Ladies' 1780s Portrait Dress ePattern
This ePattern includes options for an Italian gown (smooth-bodice dress with natural waistline that fastens up the front), a pointed bodice front, and a drawstring bodice dress that slips over the head. There are elbow-length sleeves with optional ruffles and fitted long sleeves. The skirt can be made full or split up the front to be worn retroussé (looped up) and includes full petticoat instructions. Please note that correct underpinnings are required for views 1 and 2 and still strongly encouraged for view 3.
I have long loved the beautiful, pastoral portraits of the Georgian Era. Women and children posed in fields and beneath trees painted by artists like Thomas Gainsborough marked a departure from the stiffer, more formal portraits of a generation before. Some of my favorite paintings are by George Romney and Élisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun (you can view several in the slideshow gallery above).
When I created the Girls’ 1780s Portrait Dress pattern, I knew I’d want to follow up with a women’s version–and hundreds of customer requests confirmed that! The construction of the dresses offered in this pattern comes from the study of dozens of portraits, plus scrutiny of extant gowns for women from this time period, but I’ve stuck with conventional machine techniques in the instructions to allow for ease of sewing. If you are a die-hard who wants an authentic gown, I do have an appendix with all the period authentic sewing steps laid out in detail.
Sizes 6-26 all included in one ePattern, available for instant download.
Illustrated instructions with appendices on authentic 18th-century sewing techniques and correct underpinnings.
This pattern was designed over stays made from the Mantua Maker’s Georgian Stays pattern. It will also work over the excellent stays pattern from Red Threaded. Views 1 and 2 will not fit without correct underpinnings!
The drawstring dress option will work over conventional modern underthings if you prefer, but the look really is better with stays.
Click to download the Ladies’ 1780s Portrait Dress Chart.
This pattern is rated advanced intermediate because of the sewing knowledge and fitting skills required. If you can make a Regency gown, you are ready to move on to this pattern, and I am always available through the Contact Form if you have questions. I also recommend The American Duchess Guide to 18th-Century Dressmaking. If you are serious about sewing 18th-century costumes, GET THIS BOOK! It’s available in print and “e” form and will walk you through every step of correctly fitting your gowns onto your body with copious photos. It’s a must-have. Can’t stress that enough!
If you would prefer a printed paper copy of this pattern, check my list of retailers worldwide. Patterns of Time carries my full line in the US and is usually fully stocked.
IMPORTANT CORRECTION: A customer caught an error in this pattern on 12/27/10. The sleeve instructions say to match the crossed circles, but you actually don’t need to do that. It’s the girl’s version of this pattern that has the crossed circles. To match the sleeves properly, you only need to start at the armhole angle by matching the sleeve corner (with a 5/8″ overlap as illustrated). Pin around the smooth side of the sleeve until you reach the “leftover” portion that needs to be pleated. Pleat into place and finish at the corner. That’s it! If you purchased this pattern after June 2011, the instructions are already corrected.
