Around 2012 or 2013 I found this fantastic printed cotton that I knew would work perfectly for the late 18th century. I bought about five yards, began working on a Robe a l'Anglaise Retroussée, and then my poor dress languished in the UFO (UnFinished Outfit) pile for years and years. Then in April 2017 I
finally finished it just in time to wear to the Big-Ass Hat Tea hosted by the wonderful
Jenny La Fleur. I also made a new pink Gainsborough hat for the occasion, since a Big-Ass Hat Tea requires a Big-Ass Hat!
I used the yellow stripes in the pattern as a guide for making my pleats. As you can see from the bodice, there is quite a bit of space between each yellow stripe. Three full widths of fabric are pleated into the skirt.
The skirt sewn to the bodice as well as the bodice back. I worked really hard to get that pattern matching perfect!
The skirt draped up into the swags that transform this gown from a Robe a l'Anglaise to a Robe a l'Anglaise Retroussée.
