The Fashionable Figure series continues in Maitland, Florida:  Build Your Regency Wardrobe!  Regency instructors Jennie Chancey and Audrey Russell return with three more workshops to help you build your Bridgerton or Jane Austen inspired wardrobe! 

This past February, I traveled down to Mt. Dora, FL, for their fantastic annual Jane Austen Festival. My lovely friend and fellow costumier, Audrey Russell, and I put on a presentation on Regency fashion the first Friday afternoon of the festival, discussing the shift in women’s (and men’s!) clothing from the 1780s into the 1790s and 1800s.

Teresa shared these photos of the dresses she made from my Regency and Romantic era patterns for various events in 2021. Doesn’t everyone look splendid? What fun!

This very talented seamstress just reached out to share what she had made with my patterns, and I was bowled over! I always cheer hardest for beginners, but I hardly think she fits that category any longer. BRAVA, Adina! This is simply spectacular work!

I first saw Ang Lee’s beautiful adaptation of “Sense & Sensibility” on the big screen in 1995. It immediately became a favorite that I have watched countless times since its premier. I love all the costumes in the film, but the one that struck me most from the first viewing was Marianne’s beautiful nightgown/wrapper, which Kate Winslet wears in two key scenes. I am so pleased I’ve finally managed to pull together all my in-progress photos, plus a video I made to walk you through the steps!

I just wanted to ask your opinion about the Elegant Lady’s Closet pattern drawstring dress. I’ve made your dress several times, and I’ve enjoyed doing so. I’d like to create a gown out of cotton lawn, which is quite see through. I was thinking of adding a full lining to the inside of the gown bodice and omitting the stays lining. Do you think this would work?

21 years ago, two customers, harp-playing sisters who loved to wear beautiful gowns while they performed, dropped me a line to ask if I'd consider bringing out patterns for some of my designs. At that point, I'd been filling custom sewing orders for about 18 months, mainly catering to the Regency/Napoleonic groups in the D.C. area by making day dresses and ball gowns. I'd also fallen in love with Regency fashions for everyday wear, finding them an excellent match for my expectant silhouette in 1997! But, while I designed patterns for my customers and myself, I hadn't considered publishing any of them. After all, that was what Big Companies did, and how could I possibly compete in a market that was positively flooded with patterns?

Jessica made this beautiful sleeveless Spencer and added the peplum with covered buttons. It's so perfect I asked if she'd share her how-to for this modification, and she did. If you have questions for her about how to make one for yourself, you can drop her a line (her email is at the end of this post).

Just returned from the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England... and I received so many compliments on my dresses and Spencer. I referred everyone to Sensibility.com!

I got my sister and myself tickets to an upcoming Regency ball. And I hadn't a clue what I was going to wear. Anything that I would choose would have to be altered (losing 30 lbs. will make your entire wardrobe not fit anymore). Now would be an excellent time to see if there was any hope for that light green damask crossover dress.

I was to attend a wedding with Regency period as a theme. It was wonderful with dances and all and finally I took the time to make a dress and a jacket for the period. This will come in handy as I also attend roleplaying games from time to time and Regency dance.

Check out these wonderful Regency ensembles Katarina made after 25 years away from sewing! Imagine mother-daughter outfits to wear to a castle!

My 10 year old daughter requested a long-sleeved flannel nightgown, so the search began! I was aghast at the cost of a ready-made flannel gown, so I started the search for an appropriate pattern.I am NOT a highly experienced sewer, but I was willing to give this a try! After communicating with Jennie (who provided incredibly kind encouragement), I felt confident I could complete this project utilizing the Girls' Regency Gown Pattern.All I can say is "WOW!" The process of printing, piecing & cutting this pattern was so incredibly easy. The dress came together like a dream.

Customer Sharon E. wanted to make a "Caroline" dress for her daughter for Easter to match her doll from American Girl....

I decided last August to make a new apron-front gown, basing it upon several gowns I've handled in person, plus an extant garment in the National Museum of Australia that I found online with detailed photographs.This time, I've used my Elegant Lady's Closet pattern as the base, since it has no back opening to begin with and features the more fitted long sleeves I planned to use for my undersleeves and the short, puffed ballgown sleeves I'd use as the over sleeves.

In November 2014 I bought a pattern for a Regency Era Dress from you, with the intent of first sewing a toile and then my wedding dress from it. Which I did! I was very happy with the result, and wanted to show you some photos of me wearing it just a few weeks ago.

I needed a warm coat for a War of 1812 reenacting event in February. I've had this white wool plush coating in my stash for about 15 years, so I decided it would be perfect for a pelisse. This is made from the Regency Spencer pattern. I used the skirt pattern from the Regency Gown pattern to make the pelisse skirt as suggested in the instructions.

Thanks a lot for this great pattern. I have never before done anything from this period, but both the underwear and the crossover gown pattern went together like a dream. The dress looks so nice, you hardly notice that it is made from an old Ikea curtain and three old pillow cases ;-) Since I live in Germany I used your e-pattern option, which even work easily on my Linux.

This maternity Regency gown was made with your pattern. It's entirely hand made and embroidered.

All of these regency gowns are made with the Elegant Lady's Closet pattern. This was during the First International Open for Historic Dances in Paris last year. We are French Irish dancers from Paris.