FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
1820’s Archery Ensemble
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
Rushing headlong into the world of Jane Austin can only be an adventure! I will always rank Lizzie (to her friends and family) Bennet as my most adored character, but one must admit that Emma Knightly (nee Woodhouse) is a ‘mover and shaker’. My gown is inspired by the idea of an Emma that has been married for roughly 10 years and she needs some ‘me time’. Knowing how much she likes archery; I believe that a real-life Emma would have joined an archery club as this was an acceptable sport for wealthy women at that time.
The original 1820’s green and salmon pink dress worn at the Royal British Bowmen archery society (now displayed in the Manchester Art Gallery) would not have been Emma’s choice. So, she has decided that the colour can be changed to a livelier red with blue and white accents. Emma has also changed how the VanDyke triangles were designed on the sleeves as they know ‘puff out’ when the arm is raised to shoot an arrow. The stripes have also been given a greater emphasis on the arm to highlight the archers distinct pose and visibly stand out from a distance. All in all, I would agree with Emma, that it is a much more exciting dress to wear.
Outline the construction…
All items are a combination of machine (limited to invisible seams) and hand sewing. Nearly every seam has been constructed as a French Seam. For every item of clothing there was no commercial pattern. For inspiration, I studied online images or watched YouTube clips.
The pantalettes were made from an old sheet and the chemise was sewn from an old duvet cover. This was the first time I had used French Seams on underarm gussets (thanks Morgan Donner). Next came the Regency short stays and I was most pleased with these until I realised (the day of filming) that I was out by 1 cm on the lacing edges. Oh well!
I used metal grommets for the lacing holes; then hand stitched around each of these. Next came the dress and those sleeves! I just kept going back to images online to understand what I needed to include in my design. I did complete a simple bodice mock up, nevertheless, it didn’t save me from making the back too low (it was low in the ori
ginal). I realised this after I did a final fit and found the chemise was showing in the rear of my dress. The neckline of the chemise was reshaped, however, the stay straps remained on show. Not happy about that, however, I have forgiven myself.
The final touch was a $2 straw hat that I Frankensteined into an 1820’s bonnet. Another historically influenced archery outfit to wear.
I had the same problem with short stay straps showing on my daughters short stays under a ball gown. So annoying. I have moved them a bit to the side and narrowed them now.
I love your ensemble. Dramatic colours for a statement hobby and a great result.
Thank you so much Frances. I am just happy to be a part of the crowd of such amazing talented people. I might take your advice and see if I can narrow the straps. That is a really good idea. I get to wear this to an event in a few months and am really looking forward to the ‘puff’ of my sleeves for each arrow shot.
It looks so great, and very good colour choices.