Sense and Sensibility Customer Comments

(Click thumbnail for larger image.)

This is my first attempt at making a 1914 Afternoon Dress. It went together quite nicely. I used an embroidered sheer material for the overdress and white batiste for the underdress. Wearing it felt heavenly. I can't wait to make more of them. This one was for Easter. ~ Dawn Marie V.

My goodness! I discovered your site not too long ago and found heaven. I love period costume, and empire/regency is my favorite era. I ordered your pattern for the regency gown right away and just recieved it yesterday. I started a long sleeved cotton work dress, and your pattern is fantastic! Easy to assemble, read, lovely instructions and amazing results. When I finish my dress (and later dresses with this pattern and your embellishment ideas), I will see if I can upload and share them with you and other costume fanatics. Thanks again so much, not only for a great product, but all the time and care you put into what you do. ~ All my gratitude, Leah E.

"Just wanted to let you know a friend finished the Regency Dress for my daughter. She found your pattern easy to work with and finished the dress in two days. Thanks again for a wonderful and easy pattern. ~ Sincerely, Kathleen S.

I just wanted to let you know how WONDERFUL I think your pattern for the Edwardian Walking Jacket is. This pattern was well worth the wait! When I first got it and read the instructions I thought "What have I gotten myself into??!!??" because I had never sewn anything that advanced. However, I just followed your instructions step by step and it came out PEFECTLY... with much less stress than I thought! It really paid off to do the extra fitting.. I LOVE it!! Thank you for all your time and effort developing such a fantastic pattern! ~ Valarie A.

(Click for larger image.)

I thought you might like to see the Regency dress I made from the pattern I purchased from you a few months ago. I am fairly new to sewing and this was my first attempt using your pattern. I found your pattern suitable for a beginner with instructions that were clear and easy to follow. I made this for a costume ball where it was not necessary to use 'period correct' fabrics, etc. The picture makes the gown fabric look alot more shiny than it actually is, but still you can get an idea of how it turned out. I enjoyed working with your pattern and it was a pleasure to wear one of your designs to the party I attended. ~Lucy R.

My sister and I spent the weekend sewing nonstop, and the dresses are absolutely lovely. We're in a real Regency phase and had just watched the A&E/BBC "Pride and Prejudice" in its entirety, and we're so pleased to find that we can look like the characters we love. :) We're just learning to sew on our mother's sewing machine, and with our limited experience we were so excited to find that we could create such beautiful dresses. Thank you so much! We may be trying your Spencer jacket pattern next. :) ~Amelia

I recently ordered your Regency gown pattern for my daughter. The pattern is a dream! The dress is progressing beautifully! I now have the courage to try to make a gown for myself, and I would like to do so by taking your online class in April. Thank you for helping me!~ Christine

Wow! the regency dress pattern was everything everyone had said about it! it went together beautifully, with little aggravation (even though I am not the greatest seamstress in the world) and the fit was wonderful--especially the supplemental DD bodice. My friend loves her dress! Anyway, just wanted to say how pleased I am with the pattern. Thanks again for designing a great dress pattern! ~ Sue A.

(Click for larger images.)

Thank you for the wonderful Regency Gown Pattern. I cut out my fabric on a Tuesday night and was wearing the finished gown on Friday night. I made the gown for a Regency dance at Lunacon. I had no problems putting the gown together and am very happy with the finished garment. I made the gown in a cotton/poly blend cream feather embroidered fabric with a cream cotton lining. I have been recommending the pattern to everyone who admires the gown at Regency balls I have attended. I'm looking forward to making up your Spencer Jacket/Pelisse pattern and 1910s Tea Gown pattern, which I recently ordered. Thank you.~ Mary Alice

(Click for larger image.)

This is a picture my brother took the other day of the first afternoon dress I made. I made the dress just below knee-length with the underdress ankle-length. I was able to use up some shorter lengths of scraps this way, as well as an old shower curtain. :) I was really pleased with this dress. It is so comfortable to wear and so easy to make. I was able to get in a lot of practice on buttonholes also. Thank you again, I love your patterns! ~ Sarah E.

I made the Edwardian apron. I had some light blue cotton sheeting from a quilt I'd done, so I tried it in that. I made the binding out of a matching print calico. I took 4 and a half inches off the length and shortened the waist by an inch. It turned out nice. I wore it all day today. My dh said "you're looking really good lately." Hmmm, nice to hear for a man of few words. My Mom saw it on me and said it looks very feminine and that I look as if I should be in a French kitchen. Not sure what that means, but it sounds good to me! ~ Caroline B.

