichu or add sleeves to my short gown because I ended up with intestinal problems on Thursday night which slowed down my sewing. ...

I had raced to make James a coat earlier in the week. It went together faster than the short gown. But I didn't have time to make the waistcoat and trousers so bad me to have him at the event half dressed. Like other GBACG picnic events there were modern interlopers all around including a large wedding in the distance and other people wandering through. I missed a photo opportunity where two young 18th century women were on their picnic blanket and two women in the distance were on their blanket in bikinis. The GBACG 1930s picnic event had regular dressed folks judging the pie contest and mixed right in with our picnic. ...

I'm not the best socializer and not feeling totally healthy didn't help so I didn't get the name of the woman with the ever so cute toddler who said "Hi" to everyone and was cheerful the entire afternoon. There were some great hats. I especially like the big poofy ones and kind of want to make one of those over the top giant hats. ...

We were the third group to arrive. Other people arrived two hours late. The only time I arrived extra late to a GBACG event was the tea in San Francisco when it took me 3 hrs instead of the 1.5 hrs to drive there and then I couldn't find parking.

My notes for fixing up the short gown would be

• Make a fichu
• Add a placket behind the front closure
• Consider adding bones to the side seams and front placket
• Add a 1-1.5" band to the sleeve
• Make box pleat self trim for the sleeve and neck edges
• Find lace trim for the sleeves
• Possibly also shorten the hem on the skirt

Also need a new wig or hat and to make waistcoat, trousers and hat for James. Would be good for the next pirate festival.

...

Short Gown after 4+ hours

[20120923] Is front supposed to open below waist?  Still funkyness under arms.


Side view has big gap below waist because waistline estimate was several inches off.  Is the front supposed to be longer than the back?


Back view is blurry from trying to self photo with double mirrors.  Is waist too low in back or is bumroll too high?  Or not enough fullness in back?