Towards the beginning of this summer, and pandemic, we got invited to a socially distant Regency picnic by a member of the Houston Regency Society on their private property. It was so nice to have a historical costuming event to prepare for, as other events were being cancelled left and right. I had a Regency outfit that I made for Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, but it would be too hot to wear outside in the summertime. So I made a quick sleeveless spencer jacket to wear with my white gown, and paired with it other summery accessories.
[Related: My First Foray Into the Regency Era]
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The outfit I made for Dickens was not only too hot for a summer picnic, but the colors and tartan a little too Christmasy. I decided the white gown would work, but I wanted a contrasting color for the spencer. I had just enough leftover fabric from my McGonagall Yule Ball robes from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire for this quick project.
[Related: Costuming McGonagall from Harry Potter]
And here’s the best part- I used the bodice pieces from the Simplicity/American Duchess 8941 open robe pattern, and because I didn’t need sleeves or skirt, it came together very quickly*!
Pattern: Simplicity Sewing Pattern S8941 R5 Misses’ Costume by American Duchess, Size 14-16-18-20-22
*So quick, that I accidentally skipped the darts on the bodice front, realized my gaffe and corrected it later…oops!
In prior scrap projects with this gorgeous olive green fabric, I honored McGonagall’s overall aesthetic with pintucked pieces and black accessories. I did include pintucked fabric on the bodice back, but the accessories I chose for this gown and spencer were more suitable for a summertime picnic in the Texas heat. I think these colors would do well in spring, summer, and fall!
[Related: Wizardbounding 1950’s McGonagall and Oktoberfest Dirndl, but Make It Witchy]
And the picnic was a complete success! No one got close enough to notice my missing darts (I hope). Regency may not be the most flattering on my curvy frame, but damn it was blissfully comfortable!
Parasol: Lace Parasol Umbrella Wedding White Cotton Fashion Wooden Handle Decoration Umbrella
Up next is the bonnet I made for this outfit, a yellow dress for a friend in attendance, reticules for us ladies, and waistcoat for my husband, and eventually the picnic as a whole.
More Regency costuming on Red Shoes. Red Wine.
My First Foray Into the Regency Era
A Quick Regency Sleeveless Spencer