A sheer cotton voile dress. The bodice is lined with white cotton sateen. It's based on the 1870-71 dress in Patterns of Fashion. The inspiration came from the paintings In the Conservatory and Bunch of Lilacs by Tissot. I for the skirts I basically used the patten as it were and only altered the underskirt length as I added five inches to the hem, cut the train a little shorter and changed the overskirt opening from front to center back. I also had to add an inch to the waistband. For the bodice I altered the size and proportions a little and the bodice back piecing. Apart from the long skirt seams and the main bodice seams, it's handsewn. It's worn over my early bustle underwear introduced earlier.
Construction:
I sewed the skirts with french seams.
The overskirt tapes are attached with buttons sewn on the skirt.
The flounces are edged with a rolled hem and pleated. The box pleated trim and the flounces are hand sewn to the skirt.
The underside.
The bodice is left a little short.
The basque belt covers the gap.
The bodice closes with hooks and eyelets. It's boned only on the center front.
