Regency Over-Gown in the Helen Geier Flynt Textile Gallery

Celebrating the Fiber Arts: The Helen Geier Flynt Textile Gallery in Historic Deerfield, MA., United States. 

Flynt Center of Early New England Life - Helen Geier Flynt Textile Gallery

http://www.historic-deerfield.org/files/hd/docs/visitor-map.pdf

This is a fine collection of early American textiles and costumes. The exhibition is permanent but changing, so I took the opportunity to photograph the collection on show as closely as possible when I stopped by two days ago.

Below is an over-gown from Townsend, Massachusetts area.
Plain weave white muslin with tambour embroidery; plain weave linen.
c.1800
2008.4.1, Museum Collections Fund

Regency period fine cotton embroidered gown

c. 1810-1820
The fabric has a small floral pattern embroidered inside vertical stripes.  It has a gently rounded neckline and puffed muslin over sleeves, which have been attached to the gown after the long sleeves were completed and armholes bound. The cuffs are decorated with rows of padded cording and have a one button closure.  The skirt has a rolled padded hemline.  The gown is hand stitched, unlined and has a tie back closure.  

Sheer Muslin Gown

I love the look of a sheer muslin gown. Making it, however, is another story. Allow yourself more time than normal and take it slow and easy. Keep your sewing table clear and clean, and keep any animals and children right away. These fabrics snag and stain easily, so use fine sharp pins and sewing needles.