This visiting gown was a bit more difficult to draft the patterns for then it's simplistic design would have you believe. It had to fit close and smooth across the bodice. The skirt had to be full but not so full as to make the mink trim flare out sideways. The cape-let is separate from the bodice, even though it looks like it's a large collar that is attached. She also seems to be hiding under the collar. She isn't really, just the famous Gibson turned up nose, and a large stand up collar.
The cape-let with it's stand-up collar, has decorative folds of satin in a wing like design on each side of the front V shape. It's closed with a snap under a mink "button". The outer edge is trimmed with mink as well.
A black satin ribbon tie belt closes in the front, the same as the bodice does. The leg-o-mutton sleeves are full but not to overpowering for this Gibson lady. The Gown is made up of a teal satiny fabric. The dark brown mink is soft and lushes and works well with the teal color. The mink trims the wide bottom edge, the bottom of the sleeves, the stand-up collar and bottom edge of the cape-let. It also trims the tiny chocolate brown straw hat, and makes up her muff as well.
Lovely brown feathers drape becomingly from her hat, over the brim and the mink trim. A bit of black satin ribbon adds just the right decorative touch. Working with straw really isn't that difficult, just time consuming, as it must be done by hand, one row at a time. When your done going round, and round, you will have a straw hat/bonnet etc. Then you just decorate. A purse is made much the same way. I love the many colors the straw braid comes in. If you find a child's straw hat with the right size straw braid, in Walmart at Easter time, you will have an endless supply from which to work. Just pull the threads to unravel the seam. I got a really lovely shade of pink straw braid one year.
I think I would have loved going visiting in this ensemble.
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