A Green Gown

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I had loads of green worsted left over from my ditto suit project, and after seeing a friend's beautiful green gown at an event, I simply had to make one for myself. I used the Larkin and Smith "English Gown" pattern, and I love the results. I completed this around the end of last year, but the photos didn't capture it well. After taking these more recent images, I think it might be the color--it's a beautiful deep green, and like most of its brethren, very hard to photograph in a way that does the tone justice. 

The pattern itself was easy to work with, a welcome change from the ditto suit, which I was still putting off at the time I began this. I had to make very few alterations, which is always nice. The flexibility allowed by a stomacher-style gown appeals to me as well. I had not made a gown with the center back cut full length before, which was intimidating to me, but this gown made for a very good first time experience. The back pleating is my favorite part, of course. I didn't take many images of the construction, and the lighting is poor, but below are a few images of the process.

Initial pleats down center back seam

Attaching front panel to back

Rest of skirt pleats being arranged to fit onto bodice

Comments

  1. Decor To AdoreOctober 18, 2025 at 5:42 AM

    What a gorgeous gown. I have this pattern and I am eager to try it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Vintage Nerd SewsOctober 20, 2025 at 5:05 AM

      I can't wait to see it! I think you'll find it a very multipurpose gown, and with the option of cuffs or no cuffs, you can get a bit more range from it in terms of decades, as well. I'm debating making this up again in a reproduction print from Williamsburg at the moment.

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