NFE Sailor Dress: Planning Stage

Ah finally!!  To be planning something to wear!  At the end of March, I have a mini fashion show that I will be putting on with my Mama ("6 Dresses in 60 Minutes") and I am in need of a dress from the Natural Form Era.  Since one of my costuming goals is to create a sailor dress from every silhouette era, why not kill two birds with one stone!  Hence the NFE Sailor!!!

Queen Alexandra is my all time favorite "days of old" royals (followed by Queen Maud of Norway, Empress Alexandra of Russia and Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain).  She was beautiful and had the best dresses and jewelry.  From the accounts I have read about her, she was lovely, gracious, and everyone knows that she put up with her husband's many, many mistresses, even inviting one of them to Kind Edward's death bed.  I have a Pinterest board dedicated to her that is filled with images of her loveliness, so I think it only fitting that my Sailor Dress for the Natural Form Era be one recreated from one that she wore!

 Source:  The Imperial Court Tumblr

(This image has been really hard to source, so I will credit the image to the Tumblr with the most information about it...I will continue to try find the first source.)

Here is also a link to the dress that has been color tinted!!!

Color tinted image of Queen Alexandra in NFE Sailor Dress

Years ago when I was living in Robie Creek, Idaho, I did a lot of research into Queen Alexandra.  At the time, the theme for the SASS Convention was Masquerade Ball and I had it in my mind that I could be Queen Alexandra in a court gown (see image below). I came across Alexandra when she was still a Princess wearing a fabulous sailor dress.  I downloaded the image thinking I would some day make the dress.....fast forward to 2016...almost 10 years later!!

Source:  Alexander Palace Forum

I laugh at myself now thinking I could even begin to recreate this magnificent dress way back then.  Ah well, my sights were pretty high weren't they?  Le Sigh...she is so beautiful!

I have since found this image of the same dress Queen Alexandra is wearing but in reverse colors!  Happily, it is a full length version of the dress so I can see how the hem is decorated!

So many of the NFE dress images for sailor dresses are fluffy and have lots of swags, puffs, lace etc.  To me, a sailor dress needs to be crisp and have clean lines.  This dress totally fits the bill!!

Source:  Antique Royals Tumblr

Back view of the fabulous dress.  I usually have a really hard time with the collars for my sailor dresses, but this one is going to be a cinch!  It looks like just an over the head, detached collar!! Huzzah!!  I even have the pattern!!!

I will have to do some research into pleated skirts because I have never done one, but the rest of the dress should be easy peasy!!  I plan on using the Truly Victorian TV 423 Two Tone Bodice for the bodice.  The apron and underskirt, I will have to put some thought into.  I have some white silk in my stash and will be seeing if the fabric store has some stripe fabric!!!

I am so excited about this project!  Another sailor to check off my to do list!

Have a most wonderful day and a fabulous weekend my friends!!

Blessings!

g