1890s Reproduction Black Tulle Ball Gown

Reproduction Black Tulle Ball Gown was initially made in 2012 and re-trimmed for PEERS Vampire Ball in 2016. Synthetic fabrics are not historically accurate. Re-purposing old dresses into newer styles has certainly been done throughout time.

Pattern base for this dress is 1890s with assymmetrical trimming that is more like the 1900s Edwardian period into the 1910s. So, this is a mashup of remnants of the puff sleeves of mid 1890s with future forward assymetric draping.

Dress was made out of purple polyester satin with black tulle and sequined net. Dress was initially made as a mockup for a future Gibson Girl style dress.

Dress with purple trim

Initial Dress Incarnation with Train

Initial Dress Incarnation

1890s Reproduction Black Tulle Ball Gown was made for fancy dress Gaskell ball in 2012. My friend and I had our faces painted Dia de los Muertes or Day of the Dead style before we knew this could be considered cultural appropriation. None of the research I had done in 2012 said anything about only those of Mexican heritage were allowed to dress this way. In 2016, there are differing viewpoints with some groups strongly seeing those outside of the culture wearing this style as cultural appropriation. Retroactive apologies to anyone offended.

First wearing had red, burgandy and gold tulle flowers that pinned to the skirt.

Bodice

Purple polyester satin lightly boned bodice with black crinkle tulle overlay and assymetric black sequined net. Tulle sleeves lined in black have large puffy tulle sleeves and tulle overlay which squashes the poof. Black satin polyester flatlining.
Pattern: Laughing Moon 103 1890s Waist as a base laced up the back
Finished measurements:
Bust: 38"
Waist: 30"

Back lacing with machine sewn round buttonholes.

Skirt

Purple polyester satin trained skirt with black tulle layer, black crinkle net/tulle overlay, and assymetric black sequinned net overlay. Back hook & eye closure, hidden back pockets, train can be looped up on buttons with one button for satin under dress and one button for the net overlay.
Pattern: Laughing Moon 101 Five Gored Skirt Size 16 shortened 3.5"
Finished measurements
Waist: 30"
Skirt length front: 38"
Skirt length back with train: 50"
Skirt circumference approx.: 137"

Hidden side pockets near back.

Hem facing detail and back train buttons

Head dress

Burgandy, red, and black tulle with marigold colored artificial flower headdress with net back veil on headband/comb. Used with more of the tulle flowers pinned to the skirt.

Flowers

Views of the tulle flowers that were pinned to the skirt.

Reticule Bag

Black polyester satin with black sequined netting exterior with red satin lining is larger sized bag.