Making Elizabeth Bennet's dress from Pride & Prejudice, part I

[@natashaelina]

It’s such a funny coincidence that you’re making this dress because I was watching Rachel Maksy’s most recent video yesterday where she mentioned wanting to make this dress too, which made me want to look into making it for myself as well, and now here you are actually making it! Such serendipity!!

[@madisonyoungblood3552]

My thoughts exactly! I was also wanting to make one for myself after Rachel Maksy’s video, but make to a history-bounding version!

[@CatsCostumery]

haha that's so cool! I think it's probably a lot of people's favourite dress, and yet I can't quite put to words why, it's so simple! :)

[@ravenmaclennan3512]

@@madisonyoungblood3552 - Rachel is awesome! I love both these ladies and so awesome to see the different versions.

[@brandyeverett7778]

So I never noticed any of this before. But is she literally wearing her Mr. Bennet's shirt? But this is great, thanks for it.

[@JessW19]

Very nice! I always thought that shirt in the film looks like she stole it from her dad to wear with that dress. Which seems like something Lizzy would do. Great job! Can't wait to see the rest.

[@StellaMariaGiulia]

I don't remember if that's a featurette on the dvd but I remember an interview with director Joe Wright saying he was the not very fond of regency fashion and deliberately decided to set it in 1796/97, the time of the novel first draft. Of course various liberties might have been taken, but that's the reason why most dresses haven't got the usual empire shiloutte. I love this project! ❤️

[@CatsCostumery]

Yes! I need to track down that featurette. I started thinking that was the case when I last rewatched it, looking out of the costumes - particularly the scene where they're getting dressed and there are some distinct mixes in the stays! :)

[@luiysia]

i agree so much lol. regency fashion is hideous

[@Mishajayfeather]

I just finished my own P&P dress!!!(I made her Pemberley dress for everyday wear, the stripey one). This was lovely to watch

[@srkra_]

Do you have pictures posted anywhere? 👀👀

[@hippocampus6514]

Do tell? That one was my favorite

[@MicheleLHarvey]

I love this! I think historic clothing was made exactly like this with much more fudging and fitting as the garment went along, and made with a wait and see attitude. It gives it a very real & authentic look, rather than completely relying on a ready made pattern. Brava! And thanks for giving me the courage to simply dive in! And as an aside, contemporary theater garments are not built to last longer than the production, so I'd opt for a longer wearing linen rather than light weight cotton muslin. Can't wait to see the matching dress video!

[@ginasreview1030]

I seriously LOVEUHH this movie. 110% & I would wear all her outfits from the film.

[@TheMetatronGirl]

Not sure how I missed this when you posted it. The finished shirt looks so comfortable! I think the lower neckline is very flattering. Can’t wait to see the dress!

[@melima_]

Omg! That's such a great idea! I always loved the striped one she wore at Pemberly, I always dreamed about sewing that one. The whole costume design is just wonderful!

[@StephanieClaussen]

Simply lovely. I too am working on a 2005 Pride and Prejudice-inspired dress at the moment, so it's fun to see your project! I think the fabric you used for the blouse has just the right textured look.

[@aaaacarolina]

I've always loved this dress! so happy you're making it in a video, I might try making one myself now...

[@christineholbrook1107]

Love it , well done . Always love those sleeves with gathers xx

[@HoneyBear36]

The shirt looks so comfy I love it. I’ve just recently started hand sewing or really sewing at all and buying fabric online terrifies me... it’s like buying jeans it in the Troy sounds easy and like it should work but tends to be a disaster in the end

[@CarolynKnits]

I have recently been lucky enough to get my Grandmother's old machine, a Jones' hand crank one from the 1920s, and I have been looking for a pattern for this kind of blouse/under shirt and I am so glad this popped up in my suggested videos! I will be saving this for later use as I don't think I am quite at the level for this kind of thing - I am mostly making small bags and pouches to learn how to machine sew, and I don't have the patience to hand stitch a garment!

[@JustIsold]

Im halfway through the video, but my first idea is that her shirt looks a lot like an 18th century mens shirt! The vneck is created because the collar is supposed to close, and if you leave it open it creates that vneck! (I should totally take some pictures of my linen shirt, but its rather sheer...

[@ravenswolve]

Like the household reused an old shirt from her father or something.

[@juadonna]

@@ravenswolve Totally agree! And it ties into their "reduced circumstances" !

[@charlisabeth]

I think in one of the close ups from the movie I could see a loop, so there might be a button to close up the neckline at the top right beneath the collar. Edit: at 13:40

[@minerbaceledon8106]

I’ve always loved flowy and aerie shirts like this one!!! 😍😍😍😍 beautiful work!

[@sunriseeyes0]

Ah! This shirt came out so lovely! Thank you for sharing your creation process with us!

[@StarPrincess144]

I’ve always loved this dress!! So happy to see you making it 💕✨

[@Runa_idk]

Awesome! All of Lizzie's outfits are pretty but this is def one of my favorites 😍 Can't wait to see the next part of this costume!

