#saque gown

[lacelanterns]

Robe à la Française - 1770-75 (Rococo)

A staple of 18th Century (1700- 1799 C.E.) aristocratic and monarchic fashion; adapted from the Mantua (Late 17th Century) and Robe Volante. Fashionable between circa 1720 - 1780.

'Robe à la Française' were only second to court dress in formal wear, it is characterized by the impish and coquettish opulence of the Rococo/Late Baroque movement. The 'Robe à la Française' also known as a 'Sack Gown' or 'French Gown' was fitted in the front with a robe a top of the petticoat layer with a decorative stomacher going under the lace of the stays - covering the chemise; whilst the back had loose Watteau (box) pleats.

Robe à la française | French | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

[pennink-witch]

The shift pieces are cut out and I've sewn the first gores on. The pattern is supposed to have 6.5" of ease, but even so it looks huge on me already. The earlier I know, though, the better.

[pennink-witch]

New Epic Project!

I was watching the first Pirates of the Caribbean the other day and decided, as you do, that I needed a dress like the one Elizabeth wears when she faints off the battlements. So I'm using the Simplicity x American Duchess patterns to make myself a robe a la française, or saque gown, with underpinnings. @hazlantheelf has also leant me American Duchess's guide to eighteenth century dressmaking, which will be particularly useful because Simplicity's sizing charts and guidance are terrible. I'm UK, which probably doesn't help, so I'm going to make my practice ones large and size down as needed.

This project is huge, so wish me luck!