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A Ballgown
circa 1906
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This gown is a confection of embroidered silk organza, china silk
and silk satin. I had purchased the fabric on a sale and knew it would be a perfect edwardian ballgown, but trying
to match the color for lining proved to be a challenge- resulting in a final choice of a bright lilac china silk.
The idea for the bodice came from a Works Garment Cutter in my collection- however, the skirt didnt' seem to go
with the more sophisticated look I was trying to achieve, so I found another view in a McCall's magazine from about
the same time frame. The skirt fabric was seamed together to allow enough width before it was cut in a sweeping
trained circle skirt pattern. Ruffles on the skirt were tiered up the back and overlayed with a final flounce that
covered the tops and continued around the front of the skirt. Two rows of beaded ribbon outline the neckline/arm
of the bodice and over the shoulder so that it is easy to dance in. The necklace was custom designed for me by
my cousin. I wore black opera gloves that evening to the cowboy christmas ball. The big smile on my face is because
Micheal Martin Murphey was so impressed with my costuming (I dressed our whole family including my husband, our
two girls and my mother) that he awarded us with his entire CD collection as a grand prize!
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