1780s French redingote

Earlier this year Kendra and I found out that we had both planned a redingote after a sketch of Marie-Antoinette for this year. I had originally planned this project for fall but as it would be fabulous to get to wear our redingotes together, I hurried to get it done in time for Costume College. It's made of black and white silk taffeta and lined with linen. It's hand sewn with linen and silk thread. The hat is a silk taffeta covered buckram hat. It's worn over my 1780's stays, shift, two linen petticoats and an older rump with the new quilted rump on top. The shoes are the striped ones I made last year worn with my silk stockings.

I started with a vision of an over the top, loud haute couture redingote, but as it progressed, I toned the plan down as you can see.

And with a hat:

And because Georgians loved their artwork with a lady adjusting her garter:

Construction:

Because I was running so low on time I didn't take many construction notes. But I made it similarly to many of my previous 18th century gowns. Each bodice piece is lined individually and then stitched together.

The insides.

Making the trim:

The pinked trim was gathered and pinned to the base.

Then I stitched it down.

Then I twisted and pinned on a strip of black taffeta with raw edges folded inside.

I stitched it down and added fabric covered wood mold buttons on top.

I tried to like the red fuzzy trim, but changed it to black taffeta binding.