Conference Dress 2004

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This dress was made for the Ladies and Gentleman of the 1860's Conference in March 2004. Every year, a certain type of fabric is chosen for each of the conference speakers. Each of the speakers either have their dressmaker make them a gown or they make the gown themselves however they would like, keeping within period guidelines of course.

This year, the fabric was specially woven for the conference. It is a semi-sheer fabric made of cotton and wool threads. Since K. was going to be talking on sheer gowns, she decided to have this semi-sheer fabric made up like a sheer gown. It has a half-high lining, it is gathered to the darted lining in the front and slightly gathered in the center back to a waistband. The sleeves are pagoda and trimmed with self fabric ruching (or gathering). Note that the undersleeves were provided by my client.