Now my blue regency dress is done, I want to wear it and the next event is in a couple of weeks, so good news for me! The only problem, it’s outside, in the Netherlands, in December. So thin silk and cotton are not going to cut it. I therefore decided to make a spencer jacket. And a muff. And a bonnet. And if possible a chemisette. A bit optimistic, but who knows. In any case, the spencer has the priority here, and as I already had the pattern and fabric, this should be very doable. So two weeks ago I cut and printed and assembled the pattern. I made the mock-up and made adjustments. Last week, I cut the fabric, the lining, sewed them together and pinned the bodice together. Last weekend I assembled the pieces, made the collar and sleeves, put everything together and finished the raw edges. I even started on the button-holes. Because, of course, for a last-minute project it’s a good plan to make 5 hand-sewn button-holes. Well… at least it’ll be pretty when it’s done! At the time of writing, I’ve made 3 button-holes and attatched the buttons, so if I run out of time it will close with 3 instead of 5 buttons!
Finished pictures will come after the 7th of December, when the event has happened, but I have some construction pictures!
The spencer is made from light-weight blue wool, which is gorgeous, but should really be seen in daylight. My flash doesn’t do it justice. The lining is white cotton, and I used Sense & Sensibility’s spencer pattern, but adapted it to have a high closure and fit my figure a bit better.
The inside of the sleeves before attaching them to the bodice.
Gathering the sleeve cap
The bodice assembled, before finishing the edges and the sleeves.
And from the outside, on my dummy
And from the back.
Pinning the sleeve into the arm-hole.
And with the sleeves attatched and the edges finished. Pinned to close.
Close-up of the sleeve cap. The color is a bit weird here, it’s prettier in person.
From the back!
And a little preview of it worn over my dress! I’m still in love with the fabric, this picture shows the color best.
Atelier Nostalgia 