I believe that Swiss belts in the mid-19th century were the ones that were wider in the front, often with a point at center front and frequently had a laced effect there mimicking the lacing on a bodice. Which portrait are you referring to for Queen E? The portrait I know as the Darnley Portrait is the one in gold and cream with the 'Polish' frog closures up the front of the doublet-bodice and no sign of hanging sleeves at all. Are you thinking of one of the Armada portraits? Karen Seamstrix
-- "LLOYD MITCHELL" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Two questions: Waugh suggests Swiss belts for some of the mid 19thC dresses. Any clue as to what these looked like? I am working out the problems of interpreting the Darnley Dress for my QEI 14" doll. At first, I thought I was looking at a sleeveless coat be set to give a cape effect. On closer examenation, I see that this is actually a hanging sleeve...born out by Waugh, Arnold, and Hunnisett. I have worked out the shape and cut but am having problems with the set. In order for the unity of the skirt , bodice and sleeve that bear the ornamentation, I can only achieve the look by inserting the hanging sleeve outside in. This means that the lining will actually be the outside fabric. Has anyone else attempted this dress "for real"? I have turned the backside of the shoulder area backwards so the gathers of the shoulder look like the painting...and will tack them downover the silk lining, but the lining is still exposed in all its plainess. I have been unable to find any explanation of how this was done. Or, might the error be at the end of the artist's brush? He chose to try to capture the total dazzle of the gown? Kathleen _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
