so far, so good

[elizabeth_mn]

Put in a little time on the 1860s ballgown this weekend.



I am just holding it closed in back. After this photo I put the bones in the front and it smoothed out quite a lot. The neckline feels crazy high to me. Thoughts?

I was shooting for 60s but it really looks earlier to me, maybe because my hoop is small, or just because it is so plain. It still needs puff sleeves, piped facing, back eyelets, and bodice trim. Maybe it will look a little better once it's more together.

Comments

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

The height of the neckline looks fine to me; it's the waistline that looks a little too long. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/16536723602542906/

You might want to take it up a bit and also make that point in front a bit more petite. I'm pretty sure that's what's bugging you visually as well.

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Wow, you are so right. I didn't even notice the waist until you mentioned it. Thanks!

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

I like it! Before the 1860s ballgowns went to the straight waist, there really is very little difference between them and 1850s. The biggest difference is the sleeve style and particularly the berthe.

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I chose the puff sleeve over the flounced one for a later look. But yeah, I was having a hard time figuring out what differentiates those decades.

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

Oh! The other big thing that would make it be 1850s is a flounced skirt. The number of flounces decreased, as their size increased, throughout the decade; I think they were done in 1860. The ball given for the Prince of Wales that year showed all two big flounces, and I think that's it. So keeping the skirt un-flounced is the single biggest way to keep it 1860s. :)

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Well that should be easy for me as I am being lazy and leaving this skirt totally plain. ;)

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

I think the length of the waist is what's making it feel earlier. I don't think it's the hoop size, which looks fine to me. "Low" necklines for the mid-19th century really aren't low as we think of them today. The advice I've seen is a handspan below the collarbone.

And that doesn't look like a little work to me. It looks very significant.

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

I think you're right about the waist length. I trimmed it shorter and I like it much better. Thank you!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Looks great! I love the colour. I'm sure it will look wonderful with all the trimmings.

[tayloropolis.livejournal.com]

The color of this is so, so pretty! I love it!

[starlightmasque.livejournal.com]

ooooooh so pretty! Goodness that color is perfection on you!

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

I think it's gorgeous! Are you going to make a bertha for it? Those really do a lot to dress up the look of a simple dress.

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I do plan to make a bertha but I'm not sure how to decorate it yet.

[theladyrebecca.livejournal.com]

So pretty! I love that color on you. The neckline might be a tad high - maybe an inch - bit not so much that it looks wrong or anything. I don't think I would have noticed if you hadn't said anything.

[llyrafantasyfae.livejournal.com]

I have nothing useful to add but to say PRETTY!!!!

[jessica barden bandelin (from livejournal.com)]

Love the purple! It looks divine.

[the-aristocat.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see it done! It's going to be stunning!

[gwenyfhar.livejournal.com]

LOVE the color!!! so pretty on you.