My hat arrived!

I have been very lucky to have made contact with https://www.etsy.com/shop/darnasderbyhats and was able to commission a hat to wear with my Astrakhan 1809 pelisse (when I eventually find time to make it!). The hat arrived today and looks gorgeous - especially as she was able to use a piece of antique black silk lace that I found on ebay. I love how the curly feathers echo the astrakhan fur.

1809 Redingote for an Australian Autumn promenade and picnic

I have been researching making an 1809 Redingote and am collecting together fabric and trim for when I have a moment to sew something for myself. Hopefully I can start this in February. The weather is too warm right now but it should be perfect in Autumn for Jane Austen Festival Australia. There is a promenade and picnic in the Australian National Botanic Gardens on Sunday 13 April that will be perfect.

Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

1809 Redingote

Astrakhan

I've found some faux Astrakhan online and placed an order. Sabine told me that the French description says it is a plush silk velvet to imitate Astrakhan, but as an imitation it is not available these days. Soon after receiving this information I found a vintage coat on ebay that I have purchased and will try using - but will experiment making the trim out of faux fur first. (what a tongue twister!)

I've found an Etsy seller who is making me a decorated riding hat with feathers and veil - will let you know as soon as it arrives.

Regency fashion exhibition in Germany

Sabine from Kleidung um 1800 shared with us a wonderful video of a Regency-era fashion exhibition in Germany. I've taken a few screenshots during the video of some interesting garment features that I'd love to incorporate one day in my sewing.

The Regency Pelisse

The pelisse, essentially a long coat, came in to fashion in the early 1800s to replace the heavier, more tailored redingote.

pe·lisse

Noun:

1. A woman's cloak with armholes or sleeves, reaching to the ankles.
2. A fur-lined cloak, esp. as part of a hussar's uniform.

In 1803 the Gentleman's Magazine reported on the wedding of Lady Georgiana Gordon to the Duke of Bedford, writing that the lady wore:

a muslin dress of the finest fabric... and ... previous to her departure for Woburn, she wore an elegant fringed muslin pelisse, lined with sarsenet, and trimmed with lace of great value.

As early as 1810 we read in La Belle Assemblee:

[Pelisses] are still made to fit tight to the shape, to button down the front with small raised silk buttons, left broad over the bosom and shoulders, but sloped in something narrower to the fall of the back behind...We have seen several elegant women in fine black cloth pelisses, ornamented with the narrowest gold braiding.

In May of 1810, Ackermann's quotes from a letter:

Pelisses, as is usual at this season are in much request. They are chiefly composed of twill sarsnets, either shot or figured; some reaching to the feet, clasped at regular distances from the throat to the bottom; others are of a demi-length, rounded at the ends and confined with festooned ropes of floss silk with tassels in the center.

Ackerman's Repository is quoted in August 1810 as mentioning: 

A plain muslin short pelisse, trimmed with [vandyke lace].

La Belle Assemblee, again writes in 1810:

...we have nothing more approved to offer than the fine sprigged India muslin pelisse, lined with pale pink, straw, blue, or lavender, and trimmed entirely around with a narrow lace edging...

In September of 1816, however, the Repository of Arts was advising:

">Muslin pelisses, so elegant and so appropriate to the season, have, from the coolness and humidity of the weather, been entirely laid aside. 

We read in The Mirror of Fashion in August 1817 that:

pelisses are still considered as elegant for the promenade costume... and ... a pelisse of blue and white shot sarsnet, lined with white sarsnet, and trimmed with white satin.

The Ladies Monthly Museum of October 1817 indicates that pelisses are becoming more fitted:

Silk pelisses begin to be generally adopted for walking dresses.

In 1818 the Lady's Monthly Museum reported that: 

...muslin pelisses have disappeared.

Some more pelisse links:

Pelisse coat said to have been worn by Jane Austen

A very complete history from Fashion Era

A pelisse/spencer pattern for purchase from Sensibility Patterns

On the planning board... some regency gowns and spencers

A few new garments have been added to my planning board - to be completed for JAFA (Jane Austen Festival Australia) next April. Not all of these will be made, but these images in combination will help make up two wardrobes.