Regency Dress

Together we'll walk through each step as we sew up a basic, apron-front Regency-era dress.

Yes - every detail from fabric selections to hem is covered! Lessons include video tutorials and instructional photos along with an accompanying PDF handout with homework assignments to help move you along in your project.

Complete an Authentic Regency Era Gown

This is an Beginner to Intermediate sewing class. You should be familiar with your machine and have a little experience with sewing clothing - modern or historical. Be willing to advance your basic skills without boredom: straight seams, casings, pleating/gathering, set in sleeves and hand hems. We will follow the class pattern closely, so even those new to the Regency Era will be able to keep up!

The priority is for you to perfect your basic techniques while understanding period construction (and how it looks more complicated than it actually is).

Come to class and focus on making a historically-accurate dress with adjustable lining and skirt ties to challenge your fundamental dressmaking & fitting skills. Together we'll explore fitting this simple dress design as well as the various sewing methods to make it come together easily.

Thrilling Lesson Plans Prepared for You:

Lesson 5: Finish with sewing the bodice, hem and final touches

You'll find a variety of Regency dress patterns available. For this class I wanted to use a well-drafted and generally historically-accurate pattern to make the project easy for you but also one we could have fun with!

For this class we'll be using the excellent Laughing Moon #126 Ladies Round Gown & Trained Gown c.1800-1810 pattern (sold separately). Sizes in pattern - Bust 30.5" to 56".

Although, as with all our classes, you can choose to use another Regency dress pattern. But be aware that the specific steps of each lesson will cover the class-specific Laughing Moon pattern. However, I've found the directions translate well to other published patterns.

Valuable Skills & Techniques You'll Learn:

• Fabrics to use for Regency dresses
• Accurate measuring for Regency wear
• Fitting tips for your specific body type
• How sleeves affect the fit of the bodice
• Altering pattern pieces
• Mounting fabrics to a lining
• Setting in sleeves in the Regency style
• Painless skirt pleating or gathering
• Learning the unusual closure of this simple dress style
• Finishing details for wearing ease
• Hemming tips for pressing & sewing

Beginner to Intermediate Level Class

If you have sewing experience but are new to historical garments, you may find this class a nice challenge. We'll be following the pattern closely so be confident you can keep up.

If you are new to sewing, this class may be a stretch for you. But if you are brave, take the challenge and go for it!

If you are advanced in your sewing skills, you are welcome! Maybe you want to try a new time period. Or simply want the class as accountability so your dress gets done. We're here to push you forward. :-)

No matter your level, we all have methods we can share with each other. Bring yours along to the class for full participation.

One final note - this class was initially hosted on my blog, HistoricalSewing.com. Any reference to emails, different lesson pages or logins, and even timing between release of lessons should be disregarded. You have access to the entire class lessons here on this site with progression on your own schedule.