Robe a la Française Inspired Ball Gown (miniature)

This dress only came to be because I had to sew a new one for an exhibition competition, one held at the first ever Danish BJD convention. Found out that there were some space restrictions, and the dress I was working on far exceeded those by more than double. It made me put the dress I was already working on on-hold and pour all of my time and energy into this project instead. I must say it was torture not to simply share it all with people, but did cave in and posted a few teaser bits here and there, just couldn't help it.

Already being immersed in all things ruffles, crinoline cages, and historical inspired dress making, it was pretty easy coming up with a new idea. Because of it having to be that much smaller (not exceeding 30cmx30cm all too much) I chose to make it for an MSD. Never sown anything like this for such a small size, but I was all up for the challenge!

The lucky victim, my little porcelain beauty: Norman

(DF-A Bach WS hybrid DC Kid boy body WS)

Materials

Cotton voile for undergarments and lining of the skirt, satin ribbon, cotton lace trim for petticoat, fabric for the dress itself, and lace trim for sleeves and other.

Also going to use various mulberry flowers, pearls, and metal leaves.

Undergarments

I didn't sew the socks, bought them from a seller on etsy. Didn't have a pattern for a pair that would fit those thin legs nor did I have any fitting lace laying around for the purpose.
The patterns for the bloomers and chemise was easy to draft, had made a chemise like it before, all I needed to do was scale it down to fit.

Didn't have any other lace but some with pearls sticking up from it, idea being that the jacket would be attached to it, the pearls acting like buttons. My original idea was to use buttons on the back, but then I thought, why not use eyelets now that I had some laying around? Looked pretty good to me so that's what I did.

Cage crinoline

This was such fun putting together, already had an idea how big I wanted the bottom hoop to be so all I had to do was scale the pattern down to fit. The hoops in the bag piece are steel wires, all the rest is plastic.

Petticoat

Had already made this piece prior to this one, just a lot bigger. Very simple and easy putting together and looks absolutely stunning!

Instead of using fabric for the waistband I used lace, would also make the job easier of how to close it up in the back which would easily be done using some ribbon and a hook clasp. Also adds some nice detail to it though it will ultimately be hidden away underneath a skirt.

Main skirt

This one was fun sewing, lots of ruffles! Instead of making it an ordinary skirt I added tubes for ribbon in the top layer. Originally I had only meant for there to be two layers of ruffle but didn't like that in certain angles you'd be able to see the lining.

Jacket

I had so many ideas for this and man was it a pain to sew because everything was so small.

The top layer of the ruffle on the sleeve is easily removed as I chose to not attach it, looks good with just the single row of ruffles as well. Had meant to sew them onto the sleeve, but because everything was so small, not doing it became easier.

Bonnet

Found a pattern for this bonnet on DoA, feel bad for not remembering who made it originally. Modified it a bit to suit my needs as it was originally a closed up bonnet in the back.

Decorating

This was the really fun part! It signified that the end was near and that I could soon sit back and enjoy my creation.

First I sat sewing pearls onto there the top ruffle was attached along with on the jacket and the rim of the bonnet. Then I made little bows that were attached above the ribbon shirring in the top layer of the skirt along with a metal leaf and a pearl. And because I could I also sat attaching those metal leaves and a single pearl to the ribbon shirring hidden under the skirt though it wouldn't be seen, but details you know?

Made a necklace that would be attached onto the pearls on the shoulders to give them a function rather than simply sticking up rather oddly like that. The bonnet I had a field trip with, attached a whole bunch of mulberry flowers and leaves, metal leaves, little glittering stones and pearls.

I had wanted to add tiny little hotfix rhinestones to the skirt but it proved absolutely impossible without one of those applicator wands so ordered one up. Going to add rhinestones once it arrives, not a whole lot, but enough to have it glitter here and there.

Final result

Materials used: cotton voile, cotton, satin ribbon, pearl and lace trim, white cotton lace trim, steel wire, mulberry flowers, metal leaves, pearls

Patterns: selfmade, trulyvictorian (free pattern for petticoat), DoA

Time spent: 60+ hours