My 1850s dress

[frualeydis]

I just realized that I probably have bought too little fabric for my 1850s dress, so i ordered some more. The stupid thing is that I have made the flounces too short, but not much, so I might have to add another flounce and I really _love_ sewing cording to the flounces. Not. Or at least my wrists doesn't like it.
But seriously, how long should a dress from the 1850s be? We're talking a light summer dress here. And how much extra length must you add to the skirt to accommodate a couple of petticoats and possibly a small hoop skirt (I might cheat with my farthingale and a couple of flounced petticoats)?

The length from my waist to the floor is 90 centimetres (a yard is 91,44 cm) and the skirt is ten centimetres (a little less than 4 inches) longer except in the front where there's a dip.

Maybe I should remove the top flounce I have started on and move it 5 centimetres further down the skirt?

Comments

[pinque.livejournal.com]

I don't know how correct my length is (at leat to the centimetre..) but I made mine just touch the ground without petticoats so that is just hit my instep when walking with the petticoats. Then again, mine isn't as wide as it could be. I just prefer a narrower shape.

[frualeydis.livejournal.com]

I'm not planning to make mine very wide either, so I think I can do with just moving the flounce then. Thanks Michaela! Of course, then I don't know wha tto do wit teh extra fabric, but it would actullay make every nice curtains.

Eva