1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress. Dickens Fair 2016.

After misadventures with the light beige plaid very lightweight wool blend reproduction 1840s fan-front Victorian day dress, I tried, again, with a cotton navy print that used hook and eyes up the back. I made most of the dress in a rush on a Saturday to wear to Dickens Fair on Sunday in November 2016. Most of it was finished, but I did substitute potholders for the missing bust pads.

We had a small mini theme of fanfront dresses and blue bonnets except that I hadn't finished my blue bonnet. Since Elizabeth had stayed up late doing her dress, we did a small bit/gig that she was very ill so in many of the photos she looks very ghastly. Natalie,Vivien, Elizabeth, and Kim and Natalie at Dickens Fair 2016. Emily, Kim, Nick, Jessie, Elizabeth, and Natalie at Dickens Fair 2016. Kim and Lynne at Dickens Fair 2016.

Fan Front Navy Day Dress

Navy blue with beige stripe and wreath cotton print and white cotton bodice lining has front smocking/pleating to create a fan front. Hook & eye tape back closure, hidden deep side pockets, self piping, bust/underarm hollow pads. Hem facing was sewn to bottom and machine hemmed. Skirt was unlined with cartridge pleats.

Pattern: Laughing Moon #114 View B with adjustments to move arms/sleeves slightly forward. The bodice sizing may have been a size larger than I should have selected, but gave me more range of motion on the shoulders/arms. Historically accurate has arms/shoulders roll in a back and down position so that they hang slightly behind torso midline. Modern shoulders tend to roll forward which pull on the dress without the alterations.

1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Right 3/4 View 1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Front 1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Left 3/4 View 1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Left 1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Back 1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Right

Inside look with the lining and pleating
1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Inside
Cartridge pleating skirt to bodice
1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Cartridge Pleating
First wearing used potholders as substitute for unfinished bust pads.
1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Potholder bust pads
Dress in progress. Many parts started; sew as many pieces as one can before ironing.
1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress in progress
Bodice pattern alteration adds more bust hollow and sleeve/armhole room.
1840s Reproduction Fan Front Navy Daydress Bodice Pattern Alteration


Completed: Mostly in one day in November 2016 with bustpads added later.