the beginning of a late 1830s gown

 
 hello the internet!
So Ive been wanting to start my historical costuming journey for a while now and I decided I should document my first project! I will be making a late 1830s gown (about 1839) as well as all the required undergarments. 

I decided that I didn't want to attempt to sew a corset, so I ended up purchasing a custom late 1830s corded corset on etsy. The seller seems pretty knowledgeable about early victorian corsetry so I feel fairly confident that it will fit and look ok. As of right now the seller isnt finished constructing it so we shall see! I also sent this image of an extant corset to the seller. Once the corset arrives I will be able to measure myself while wearing it and sew a few petticoats. From there I will be able to start the dress.

MET ca. 1840

After I sew the petticoats and chemise (im not sure yet what pattern I will use but Im sure it will be easy to find early victorian petticoats),  I will move on to the gown. My main inspiration is from these gowns:

Augusta Auctions ca. 1840

MET ca. 1840

MET ca. 1833-1835

 All of these dresses have a v-shaped bodice, which is what I would also like, but ive yet to find a pattern with the sleeves I want that also has this bodice. Id like the bodice to most look like the 1833-1835 gown, but have long sleeves with some pleating. I like the sleeves of this pattern:  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/957550602/day-dress-1837-40-sewing-pattern-0221?click_key=e06f86ba254ea26e14b981d22a5728376225f2e7%3A957550602&click_sum=a70d70d0&ref=user_profile&pro=1 , but the bodice of this pattern: 

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/847432465/flp-24918-28-bodice-skirt-ensemble-1840?click_key=243548727f893234977b4b2cceebda82ace25078%3A847432465&click_sum=71cc14b5&ref=user_profile

I might just purchase both, but if anyone has used either of these please do let me know how you liked them!

The other issue is the sizing, as neither of these patterns will fit me. Im fairly small and I have not found any patterns that match my measurements very well, so I might have to resize the pattern, which I have not done before. So not super confident about that. Im thinking of requesting the seller of the pattern I choose to custom make a pattern for my measurements, but in that case I would only use one pattern. If anyone has advice on resizing patterns or has any other 1830s-40s patterns that have worked well I would greatly appreciate advice!

For the fabric I'm thinking either a yellow floral, green floral or white floral cotton. Ive found some nice ones at reproductionfabrics.com, which are reproductions from the 18th and 19th centuries, and I think the florals are subtle enough to not consume me. I know cotton isn't the best fabric over linen or silk, but I don't want to blow hundreds of dollars on nice fabric that I will probably ruin. Once I am a little more skilled perhaps.