[@LixiaWinter]

This seam on the collar is called staystitching, actually:-) the shirt turned out so nice!

[@bloodlath]

Not sure if you noticed. On the original, directly under the collar there is a closure loop.

[@CatsCostumery]

I did not, no! That's great to know, I think it would work well for day to day closed :)

[@Noel.Chmielowiec]

It's so lovely! Looks like it's perfect for hot summer days. Fun fact, I think mostly known, but still, when you wear white clothing the sun rays reflect from the fabric, are not absorbed and it makes you feel colder, because they are less likely to touch your skin :) I envy your patience, I would probably throw this fabric away from me after 15 minutes of working with it, I hate sewing loosely woven fabrics.

[@ginasreview1030]

She's so GORGEOUS ahhhh! ♡ Lots of love from Brazil.

[@silvergypsylady]

I love your shirt. It came out beautiful. If you ever make another I think you should put some interfacing in the collar. I noticed when you turned around that the edge ripples a bit. Maybe use organdy as it would be light but have some body to it. You've got me wanting a shirt like this so I'm going to have to dig through my stash to see what I have. Looking forward to the dress video 😊

[@lauramcguire7970]

The shirt looks so lovely and light. Looking forward to watching you make the dress!

[@johannepaquette969]

I’ve been searching for patterns to make a Sense and Sensibility pinafore like Elena wears to garden. I want it as an apron.

[@Fairgard]

It looks identical! Also really comfy

[@kitt3526]

This is actually really cool, once my holidays start I would actually like to make this! Thank you for making this video, you have earned a new subscriber today:)

[@bookmouse2719]

So beautiful! And you look lovely in it too.

[@marymcandrew7667]

I like the way the collar lays in the back!

[@thimblesandunicorns6965]

That turned out beautiful! I cant wait to see you tackle the dress

[@vickihigh2454]

It might have helped to look at the Colin Firth shirt collar from the A&E version of P&P. It looks really good though!

[@vickihigh2454]

The swimming scene, sorry

[@roxiepoe9586]

This is such a pretty shirt! The image you are working from is so romantic, I can't imagine resisting it!

[@elementgypsy]

Thanks for this. I have been buying fabric on line. I never did before, but because of covid I did not want to spend too much time at the fabric store. I am so glad I i started on line shopping. The one store by me has limited cottons, linens. Prices are high at the store. Most are polyester blends. I can buy silk on line cheaper than polyester at the store.

[@lunab8485]

So pretty... the end result is jaw dropping!

[@susanrobertson984]

That turned out so beautiful! Perfectly useful for modern wear for sure. :)

[@neardeathexperience1111]

I am rubbish at making clothes but would absolutely love to buy this shirt...it's my most favourite part of clothing from the whole film ...and the dress !

[@krisamara1111]

Really lovely. My new favorite channel! I've always wanted a dress like this! I'm wondering... if it inspires you, I've also always wanted an overdress/pinafore/apron dress like Princess Buttercup wears in the beginning of The Princess Bride. I would LOVE to see a tutorial or blog of that project! :)

[@MsDawn0113]

Very very nice. I'm looking forward to part 2

[@cherrylee1103]

nicely done. i too am not a big fan of Regency fashion, but i do like this costume.

[@ushere5791]

the shirt is lovely! and it looks great on you.

[@CarolineDAmbrosioDesigns]

I love this dress so much!! The shirt looks so nice!! 😊

[@AnniundLilo]

So I love the hsirt. how well it looks. I didn't like the fabric choice at first. But in the end it got me.Great thing.

[@Whitpk]

Thank you so much for making this, I can’t wait to try it! I wouldn’t be able to without this to guide me. Is there anyway you can link or tell me the site that sold the shirt so I can find the same photos for reference?! I have tried to find them but I can’t no matter how I google search it. Please! Thank you !

[@palomaaspe7103]

beautiful! do you have the pattern? or do you sell it?❤❤❤❤

[@jacquelinelc2843]

Nicely done!

[@Grace_x68]

Beautiful

[@Berriesofafeather1122]

Absolutely lovely!!!! I wish I could be a costuber like you 💖

[@elinordrake7129]

Its Beautiful!

[@Liz-lr1ch]

You have used what we think of in the UK as muslin. Actually there are many grades of it and the USA has a different definition. I think the original used a heavier grade which is less flimsy and wouldn't need to be doubled. The collar would have set better too. Nevertheless you did a lovely job with that flawed fabric. It would have driven me to distraction!

[@lizcademy4809]

I believe American muslin is equal to UK calico.

[@fabioferreiragomes]

........INCRÍVEL..........ESPETACULAR.........

[@ahoimeeresbriese4600]

Do you know where I can find a picture of here brown long coat which I like very much? Thanks in advance

[@missannie8012]

You have such beautiful hair.

