1809 Redingote update

My faux fur coat arrived and I'm feeling really guilty using it for applique, particularly as its a vintage coat that someone could wear. The silk velvet is gorgeous to touch and it really looks like fur.

After I've unpicked the lining

Close up of button area - maybe I'll use this part for the triangle shapes.

Playing with shapes.

Just needed to see this image from page 84 of the 1916 edition of http://amzn.to/1wYT1KO and I'm on my way to fixing the collar.

Collars...

http://www.metmuseum.org/.../the-collection.../search/107940 has made me think even more - would the trim have been sewn on with modern applique techniques or might it have been piped like the trim is on this garment?

Date: ca. 1818

Culture: British

Medium: silk

Dimensions: Length at CB: 52 in. (132.1 cm)

Credit Line: Catharine Breyer Van Bomel Foundation Fund, 1981

Accession Number: 1981.210.5

1809 Redingote update

Last January I started to make an 1809 Redingote, but the heat of summer and other pressing commitments prevented me from making much progress. I wonder if I need to have another go at getting it finished while it is so cold outside in our Australian winter? http://aylwen.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/1809-redingote-for-australian-autumn.html

I've had invaluable assistance from Sabine Schierhoff, Judy Lukas, Charo Palacios and Bronwyn Parry translating the description at the bottom of this fashion plate and finding fabric online.

We've worked out that it is telling us that the Redingote is decorated with an Astracan imitation made from silk plush(velvet) and that the turban is made of Muslin. The L'evantine fabric of the Redingote- [F. levantine, or It. levantina.] is a stout twilled silk fabric, formerly made in the Levant. 

I found a vintage Astrakhan coat and some nice wool fabric in January, but with this more expanded translation and time for much thinking about where and when I'd like to wear the coat, I have decided that I will make the coat from this dusty lavender silk twill, and ornament it with silk plush.

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.