The research carries on

I think I have finally decided how I am going to do the sleeves. According to Costume in Detail the bishop sleeve came in around 1855. So, I will either do that, or work with the little cap-sleeve thing on the original picture, depending on what sort of fabric I end up getting for this. I really like the idea of a little stand-up Mandarin style collar for this, so I'll do that and wear a simple white collar and cuffs underneath to keep things clean.

As far as fabrics go, what I really want is a silk and linen blend flat lined with gray cotton. That would be lovely. Silk and linen blends are not so easy to find at a price I want to pay, so I may have to settle for something else. But I do want a natural fiber and a weave with an even but fairly mate finish. Things were so insanely hot out at Dickens this year that there is just no way a poly or acetate fabric is going to work for me.

Anyway, while the fabric search commences, I'm going to make myself a small cage crinoline, using the 1858 Cage Crinoline pattern from Truly Victorian. A 126' circumference might be a tad big but I'm tall, and I can always take it down some. The crinoline I have now is from a Simplicity pattern and is just huge, far too big for a 50's dress, and very unwieldy around fair. I could always give up on the cage and do a series of petticoats, but that again gets very hot out at fair (not that this will necessarily get worn there, but I might as well be prepared, stranger things have happened). I'll wear a petticoat over the cage trimmed somehow in black.

Once I get back from Christmas, I will begin on the cage! It should be an interesting project, and all I need as far as supplies is more hoop wire. Not too bad.