Sew all the Regency things!

[mandie_rw]

(Since I've finished sewing for the night but I don't want to go to bed yet!)

I need you people to make decisions for me. I'm hopeless at this. I have two distinct ideas for Regency outerwear for our Philadelphia outing, and no sooner do I decide on one, then the other starts to seem like a better idea.

The first is a dark blue pelisse trimmed with thin scarlet ribbon. It's not based on any one garment or plate so it's hard to illustrate for you, but something vaguely related to this:

...except with no trim at the waist and a little fur collar instead of a standing collar and no fastenings waist-hem and trim round the hem too. So, really, not like this at all. But I can't sketch so this is all you get.

(And I'm not going to touch the muff in that illustration with a ten-foot pole. I mean really.)

Pros? I have all the supplies for this one - unless I run out of ribbon, because I bought it a long time ago and have no idea how many yards I got. And I love the red-on-blue color scheme.
Cons? I'd also need a new dress to go under the pelisse. (The navy wool jumper is too long to go under a pelisse and/or ice skate in. I could make it shorter - but I don't want to. So there. And the others are too lightweight for winter.) I practically have fabric coming out my ears, especially for this time period, so supplies wouldn't be a problem, just maybe time.

The other option is what I'm calling the little red redingote. Most of you probably have seen it...it's the KCI one, also seen to less advantage here:


Pros? Unquestionably it's the more impressive option! I also have the fabric for it. And I think I've got a long enough neck to be quite happy with such a tall, strangulation-inducing collar. I like tall collars. It's why I own lots of turtlenecks. And it would be nice and warm! Anyway.
Cons? More work. A lot more work. Trim. Covering buttons. More trim. More buttons. And more to the point, I don't have any of the trim or button forms! I'd have to buy all that still. Which does add up quickly. I do have a bit of Christmas money, but... Oh, and because I'm neurotic, I'd want a new habit-shirt to wear with it. Not a chemisette, which would be easier and take less time, I want a full shirt. With an enormous frilly collar. That would also take time.

Now, whichever of these I don't make, will still get made eventually! I love both ideas and would make them even without an event to wear them to, if I had the time. And have you noticed, Regency and I are new BFFs. Who'd have thought the "you look pregnant in that" would catch on?

Time for a poll!
[Poll #1950062][Poll #1950062]

Comments

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

I voted for the red. Go big or go home, baby!

[sewloud.livejournal.com]

I voted for blue only because you have a track record of juuuust missing deadlines and I want you actually dressed :-p this will NOT be a repeat of the expensive sack! or the other thing I'm forgetting but I know there was another one.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Like, everything I make! It's a valid point. :D

[heidilea.livejournal.com]

I've been scoping out the regency hardcore lately. I'm in a Jane Austen book club now and they just had a costumed tea for Jane's birthday. It was a bit of an opposite day--no tea was served and I was the only one not dressed (there was a snowstorm and I wasn't feeling well). I'm also the only one with historical sewing knowledge and this year we're going to have a sewing night on Wednesdays. It is weird how unflattering it is, even on period women! Like, mah boobs smaller than mah belleh.

I voted for red (so eye-bleeding), but I'm in the minority. I say make what you want and you think will be wearable/done by your birthday bash.
Yeah, that muff. It's so...muff-looking.

[heidilea.livejournal.com]

Oh, Post-Script:

During the American Duchess Advent, I took the plunge on a pair of imperfect Hartleys in ivory and blue silk stockings. It was the day any ivory shoe came with a full leather painting kit (by far the best advent day, IMHO). They just came in yesterday. They are the smallest size I would ever think to order for myself and I was scared they wouldn't fit, but I had a few minutes last night to try on my larger left foot and they fit beautifully. Unfortunately, hubby caught me and disapproved of them. He wants me to send them back. (Hint: they're not going back!)

I wanted to dye them, but I had no clue what color to pick.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Oooh yay, I love the look of the AD regency boots, glad to hear they fit you! I think they're so cute, but I'd prefer a straight last, so I'm getting the Robert Land boots for my birthday.

And it does look like the blue pelisse is winning...but we'll see!

[heidilea.livejournal.com]

I did consider the Robert Land boots before I bought the Hartleys, because they were cheaper, more accurate, and came in more colors. But, in the end, I have no idea how much I will be able to do Regency era and I can easily incorporate these ones into my everyday wardrobe.

[ladyxjade.livejournal.com]

that is a difficult call. I love the red. Just love it. But I like how the other one sounds too.

Do you need a new dress either way? What sort of fabric was used for a regency winter day dress?

[ladyxjade.livejournal.com]

p.s. - I knew I was right to blame regency on you.

[mandie-rw.livejournal.com]

Mwahahaha! Reeeeeeegency! *rubs hands together evilly*

Well, if I make the red redingote, I won't need a new dress because it'll be closed in the front, so I'll only want a warm petticoat under that. (Conveniently I've just made one!) I consider the redingote to be more of a dress, while the pelisse is basically a coat - so a dress underneath is a must! And all of mine are very thin cotton or silk and short-sleeved, so I would like a new one.

Silk or wool (or any blend thereof) are perfect for winter dresses - anything drapey and light/mid-weight, really. A lot of the wool suitings you start seeing on sale around now are a good choice. Or twill. There was some nice silk twill on FFC I really wanted, but I have so much fabric I'm not allowed to buy any more for this!