I have just completed my gown with your pattern (with exception of handsewing on the buttons) I wish to tell you how pleased I am with the result. I normally draft up patterns from a book (such as Patterns of Fashion or Corsets & Crinolines). or combine pattern pieces for a custom pattern. I know you must of heard this a thousand and one times, but the pattern went together with incredible ease, I had not a single headache, and I am more than proud to don the final result. The next time I am asked about regency clothing, I will with zero hesitation recommend your pattern. I plan to use it again and again, and to sum it up: I just wanted to say thank you. ~ Victoria A.

Click thumbnails for larger images.

Hello! Here are the pictures of my regency dress. Thank you sooo much for helping me! I had a great time using your pattern to make my dress! I can't wait for more new patterns you are making. Your pattern was very easy to understand, and it didn't take very long to make! Thanks again! ~ Anna in Iowa

I wanted to thank you for the wonderful and extensive instructions that came with the Regency gown class. Being a science major, I really really enjoyed the amount of detail that you went into and the graphics that accompanied the notes. While I've not managed to complete the gown due to my heavy courseload this quarter, your class was a sheer pleasure nonetheless and I intend to really "dig in" this summer! Thanks again for the wonderful class.... When I've tackled the Regency dress, I hope to enroll in the tea gown course :-)~ Freya H.

Oh Mrs. Chancey, how can I thank you enough for your [Regency Gown] pattern?? It came the other day, and yesterday I finished making my dress and it came out beautifully! ~ Sarah J.

I must compliment you on your Regency gown pattern. It's wonderful. I have nearly completed my second dress, which is quite a feat because I have never sewed anything before and am learning as I go. Thank you very much! ~ Tasha T.

I just wanted to let you know the [Edwardian] patterns arrived today. They are wonderful and so has been buying from you. I am sure we will be shopping with you again. Thank you for a lovely experience. ~ Diane L.

My Regency Dress turned out beautifully, and I plan to make it in many versions for every season. You're the best!~ Rosemary M.

I am very excited to tell everyone about your wonderful Regency Gown pattern! I can not recommend it enough. I have after many years in reenacting not a single dress that fits everywhere perfectly; usually the shoulders or the back gave me some difficulties, but this is wonderful. The instructions and illustrations are great, and the whole thing goes together so nicely. I am heading off to make my second one. ~ Suzanne in Ohio

I recieved the patterns yesterday and I literally cannot wait until I start working with them. I'm delighted with the patterns. Thank you for your help! ~ Sylvia M.

I have to tell you that the only person more delighted than I about how the dress looks on me was my husband. He was thrilled and commented how much younger it made me look (when you are 38, this is a very good thing to hear) I felt so wonderful in the dress that I am anxious to finish it and make up a couple more. ~ Janet E.

I would like to say a big THANK YOU, for the pattern. I received it the day before yesterday. It's really wonderful. Instructions are very clear and complete. Now I have just to choose a nice fabric and start my work. ~ Eva in Switzerland

(Click on the thumbnail for larger image.)

I recently bought the pattern for the 1910's Tea Dress from you for our production of Blythe Spirit. First off, I have to say that the dress was a hit! Afterwards, the two judges were critiquing our show seperately and both the male and female judges made special comment on how well they liked Ruth's dress. I am quite thankful that I found your site when I did--because It made the transition of slipping into the luxury of the high-class lifestyle seem so much more smooth than what it would have had I dug something out of the old costume closet. Thank you once again for sharing this wonderful creation of yours! This dress will be worn many times in the future, I can assure you of that. ~ Laura K.

The Tea Gown pattern is fantastic! The instructions were very easy to follow, and I am thrilled to have made my own gown for our event. Thank you so much, and I can't wait to try the Edwardian Walking Jacket when it comes out! ~ Carole in Michigan

I just wanted to tell you that I think your Regency Gown pattern is wonderful! I found I needed to scale the pattern up somewhat, but the directions to do that on your web site were so comprehensive. As a novice seamstress, I couldn't have asked for a better demonstration. Thank you so much! ~ Doreen G.

I have just received the patterns today and am already done the regency dress pattern for 18" dolls! The patterns are by far the best quality I have come into contact with and the instructions make it easy to put together. Thank you so much! I will be sure to send pictures when I am done my dresses! ~ Jill R.

(Click on the thumbnail for larger image.)
This young lady made her dress from my Regency Gown Pattern.

Sorry this photo shows so little of my dress. It really is beautiful--your pattern was splendid. Thank you! ~ Rachel in Washington