FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
A modern interpretation of Kitty Bennet
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
The inspiration and original idea to make this Regency Evening gown and undergarments is when a larp set in Regency time period was announced. I wanted to make a dress which could have been worn by Kitty Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. The idea of adapting historical dress for larp means that anything that looks the part can be used, and it does not necessarily mean that all construction methods, or fabrics used have to be accurately historical, but we are working in an ‘authenticool’ way. Hence this ‘modern interpretation of a regency evening wear dress’. I feel like Kitty Bennet could be seen wearing a dress like this, it is a bold dress in colour, with some specific details to show off. But it is not overly decorated and still quite youthful.
Outline the construction…
For the Chemise and the Short stays, I used the Laughing moon #115 pattern, the Dress is made with Laughing Moon #138 Chemise and stays are made with fine cotton, the dress is blue synthetic silk and grey cotton. For all garments, most sewing was done by sewing machine. For the chemise all visible finishes are done by hand. For the stays pieces were connected by machine, as were all the cording channels. All other stitching was done by hand. On the dress, all grey decoration was attached by hand, and the hem was sewn up with a catch stitch, instructions for the decorations were not in the pattern. Until now I have made quite a few costumes, but this is my first dress, undergarments and very first historical piece. It is interesting to see how different construction works with historical patterns, such as the way the sleeves are inserted. I picked up quite a few new techniques while making this, like nearly all hand sewing, inserting gussets in armholes, and how flossing works. While making the dress I did run into a problem at the back, where my overlap was not enough to add the buttons, this also meant the bodice was wider than intended I solved this by making the overlap bigger, though this meant that the pleating overlaps as well. This was hidden by adding the bow, which in hindsight was a good addition, as it finishes the dress decoration wise.
Lovely!
Your work is so beautiful and your garments fit you perfectly. And now I’ve discovered your YouTube channel – yay.
I’ve followed you making this as close as I could, and it turned out so incredibly well! An ansable to envy for sure <3
I love this blue color! You did an awesome work!
Love the colours, really makes the dress pop. I can also totally envisage Kitty Bennett in it trying (and succeeding) to get a dance or two with a dashing young army officer!
The trim is adorable. It’s very well made and fit!
You did an amazing job, I am truly impressed at the whole outfit !
Amazing stays and dress! I love the color of the dress. That chemise is wonderful! Thank you!
The details on the corset and the ribbons on the dress (oh, the ribbons!) are such beautiful embellishments to really make your work shine. I think Kitty would have been over the moon for such a lovely gown.
Kitty isn’t my favourite character in Pride and Prejudice but this dress is stunning! I love the sleeves and the details xxx