For the last five years, I have owned only one Regency-era dress, which I have worn to several events and balls. So, with another JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America) conference coming up in October (in Louisville this year), I decided it was time to pursue a second “Jane Austen-style” gown.
With Carrie Turansky: ACFW 2014
I was spurred on by my agent, Wendy Lawton, founder of The Lawton Doll company. She sent me swatches of the fabric she had on hand and generously offered to supply material for a new gown. Of the many swatches she sent, I picked three. One she had too little of, but I discovered she had actually used the other two fabrics I’d chosen on one of the beautiful dolls in her collection. So, apparently, I have a little taste after all. 🙂 Wendy sent the fabric–and it has to be the strangest piece of mail I have ever received!
I contacted family-member Jennifer Shouse-Klassen, who designed and constructed my first gown, and asked if she would make another. Jenni has an MFA in Theatre Design and taught for five years at Augustana University. She also managed the costume shop for stage productions and mentored students in 
costume design. Who better to make a period-specific gown?
My husband and I drove down to Mountain Lake, Minnesota–his home town–where Jennifer and her husband (one of our nephews) now live. We delivered the fabric in person, and Jenni took initial measurements. She and Justin have recently started a new bridal business there, leveraging Jenni’s skills in design, creation, and alteration. Their new shop JSK Bridal is charming and offers many gorgeous gowns and accessories, as well as tux rentals and more. I wish them all the best in their new venture!
I also emailed photos of gowns I saw online and liked, to give Jenni an idea of what I had in mind:
![LRf8b0145e02981df6a8b9540e9fb094f6[1]](https://i0.wp.com/inspiredbylifeandfiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LRf8b0145e02981df6a8b9540e9fb094f61.jpg?resize=156%2C239)
From there, Jenni drew a few sketches of her own. Here is the one we chose: A modified court gown (without a train), consisting of a gold gown
and a blue overdress, which will fasten with a decorative closure in front. I can’t wait to see the real thing!
When it’s my turn to blog again (October 13th), I will be posting Part Two of “Say Yes to the (Regency) Dress,” and describing a little more of Jenni’s process. By then, I should be able to share photos of the finished gown—perhaps even modeled by yours truly. 🙂
Do you like dressing up? Do you have any sewing skills? (I don’t.) If you were going to choose a new dress from any particular era, which time period would you pick?
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Your new dress design looks gorgeous, Julie! I can’t wait to see it, either. I wish I had a theatre seamstress in my family tree. I keep thinking that maybe I’ll try to make one myself one of these days, but my sewing skills are basic at best. It’s a bit intimidating to even consider.
Looking forward to your next post with great anticipation! 🙂
What a fun blog post! It’s great to get a peek into the planning of your upcoming Regency gown, Julie. I definitely think it was time to add another to your collection!
I attended the American Christian Fiction Writers conference this past weekend. The first night was ‘genre night’ and authors were invited to come to dinner dressed like the characters in their genre. Several authors wore beautiful period costumes. After the dinner, some of us gathered for a visit. A beautiful, young brunette dressed from head to toe like a woman straight out of post Cival War America joined us. Karen Witemeyer was sitting right next to her. Watching the two of them side by side was like watching Karen in conversation with a heroine of hers who’d come to life! I wish I’d thought to snap a picture. 🙂
Oh my, Julie! That dress is so pretty and you will look lovely in it! I would pick a dress from the 1880’s. I’m a sucker for a bustle. The train of my wedding dress pinned into a bustle and I have fond memories of walking around in it at my reception. Looking forward to that October post. 🙂
I’m a decent sewer – made my husband a Renaissance outfit once. I’ve had the patterns for two beautiful titanic era gowns for years but haven’t gotten around to working on them yet. Someday!
You’re going to look so beautiful! The blue will be perfect for you. Can’t wait to see the results.
Beautiful posts. I enjoy dressing up, but hardly have too many opportunities. Which is fine, but it was fun to watch the grands dress up this past Sunday as they were at their other grandmother’s who had put my daughter’s old bridesmaid’s dresses in the “dress-up” box that her 3 daughters had worn at the wedding 15 years ago. It was funny to see the dress styles, and the little girls wearing them.
Oh Julie. Can’t wait to see! It looks stunning. You will be the “fairest of them all.”
I don’t sew but would chose a dress from civil war era
Hi Julie, it was fun to see that photo of us from ACFW 2014. I loved seeing the fabric and design for the dress! I’ll look forward to seeing you wear it when it’s finished. We missed you at ACFW!
I remember that pink dress!
It must be time for me to attend another JASNA event so I can justify another Regency gown too! Looking forward to seeing your completed creation.
How wonderful to have such talent in the family! The dress is going to be beautiful! Can’t wait to see it. 😀
So jealous.! Hope it will be done for Louisville!
Great question! I think I would pick Civil War or Victorian dresses.
The fabric swatches and sketches look wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
The dress looks lovely! Can’t wait to see the finished product. 🙂
Julie, that is going to be so pretty with your blonde hair! I sewed a dress once–for my daughter. My mother and sisters could all sew but after that one attempt I ran screaming away from my sewing machine. But I do love fashion so it’s always fun to see a dress designed as an original. And what fun that your family member can help out! I can’t wait to see the finished dress!
I don’t sew, and I don’t have the figure for it but I love Lucille Ball’s wardrobe on I Love Lucy. I just adore styles from the 1940s and 1950s.
I also loved Dorothy’s wardrobe on The Golden Girls.
I’d take either one!
No cant sew what so ever. How lovely. Im not sure really so many one could chose from
I can’t wait to see the finished product. Thank you for sharing your journey! 🙂
Julie! I can’t wait to see it. How fun to be able to be part of each step of the process!
Your dress is going to be so pretty! I wish I knew how to sew. I would love to learn. When I was younger, I thought it would be great to dress up as Scarlett O’Hara. Now I would only do it minus the corset. I also love Regency dresses.