Are you looking for someone who can make an historically accurate 18th century gown for you? You’re in the right place!
commission a historically accurate 18th-century gown
I specialise in making 18th century gowns and accessories,
based on careful study of extant garments and the most up-to-date historical research.
All my work is 100% hand sewn using historical construction methods.*
Click on Portfolio at the top of the page to see examples of my work.
MY ORDER BOOK WILL RE-OPEN IN MAY 2027.
GOWN COMMISSIONS FOR COSTUMED BALLS
Interested in commissioning a new gown for an event in 2028?
Design must be agreed, contract signed, deposit paid and fitting appointments scheduled by the following deadlines:
for VENICE CARNIVAL, Venice, Italy (19-29 February 2028) - 1 July 2027
for FÊTES GALANTES, Château Versailles, France (late May 2028) - 1 October 2027
GOWN COMMISSIONS FOR
LIVING HISTORY / RE-ENACTMENT
Need a new gown to develop or upgrade your public engagement work?
For completion by March 2028 (for the 2028 museums/heritage season),
your design must be agreed — with contract signed, deposit paid and fitting appointments scheduled — by 1 January 2028
If time and/or budget is tight, consider an accelerated approach contributing your own labour (and building new skills):
* Set aside one week for a one-to-one workshop with me, where we will make your gown together.
* Book onto one of my group workshops - the next series is in Scotland in Spring 2027.
Admiring the heritage roses at Mottisfont (National Trust) wearing a bespoke silk Night-gown. Photo: Rachel Dittrich, 2022.
Every item that you commission is custom-made to meet your needs, whether it’s a reproduction for display or intended to be worn for historical re-enactment and living history or garden parties and themed balls.
Prices for designing and making your garment(s) will vary according to type and complexity but you will see some Guide Prices below.
* Historical construction methods are much more efficient than modern construction methods and allow greater precision in fit and finish. While machine sewing can save some time for certain tasks, it won't save as much time overall as you might think and the necessary substitution of historical methods with modern ones means you won't get the correct period look or fit. The results from sewing everything by hand using historical techniques speak for themselves: meet the standards of even the most stringent costuming/re-enactment communities and events, at prices that are competitive with costumes made by machine.
IF YOU ARE ORDERING FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL USE (TO BE WORN) -
I only make bespoke gowns on the basis of shapes that I have cut for you on your body, in the period manner. This requires a personal appointment. It cannot be done remotely. I do not create, draft or alter 2-dimensional patterns. (I also offer cutting shapes as a standalone service.)
For any bespoke garment with a bodice (so, all gowns and jackets), you will need a good pair of stays that fit you well, for . This is because the cut of each part of an 18th century bodice (whether from a pattern or custom-drafted or draped) is not designed to fit a modern body shape. Please don’t sell yourself short by planning to wear the silk ball gown of your dreams over modern underwear! You will only be disappointed and that's the last thing either of us want.
If you are thinking about ordering a gown but don't already have stays, then please do get in touch sooner rather than later so we can remedy that before we start work on your gown. I can give you a discount on drafting a bespoke stays pattern for you or someone else to build your stays, if you order this service at the same time as ordering your gown.
Fabrics will need to be obtained in good time before your agreed slot in my order book. I am happy to research, advise and help source fabrics (indeed, I love being involved in this preliminary part of the process) but may need to charge extra if a lot of time is required.
I can also direct you to sources for all the other items to complete your look and ensure a consistent, high-quality presentation, from underwear (shifts, stockings), caps, mitts, aprons, hats and shoes to jewellery, wigs and makeup.
Please note, I do not make costume for film, stage, TV or cosplay.
I can make you a gown virtually indistinguishable from what a real woman in 1740s Scotland actually wore, but it won’t look anything like what Claire Fraser wore in Outlander!
“Italian” Night-gown c.1785
(seamed back, open robe)
Start £2,500 / €3,000
Long Sack c.1765
(stomacher front, folded robings)
Start £2,500 / €3,000
Night-gown c.1780
(centre front closing, pleated back)
Start £2,000 / €2,300
Mantua Gown c.1705
(open robe, ruched train)
Start £2,000 / €2,300
Volante c.1735-1740
(closed robe, sack back)
Start £2,500 / €3,000
Night-gown c.1745
(stomacher front, pleated back)
Start £3,000 / €3,500
Chemise a la Reine c.1785-1790
(gathered front, gath. or pleated back)
£2,500 / €2,300
These images are illustrative, to give you an idea of each gown style and hopefully some great inspiration for your own design.
Just click on each image to go to the listing for it on the museum’s online collection. You can find many more examples on my Pinterest boards.
Prices include my time, skills, expertise and personal attention given to:
– draping and cutting the lining of your gown to precisely fit you (and only you)
– designing and cutting out your gown
– fittings (usually 2-3 in total)
– 100% hand stitching your gown using only documented construction techniques of the period
– the making and application of trims (costs vary according to complexity and time required – this will be included in my quote once you’ve decided what you want)
What is NOT included:
– cost/supply of fabrics. I have a range of fabrics available or you can provide your own. For summer daywear, a block printed Indian cotton (all the rage in France and its Caribbean colonies during the period) or a lovely linen would be perfect. For social events especially those in the evening, of course it must be silk!
– threads suitable for the fabrics chosen
– the making of a matching petticoat if required (add £500-£1500 depending on amount and complexity of trimmings)
– making any required undergarments – those are separate commissions and we can discuss your requirements in full detail before you confirm your gown order
– my travel expenses for in-person appointments
– shipping by courier if completed gown cannot be delivered or collected in person
To book, Contact Me to discuss your requirements and availability. After we have agreed the details of your commission, I will give you my Quotation and Terms & Conditions in writing. Once you have accepted these, I will send you an invoice with payment options (bank transfer or Paypal). I no longer accept card payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The answer depends on a number of factors.
First and foremost: Do your current stays fit you? Are they comfortable? Are they close enough to the period shape that the gown you want me to make can be fitted over them?
My approach with stays is to help you take a look at what you have and what you ultimately want for your new gown. I am not going to judge them (or you) by how “historically accurate” your stays may or may not be. They do not need to be perfect. They do not need to be your “forever” stays. They just need to give you the foundation you want, to sit under a gown you’ll be happy to wear.
And if you tell me you’re not happy with aspects of the fit, comfort or shape of your current stays, the sooner we talk that through, the more options (and time) you’ll have to make things better, whether that’s through a few small alterations, sourcing a better pair elsewhere, or even making a new pair if that’s what you decide you want to do.
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Smart question. You definitely need stays before a properly fitted 18th century gown can be made for you.
There are a lots of avenues for getting stays that will do that job and that you’ll be happy with, but you’ll need time to sort this out, so the sooner we talk things through, the better. Then we can get you booked in to have your gown made!