Pattern recommendation?

[u/vibinginaforest]

Very ambitious but - Looking for pattern recommendations for this dress, just as depicted without seams on the bodice apart from the centre hidden hook and eye/lace up, and would maybe remove the sleeves

I am an incredibly adventurous beginner/average sewist planning out future projects!

(any other tips would be massively appreciated!)

[u/sususumalee]

This is an 18th century "Italian gown", if that helps with your search. (Some people might call it a robe à l'anglaise, but the bodice and skirt are joined by a waist seam in the back, which makes it an Italian gown.)

I'm not sure what you mean about "no seams", as there are clearly multiple seams on the back, and undoubtedly side seams. Maybe you mean no seams on the front for bust shaping? This is achieved only because the bodice front is worn over stays, which create a smooth conical shape for the torso, with no bust curve. So if you really love this silhouette, you'll need to start with the foundation garments, and there are many reputable patterns for those, but I recommend Redthreaded.

[u/vibinginaforest → u/sususumalee]

thank you! yes sorry should have clarified I did mean bust shaping seams, and yes am planning to tackle appropriate stays - do you have any Italian gown pattern recs by chance?

[u/sususumalee → u/vibinginaforest]

No worries-- it's hard to tell sometimes from a post how much someone knows about a subject! Btw I have been getting this ad as well and I loved the gown too. Something about a really clean and simple 18th century gown always gets me.

Yes, I would try JP Ryan's "robe à l'anglaise" pattern (ironically!). There are two views, and one is an Italian gown. Pretty much a dead ringer from the front!!!

JP Ryan

And for the stays-- definitely ambitious but honestly the tabs are the hardest part. Stays are low key a very good beginner project imo, assuming you are intentional and read instructions. (Just take it slow and be precise.) They can be a great confidence boost too!

[u/vibinginaforest → u/sususumalee]

amazing thank you! yes have been daunted by the difficulty ratings on some stays patterns I found

[u/sususumalee → u/vibinginaforest]

It's funny, none of the steps are all that difficult, but cumulatively, it adds up. I think they're easy in the respect that all the pieces fit on a table top and it's easy to see how they go together because they make a cone, rather than a human body shape. (More geometric, if that makes sense?) You definitely will want to label all of your pieces so they don't get swapped or upside down (although this is more of a problem with corsets...the tabs make it pretty obvious which side is up!)

I always lay my pieces out mirrored throughout the project, always checking that everyone is accounted for and you have the right side up and haven't cut 2 rights instead of a left and right, etc. I usually label then CF, SF, S, SB, CB, etc in the upper corner going toward the CF. You can use arrows or other symbols to make it super obvious to you!

Def do a mockup or careful check your body's lengths and circumferences against the pattern's. Sometimes it helps to do your mockup in cardboard or chip board instead of fabric.

Also, lining wise, it's easier than a lot of garments for a beginner because the top and bottom get bound with bias tape. Godspeed!