To celebrate my 60th birthday, I hosted a Royal Celebration at the Mighigan Renaissance Festival this fall.  All guests came in costume, and I made this gown for myself.  (note: the dressform has a white cover, the dress does not have any white on the bodice except for the sleeves and sleeve rolls) It is a Simplicity 3728 pattern, fully boned and lined bodice, with contrasting sleeves in white.  The bodice and skirt are flocked tafeta, the full underskirt is heavy satin with the center panel backed in flanel to keep it stiff and stable. The bodice is lined in cotton batiste with a silk organza interling for strength, as the boning is applied to the lining only.   I purchased the hoop slip.  All trim was hand sewn, with jewels tacked on.  I made a 2″ wide satin ribbon from the underskirt fabric to use under the black lace trim, so it would be more visible.  This gown was fit with the help of a good friend and talented seamstress, who gave me sewing tips along the way, and kept me on course to complete the entire gown on my own.  This is by far, the most complex garment I’ve constructed in all the years I’ve been sewing, even having sewn prom gowns and bridesmaids dresses. It was so worth it to have people stop me at the festival to take photos and inquire about the dress!

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