Buttons do not seem to be very common in early 19th century dresses (or women's attire in general)--yes, one does occasionally see them on a bib top or up the back, but I don't think buttons on a band as you are suggesting are at all a period solution.? Why won't a drawstring work?? You can face the front panel casing with something lighter, rather than folding over the self fabric, and use a thicker ribbon for your "drawstring"--say, 1/2" grosgrain.? And, as the front panel is smooth anyway, you don't have to worry that it is bunchy.? You can, of course, pleat up the center back fullness rather than gathering--that is probably what you have in mind anyway.
There is an example of a heavier cotton dress in the Old Sturbridge Village collection, but it is bibfront, and I don't remember how the skirt is done.? I saw it in the collection years ago.? http://www.osv.org/explore_learn/collection_viewer.php?N=26.33.166a-d Ann Wass -----Original Message----- From: Melanie Wilson <melaniewil...@dragonflight.co.uk> To: Historical Costume <h-cost...@indra.com> Sent: Fri, Jul 31, 2009 8:49 am Subject: Re: [h-cost] Regency Low stomacher--long > I know of two extant examples, but both are cotton.?? ? I'm actually using cotton but far heavier than I've used before, it does not gather well and I'm not totally happy with the look at the moment? ? > But, about the low stomacher, or apron front, construction.?? ? Low stomacher, ie without the bib front, I'm looking a the waistcoat bosom type. Yup slits on side so the front drops down in a similar way to drop fall trousers? ? >The panel has a drawstring through it, and one places it over the bodice >and >ties it in place.?? ? Yes, but this fabric is a bit too heavy for a drawstring. Really I'm looking for examples with a heavier fabric it seems logical to use buttons or a supporting band, there seems to be some hint of these in contampory pictures, but as they are worn, it isn't clear if the construction is the low stomacher? ? >Second--one of the extant dresses was made so that the skirt drawstring ran >>inside the bodice and tied invisibly somehow--this drove me crazy trying to >>put it on and adjust everything insid!? ? I like that construction, I use some inside tapes.? ? Thanks? ? Mel? ? _______________________________________________? h-costume mailing list? h-cost...@mail.indra.com? http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume? _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
