Next up, my interpretation of the c. 1780 redingote worn by Marie Antoinette:
Not an exact copy for sure, and I still need to add the random waist bow (is it a sash, do you think?) and various lace bits, plus I’d like to make a better cap more along the lines of the sketch. But I’m quite pleased with it!
The last bits to do were all the trimmy bits. For the zig-zaggy white taffeta bits, I measured the length of the skirt sides and drew out a template. The angle and spacing of the zig-zags really changes on the sketch. I’m not sure if that’s a perspective issue, or if the original really had such wonky trim, but I knew I couldn’t handle too much wonkiness! I did change the spacing a bit as it moves down towards the hem, but that’s it — all the different angles would have driven me crazy. I then cut lengths of pinked taffeta, which I gathered and sewed to the zig-zag edge, and then basted it all down. On top of that is some kind of textured/pleated black ribbon. I experimented with a number of different pleating techniques, all of which just didn’t read as anything, and finally ended up doing a zig-zagged gathering stitch on the ribbon and gathering it up. Luckily I spent 3 days helping my husband vend at WonderCon, so I was able to sit with this thing in my lap the whole time and hand sew! Finally, there were all those fabric covered buttons, which I made on the plane, on the train, and at the château… I used wooden button blanks from Burnley & Trowbridge, cut out all the circles of white taffeta while at home, and then sewed on various transports. Buttons are a great thing to make while travelling, as they’re small, quick, and easily portable!
I wanted to try something new for the underbodice effect, so knowing they did use stomachers with this style, that’s what I went with. It worked fine, especially since the fitted waist means that the robe doesn’t hang too much open. My initial plan was to straight-pin the robe down at the waist, but since the fabric is relatively heavy, this was annoying — every time I lifted the robe to get in to my pockets, I’d pull out the pin, which would get bent and wonky and I’d have to repin it. So for later wearings, I just gave up on pinning that point, and although the robe didn’t fit in quite as neatly at the waist, it wasn’t really a problem.
It was the perfect dress for traipsing about the grounds of the château — I felt very over-the-top with my train dragging in the dirt! I basted on a thick cotton facing as a train guard and I’m glad I did, as it got VERY dirty — it was satisfying to just rip it off when I got home!
I’m planning to wear this at Costume College — hopefully with Merja in her version? I was thinking about wearing it for the ice cream social, although I think the official redingote meet-up will be another day… I’m worried it’s too heavy to wear all day at CoCo in the heat and that I’ll quickly hit the wall!
Eeee! I cannot wait to see some of your gorgeous gowns at CoCo! This one is so splendid!
It is sooooooooo perfect! It might be one of my favorite dresses ever.
Every new picture of this makes me squee! So stunning! And I’ve been thinking it’s a sash.
Ice cream social would be perfect! I had thought about bringing a riding habit with me as well that I can wear to the redingote / riding habit meeting. I can’t wait!
You are right to be pleased with it! I love it! Such a fun outfit!
The scallopy collar and zigginess (is that a word?) make my heart sing.