Back to the White Silk Dress
I've managed to laze around for two weeks after my vacation, but now it's time to get serious about some sewing. So back to the white silk gown, as painted by George Romney in Mrs Moody's portrait:
It's essentially a chemise dress, though clearly of silk, not terribly full in front, with fitted long sleeves. It's probably open all the way down the front, with little pink silk ribbon ties to hold it closed. The ruffle at the neck is probably just the upper part of the front above the top drawstring, so it's straight and only gathered when the dress is on. There are drawstrings at the neck, waist, and a few inches above the waist.
What I'm not so sure about is the back and the inside of the front. I want to do a fitted back. But if the front is just gathered with drawstrings, will the dress want to shift around? Was an under-lining ever done, and is it necessary?
As for the back, I'm thinking a fitted four-piece back with a deep-ish point. Like this, which may be very similar to Mrs Moody, except for the sleeves:
I did a little research, and I found very few back-of-dress pictures. Aside from the true chemise dresses - full all around - the few others are more 1790s, with a straight or raised back waist seam. Of those, some had multi-piece backs, and some were intricately pleated. Again 1790s. So that's why I'd rather do the simple back. Thoughts?
It's essentially a chemise dress, though clearly of silk, not terribly full in front, with fitted long sleeves. It's probably open all the way down the front, with little pink silk ribbon ties to hold it closed. The ruffle at the neck is probably just the upper part of the front above the top drawstring, so it's straight and only gathered when the dress is on. There are drawstrings at the neck, waist, and a few inches above the waist.
What I'm not so sure about is the back and the inside of the front. I want to do a fitted back. But if the front is just gathered with drawstrings, will the dress want to shift around? Was an under-lining ever done, and is it necessary?
As for the back, I'm thinking a fitted four-piece back with a deep-ish point. Like this, which may be very similar to Mrs Moody, except for the sleeves:
I did a little research, and I found very few back-of-dress pictures. Aside from the true chemise dresses - full all around - the few others are more 1790s, with a straight or raised back waist seam. Of those, some had multi-piece backs, and some were intricately pleated. Again 1790s. So that's why I'd rather do the simple back. Thoughts?