FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Meg March’s Ballgown
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
My inspiration came from the book Little Women. Meg longs for an easier life, wants to fit in, have beautiful gowns, and the normal life of a young lady. The themes and emotions that Meg goes through are things I relate to. Including later in the book as a married woman and dealing with the real-life of learning to live with a spouse and having children. The ballgown she is lent at the ball and away from her family, gives her a glimpse and somewhat of a reality check into the life she thought she wanted. This is the first major time she has been away from her Mother's guidance and family pressure, so this ball is pivotal for her because of the lessons learned and some of the innocence lost listening to gossip. Her friends doll her up, but that ends up changing her to the point where she is no longer herself. This is my inspiration and my first historical costume for an adult. Like Meg's family, we are not able to afford many extras. I could not buy real silk for this gown and had to use something I already had. The dress she is lent is blue, but mine is pink because that is what I had and it is the color she is wearing on the book cover. Other than the color, the book does not give a clear description of the dress, so I felt free to pull elements from elsewhere.
Outline the construction…
For the skirt, I used French seams to sew together the panels, pleated it at the waistband, put a hook and bar closer one side of the waistband. The fabric is crinkled taffeta. The trim was all done on top once the skirt was done except for the waistband. The bodice has corded and boned seams and darts and there is cording all around the bottom that I made. The bodice is interlined and lined with all raw edges hidden and laces in the back with handsewn eyelets. I decorated the bertha with lace, gold trim, tulle and cream organza. The tulle is also on the skirt and was a challenge. I loved the gold dots on the original but everything I found was so pricey. I figured out how to make my own with gold paint, a sponge and parchment paper. My base pattern for the bodice was from Truly Victorian and I used Patterns of Fashion for the skirt. For the corset, I used Red Threaded’s pattern but added some cording detail on the bust gores and flossed the boning channels. Petticoat is my own design and is made from cotton muslin with a pleated trim topped with lots of lace. The hoop skirt bag, also Truly Victorian, was made from a recycled bedsheet. I did also make a chemise and drawers with linin using a Simplicity pattern but I changed the chemise to fit the outfit. The drawers have insertion lace, pin tucks and lace trim.
Pretty gown and all of the underpinnings!
Lovely work!
Your gown looks lovely! A lot of details and hard work went into this outfit. Well done♡
Wow Erika! Your gown is gorgeous!
I really like how you pleated the outer skirt with a few inverted box pleats in the front, pushing the majority of the pleating in the back. It is done differently than other 1860’s skirts I’ve seen.
How did you gather the petticoat at the back between the ruffle and the waistband? Is it ruching? I am very curious!
Esther
I replied below but then figured out that it wasn’t replying to you. Trying this to make sure you see it. Thank you!
Hi Esther, I ran a gathering stitch by hand in two places, one closer to the waistband and one closer to the trim. Once I had the fullness where I wanted it, I tied off the gathering stitch and because I am of the personal opinion that one cannot use too much lace on undergarments, I stitched lace over both places. That did also serve to make sure the gathering stitches didn’t break.
I love the box pleats as well. I did and redid all those pleats I think about six times till I was happy with them.
Thank you all for your kind comments!
I really like the gown, the colour is very nice and the lace adds a nice little extra.
I’m impressed by all the hard work that went into creating all the pieces for this outfit! This is such a great interpretation of the story and the character of Meg, I know exactly the scene you are talking about and this dress is perfect for it!