Fabric for a 19teens dress?

[Laura]

I have a potential customer asking for fabric suggestions for this dress:

Naturally, the pattern envelope doesn't have any suggestions. Any ideas I can pass on to her?

Thanks!
Laura

 

[The Vintage Merchant]

rayon crepe

very nice pattern!

 

[Laura]

Ooh, I hadn't thought of crepe. I'm not sure why I didn't think of it before, but I realized that I have a dress catalogue from the period, so I looked up similar dresses to see what they were made of. Wool challis, French serge, silk or wool crepe, and broadcloth were all used.

Laura

 

[fuzzylizzie]

How about a lightweight ticking, or a striped linen?

 

[crinolinegirl]

Why not striped taffeta or satin? I've seen lots of 'teens things in tone on tone striped taffeta or silk satin. Navy tone on tone seem to be popular.

Lei

 

[Jonathan]

It depends what she wants it for. I could see this done in wool suiting or a narrow corduroy wale for winter wear, ivory cotton net with a coloured cotton or silk lining, or perhaps seersucker for summer, a white silk crepe back satin or taffeta for a wedding dress...

 

[Laura]

Thanks for all the additional suggestions! I'll send her another email with your great ideas.

Laura

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I vote faille! Preferably a nice silk faille; great body and hang, and you do find it in frocks of this era.