Corduroy-Odd for a Victorian day dress?

[buttonwillow]

While corduroy has been around a couple hundred years, was it in common or uncommon usage for ladies' fashionable day garments?

Several months ago I was given about 6 1/2 yards of 50" wide wheat-colored pinwale corduroy. I'd like to be able to use it all for one grand project, rather than make a couple modern garments and then not want yet another item made of the same stuff.

Any advice or recommendations?

--Buttonwillow

[Orianna]

I can't say for sure, but I seem to recall reading (perhaps here?) that Victorian corduroy was more like unclipped corduroy, that is, smooth, without the ridges. I could be wrong, though.

[Tansy]

I found a photo of an antique waist cincher dating from the 1880s made of dark blue, regular (not waleless) corduroy on a site that sells vintage clothing. It looks like a medium wale corduroy - you can definitely see the lines.

http://www.1860-1960.com/xa4395p0.html

[buttonwillow]

Thanks, Tansy, this gives me hope I'm not pulling a serious faux pas.

[Bookwyrm]

It seems like it should be fine for a winter day dress or you could mix it with a matching linen or cotton and make a more summery dress.

[buttonwillow]

bookwyrm, very smart...why didn't I think of that? I was thinking 6 1/2 yards might not be enough. But a well-matched cotton or linen for ruffle or trim or vest front, or even apron, would leave plenty for a generous skirt and no problem with placing the pattern pieces on the correct direction of the nap.

I was really lucky to get this fabric. I go to a free sewing class offered at Glendale (Calif) College and about once a year the teacher walks in with a pile of fabric some home sewer is clearing out due to moving away or something. In fact I have three or four nice lengths of different stuff that are still waiting for me to use.

[Bookwyrm]

If you find one of the two-color dresses in a fashionplate that could be a great springing-off point.