So what do you think?

This is the brown, gold and pale blue brocade fabric that I bought this weekend. There’s only 4.5 yards of fabric (at 50″, possibly 60″ wide), so it’s not enough to make a whole dress.

So here are my ideas:

On the left is a late 1890’s evening dress (possibly 1896 or 97?) from the Bowes Museum in the UK. The center front and center back skirt panels would be made of the brown brocade. The brocade would also trim the bodice and sleeves (I could possibly make the bodice body and/or bodice sleeves out of the brocade as well). The rest of the dress would be made of brown or light blue satin.

On the right is a day dress from 1882, which I might adapt to be an evening dress. The brocade would be used for the bodice and back skirt drape, with brown satin for the underskirt and front double apron, and light blue fringe on the double apron drape. I might adapt this to be a bit later in the 1880’s, and use the Truly Victorian tail bodice pattern.

What’s your vote?