Is cotton historically appropriate to use for Victorian bustle dresses? Enthusiastically -YES! Day and evening wear from the 1870s and 1880s abounds in various cotton weaves used in the late 19th century.

In this episode Jennifer talks about her favorite fabric, cotton, with its wonderful properties of being easy-to-sew, breatheable, washable and with strength and elegance depending on the weave you use.

Show Notes and Mentions

–Cottons for historical costumes blog post

-Museums mentioned: V&A Victoria & Albert Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, LACMA Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and KCI Kyoto Costume Institute

-Jennifer’s Pinterest boards for Bustle Day Dresses and the 1870s-1880s Bustle Era

-Blog post on flatlining skirts in cotton

–Polished cotton called Rain No Stain in the home dec section at Joann Fabrics

-The photo below is my 1876 evening gown reproduction made from cotton Swiss batiste as a substitute for the original “Indian muslin” recommendation.

Jennifer’s 1876 reproduction gown from the July Godey’s Lady’s Book fashion plate

-My blog post on using cottons for bustle foundation skirts

-Read my blog post on flatlining bodices including cotton weaves/fabrics appropriate for doing so.

-Robert Kaufman (not Robert Allen as I say in the episode) cotton lawn at Hart’s Fabrics (no affiliate) but can be found at other shops if you search.

-Swiss batiste, shirtings and other cotton fabrics from Farmhouse Fabrics (no affiliate)

-This photo below is my 1887 Summer Berry Trifle dress made from cotton shirting fabric.

1887 Summer Berry Trifle dress made from cotton shirting fabric; the underskirt is mounted to a cotton twill.

–Podcast #003 on Organdy

-Prewash your cottons! Read more about pre-treating in the washing machine here.

–1871 Harvest Grape Dress used as the sample for my Bustle Day Dress Class.

–1880 Dressing Gown in cotton lawn flatlined in cotton muslin.

–1883 Caramel Apple Dress in basic quilting cottons.

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