This bodice is taken from the 1872 Butterick Pattern Catalog. It was listed as a Carriage Bodice, as it has an outerwear look to it, but it is fitted as a bodice with all the normal darts and seams. The neckline was given as high round, without a collar. I have added the option of a “V” neckline as well, which was very stylish at the time. The bodice closed with buttons down the center front. The bell sleeve is in 2 pieces, and widens dramatically at the wrist. The basque has deep points at the front and the sides, with short pleats at the center back. It is split at the side seams below the waist, to allow room for bustles of various sizes.

The bodice is drafted based on a tailoring method used in the 1870’s, adjusted to fit the modern body. All of the bodice seams are true to the era, and it is designed to fit snugly over a corset.

The E-Pattern contains the following formats:
Letter/A4 – Prints on 30 sheets, needs assembly.
A0 – Prints on 2 sheets.
Shop Copy – 36×64″ page 1.