“The Beautifull {sic} Cassandra” was a story written by young Jane Austen. She dedicated it to her sister Cassandra thus: “You are a Phoenix. Your taste is refined, your Sentiments are noble, & your Virtues innumerable. Your Person is lovely, your Figure, elegant, & your Form, magestic. Your Manners are polished, your Conversation is rational & your appearance singular. “

Cassandra’s namesake tunic is a confection of lace and ribbon which could easily have been worn by either of the Austen sisters. Its empire lines will add Regency style to a modern wardrobe at any time of year. Try it over a camisole or tank top in the summer or with longer sleeves when the weather turns cold. The lace pattern is easy to remember, and the gentle waist shaping is worked in stockinette side panels so the vertical lines remain unbroken. A small amount of crochet gives stability to the neckline and armsceyes. Both charted and written instructions are provided for the body lace and crochet edging.