Aqua Francaise
A 1770s robe a la francaise, hand sewn from aqua silk taffeta.
Inspiration & Resources
Useful Books & Links
Arnold, Janet.
Patterns of Fashion: English Women's Dresses and Their Construction, c.1660-1860. New York: Drama Book, 1984.
Baumgarten, Linda.
Costume Close-Up: Clothing Construction and Pattern 1750-1790. Williamsburg, Va.: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1999.
Hart, Avril, et al.
Fashion in Detail: From the 17th and 18th Centuries. New York: Rizzoli, 2000.
Demode Tutorial:
http://demodecouture.com/projects/mourning/
How to Make a Contouche:
http://marquise.de/en/1700/howto/frauen/contouche5.shtml
Construction Details
2009
This was my first attempt at a robe a la Francaise, or saque. The dress is hand sewn from silk tafetta, with the exception of the petticoat side seams. The robings and skirt are trimmed with pleated and puffed self-fabric, in a waving pattern that is frequently seen in this era. I also accented this trim with matching blue-green sequins. The sleeve ruffles and petticoat ruffles are scalloped and also accentuated with sequins.
I made two stomachers for this dress. The first is decorated with two layers of scalloped pleated self-fabric trim, one 2 inches wide and the other 1 inch wide. I topped the pleats with some silver braid trim from JoAnns of all places, matching blue-green sequins, and real silver spangles. I wore this stomacher to Costume Con 2009, Costume College 2010, a dinner at Colonial Williamsburg in 2011, and Costume Con 2011.
For Under the Redcoat 2011 in Colonial Williamsburg, I rewore the dress but made a new stomacher trimmed with large pink silk ribbon bows. I also made matching bows for the sleeve ruffles and tacked them in place.
A few construction pictures:
The back pleats -
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The lining with lacing -
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The skirt front pieces and bodice front pieces cut out and ready to be attached -
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The bodice and back before the front skirts were attached -
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Related Blog Posts
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08/28/2011
I'm happy to say I finished another portfolio page. Check out my aqua francaise:
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