Category Archives: Empire / Regency

Elegance Continues: The Regency Spencer Jacket inspired by a TV Show – Pattern #0323

The pattern is coming soon….

In our journey through the world of historical fashion, we’ve uncovered the enchanting allure of Regency dresses. However, the story doesn’t end there. To complete your transformation into a character from a Jane Austen novel or the grand ballrooms of Bridgerton, we introduce a perfect companion piece – a Regency Spencer Jacket. This exquisite garment, like the dress, has been meticulously recreated with a historical nod, making it the ideal addition to your Regency-inspired ensemble.

Just as we ventured into the realm of the Empire dress, it’s time to explore the creation of this captivating Spencer Jacket. Following the same commitment to historical techniques and style, this piece embraces the authenticity of the Regency era while adding a modern twist. Whether you’re a seasoned seamstress or a budding costume enthusiast, this blog post will guide you through crafting this elegant jacket with step-by-step instructions and detailed images. So, as we delve deeper into the world of Regency fashion, prepare to embark on another sewing adventure, one that promises to bring the grandeur of Bridgerton and the Regency era to life in your wardrobe.

The time of the Empire/ Regency lasted from 1795 to 1820 and can be divided roughly into three subcategories of fashion styles.

Contrary to persistent fashion misconceptions, such as the ‘muslin disease,’ numerous period fashion illustrations depict an array of coats, jackets, and overdresses in a spectrum of colors and diverse materials, including silk, fabric, velvet, and fur.

A redingote, derived from the English ‘riding coat,’ is a full-length coat crafted from woolen fabric. Redingotes were frequently embellished with braids, imitating the style of hussar military jackets.

A pelisse, on the other hand, is a lightweight coat or overdress that ranges from calf-length to floor-length.

A spencer, a shorter jacket, could feature a peplum or not, depending on the design.

Additionally, individuals of the era often opted for colored pashmina shawls and tunics.

It’s worth noting that these terms were not consistently used in fashion publications of the time and have evolved over the years.

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/search?q=Journal%20des%20Dames%20et%20des%20Modes%20&v=&s=&ondisplay=False&ii=0&p=1

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Elegance Revived: A Regency Dress, inspired by a TV Show – Pattern #0223

Purchase pattern #0223 here

The world of historical fashion undoubtedly exerts a timeless allure that stimulates our imagination. For all those enchanted by the magnificent gowns and exquisite ensembles of the TV series Bridgerton, my sewing pattern allows everyone to fulfill their desire for a dreamy dress themselves.

Originally, I had crafted the dress in black for the Wave Gothic Festival in Leipzig. However, I have now revamped it in a colorful style reminiscent of Bridgerton. The instructions still adhere to historical techniques, but the dress can be sewn as much as possible with a sewing machine and closed at the back with a zipper instead of hooks and eyes.

The tulip sleeves are not typical of the Regency/Empire era, however, they are an important stylistic element of the dresses of young women featured in the show. The first tulip or petal sleeves can be seen on extant dresses from the 1850s.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/108118

Let’s dive into the world of hand-sewing a dress! Back in those times, garments were typically sewn with white thread. I didn’t have a matching silk thread at home, so, in keeping with historical accuracy, the entire dress was sewn with white thread.

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Men´s Regency Fall Front Breeches around 1800 Part 1 – Step (1) – (3)

No chance to relax, to complete the men’s wardrobe we need breeches!

Again, this blog post is just an addition to complete the instructions for my sewing pattern with more pictures.

(1) Let´s start with cutting the fabric! Don´t be afraid of the weird looking pattern with no inseam and the legs pointing outward. If wanted add the inseam, the line is marked on the pattern, but don´t try to straighten the legs, they give the width needed for a comfortable fit. Compared to Georgian breeches, the volume at the buttocks is significantly reduced, but still more than most of us are used to from modern pants. The pattern is based on an extant sewing pattern from 1796.

Punching holes on the pattern for accurate markings on the fabric.
thread tracing for accurate markings
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Men´s Regency Fall Front Breeches around 1800 Part 3 – Step (10) – (14)

Part 2 – Step (4) – (9)

(10) The gusset and waitband lining:

Trim back the seam allowances, they are to wide here on this picture.
Cover the raw seam allowances with the waistband lining.
The front area of the waistband, don´t sew the pocket, just catch the back of the pocket when felling down the lining. Sew with the “point à rabattre sous la main” along the front and top edge.
Sew the eyelets right beside the gusset.
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