Sense & Sensibility Patterns

Hi, Robin! The empire waistline can actually help you look taller and is very flattering when fitted properly. For early 1820s, you'd need my original Regency Gown pattern, which was made to look like the later styles of the 1810s to early 1820s. Rather than trying to match the Santa, I'd go for a white or cream gown with a wine red sash or ribbon ... See Moretrim. You can repeat the ribbon on your cap. Kannik's Korner has a pattern for women's caps that will be perfect for you. See http://www.kannikskorner.com/patwomen.htm. I hope this helps, and have fun sewing!

as i am not much into wearing white - would a darker grey work - am not sure about grey being period - i Do like your idea of the ribbon on the dress -

do you have suggestions on where (website) i could see caps being worn to determine which might work best for me - tho i am drawn ot the grand coiffe or the mob cap (SO much better than the mrs ... See Moreclaus usual fare (yisssh!!) - i decided since the 'night before xmas" was written in 1823 i should dress the period as it will (hopefully) add class to our presentation :)

thank you so much for your suggestions

Grey is actually perfect, Robin! It is considered "half mourning," but mourning conventions were not as strict as in the late Victorian period. Ladies could attend balls and parties in half mourning. Not sure if Mrs. Claus has any reason to mourn, though -- LOL! But no one else is going to know that except us historical fashion fanatics! I say, "Go... See More for it!"

As for the cap, there are photos at http://www.janeausten.co.uk/magazine/index.ihtml?pid=299&step=4 of four different cap styles. Hope this helps!

Hi, Elizabeth! The 1910s Tea Gown was designed to be worn without a corset, but it looks fantastic over one. All you have to do is fit the bodice lining to the corset for a perfect silhouette. The 1914 Afternoon Dress pattern was designed with a corset, but I don't have a 1914 corset pattern, so you can make the bodice one size larger to fit over a... See More conventional bra. The Romantic Era dress works without a corset as well, though if you want the authenticity, you definitely need the proper stays. I recommend the Regency Stays pattern from The Mantua Maker, which works for the early Romantic Era as well. Hope this helps!

Thank you!

I am saving up for the 2011 tour!!! :)

c'mon lottery!!!

C'mon rich obscure relative who will die and leave me their vast fortune....

Have a GREAT break Mrs. Chancey! Merry Christmas (CelticGoddess81 on the form boards!)

Thanks, Elizabeth! Great holidays to you, too!

I can fix that, Sarah! I'll refund your ePattern purchase, then you just go in and order the regular patterns you wanted. :-)

Okey dokey- thanks, Jennie! And Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Hi again, Sarah! Refund for the ePattern has gone through. Heather is going to go ahead and send the GSJP tomorrow. Just reorder it through the site, and that takes care of that! :-)

Hi, Elisa! We'll get back to doing Freebie Fridays after the holidays. There isn't an archive of prior downloads, because they are only free for a limited time (Friday through Sunday when posted). :-) Everything in the $1 Download area appeared as a freebie at one point. My son has been doing lots of scanning, but we're taking a break for Christmas and New Year's. Watch for new freebies starting in January!

Hi, Sharleen! That's me on the left in that photo from 1996. ;-) I wore that dress until I wore it out! Ditto the dress on the model on the right. Lots of people make the dress with an A-line skirt, using the skirt back lining piece instead of the skirt back piece for a more modern look. It's a really fun way to modernize the Regency style. Enjoy!

PS - Both dresses were made from my original Regency Gown pattern, though for the final pattern I shortened the sleeve and made it puffier. :-)

Aren't hard bodied dolls a little narrower around the waist? I'd imagine the patterns would work well but maybe need to be taken in a touch at the waist.

Hi, Jennifer! Soft-bodied dolls are a little thicker through the waist -- at least the ones I've seen. So, yes, you may need to nip them in a little at the waist as Erin mentioned. I'd also make up one test bodice to try on your doll. That will show you where it needs adjusting, and you can adjust all the bodices from the modified one. Hope this helps!

thanks very much for both suggestions.

♥ it!!! Thanks for sharing!

Fascinating! All the books are so interesting. Thank you so much!

You're welcome, Crystal Mae! Have fun sewing!

gorgeous!

I am a blog friend of Sarah's and saw the dresses on her blog - the dresses turned out so lovely! :) She used such beautiful fabric!