Early Blue gown remodel
I have been having fun adapting my first gown to change the bodice to the wrap bodice in Sense and Sensibility’s new empire gown pattern, from Sense and Sensibility’s Elegant Ladies Closet pattern. I removed the bodice, and altered the skirt so that there was a placket in the petticoat under the divided skirt. The top was sewn on so that the edges of the wrap came to the edges of the divided skirt, it went together very nicely.
Here is the new bodice
You will notice that I put a small row of gathers at each side of the neckline, to widen it a bit. Plus my opening is closer to the front than on Jennie’s pattern, to fit the skirt pieces, I just had to add one more pleat (about 3/4 inch). I also added lace to the sleeves as the new sleeves are shorter than the old and I wanted more length. The bodice is lined with linen and I have inserted a small stays, like those in the pale blue brocade dress, into the front bodice lining piece (two layers of the linen).
Here is the full length image
This all began because someone wanted me to make a front-opening gown for them, and so I did some more research into different patterns. The Elegant Ladies Closet to the rescue! Both gown patterns there can be put on by someone without assistance, so I wanted to try them before making one for a customer. My next post shows the second sample, the drawstring dress.