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Category: 2009 USA Best Victorian Ball Gown In the WORLD by Contest on 05-15-2009

USA Entry 61.) Dress: 1870's Purple Ball Gown

Category: Best Victorian Ball Gown

Category: Most Beautiful Bustle Dress in the World

Seamstress: MH

This is a late 1870's ball gown that started with 2 pieces of fabric. About 3.5 yards total of a beautiful, beaded panel and an amazing, silk velvet in a midnight purple. All the other fabrics and accessories had to be dyed to match this rich hue. Though this gown is several years old, it is still one of my favorites, and I still feel like the belle of the ball whenever I wear it... MH

USA Entry 58.) Dress: 1876 Godey's Centennial Ball Gown.

Category: USA Best Victorian Ball Gown

Seamstress: YS

This dress was inspired by the July 1876 Godey's fashion plate. The dress was made for SASS 2008 Convention theme "Centennial Ball." In the Godey's Fashion Plates 1838-1880 this dress is described to be "Evening dress of pink silk. The underskirt is trimmed with plaitings on the front, plain train. Polonaise of India muslin; low neck, trimmed with garlands of roses and foliage and puffs and Valenciennes lace. Bertha of lace and flowers; pink ribbon sash"I made my dress with dark blue satin, dark blue brocade, dark blue sheer trimmed with beads and embroidered flowers, dark blue velvet ribbon trim, black lace, black buttons, and red and white roses with beading in between. Truly Victorian patterns were used to make this dress. The skirt is a TV216 1875 Parisian Trained Skirt, and the bodice is a TV416 1875 Ball gown Bodice modified to button up the sides under the arms. My goal was to meet the Centennial Ball theme by making a Red, White and Blue Dress... YS

USA Entry 54.) Dress: Embroidered Ball Gown

Category: USA Best Victorian Ball Gown

Seamstress: Linda E. Charron at: FrocksofAges.com

I created this Ball Gown for my friend Jodie Myers when she found a picture of an original gown she just loved. Though not an exact copy, it was inspired by the original gown. I wanted Jodie's gown to have the little birds on the front of the skirt as the original gown had. When I couldn't find any suitable birds, I decided that making them myself. The floral lace appliques all came from a single piece of lace which I cut apart and trimmed with the dress taffeta, pearls and aquamarines to look like dew drops. There are also beaded butterflies visiting the flowers. Linda Charron

USA Entry 43.) Dress: Peach Victorian Bustle Ball Gown with Pearl flowers

Category: USA Best Victorian Ball Gown

Seamstress: Linda E. Charron at: FrocksofAges.com

This Ball Gown was inspired by the beautiful simplicity of the early 1890s gowns. It is made in pale peach embossed Bengaline and pale peach silk Dupioni, and features hand made silk flowers and hand beading. I named this Ball Gown after my Grandmother Arilla Elizabeth who, though she passed many years ago, still watches over my sewing room daily. This gown can be seen on my web site. I want to thank Dale Rensing who now owns the gown for allowing me to enter it in this contest. Linda Charron