Regency Gentlemen Outfits

Well, here they are.  I've completed the shirt, cravat, waistcoat and trousers for the two gentlemen who will be accompanying Laura and me to the Jane Austen Festival.  No, the two gentlemen aren't twins.  My husband is the model for both outfits, because Laura's husband is, alas, with her in Scotland.  These outfits are complete with the exception of the outer Frock Coats (which I am currently working on...pray to God I get them done before the festival!)

First outfit up for critique is my husband's ensemble.  You may remember the earlier post on what I wanted him to wear.  The frock coat will be a deep blue color.  Imagine that, if you can.

The drop-front trousers color is called British tan, and they are made of a soft, light-weight wool.  My husband remarked that they are very comfortable.  The waistcoat is an ivory silk taffeta.  Word of caution when working with taffeta...sewing machines like to eat silk....or at least mine had a hearty appetite for it.  The undershirt and cravat on both outfits are linen.

Laura's husband will be attired in a slightly heavier-weight wool, slate-green trousers, and a checked, raw-silk waistcoat.  I covered the buttons on this outfit with the trousers fabric, because the raw-silk was so loosely woven, it fell apart in my hands.  Let me just say that buttons are the bane of my existence, and there were way too many to be covered on these outfits!  I nearly jumped out the window from insanity trying to cover all of those little pieces of metal!

On both outfits, I used the Kannik's Korner Shirt pattern, and the Rocking Horse Farms Trousers and Waistcoat pattern.  Kannik's Korner was a dream to work with, and I would highly recommend it.  RHF, however was a nightmare.  I made a muslin of everything before I cut into the good fabric, and boy was I glad I did.  Their pattern pieces were entirely too large; I had to downsize about 3-4 inches in many places to get them to fit properly, as well as lengthening several inches through the crutch and waist.  Also, their instructions left a LOT of room for imagination...that's putting it nicely...they were incomprehensible in many spots.  I was lost more times than I can say.  Over-all, I wouldn't recommend their patterns to my worst enemy.

That being said, I am very pleased with my first attempt at tailoring.  It was much more challenging then dress-making...but I kind of liked the challenge. 

Wish me well on the Frock Coats!

(They use a Tailor's Guide pattern and are much easier to understand.)