[@craftynita6633]

it looks like wearing a cloud- i bet it is very soft and feels great to wear. have you worn it often and styled it different ways? i think a vest would be cute :)

[@CatsCostumery]

I haven't yet (we're still on lockdown over here!) but I think it will work great with a skirt, or like you said, a vest! :)

[@WeeFreeGinny]

The shirt turned out beautifull! But tbh I had to skip the video forward, because the regular clanking noise in the background did my head in. What is this sound?

[@juadonna]

There is a large drain grate in the street below her window. It is unevenly set in and makes that noise when vehicles drive over it. There really isn't anything she can do about it.

[@CatsCostumery]

it's true! I've reported it to the council many times but still no response and it does my head in every day :(

[@kingscorn]

how much fabric did the jumper require?

[@EmsIsFab]

Really love that costume of hers too, even though it is decidedly NOT regency lol

[@maleahlock]

Wonderful video so far. . . I'm extremely excited about this project! May I just quickly ask where you got the dot grid pattern paper notebook?!

[@CatsCostumery]

I think I got it years ago from Tiger Tiger, but if you search for dotted notebook, there are a lot out there :)

[@Gandellion]

Ohh I want to make this

[@N_0968]

To regulats, what is the banging in the background?

[@channelsquare]

Spots cardcaptor star wand peeking out 💖😏💖

[@asils4Lisa]

You did a beautiful job. The fabric looks like gauze.

[@canucknancy4257]

Arm holes? They are overrated. 😋 That turned out quite lovely. Thanks for sharing your process with us.

[@MiahGrace]

Controversial opinions, the bbc one with Collin Firth is the best ;) I understand why people like this one, the wardrobe is objectively better. And Kira Knightly is fantastic.

[@ieniminimuis]

Don't forget that Darcy in this version is an actual akward introvert who happened to have a big house

[@MiahGrace]

ieniminimuis true, but moody bath time Darcy in the bbc version is so hysterical lol

[@LixiaWinter]

It's pretty orthodox opinion tbh:-)

[@lolajl]

Yeah, this version is a lot better.

[@JamieRobles1]

The comments look like they are run by a Knightly clique. I'm not a fan of the 2005 version. So many wrongs in it.

[@cap4life1]

Very pretty garment. It's too bad about the street noise, must make it difficult to work :(

[@DLBard-bv2nd]

💞 👗💞

[@dsatt57]

I always liked that outfit. You dropped the shoulders?

[@CatsCostumery]

in the photos, it looks like the shoulder seam is a few inches down her arm, so I did the same :)

[@sandradearing604]

Beautiful! ~

[@pauladavitt7554]

Love Lizzie bennet

[@KelseyDrummer]

👏🏼here👏🏼for👏🏼this!!

[@jennyaskswhy]

@catscostumery; no offense meant, but where are you from? I ask because you're accent is all over the place with tones of modern RP English, regional English, irish, east coast American and Australian. are you a third culture kid?

[@JamieRobles1]

It's a pretty dress, but is it Regency era? The waist isn't high enough.

[@CatsCostumery]

it's a costume from the film, so it's ~loosely~ Regency. I agree that it doesn't look like what we usually associate with Regency!

[@AroundTheYear]

Not really regency, styles closest to this were worn much later (edwardian era) but even then, blouses were much more elaborate. The 2005 adaption is not really historically accurate AT ALL, in more aspects than one. It may be a nice movie though, and the dress looks nice, though it should not be called regency.

[@luiysia]

the 2005 film takes place in the late 18th century, not regency. the director changed the time period because he didn't like the fashion lol.

[@annasmith6090]

@@luiysia I don't blame him! it's a lot of work to make those empire waists look more flattering and less like you're trying to hide a pregnancy lol

[@dianesawyerdooley4424]

@@luiysia it's not really 18th c. either.

[@SonyaandSidney]

It's lovely. I think the overall look wouldn't have been as light and airy with cotton.

[@jessicaruland1740]

Can you make the dress from the Movie Cinderella please. I mean the dress from Cinderella, this she wear every time.

[@steph_lopez]

Mood Fabrics will be your bff.

[@wendymalik6784]

Do they not have various weights of Muslim wheee you are. I have used the weight you used with several weight up to canvas weight.

[@CatsCostumery]

I could only buy online as we are in lockdown and there was only one option on the website! I'm sure the shops would have had more options :)

[@пекельніборошна-т1в]

It's not even a regency dress. I'm kinda confused with the dress designer's choice

[@emilycreager2269]

That muslin you have seriously looks more like a gauze than a muslin. Wow, that's thin!

[@keykey10101]

[@MayYourGodGoWithYou]

What era did they set the film in, an alternative umiverse. Look at the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice for AUTHENTIC regency fashions. Blouse looks nice, no different to ones available in Penneys/Primark today. Very modern and not regency. Came out nicely though. Very similar to a number of Edwardian blouses shown on KZbin.

[@kathleensmith644]

This is not the style of dress they wore in that era.

[@skp7577]

This is the first video of yours I've tried to watch but that double clunking noise in the background mafe it impossible for me. So just forwarded to the finished shirt. I'll try another video but if that noise is still there I'll have to bow out of watching any more.