I have finally had a chance to post a finished project that isn't a cap! Unfortunately, I won't have pictures of me wearing it for a while (excepting ones of me working.) But as I do not know when I will actually be able to get photos, here are a few of the finished product spread out over my lovely floor.
Fabric: Burnley and Trowbridge cotton muslin, lined with linen and sewed with linen thread. The tucker is silk organdy.
Period: Early 1770s
Time: About a week, discounting the time that it took me to get the sleeves and shoulder pieces put on correctly (finally fixing a fitting issue that I have wrestled with for months)
Final verdict: I have worn this gown several times and have grown very fond of it. The fabric is light and malleable, and the purple print is beautifully crisp. I want to make a nice new white kerchief and apron set with a crisp breast bow and a little chip hat for it - it looks so simple and clean!
I had a few fitting issues, ranging from my failed attempts at altering for size, misbehaving back pieces, sleeve settings and the like. Luckily, the fabric has stretched a bit to forgive my mistakes. I did raise the neckline, as most of the dresses I've made from this pattern have been a little low for my tastes. Next dress I make I'll make the bodice longer in the downward direction, as well. I might make self fabric cuffs or ruffles with my 1/2 yard of extra fabric, but we'll see about that!
I'm making up something useful out of that terrible wool jacket and petticoat set I made a while back, but until such time as I am able to wear it I will probably be focusing on making smaller projects and expanding my repertoire of skills. I hope you all are staying warm and having a good winter!
