I seem to be in a regency sort of mind

[robinsnest]

(and it has nothing to do with having watched P&P today....all 6 hours...) 

And it's come to my attention that regency is one of those eras where I know the basics, I know what fabric types were all the rage, and I know the general silhouette, but I know very little about proper construction techniques. So I ask great LJ mind-hive, what is the Costume Close-up of the Regency era? Whats your go to construction source? I have of course looked through PoF. I'm thinking of tackling a spencer and that striped linen and I want to make a more period correct dress than the S&S Simplicity pattern. I'm sure the shapes are right on that one, but I seriously doubt the construction, and the way the lining goes in is just weird.

Teach me Regency-wan-kenobi

Comments

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

My wardrobe. No, seriously. I have this antique wardrobe with four Regency era gowns and two pairs of stays. You can always come down to see them. ;-)

So, sort of coming down towards DC for a few hours before the tea and all....

Napolean and the Empire of Fashion which is rather pricy but..

They do have a webpage

[fiofiorina.livejournal.com]

I'd go for originals, and try to come as close as possible :-)

I definitely reccomend the Barreto/Lancaster collection (Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion), and on the webpage you'll
have access to Phil Thomasons pictures, what offer different views.

Though there is another thing I would like to recommend before: Take a moment, and go through the era and check the different styles, as all theses dresses are so different, and fashion changes rapidly. There is no such thing as "the Regency Dress".

If you are into early (with early I mean 17mid90ies - Directoire), I'd recommend the pattern by Saundra Altman.
http://www.pastpatterns.com/031.html
It's one of the few patterns I recommend, if anyone is asking me for a pattern for Empire, as I usually prefer to use my own. Though I always stress that for Europe, we can't stretch the style any further than the 1790ies - preferably early to mid-90ies.
The cut can be used for an early 90ies roundgown, just with long sleeves and a all round gathered skirt, as an early spencer, as there are some extants with these backs up to the soft Directoire gowns. The lining can be made up as suggested (and for early styles a few bones in the lining make do for a small lady for a set of stays (But usually I suggest making up a pair of stays. E.g. the stays Pattern by Nehelenia, goes together nicely)
Once for Grace:http://pics.livejournal.com/fiofiorina/pic/000g6tsr/g124
Once for Bilbo: http://pics.livejournal.com/fiofiorina/pic/00073f12/g38
http://pics.livejournal.com/fiofiorina/pic/000dxq4d/g124

There's also an ever growing Pinterest for Empire, I am adding to it whenever I come accross something what is nicely documented, I dislike pictures without proper source.
http://pinterest.com/seidenweberin/

When It comes to books: I adore the Basserman-Jordan Catalogue from Speyer, so many patterns in there, so useful!

And I know, I somewhere posted a nice and comprehensible list of "Basic Wardrobe", what has been put together by Cristina Barreto (yes, the owner and curator of Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion), I'll repost as soon as I find it.

If you have a chance to visit the DC Area anytime soon, you might like to visit
http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/

They have currently two dresses of the Barreto/Lancaster Collection on display, Angelique and Désirée

[fiofiorina.livejournal.com]

Found the list:
http://fiofiorina.livejournal.com/217020.html

[blackcat452.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I don't know what the popper construction methods are, I mostly flat line and bring up from the 18th century. I used the sense and sensibility patters, which are pretty versatile, I adapt it for everything. And for style ideas, I recommend http://damesalamode.tumblr.com/, which has a million fashion plates that you can sort by decade or year.

[heidilea.livejournal.com]

You can never watch just one episode of P&P. My mother and sister tried once on separate occaisions. It was always "just one more" and then you realize you've just watched the whole thing and it's 4 am.

I made (but never totally finished) the S&S version. I don't think it's right at all--the construction is all wrong, but it does make for an easy "costume."