Item No.: 18810205 RUBY VELVET EVENING TOILETTE (Middle) Bust Size Range: 34–44 inches Pattern Source: Reproduction of original 1881 Harper's Bazaar antique pattern

This graceful princess-line gown is constructed from ruby velvet embellished with satin and crêpe lisse trimmings. Representing the early 1880s Natural Form silhouette, prior to the era of rigid heavy bustles, it features an elongated, slender torso, subtle soft fullness at the rear, and a seamless smooth front drape. It balances timeless elegance with comfortable mobility, ideal for Victorian historical reenactment, formal balls and evening galas.

The garment adopts continuous princess seams connecting front and back panels. Front darts deliver a tailored, smooth fit over the abdomen, while gentle gathers on the back form soft skirt volume. The hem receives full facing, ornamented with side-pleated satin flounce, box-pleated ruching and a rose garland. The bodice attaches to a fitted yoke draped with side-pleated crêpe lisse, and sleeves are overlaid with matching shirred crêpe lisse. Additional decorations include satin ribbon loops, wide white lace and fabric roses, with matching blooms designed as hair adornments. A detachable plastron fastens to the front opening via hooks and eyes, and internal ties enable the skirt to be drawn backward for varied draped styling.

Pattern pieces included: Front, Side Form, Half of Back, Half of Plastron, Lining for Front Yoke, Lining for Back Yoke, Lining for Sleeve. Comprehensive historical sewing guidance covers critical details: velvet cutting direction (nap facing downward), lining pre-fitting and adjustment transfer, princess seam assembly, hem facing technique, plastron construction, traditional seam pressing methods, full boning preparation and installation workflow, and hook-and-eye fitting. Professional tailoring advice is provided to avoid overly tight fit after boning assembly.

A0 full-scale printing instructions included. Print setting must be 100% Actual Size without scaling. A 3” calibration test square is provided to eliminate dimension errors caused by incorrect printing parameters.

⚠ Important Notice This pattern is reproduced from a private antique collection and retains original drafting imperfections. Not all patterns have been test-sewn. We highly recommend making a muslin toile to confirm fit before cutting premium ruby velvet fabric. Licensed exclusively for personal home sewing and non-commercial use. Resale, mass production and any form of digital or physical redistribution are strictly prohibited. Seam allowances are NOT marked on pattern sheets and must be added manually.