Princess

I am making a red taffeta sacque backed jacket for a dear girl for her prom, to go over a smashing red gown. It's nothing my own daughter would wear, worse luck, so I like being able to make something with frills and furbelows. It occurred to me yesterday that this jacket - with a hood, where it was called a Cardinal - was what Little Red Riding Hood was based on.

I drafted the pattern yesterday, and did all the cutting and sewing of the toile today, which took six hours. It was all just machine basted, as I have to send it to the recipient for a fitting. But yesterday I got some silk gauze for the sleeve ruffles, to which I will add some French gilt lace from my stash (I love saying that!) It needs a fastening, as it has no stomacher, so will have a little rhinestone chain under the bust. The bodice of the dress is encrusted in beautiful crystal and bead work.



I was a little apprehensive, as I haven't made a sacque in a long time - and actually looked at my yellow sacque polonaise to make sure I remembered how I pleated it. The latter I stitched largely by hand. I will not do with this, as there is a time constraint.

The selfish part of this for me is that this is my entre to my long awaited first mourning gown, which is a sacque. Finding the bombazine is going to be a chalenge, but I'm up to it. The taffeta of this jacket doesn't scare me; I've done a lot of taffeta gowns and dresses. And it pleases me to make something smashing to go with that gown

Update 24 March:
I still have not received the toile back from my little client, though I am informed 'it fit perfectly!' - what a testament to the modiste's art! I have her measuarements, made a sloper, et voila!