The main problem with this pattern is that it’s not historically accurate by any stretch of the imagination. I liked the lines of the bodice and assumed I could adapt it, which I did. In this pattern, the bodice and the front column skirt are sewn together. The attaching seam is low on the hips and covered by the cheesy looking drapery swag across the front. The train or overskirt at the back is detached and stuffed with pleated crinoline, which is, of course, inaccurate, but I guess it would be more comfortable to sit on than a bustle. I used the pattern pieces for the train, with another pattern piece from a column skirt for the front, pleated them at the back and came up with a fair imitation of a Victorian underskirt. (I plan to make an overskirt as soon as my patterns from Truly Victorian arrive.)
This pattern claims to be for an advanced sewer, but it’s not difficult, just time-consuming. It has a lot of parts and pieces. A clever beginner could manage it with a little help. I would recommend it, perhaps, for amateur theater productions, because it uses far less fabric than an authentic Victorian gown and goes together faster. I made this top in three evenings of work (including the muslin cutting and fitting), then spent Sunday trimming it. I am an easy size to fit so I had little problem adapting the bodice, although you should do a muslin if fitting over a corset, as I did.
Holly Messinger –
The main problem with this pattern is that it’s not historically accurate by any stretch of the imagination. I liked the lines of the bodice and assumed I could adapt it, which I did. In this pattern, the bodice and the front column skirt are sewn together. The attaching seam is low on the hips and covered by the cheesy looking drapery swag across the front. The train or overskirt at the back is detached and stuffed with pleated crinoline, which is, of course, inaccurate, but I guess it would be more comfortable to sit on than a bustle. I used the pattern pieces for the train, with another pattern piece from a column skirt for the front, pleated them at the back and came up with a fair imitation of a Victorian underskirt. (I plan to make an overskirt as soon as my patterns from Truly Victorian arrive.)
This pattern claims to be for an advanced sewer, but it’s not difficult, just time-consuming. It has a lot of parts and pieces. A clever beginner could manage it with a little help. I would recommend it, perhaps, for amateur theater productions, because it uses far less fabric than an authentic Victorian gown and goes together faster. I made this top in three evenings of work (including the muslin cutting and fitting), then spent Sunday trimming it. I am an easy size to fit so I had little problem adapting the bodice, although you should do a muslin if fitting over a corset, as I did.