Sense & Sensibility Patterns is a Great Source for your 1812 Quilt Show Dress

Sense & Sensibility Patterns - which specializes in Regency Era (War of 1812) re-enactment fashion patterns is a great resource for 1812 era fashions, so if you've had your eye on something from there to stitch up and wear for the 1812 Quilt Show, you'd better get over there and check it out! 


http://sensibility.com/category/patterns/regency-era/

The cottons of the1812 period were called muslin, but are actually much more light weight and more sheer than todayscottons and totally different from the utility fabric we call muslin. For the beautiful dresses pictured smooth cotton lawn, light batiste or fine silk are acceptable choices. Period silks were lightweight but stiff. Good quality dupioni or shantung can be a reasonable substitute, though they are more "slubby" and stiffer than period silks. I have had some success in gently laundering my silk to soften the hand. But the major difficulty is finding a period-equivalent 1812 fashion fabric at a reasonable price! 

So many beautiful dresses to sew and quilts to make!

Thank you all for following my blog over the past few months, have a safe and healthy New Year!  Chat more soon.