2014 Costume Goal-A 1720s Mantua Costume

I have decided to set a project for myself for the year. I want to make a complete costume circa 1720.  There are a lot of pieces and work involved, not to mention costs.

This is the dress I would like to loosely replicate.  It is in the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum. http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O13810/mantua-unknown/

 

It is silver brocaded silk. The V& A says this about the piece: "By the early 18th century, the mantua was worn by women as formal day wear. The pale blue silk of this example is brocaded in silver in a large-scale pattern of fantastic fruits and leaves, a typical design for the 1720s. The train of the gown is folded up and the sides held back with a loop and button. This complicated draping required a reversal of the silk when sewn together, so that only the right side of the fabric would show when properly arranged."

 

 

 

I haven't decided what color I will make my imitation.  I think I will just decide when I see the right fabric.  It looks like I will need a brocaded fabric and a moiré in the same color.

 

 

I ordered a "stays" pattern from Mantua Maker. It should arrive on Monday.  I can't wait but I'm sure it will be tons of instructions. No problem!

 

 

Here is an example of a 1700s set of stays. This yellow example is French and is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/90404

 

This is quite a fancy set. It has silver braid all over the front.  I think I will make mine more plain so that it could be worn with various costumes I may make.

I will make a Stomacher to match the dress.

 

 

 

Mine won't be as fancy and embroidered as this one.  It is an British example.  It is also in the Met. http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/156994

 

There are a few other pieces I will need as well, including a chemise and bloomers for under it all.

 

First, however, I am finishing the Cinderella costume that I started back in October. The sleeves are complicated, sewn in four or five segments.

 

Jeannine