1874 reception dress

[Madamekat]

I had long wanted to recreate a black overly pleated 1874 reception dress I saw in JoAnne Olian's Full-Color Victorian Fashions 1870-1893. I finally got enough taffeta to do it!

The outdoor photos make it look grey, but it is coal black.

Using all TV patterns (modified), here it is







and I wore it to a local museum

[Cathi H]

Splendide, magnifique.Wonderful !!!!!!!!

[Frank815]

GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Amused]

That is a wonderful dress!

Where did you get your taffeta?

[Cathi H]

Do you use the Original Perfect Pleater ?

[Madamekat]

Thanks, guys!

No, Cathi, I used an antique pleater I borrowed from a friend.












Yup, that is scotch tape!!

[B0dice_G0ddess]

Fantastic!!

[diana]

Another beauty!

[Miss Cindy]

My jaw hit the floor! Words seem insufficient to describe my awe for your dress. I want one, EXACTLY like it!

[misskitty]

this is absolutely exquisite. Are you using the 1870s trained skirt ensemble, and the baroque jacket? Your outfit is simply breathtaking.

[Madamekat]

this is absolutely exquisite. Are you using the 1870s trained skirt ensemble, and the baroque jacket? Your outfit is simply breathtaking.

Yup, it's the 208 and 405!

Thanks so much, Everyone!!!

[Margriet]

Soooooo very very very beautiful !!!
I am your fan !!!

[diana]

Now we know why the extant garments' pleats are so perfect. This contraption definitely looks simpler than the current "perfect pleater" I have!

[Bookwyrm]

Heavens, yes. Is the pusher tool anything special? It looks like it's just a bit of metal that won't go further than the depth of the pleat through the rails. Are there other pushers, for pleats of different depths?

[Madamekat]

Thank you, Ladies!!

Yes, the "pusher" is just a piece of metal that is finely finished on all edges so it doesn't catch the fabric and pull or scratch the fibers. You can push it down to whatever depth you want down to the table, so all you have to do is mark the pusher with a marker or piece of tape, and you only need one.

[Rebecca]

oh my gosh that dress is stunning!!! You do the best work Madamkat. And I so want one of those pleaters, it would make things so much easier, where do you even find something like that> Thanks so much for sharing your stunning dress!

[Pamlin]

Ok, I'm a little late to the party, but this is STUNNING! I have pleater envy as well!!

[SarahMiller42]

I am in awe of that dress and a bit envious of the pleater.=)

[Iris]

Fantastic achievement! Would you give us a description of how you did it? Looks as if it took months. Hope you get to wear it lots.

[Andrea L]

Man, the more I look at this dress, the more I'm just in awe. I would say I'm jealous of your skills, but that doesn't even scratch the surface. It's something that I want to strive towards. I already have an obsession with pleats that may or may not be normal, but this makes me want to make pleats galore.

And for those of you who are wondering about the pleater...here's the one I just barely managed to snag on ebay (if the other bidder was one of you, I apologize, but I was SUPER HELLBENT on getting this):



Not quite sure if this is the pleater that Madamekat borrowed, but it's close. They're a rare find, so check ebay frequently. If you're looking for one, then search for "plaiter" instead of "pleater" and you can avoid the droves of smocking pleater machines and pleater sewing machine attachments.