I made this dress using some older Williamsburg cotton reproduction chintz fabric I found on Ebay – it appears to be out of manufacture as I cannot find it anywhere online.  I bought it as I love this blue background color!  They did have chintz fabric with colored backgrounds but they were not as common and were more expensive to produce, however the effect is lovely.  I have also seen period chintz fabrics with brown and red backgrounds.

I used the JP Ryan English Nightgown Pattern which I have customized to myself over the years.  It has an en fourreau back and can be worn a la retrousse (looped up) or straight.  The sleeves are finished with a box pleated self fabric cuff.  The matching petticoat has a similar box pleated ruffle around the hem.  It can also be worn with contrasting petticoats, such as the sheer silk jacquard petticoat shown in some of the photos.  Having many colors in the chintz it can be accessorized with different colored ribbons – it is shown with green ribbon accessories and also with a bergere hat trimmed with blue ribbon.