Sewing Scot: HSM 2017 Challenge

I just made it in time with my HSM challenge for January.  I honestly don't know what took me so long, it is the most simple thing to make.  For those of you who don't know, one of my sewing aims of this year was to participate in at least one of the HSM challenges.  My post recording which ones currently stands at 6.  Well, one down, 5 to go.

The challenge was firsts and lasts, so something that would be first or last in an ensemble. Because I didn't particularly like my first regency chemise, I made a second one.  The back was a little high on my first one (it didn't show, but in case I ever want to make a gown with a low back), so I thought to make another one, this time lengthening the shoulder strap.  This did not turn out how I planned or imagined.  I think I probably extended the strap in the wrong place.  Instead of lengthening in the back like it was supposed to, the front just ended up being really, really low.

One, very stupid and avoidable mistake, is that I forgot to put an opening anywhere, and when then i snipped the bias binding around the neckline to make one, I realised it was the centre back I'd placed it.  Honestly, you lose concentration for a second.  It's hard to discern which is front and back when everything is white.

The Challenge: January 2017 - Firsts and Lasts

The Item: Regency chemise

Material:  100% Cotton Lawn

Pattern: Laughing Moon #115

Year: ~(1800-1810), although possibly give or take a few years on either bound.

Notions:  green satin ribbon for the neckline, 100% cotton bias binding for the arm holes and neckline.

How historically accurate is it?  That's a good question.  The pattern is pretty accurate, according to the booklet that comes with it.  As for the cotton lawn, I've been puzzling over this as I'm not overly familiar with regency undergarments.  I have been under the impression that linen was more widely used in this period for undergarments, but that cotton was also used....not entirely sure.  I'm going to say 80% (95% Confidence interval: 60-90%), sorry if you're not a statistician, but I can't give an estimate without one.

Hours to complete:  3-4 hours

First worn:  Regency Ball, Edinburgh, March 2017 (so not yet).

Total cost: ~£20, possibly less.  Cotton lawn was from my current supply, at roughly £8 p/m, and roughly 2m used for this, that's £16.  Ribbon was roughly £2, and let's just say the same for the bias binding.  

As so completes my first HSM challenge!