Meltintalle's Closet

It seems like every county fair finds me sewing a new shirt for someone...

This year the project was a 1790s style woman's shift, petticoat, and short gown.

links consulted:

• http://www.sharonburnston.com/shifts_construction.html


• http://www.sharonburnston.com/revwarshift01.jpg


• http://www.sharonburnston.com/015%20shift%20neckline%20c%201775.jpg

• http://mantuadiary.blogspot.com/2008/08/hand-sewing-techniques.html


• http://www.koshka-the-cat.com/18c_petticoat.html

• http://www.marariley.net/jackets/shortgown.htm


• http://fashionablefrolick.blogspot.com/search/label/shortgowns


• http://worldturndupsidedown.blogspot.com/2015/06/colonial-shortgown-bedgown-sewing.html

measurements to remember:

shift:

• sleeves are 16" wide x  however much was left after taking a body of 20" wide from the piece of fabric (could possibly go down to 15" ? )


• gussets were cut 4.5" x4.5" from the circle taken out of the neck opening and hemed are approx. 3" x  3" (try flat-felling edges after insertion???)

petticoat:

• waist was pleated down to approx. 19" on both sides (44" fabric, selvadge used for side seams)


• 3.5" hem depth


• super happy with how this turned out!

short gown:

• went with 17" wide for the sleeve


• 8" to side seam


• 8" x 2" neck opening, cut on shoulder fold; added 2" depth to front after tring it on


• winged the side seam curve; looks okay? we'll see how it wears


• reminds me a lot of the patterns for viking coats, could be the length of the skirt on the gown