I enjoyed making and wearing #102. It has worn well and is extremely comfortable. I made it first from an indigo/white check sold at Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby–small windowpane of two vertical and two horizontal white threads every 1/8″. Although #102 is back closing, I have someone else tie me in once, then I pull it off and on to dress myself on site. It’s appropriate for c. 1800, but also good as a “bodiced petticoat” with a short gown over it for later 19th century or if I need long sleeves or warmth. Size 26 pattern required no alterations to fit. I recommend #102 for that reason, and also for the quality and quantity of illustrated instructions, the historical notes, and the pattern’s basis in a real extant garment (not someone’s imagination). I am currently making another #102, with some style changes, for wear at an 1820 site. I slightly raised the neckline to come halfway to the collarbone. (The original sits low, and I always wear a handkerchief to fill in and to help cover stays straps and shift.) I also widened the front ends of the shoulder straps and the tops of the bodice front, where the straps join, for further coverage. I changed the sleeve to be one piece, splitting the width of the sleeve inset and adding it onto either side of the main sleeve. I also lengthened the sleeves to the wrist, where they will be gauged into cuffs with self ruffle. A muslin test of the changes went like a dream. My first effort at tweaking pattern style, rather than simply altering for fit. The #102 pattern lent itself very well to changes. This is a further reason to recommend it, if someone is familiar enough with historical sewing to feel comfortable updating a slightly earlier design for 1810-1820.
Elizabeth Bowling –
I enjoyed making and wearing #102. It has worn well and is extremely comfortable. I made it first from an indigo/white check sold at Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby–small windowpane of two vertical and two horizontal white threads every 1/8″. Although #102 is back closing, I have someone else tie me in once, then I pull it off and on to dress myself on site. It’s appropriate for c. 1800, but also good as a “bodiced petticoat” with a short gown over it for later 19th century or if I need long sleeves or warmth. Size 26 pattern required no alterations to fit. I recommend #102 for that reason, and also for the quality and quantity of illustrated instructions, the historical notes, and the pattern’s basis in a real extant garment (not someone’s imagination). I am currently making another #102, with some style changes, for wear at an 1820 site. I slightly raised the neckline to come halfway to the collarbone. (The original sits low, and I always wear a handkerchief to fill in and to help cover stays straps and shift.) I also widened the front ends of the shoulder straps and the tops of the bodice front, where the straps join, for further coverage. I changed the sleeve to be one piece, splitting the width of the sleeve inset and adding it onto either side of the main sleeve. I also lengthened the sleeves to the wrist, where they will be gauged into cuffs with self ruffle. A muslin test of the changes went like a dream. My first effort at tweaking pattern style, rather than simply altering for fit. The #102 pattern lent itself very well to changes. This is a further reason to recommend it, if someone is familiar enough with historical sewing to feel comfortable updating a slightly earlier design for 1810-1820.