My next project is an Edwardian maid dress, inspired by Downton Abbey. I plan to use a recently released pattern (Butterick B6229).
I couldn’t find a lightweight wool I liked so I ordered some black Kaufman Kona cotton from Fabric.com. My order came with this cute sticker on it!
I ended up with an extra half yard for free! I also bough white cotton broadcloth for the apron. It was a very bright white, so I ended up tea-dyeing it, then washing it in Oxiclean to get rid of the excess color. It still appears white, but no longer looks so stark next to the antique laces I am using. The fabric on the right is my broacloth, next to some pure white fabric voile for comparison. 
I purchased a group of 20s and 30s lace trims from Etsy, that I will be using on the apron bodice, the maid’s cap, and the collar and cuffs of the dress. If there is enough I might use it on the hem of the apron, since I really dislike doing pintucks.
I hope this will be a very comfortable day time outfit for Costume College!
Fresh Frippery 
Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Me too!
what a cute idea! I love maid outfits. I’m sure this will turn out great.
Thanks Aimee!
Oh! This is going to be fun! Can’t wait to see the finished product!! I know you do a fabulous job on it! I wonder if this pattern would work for a maternity wrap? No, I’m not pregnant…too old for that…but I am wanting to do a fashion show entitled “The stages of a Victorian Lady’s life” and am needing a maternity wrap….
Blessings!
g
Hi Gina, I haven’t made the dress yet so I can’t give you my opinion on how easy it is to modify. However, Laughing Moon makes a maternity wrapper dress pattern!
http://www.lafnmoon.com/product_p/p118.htm
I saw a dress made from this pattern in person at Costume College and it looked so cute and comfortable.
Aaaaah yes…I have pondered on the laughing moon pattern… It does look very comfortable on the website so I’m happy to hear that it liked good up close! Thanks!
If you try it I’d love to see!
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