New Here

[Adriana]

Hello Everybody! I'm new here, first post, and I'm pretty new to reenacting. Over the last year or so we have slowly been getting our feet wet. I think we are really going to enjoy this hobby! I already have made a corset and a set of underpinnings. I have a simple day dress and the next thing I want to make is a ballgown. I'm hoping to make it out of a golden yellow silk with red silk trim. These colors fit my personality and coloring and I hope that they are period correct for a woman in her mid 30's.

I also will need something to keep me warm when I wear my ballgown. Any recommendations for colors, fabrics and patterns? (I know that this is an outerwear questions, so please move it if it's not ok to post it here.)  Also, any advice for someone just starting out is very appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Adriana

[Marta Vincent]

Your best bet would be to pick a nice light-mid weight wool in a color you like (that's practical) and make something you will be able to wear with your day dress as well.  (Perhaps a paletote, or short coat.)  You'll wear it more often with ordinary day wear than with a ballgown, so make it with that in mind.  The only time you'll wear it with evening wear is traveling to and from the ball, so it doesn't really matter if it's plain and functional.

[Adriana]

Thank you, Marta. I appreciate it. Now to figure out what a paletote is. So much to learn!

[Heidi Hollister]

A paletot is a relatively unshaped coat... almost a cape with sleeves.  The back might have some shaping like a coat, but the front hangs down straight making a woman look like a tent with arms.

Here is one period image of a paletot





Three images of paletots.  Hope those help you out! 

Check out http://www.thegracefullady.com/civilwargowns/originals.htm Anna has a lot of period photographs, original garments and fashion plates to really help you get started!

[Adriana]

Thank you, Heidi, for the picutres of the paletot. I like the look of it. I'm getting quite a list of things I want to make.  Now if only I could find more time and $ to make these wonderful things.

[Marta Vincent]

Thank you, Heidi, for the picutres of the paletot. I like the look of it. I'm getting quite a list of things I want to make.  Now if only I could find more time and $ to make these wonderful things.

A good, easy pattern for the paletote is the Kayfig pattern.  Many here have used it.  http://shop.originals-by-kay.com/product.sc?categoryId=34&productId=8  It is half fitted (fitted in back only).