An Afternoon Dress

Hello My Dears! I have been too long absent! I am missing everyone DREADFULLY! I hope, now that summer is just around the bend, we will be able to do some picnics or outings of some sort! Croquet anyone?

Now, I would like to tell you a little story. It is about a little dress that was very long in the making. My seamstress Marguerite, made this dress for herself and when I saw it I thought I simply MUST have one! --but, with a few differences of course.
-One being that it is entirely hand sewn.
I know you've already seen bits and pieces of it since I did wear it a couple times before it was quite ready! (shh!) However... Now it is, and has been, complete for some time and I would like to share all the little details with you! Here are our two dresses together. It is made of a light cotton calico and a deep purple fabric that I'm not quite sure what it is. It's almost a canvas but much softer and not quite as thick. There is a deep purple ruffle at the bottom of hers that is hardly visible in the photograph-- please excuse me!

With the same fabric I put a ruffled hint of a bustle on the back of mine. It is still a full skirt that goes over a hoop, but I hear that bustles are coming in!To cover the seams and to add some extra charm, I put this lace on top of the ruffles which are only visible when the wind might flutter through...

The skirt I attached to a waistband and sewed it to the inside of the bodice in case I change my mind and want to make an extra bodice for it. And since I am in a constant state of that, it is the only way to do it!Here is the bodice.
I did a simple fitted bodice with a 'v' waist and boat neckline and trimmed it with contrasting purple piping (shocking I know!), and the same lace that is on the skirt.

The back I tried to gather in. However, it could have used a bit more gathering I think. Then I sewed little eyelets and laced it for a more elegant look.

The sleeves are a double puff--of sorts. =] I was making up the pattern and I didn't make it quite full enough and when I put it around my arm it just went flat. So, To make it more pouffy, I sewed little gathering stitches in vertical lines on different places of the sleeve. It worked quite well, and I was very pleased with how they turned out. Though it is hard to tell they're double puff. I guess it'll be my own little secret. =]
So just remember: When making puffed sleeves, cut out more than you think you need!

These pictures were taken at Fort Stevens which was the first reenactment that I got to wear my finished dress. *smiles blissfully*

The 'Train' ride home.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my dress! Please leave comments if you are so inclined, and tell me what you think. I would LOVE to see your own creations or hear about your dress making experiences! Until we meet again my fair companions...
Miss Emaline