How to Make an 1824 Ballgown From a Thrift Store Sari

Our House Tavern in Gallipolis Ohio is going to be throwing an event in honor of the 200th anniversary of a visit from General Lafayette! I have been asked to help with the construction of costumes, as well as dance instruction. So I needed to check out this pattern that I'd not made before! There were a couple hiccups, but not big ones. Always make a muslin before cutting into the good fabric...
Disclaimer: using a sari is more difficult than just having nice fabric from the fabric store. It's like working with stained glass: you shuffle the pattern pieces and make changes so the paper pattern suits the fabric, instead of simply putting down the paper pattern pieces and cutting out the dress. Hence my monkeying around with the sleeves!
Speaking of sleeves, after I posted this video, I got some valid criticism that the sleeves really weren't quite good enough. So I redid them. The dress is more perfect now!
I edited this video a little on the long side to leave in more explanation of the sewing construction process. Fast-forward to the end if you just want to see the finished product! :-)

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Yay! I am inspired to find a sari to work with now!

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If you ever find yourself in Chicago, Devon Street has a lot of good shopping. Of course you never know when you won’t find a fabulous sari at a thrift store! Happy hunting!