At Costume College I wore my finished robe à l’Anglaise retroussée, previously debuted in an unfinished form at the Pirate Festival. I don’t have all my formal portraits yet, but Andrew Schmidt, the official CoCo photographer, put up this picture as one of the preview shots.
Photo by Andrew Schmidt
The dress is made from one king-sized Ikea duvet cover! And I still have plenty of fabric left over for another project, such as a jacket. The bodice is lined with linen and I used the Period Impressions 1770 Polonaise and Petticoat pattern. (I highly recommend this pattern. It was simple to follow, relatively quick to put together, and I had to make very little adjustment to the fit).
(I am wearing red Kensingtons with paste buckles and clocked silk stockings, all from American Duchess). The back of the dress can be worn down as a regular Anglaise, or retroussée by looping the two twisted rayon cords around the fabric-covered buttons.
I would like to get a bigger hat (this one goes with a different outfit) but ran out of time. I also attempted hair buckles, but that was a disaster, so I just put my hair up in a high bump over a rat, then put flowers in the back.
The sleeves also have a little loop of rayon cord and a slightly smaller fabric-covered button.
Unlike the previous time I wore this dress, this time I am wearing the correct stays. Here’s a silly selfie in the hotel bathroom while still in PJs and messy hair. Now you know what I look like in the mornings! (Well, except for the stays).
Project costs:
- Ikea king-sized duvet cover: ~$30
- Linen lining: $0, leftover from another project
- Period Impressions pattern: $13.95 + $4.85 shipping from Etsy
- Buttons: from stash
- Rayon cord: ~$5 from Britex
Total: ~$53.80
Way under budget! I got to splurge a little on the accessories. 😉 Onsite I happened to hear about Dames a la Mode’s trunk sale, and bought this lovely set that I wore with my dress.
Fresh Frippery 
Another reason to love IKEA! It looks really great.
Thanks Cindy! The last time I went to Ikea they had several appropriate prints; they are a really great resource!
I really regret not buying the set of these sheets I saw for sale at my local thrift store (aside from the fact that it was decidedly pink now). This outfit is so pretty :3
Thank you! Even if you missed out at the thrift store these sheets are still quite reasonable when new, if you change your mind. 🙂
Well, I went and bought a set 🙂 Now to design my outfit!
Great! Please show me when you are done!
So glad you posted pictures of the sleeve detail – beautifully done!
Thank you Maureen! I got the idea from a photo of an extant gown.
(forgot to hit the notify me of new comments button)
Hi, love what you did. The gown is tremendous. Reminds me when I took old drapes to make a Robe a l’Anglaise in 81. Hade a silk chemise with tatted lace edging on it as well. Was the hit with several Nigerians at Williamsburg that fall. Had to be the contrast of white woman in white and their dark skin in national garb, definite contrast. (Lol)
Thank you! I am also guilty of using drapes for clothing.
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