I know this probably doesn’t matter to most people, nor should it really. I just thought I’d point out that if you’re into it for the experience, or to have one of these, you might want to bear this in mind.

Happy voting!

I have to agree with the comments, although the regency would be simpler because of the way we can ignore (more or less) the undergarments, it really isn’t the nicest example. Although perhaps that’s the point, we should be thinking how we can make it better, using the basic pattern?

Other than that, I suppose I can’t really decide between the 1860s or the sacque. Neither are of any practical use to me, so I reckon if I am going to be able to waste the money needed for the fabric, I may as well go with one I have more of an interest in trying (the sacque), although the 1860s could be better adapted to something unusually modern perhaps… See, I can’t even decide as I type! This is going to be very tough. Perhaps we need an independent adjudicator….

Perhaps I’ll find someone with curtains I can use, isn’t it great that we all go back to that scene?!

In response to Alice (I know this is off-topic, BUT…) In “Gone With the Wind” when they’re making the dress, ALL the girls worked on it, at least in the book. That’s Scarlett, Melly, Suellen, Careen, Mammy, Dilcy and possibly even Prissy (scary thought!). With six or seven women, all of whom (except Prissy…) would’ve been experienced seamstresses, it would’ve taken no time at all. In fact, if I remember correctly, it was two or three days.

It’s big so you can be extravagant and details will be more noticed then on a less Grande outfit.
But using as special fabric and leaving it at that, can be equally gorgeous!

After that? The Sacque back gown. Not made one before so it will be a real learning experience for me.

I’m not keen on the regency dress. I’m pretty sure that would make me look like a bundle of washing tied in the middle.

Also, do we not want something that’s quite complex and stretching, something that’s fodder for a wide array of tutorials, and with a lot of scope for adaptation. There again, I’m not sure the regency dress, or that particular regency dress, is the best option for that.

The other three offer more options for variation I would say. I ‘m swinging towards the 1860s day dress, which surprises me. Whatever, the cost of fabric is going to hurt a bit!

However, I do think it might be better to do a gown that didn’t require specific undergarments. Both of the Victorians really would require a corset and some kind of skirt support, and the sacque would need a corset at the least. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve made corsets and hoops, they don’t scare me, I just think they might add more to this project than some people were planning on.

Yes, all of those gowns could be done without undergarments, but we’re a bunch of costumers. Most of us want to do things, well, the hard way (or at least the long way which includes every little nuance we can find).

Don’t get me wrong. If I had all of my own underpinnings for all the eras, I’d be jumping on that sacque gown. I just thing that given not everyone has underpinnings already, and many may not want to make them, I think we should go with the Empire gown for simplicity’s sake. Yes, that period had underpinnings too, but they’re far more simplistic than either the Rococo or Victorian periods and can be mostly ignored and still achieve the proper shape.

Just my 2 cents.

Speaking of sacks/saques, since I’m HEAVILY steeped in the 18th century in terms of making until about March, and writing until next Sept (it’s my MA), I’d REALLY REALLY rather do something else!

I think the 1860s dress could so easily provide immense scope for creativity either in terms of historicity or interpretation, there are so many nifty details to play with!

However, for the direction I want to take I’ll be voting for the bustle dress. I also think that it may be more manageable for more people than the 1860s example.

I have to admit that I’d seriously reconsider participating if the Regency dress won, this particular example just doesn’t do anything for me.