Remake: 1830s Dress (2024)

BA Minor Project

Technical Project

For my Minor Project, I set out to recreate a garment from the 19th century, focusing specifically on the early 1830s—a period that captivated me with its bold and exaggerated silhouettes. I was particularly drawn to the iconic gigot sleeves, structured bodices, and voluminous skirts of the era. Using Janet Arnold’s Patterns of Fashion as my reference, I learned how to scale up an authentic historical pattern and adapted it to fit a modern-day model. The result was an 1830s-inspired evening dress featuring dramatic gigot sleeves, a closely fitted bodice, and a cartridge-pleated full-length skirt. Throughout the project, I encountered various challenges that required creative problem-solving, particularly when it came to modifying the historical pattern to suit contemporary body measurements while still maintaining period accuracy. This experience not only deepened my understanding of historical costume construction but also strengthened my skills in pattern adaptation, fit, and technical sewing.