Simplicity 3637?

[flummoxicated]

While they are only 99 cents, I snagged Simplicity 3635 and 3637. I was wondering if any of you fabulous costumers had any thoughts as to the authenticity of these? The gown calls for twenty yards of fabric, which boggles my mind (and wallet)...

Comments

[joysdaughter.livejournal.com]

Depends on the width, I would think. I am just about to make a similar dress, though not from that pattern (eurgh!) and am allowing 7 - 8 metres of 150 cm wide fabric - 9 yards max of 60" wide.

[orlacarey.livejournal.com]

I just looked at the pattern back - 20.5 yards of 45 inch wide. From the looks of things that's just the blue - not including lining or trim.

[joysdaughter.livejournal.com]

Madness! Using 36" wide, some years ago I used to buy 13 yards, or metres. With 45" wide you'd need a maximum 3 widths for the petticoat, by about 4.5 yards length, 4 widths for the skirt, plus about 1 yard for the bodice and sleeves, and another for sleeve flounces. The trim seems to be made of the same fabric, and I cannot believe you need 8 yards for trim!If it has a sack back you might need another 2 yards, but then you would only need 3 widths for the skirt. I only line bodices and sleeves - if you use the right sort of fabric, there is no need to line the dress.

[eldawen345.livejournal.com]

My sack-back gown, based on one from Janet Arnold, took about 9 yards, I think.

Remember, you don't have to make ALL of the underskirt out of your fashion fabric. I pieced a good 2/3 of the back panel on mine with a matching inexpensive cotton.

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

That's an excellent tip, I'll examine the pattern and see where corners could be cut. Not that I'm going to rush out and make it, though the corset they made up for the pattern envelope is ADORABLE!

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

The folks on h-cost liked them fairly well.

[sarahbellem.livejournal.com]

I'm short, but my francaise took about 7 yards. We were told to approximate 12 yards for a dress. I think Kendra's francaise (http://demodecouture.com/projects/francaise2/) was 10 yards total (including trimmings), and she's 5'11. And both of us used the silk taffeta for everything- petticoat, gown, trimmings. No piecing necessary.

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

OK, good to know; the pattern looks decent in case I ever decide to take the plunge. You know, in my copious spare time :)

[indigodye.livejournal.com]

There's some things that could use tweaking, but they are pretty close. But 20 yards??! Egads. I made an English gown and it took 5 yards of 60 inch.

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

I know! I can make an Elizabethan out of 5-5.5 yards 60" wide.

[compass-rose.livejournal.com]

Maybe you can help! blauwald's British Navy stuff requires that I have a few simple outfits to tage along but that is way out of my realm of experience. Any ideas on patterns for simple working-style women's clothes for the era? I figure you are probably familiar with the British Navy group in question ;)

[flummoxicated.livejournal.com]

I'm running off to campus, but <a href="http://www.tcha.mus.in.us/costume.htm:>here</a> is info for the local 1700s festival. I'll see if I can dig up some more info. Lisa has made stuff from that period, when she gets back from Italy she can probably get you some info too.

[poliwitch.livejournal.com]

Like every one else, way too much fabric for the dress itself. But I like the undergarments because they are a fair match to the Hunisett model in her book. Just different channels for the boning at the top. I have both patterns too, I had planned on using them as a sort of second opinion, but the thing I do like is that it gives a model for an expanded petticoat for really wide panniers.