1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dress at GBACG Soiree au Moulin Rouge 2016.
1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown was made for the 16th Annual Edwardian Ball in January 2016. The gold synthetic lace matches the lace on the gold Edwardian ball dress cape, so the cape could be worn with this dress. Was worn again at the Greater Bay Area Costumers Guild Soiree au Moulin Rouge in October 2016.
1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dress at GBACG Soiree au Moulin Rouge 2016. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dresses at the 16th Annual Edwardian Ball 2016.
1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dresses at the 16th Annual Edwardian Ball 2016. Photo by Mona Wong.
Photo by Mona Wong
1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dresses at the 16th Annual Edwardian Ball 2016. Photo by Yvonne Falk.
Photo by Yvonne Falk

Dress

Raspberry polyester velvet/velour dress has skirt and bodice separate.

1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dress Front. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dress Left Quarter View. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dress Left. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dress Back. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dress Right. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Dress Right Quarter View.

Bodice

Raspberry polyester velvet bodice pleated onto boned polyester blend lining has crisscross front opening that has 8 button placket on right side and 3 hooks and eyes on the left side. Sheer lilac polyester on bodice top under gold synthetic fabric lace. Sheer lilac polyester straps and sleeve ends. One sleeve velvet over lining and one sleeve lace over sheer. Synthetic lilac pink articifial flowers on left side.
1901 bodice pattern inspiration from The Voice of Fashion
Pattern: Based on Grimble, Frances. "The Voice of Fashion: 79 Turn-of-the-Century Patterns with Instructions and Fashion Plates", Lavolta Press, 1998, p. 230-233. 1901 November Ball Dress
Finished measurements:
Bust: 38.5"
Waist: 30" to go over bulky skirt waist

1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Bodice Front. Inside view of 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Bodice. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Bodice Inside Middle. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Bodice Button Placket. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Bodice Buttoned Inside Right. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Bodice Hook and Eyes on Left.

Skirt

Raspberry polyester velvet skirt has five gores with hook and eye back closure and hidden side back pockets. Synthetic horsehair braid was used in the hem to give it more body and shape, so that the hem would not cling to the ankles. I used this pattern instead of the one that went with the bodice pattern because the gores allowed the addition of pockets and would help keep the velvet nap in one direction. The other pattern just had darts at the waist for shaping. If redoing this skirt, I would gather the four back gores instead of just the back two to ease more fabric to the front. I would also line the skirt and hem to the lining so that the hemline does not show as much.
1905 skirt pattern inspiration from Norah Waugh's Cut of Women's Clothes
Pattern: Waugh, Norah. "The Cut of Women's Clothes: 1600-1930", Theatre Arts Books, New York, 1969, Diagram LXIII. Evening Dress 1905-6, Central School of Art and Design, London.
Finished measurements:
Waist: 29"
Skirt length: 37.5"-40.5"
Skirt circumference: approx 101"

1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Skirt Front. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Skirt Left Quarter View. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Skirt Left. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Skirt Back. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Skirt Right. 1900s Reproduction Raspberry Velvet Ball Gown Skirt Right Quarter View.

Petticoat

I started a white cotton muslin using the same pattern as the skirt, but did not have time to finish. Idea would be to hem shorter, add ruffles, and do a drawstring waist. Wore a pre-existing five gored petticoat under the skirt made of white cotton muslin gathered into a bias drawstring with a 6" ruffle on the bottom.
Finished measurements:
Waist: 35"
Length: 33"
Circumference approx.: 188"
1900s Reproduction White Cotton Gored Pettiocoat.

Corset

Wore a straight front/s-curve corset made several years before. One layer cotton coutil with metal bones and busk, laces up back through buttonholes. The dressform does not mold into the corset like a body does. The corset creates an S curve with the front of bust forward. Fighting against the corset by standing up straight will hurt.
Pattern: Norah Waugh's "Corsets and Crinolines" 1901 Corset

1900s Reproduction Straight S-Curve Corset Left View. 1900s Reproduction Straight S-Curve CorsetLeft Quarter View. 1900s Reproduction Straight S-Curve Corset Left. 1900s Reproduction Straight S-Curve Corset Back. 1900s Reproduction Straight S-Curve Corset Right. 1900s Reproduction Straight S-Curve CorsetRight Quarter View.

Chemise

Oh, boo! Still no Edwardian chemise so I cut the top half off of a t-shirt to wear under the corset.

Hair Clip

Raspberry polyester velvet backing adorned with bit of gold synthetic fabric lace, feather, and pink violet artificial flowers has an alligator clip sewn to the back.

1900s Raspberry Velvet Hair Clip. 1900s  Raspberry Velvet Hair Clip Back.

Reticule

Could totally use one for things like fan and tickets. I always think that I have a black beaded and sequined one, but I do not.


Completed: January 2016