The Green Ball Gown

Many years ago Gunne Sax, a bohemian-style dress company, had an outlet store in Seattle.  I saw this bolt of green fabric, embroidered on both ends sitting in a big pile, I literally jumped over other ladies to get my hands on it.  It was a synthetic taffeta but oh so gorgeous. After another few years I finally decided to make a garment for an upcoming costumer's convention, Costume Con 9, in Columbia Maryland in February 1991.  I entered as a Journeyman in the Historial Masquerade and won Best in Class.

One of the first pattern companies I knew of back in the "olden days" which for me the 1980s, was called Past Patterns.  They are still around and have a lot of wonderful patterns.  I used the Victorian Ballgown Bodice patterns which I highly recommend.

For the skirt I attached three tiers of the embroidered fabric to a simple round skirt.  On the bodice I trimmed the sleeve opening, bottom of the bodice and neckline with self-made cording.  I've always been a little self-concious about my large arms so I like sleeves so I simply cut enough fabric to create a large sleeve and them gathered them at the half-way point on each sleeve to give them a little form.

I had taken a ribbon-work class from Candace Kling so I worked up some wire ribbon roses, rose buds and leaves for decorations and also made a head-band of the same roses to finish off the look.  Here is a little video of the gown on YouTube

My boyfriend at the time, Neil Hudner (he played Mr Scrooge at San Francisco's Dicken's Faire for many years), and I did a simple presentation on stage of a short waltz which easily displayed the gown from all sides.

In the Historial Masquerade they judge you from the skin out so the picture on the left shows my corset, chemise and pantaloons.

This was one of my favorite costumes and when it came time to pass it on I sold it to a friend in San Francisco, Denisen Hartlove, so it can live to see another ball or two.