Empire/Regency Silk Gown, c. 1805

Re-re-made just in time for the ball on Saturday (literally: I was stitching down the lining during the afternoon festivities). The bodice is patterned off the 1805-1808 Evening Dress in Regency Women's Dress (p. 58).

Front of dress.  Please excuse the fit: apparently
my dressform doesn't like adjusting anymore.

Still enjoying those stripes.

I really wish there had been more pictures or sketches of the original dress's interior construction: this dress has a center-front closure in the lining, but side opening on the bodice exterior. Figuring out how to attach the various layers around the sleeves and shoulders, such that the dress could be taken on and off easily without the lining peaking around the shoulder and sleeves, was an undertaking. I ended up making a tiny model to fit the pieces together, and the end result seems to work, but it's still a little onerous to get on and off.

Tiny mockup!