This page is here to show off the labors of students who have taken my online classes! I have been tickled pink to see novice and advanced seamstresses tackle my patterns and produce such beautiful results! I hope this page will especially encourage new sewists who may be hesitating about trying something "historical" for fear of messing up. We learn best by doing! Enjoy!
Cheers,
Updated December 26, 2007
(Click for larger images.)"Here are two pictures of the dress I made while taking your Regency Gown class. The striped fabric is some from my fabric stash, and the burgandy is a poly/cotton blend. Nothing fancy, but fun to experiment with! I am wearing the dress over a Chemise and Short Stays, which I made from your pattern as well. I really enjoyed the lessons and learned many new things!! Thank you for providing them and for all the inspiration to sew feminine clothing. I am looking forward to making many more dresses in the future. God bless! Sincerely, Alyssa W." Great work, Alyssa! I always love seeing what my students do with my online lessons!
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Heather made this stunning Regency Gown and writes, "Here are the explanations for the pictures of me in my gown. For the back view: Here is full view of the back of the gown. That is my grandmother's grandmother's christening shawl (and mine too!). It is more Victorian than Regency but it looked good. First gate photo: This one is just to illustrate: See the buckling of the gown under the bust line? This is one of the signs I look for in the movies to see if they are wearing period correct undergarments. (I have on a stay/corset and a chemise.) Sitting poses: I love this picture. I look like I am a petite ballerina and not the 5'7", 160lb, DD hourglass that I am. I have not looked that small since I was in elementary school! (It is the little things that make a day nice; don't you think so?) Thank you for your support and kind comments. I will start a ball gown to wear to JASNA banquet after I finish the film class. There are so many gowns to choose from, I keep changing my mind! Thanks again. ~ Heather S." Great work, Heather!
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Violet made this lovely version of the 1914 Afternoon Dress when she took my Heirloom Dress Class. She writes, "I have finished my 1914 heirloom gown, and I am SO THRILLED with it! Words can't described how happy I am with this dress. I love it. I love all the lace and tucks and embroidery. Now I want to add elements of heirloom sewing to all my projects. I feel so pretty wearing it! I am going to make a boned belt when I can find some short boning, but right now I really like the plain dupioni belt, too. This was so much fun to make and I learned so much. I simply could not have done it without you! This was the best 20th birthday present I could have ever asked for. ~ Violet H. P.S. - See luthientinuviel.com/1914.htm for step-by-step photos of the dress construction."
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Sisters Clara and Amelia took my Regency Gown class and produced these wonderful outfits. Don't they look darling with their fichus and curls? Amelia writes, "Finally, Clara and I have pictures of our completed Regency gowns! We wore them to the Christmas Eve service at church and these pictures are from that evening! :-) Thanks so much for all of the help you gave us!!" Delighted, Amelia!
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Karina made her 1910s Tea Gown after taking my online class. She used a dark inset and underskirt to make a very striking contrast (and notice how slimming the center panel looks when a dark color is used). Writes Karina, "I finally came around to shoot the photos of me wearing the gown (my daughter did the shooting and me the modeling!). I wish you all the best! Cheers, Karina." Lovely, Karina!
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Here is Cheryl, wearing the lovely Regency ensemble she made in my class. I love that shade of blue, and the demi-train is just splendid!
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Amy took my online Regency Gown class and created this beautiful creamy yellow gown with fitted 3/4-length sleeves. Writes Amy, "Hi Jennie! I took your regency gown class back in April and finally have pictures of my dress! I loved taking your class and am a much more confident sewer now. The pelisse pattern just arrived in the mail and I can't wait to try it. This yellow dress was my practice dress with cheapie fabric. I still haven't gotten up the nerve to cut my striped white voile--so much for confidence! I appreciate your helpfulness in class so much and also all the work that you do to keep such a fantastic and lovely website. Thank you!" Brava, Amy!
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Eileen made this stunning dress in my online Tea Gown class and took the time to make the opening period correct (using hooks and eyes down the front inset and in the waistline seam). The shades of blue are marvelous!
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Katie took my online Tea Gown class and made this stunning version of the "swim" dress, beading the edges of the skirt layers with a luminescent fringe. Wow! Kudos to Katie for her fantastic work!
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Here is Miss Merryrose, wearing two different Regency gowns she made while taking my class! The gown on top features a blue-and-white floral print, while the one below is made of a light, ethereal pink. Doesn't Merryrose look completely Romantic in her shawl? Beautiful!
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Merryrose created this beautiful version of the Tea Gown in my class. I love her creamy pastels! The sash looks especially beautiful out of that silky material, and the bow in the back makes it dramatic!
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Celeste, who is featured further down the page for her gorgeous 1910s Tea Gown made this fantastic Regency gown, complete with detachable undersleeves, in my Regency Gown class. She chose a period-correct fabric from Reproduction Fabrics and modified the pattern to create a "fan-front" bodice. I think her final creation is just absolutely beautiful! And Celeste wears her gown with such panache'. Note her lovely hairstyle and the setting for her photographs!
Tianjing was a beginning seamstress when she enrolled in my Regency Gown class. She admitted she really didn't know if she was up to the challenge of making a full gown, but look at her now! What fantastic work, especially for a newbie! Tianjing chose an inexpensive fabric for her first go at the pattern and is now making gowns for her college roomate and friends! I love the lace trimming she used around the neckline.
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Celeste took my 1910s Tea Gown class and made this absolutely stunning gown. I was completely knocked out by the beauty of the dress and the subtle pastels she chose for her skirt layers. From top to toe, Celeste is going to be a hit at the tea she plans to attend. What a Romantic gown! Brava! Brava! (For more photos of Celeste's gown, see the Swim Dress page of my "Titanic" Show and Tell section!)
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Kendall made this lovely version of my 1910s Tea Gown during the class and won top honors in her division at the county fair with it! She writes, "Just this past week, I have been at our county fair. I took my dress and it won best of show! I also received the gift for the top Handworks of our Heritage, as their quilt section was judged separately! I had a great time making it and am looking forward to the next class." What a thrill! Kudos to Kendall for her fantastic work!
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Emma made herself a pale pink ballgown with lace overlay. She added a waistband and opted for elbow-length lace sleeves. Doesn't she look wonderful? Brava!
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Melissa (in white) made her beautiful gown, then made one for her sister! Didn't she do a fantastic job with that eyelet overlay and split front skirt? It makes it look like a dress with a pelisse over top. Very creative!
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At the top is Caralee in the first dress she made in my Regency Gown class. She used a semi-sheer cotton material in a pale ice blue. For her second dress, Caralee used a period correct block print from White Fox Trading Co. and modified the pattern to include a waistband and elbow-length sleeves. Just beautiful work! You can also visit Caralee's "Making of" page to see how she did her second dress!
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Karina from Ireland made this striking dress using color-coordinated stripes and solids. She also modified the front of the bodice pattern to create the "fan" look. Just beautiful!
