I made the ballgown out of a changeable pink/green silk taffeta. The only difficulty I had with the pattern was I tried it when I had only been sewing for a few months. The tight fit is somewhat difficult! I picked it up a year later and it went together with no problems. It turned out I only needed to do minor alterations to the fit. I did make a few changes to the pattern, I flat lined it instead of fully lining it, and cut the front piece on the center fold instead of in two pieces (a beginner’s mistake!), added piping to the armcyes, neckline and waistline, and a tucker to fill in the neckline. I haven’t made a bertha yet, but eventually plan to do so out of the same silk used for the rest of the dress. For the skirt, as usual, I used the free instructions on Elizabeth Stewart Clark’s site.
Rated 5 out of 5
Roz –
I made it with the bertha collar. I was pleased with the fit, and Heather was very helpful via e-mail with some of my questions. I did add the optional “tucker” to the bodice neckline to take out a slight residual “gaposis”. I also changed the sleeves from the puffed version by just cutting the sleeve out as drawn, but not gathering the bottom and attaching it to the lining. I lined it with self fabric and gathered it at the shoulder. It made a nice cap sleeve that came down further over the upper arm.
Rated 4 out of 5
Marie –
This pattern is one of many of the new ones that Truly Victorian is producing for the Civil War era. I am very pleased with it. Her sizing is a bit unusual but the benefits from it, vs. the traditional “Oh hey I’m a size 16 I better cut it a 22 if it’s Simplicity sizing,” are just great. The pattern lends itself to many varieties of fabrics, formal to casual. I ended up making it, and a matching pleated skirt, out of a simple homespun, flat lined (it really does look better; take the time and do it) with muslin. I also hand-sewed the entire garment because, well, I’m a little bit crazy. The sleeves ended up fitting me a bit strange. I think it’s because I should have extended the shoulder width a bit more. I wanted a touch more of the slope I saw in pictures of the time. But the sleeves fit up on my arm just perfectly for working in the kitchen, so no complaints here. This is a very versatile, very well-drafted pattern.
Katherine –
I made the ballgown out of a changeable pink/green silk taffeta. The only difficulty I had with the pattern was I tried it when I had only been sewing for a few months. The tight fit is somewhat difficult! I picked it up a year later and it went together with no problems. It turned out I only needed to do minor alterations to the fit. I did make a few changes to the pattern, I flat lined it instead of fully lining it, and cut the front piece on the center fold instead of in two pieces (a beginner’s mistake!), added piping to the armcyes, neckline and waistline, and a tucker to fill in the neckline. I haven’t made a bertha yet, but eventually plan to do so out of the same silk used for the rest of the dress. For the skirt, as usual, I used the free instructions on Elizabeth Stewart Clark’s site.
Roz –
I made it with the bertha collar. I was pleased with the fit, and Heather was very helpful via e-mail with some of my questions. I did add the optional “tucker” to the bodice neckline to take out a slight residual “gaposis”. I also changed the sleeves from the puffed version by just cutting the sleeve out as drawn, but not gathering the bottom and attaching it to the lining. I lined it with self fabric and gathered it at the shoulder. It made a nice cap sleeve that came down further over the upper arm.
Marie –
This pattern is one of many of the new ones that Truly Victorian is producing for the Civil War era. I am very pleased with it. Her sizing is a bit unusual but the benefits from it, vs. the traditional “Oh hey I’m a size 16 I better cut it a 22 if it’s Simplicity sizing,” are just great. The pattern lends itself to many varieties of fabrics, formal to casual. I ended up making it, and a matching pleated skirt, out of a simple homespun, flat lined (it really does look better; take the time and do it) with muslin. I also hand-sewed the entire garment because, well, I’m a little bit crazy. The sleeves ended up fitting me a bit strange. I think it’s because I should have extended the shoulder width a bit more. I wanted a touch more of the slope I saw in pictures of the time. But the sleeves fit up on my arm just perfectly for working in the kitchen, so no complaints here. This is a very versatile, very well-drafted pattern.