1906 Afternoon Gown in Printed Silk

This gown was one of my early Edwardian full project replicas, based on the French fashion sketch shown below.  I think what attracted me to this sketch at the time was that the fabric I had on hand -- a fine quality vintage printed silk that I'd found on a bargain table in a small shop -- looked so similar to the 1906 fashion plate.  And I had over 10 metres of it!  

I was determined to reproduce this gown as accurately as possible, since the silk was such a beautiful quality textile.  What I didn't fully anticipate was the amount of gold flat braid trim that would be needed to replicate the design shown in the sketch.  In the end, it required over 25 m of trim, and about 8m of fine lace.  

The replica gown was built over an early Edwardian style boned foundation constructed of fine cotton percale and closing at centre front.  The bodice closed asymmetrically over the foundation, at side front, at the left shoulder, and around to the back of the high collar.  The skirt was made with a drop-skirt lining of rayon taffeta with a pleated dust-ruffle, as most dressy gowns of 1906 would have had.   

There was no antique sewing pattern for this gown, it was one of the occasional garments I drafted and draped based a sketch, and using other similar garment patterns of the era for reference.  I fashioned a deep bias draped sash from rose-coloured silk satin to match the print in the fabric.   The gown was sold years ago since I didn't think I'd have another occasion to wear it.  Considering the many metres of silk and the over 80 hours of construction that went into this gown, it was sold at a pittance.  I've rather regretted it since.   

I originally wanted to develop this gown as a sewing pattern in my line of Edwardian patterns, but later decided it was just too complex for the person with average sewing skills.  I may still return to it at some point and produce it as a "Master Class" pattern for advanced historical sewists if there seems to be any interest in it.