I am so sorry I didn’t purchase this pattern years ago from the Wisconsin Historical Society! This is a reprint of Patterns of History 1857 Afternoon Costume. It is excellent, and is worth the investment for the fancy French-cuff undersleeve pattern alone. It even has directions for a small bustle! It has a very unusual yoked skirt to avoid bulk under the bodice peplum. I made the pattern up with a few changes so it could be worn as a dinner gown (lower neckline, shorter sleeves), and I did not make the knot and tassel decoration for the bodice front. This pattern has excellent directions, fits perfectly (in a size 18, anyway), and is an all-around great addition to anyone’s Civil War era pattern collection.
Lisa Prindle –
I am so sorry I didn’t purchase this pattern years ago from the Wisconsin Historical Society! This is a reprint of Patterns of History 1857 Afternoon Costume. It is excellent, and is worth the investment for the fancy French-cuff undersleeve pattern alone. It even has directions for a small bustle! It has a very unusual yoked skirt to avoid bulk under the bodice peplum. I made the pattern up with a few changes so it could be worn as a dinner gown (lower neckline, shorter sleeves), and I did not make the knot and tassel decoration for the bodice front. This pattern has excellent directions, fits perfectly (in a size 18, anyway), and is an all-around great addition to anyone’s Civil War era pattern collection.