In a message dated 12/13/2005 6:20:14 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

> There is evidence of some fairly large women in Colonial America. 

But of course! There're large women everywhere at every time. And mid 18th 
century is a period they look particularly good in...IMHO. I'd keep the gown 
dark and plain...trimmed with self fabric. The open robe...with a stomacher and 
petticoat showing...is a great silhouette for a large figure...but don't make 
the contrast too jarring. Either do it all out of the same fabric or choose two 
colors that are close in hue and saturation...like a burgundy and a dark 
blue....or a stripe [for the gown] and something the same color as whatever the 
prominent color the stripe presents [for the petticoat and stomacher].

Use a corset...like maybe the Simplicity [or is it Butterick] pattern. It 
needn't be made with steel boning [use Rigellene] or tight. Just snug to give 
the 
right shape. I doubt whether a large woman would go with hip pads or panniers 
unless at court or something.

A bit of lace and a flower at the neckline of the dark mass of the [taffeta? 
Changeable taffeta?] dress to draw your eye to her face, and don't forget a 
white lace and linen cap...maybe some mitts....

She'll look great! It'll have great character!
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