Suitable fabric for a 1810-1815 day dress

[nathan]

Hi all, trying to pick out a suitable fabric for a 1810-1815 day dress, it's not my period and i'm a little stuck. The aim is for a fairly high standard of authenticity.

From what i have managed to work out so far a white cotton muslin would be a good choice. What i can't figure out is should this be completely plain (possibly with a woven texture) or is a narrow (woven in) stripe or small block-printed design more/less appropriate?

Are there any books i should be reading before making a decision?

Thanks in advance
N.

[Shadow7cat]

Plain or textured muslin are both good choices. (I assume, seeing that you are in Canada, that you are talking about English muslin, which is translucent, ratrher that American muslin, which is what is known as calico in England.)

For an approriate patterned fabric you could try http://www.reproductionfabrics.com/shelf.php?ID=3> To the best of my knowledge, small patterns were mostly used, including spots and stripes. (Their service is very quick, and the fabrics are very nice quality to work with.)

There is a book from the V and A that has closeup pictures of fabrics in the 19th century. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nineteenth-Cent ... 193&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Lady-Fashion-Barb ... 0500014191 (This is expensive - look for Inter-Library Loan)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Napoleon-Empire ... 8857206505 This is a fairly recent book of an exhibition, and shows original garments and fasion plates.

S.

[nathan]

Plain or textured muslin are both good choices. (I assume, seeing that you are in Canada, that you are talking about English muslin, which is translucent, ratrher that American muslin, which is what is known as calico in England.)

Lived here a couple of years and you know that suddenly makes sense (serves me right to have my head stuck int the dark ages).

Thanks for the pointers and advice, i have itchy ILL fingers already

N.

[Miss Costello]

Are you sorted? I have a nice book 'The Fabric of society' happy to scan some of the fabrics for you.

Kate