YWU Competition is open for viewing!

I entered the 1820s gown that I made and wore at the historic Hyde Park Barracks Redcoats & Convicts Day last year into the competition at http://yourwardrobeunlockd.com/competition/2014-competition - there are lots of other gorgeous garments entered as well, so do go and have a look :)

1820 KCI Dress Pictures - Your Wardrobe Unlockd

The original gown at http://www.kci.or.jp/archives/digital_archives/detail_59_e.html

At Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney.

The Hyde Park Barracks is a brick building and compound designed by convict architect Francis Greenway between 1818–19; originally built at the head of Macquarie Street (1819) to house convict men and boys. The site is managed by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales as a museum open to the public for a modest fee. The site is listed on New South Wales' State and Australian National Heritage registers, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of 11 pre-eminent Australian Convict Sites as amongst "the best surviving examples of large-scale convict transportation and the colonial expansion of European powers through the presence and labour of convicts."

This gown is worn with period undergarments: chemise, stays and a linen chemisette.
I made the stays many years ago and they're still going strong!

  

Dancing in the gown at Redcoats & Convicts Day at Hyde Park Barracks

Minding a stall at the Redcoats & Convicts Day when a handsome gentleman comes by to visit...
in the blue wool tailcoat I made him a few years back. So nice to match at last!

The Progress Shots... 

Piping the neckline trim. All piping was hand sewn.

Pinning the trim in place - figuring how to make them lie flat.

Attaching the piped ruffles to the skirt.

Before adding the sleeves

Back of the dress - second attempt. I tried pleats at first but gathers were best with such a ruffled hemline.

Detachable cuffs