This  gown has a tightly fitted back in the English style, also referred to as a nightgown. The skirts are drawn up in a polanaise effect through the use of ribbons drawn through small brass circles sewn to the underside of the skirt.

The design was based on the lavender ribbed silk gown c1770-1785 featured in Linda Baumgarten's "Costume Close-up", p 24. 

Construction Notes:

This garment was hand sewn using white linen thread and matching Au Ver a Soie 1003 silk thread.  The fashion fabric is silk brocade from Delectable Mountain Cloth, Brattleboro, Vermont. 4 yards of 60"wide silk was available to make up the gown and matching petticoat (not shown) The fabric was cut into  20" wide panels to approximate the width of 18th century silk.

Medium weight white linen was used for bodice and sleeve linings.  Dyed to match 1/2 wide silk ribbon was used to face the hem.  The bodice is held closed with pins.

The petticoat shown is blue silk matalesse.