Dress #124: Victorian day dress in blues Book as waists dropped and sleeves

as waists dropped and sleeves and skirts filled out

plastic rhinestones and cotton floss on cotton paper

and a small self-fabric ruffle around the neck

I think of Anne Shirley and her longing for puffed sleeves

The three-banded armadillo can roll up into a ball when threatened

Dress #124: Victorian day dress in blues Book as waists dropped and sleevesThis hand stitched paper dress is based on a day dress from ca. 1885; the original is held by the Victoria & Albert Museum (accession CIRC. 204&A 1958). It features a fitted bodice and a skirt with a small bustle, made from Jacquard woven silk in a floral design. In a departure from the often ornate dresses of the time, the only decorative elements here are smocked blue bands inset into the cuffs, and a small self fabric ruffle around the neck. The