The romantic effect of layering garments during the Regency era continues to be fashionable and practical today. The pelisse’s form, halfway between a coat and a dress, inspired me to create this fanciful cardigan for my daughter to wear over a summer dress. Generous in length and width, the body of the pelisse is knit in a beautiful yet easy to learn lace stitch pattern. The garment is open in the front up to the empire waistline closure which allows a layer worn beneath to be revealed. The design is accentuated by sweet ties where the puffed sleeve caps and waistline are gathered. I trust Ms. Austen would have found this garment to be quite appropriate for a child’s garden tea party among a few dolls and a favorite teddy bear.