Making a Late 18th Century Wardrobe:
Ladies Caraco Jacket

CLASS DESCRIPTION

PREREQUISITE: Students taking this class must own 18th century stays or have taken Janice's 18th Century Stays class.

 



A floral print caraco


The delightful and charming Caraco offers maximum grace and style for the least amount of effort. The greatest advantage of this beautiful garment is only 4 main pattern pieces, and a cuff. In addition, on-line instruction will include directions for sleeve flounces, handkerchief, and a shaped petticoat, as shown on the pattern cover. A jacket, the caraco is knee length, and may be pulled up in back, a la polonaise, just like a full length fitted gown.

This style of caraco was popular during the later 1770's through the 1780's. Worn with a handkerchief filling in the neckline, this undress ensemble was worn as casual day wear by the gentry and fancy day wear by the merchant classes. The degree of formality is determined by your fabric selections - silk damask, printed cotton, silk taffeta, woolen broadcloth, or fine linen - the choice is yours.

Easy to construct, the caraco is equally easy to fit and wear. However, it must be worn over stays, as it will not fit over a 21st century body in modern undergarments.

Janice P. Ryan
Historic Clothing Patternmaker

Cover of the Caraco Pattern

 

 Janice's Bio

Email: Janice

 Class Syllabus

 Cost for Class: $60 The pattern must be ordered from the instructor at The Recollections of JP Ryan The cost of the pattern is $12.00

 See Class Schedule for semester dates.

 Duration of class: 4 lessons. Self paced.

Costume Classroom is a division of The Costume Gallery, copyright 1996-2006.

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