Green Plaid Summer Dress, 1855

I did actually finish the plain summer dress I wanted for 1850s events. It's a shirting weight cotton, so noticeably cooler than my brown calico, with a yoked bodice, gauged skirt, and bishop sleeves. The cuffs fasten with buttons, so they're easier to roll up when working in the kitchen.

 

The calico stenciling on the cuff buttons are this dress's only ornament, though I cut the yoke on the bias to add some visual interest. I wanted to do the same for the waistband (despite having done that on my last summer-weight green plaid), but didn't have enough fabric to do it without extensive piecing. 

I like that it's cool and comfortable, though the neckline is still giving me trouble. It's been my main 1850s dress since last June (mostly interpreting cooking and similar physical work), and is now going into the closet until the weather warms up again.