One of my long time obsessions has been the Victorian era. I love the architecture, the manners, the hats, and, most of all, the dresses.

When I found out Katsucon had a formal ball, it seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass up! I got to work designing the dress. I used a masqueade mask I had lying as inspiration. Originally, the dress was going to be white and cream, then a friend's mother had a huge bolt of purple fabric she was getting rid of and asked if I wanted it. I originally was only going to use it to practice with, but it worked out that my mockup turned out so well that I decided to trim it.
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It took me six months to make and I was sewing the last beads on in my kitchen in Pennsylvania a half hour before we left for Maryland. It was my first attempt at a Victorian dress and I'm so proud that it turned out as nicely as it did!

Made with Truly Victorian patterns: TV101 , TV201, TV303, and TV416