Here is the remake of the 2005 gown. In essence it is a new garment in many ways. Here is a link to what it used to look like: [link] This is my Rain Dress which means the one you don't care if it gets rained on/will go slogging through the mud in. I am hoping the new gown will be much finer, but this will have to do for now.

Here is the run down of what I did to it:
I completely scrapped the old bodice and made a new one. The old one never really fit and this one fits--for now, although I might be taking it in a touch by the time September rolls around. On the new one I did hand-bound eyelets which worked wonderfully. If you have the patience I highly suggest them. I also put tabs at the shoulder and waist.
I did completely new trim. It is in the same vein as the old stuff, (still burgundy and gold gimp) but it's not quite the same widths. I was hoping to recycle the old stuff, but it was just too beat up. I beaded the heck out of the trim--I may add more someday.
I added more beads, some trim and a guard to the forepart.
I made a new petticoat for the forepart, the old one finally bit the dust, and this one should hold up for a while.
I cut down the old sleeves and made them a narrow curved sleeve and added beads and the same trim.
I added points (aigullettles) to all my ties.
I put darts in the over skirt waistband so it actually fits and I actually got around to guarding the over skirt. As I found out today it is roughly the same color as Michigan mud, so I think it's a win-win there.
I made a new hat, it's my silk pillbox [link] but I am still keeping the black hat as a rain hat, but I think I like the pillbox. It's a much softer line.
I finally got a suit of ruffs after longing for them for a couple of years.
I'm still working on adding a few more shiny bits. I will have a pearl girdle belt for season, and I had it on in the morning, but took it off just after lunch because one of ends was a little loose, so it's sadly missing from the pictures. You can see the locket that was hanging from it pinned to my shoulder. I found a new one (that's even bigger) too that I am going to put a picture (or two) of her majesty in--yes I am a suck up, my character wants money.
At last a picture where my hair looks red. Which is also something I've actively done for this upcoming festival season--plus I think it suits my personality.

I'm not really sure how long the remake took since I started working on the beading this winter. I did the actual construction in about a month when I felt like working on it.

I need to go buy a scale yet, but I would like to weigh this dress. It's just a guess at the moment, but I think this dress with all the fabric, beads, and accessories weighs about 25-30lbs. I'll let you know.

Aside from a little tweaking which wearing the gown today pointed out I am ready to call this project done. Anything else I might do to it might take an hour--two tops. Well, time to cross this one off the to-do list.

If you want to get a closer look at some of the details I posted another picture here: [link]