Crinoline!
September 1st, 2011
While I was stitching away on my petticoat seams tonight (they’re all done, and the hem — which is masquerading as the first tuck — is pinned in), I found this picture in the Met Museum’s collection database.
It’s dated 1840s, and boy is it a beauty! As I prepare to put my new cage crinoline together, I’m also eager to make a recreation cloth crinoline. Sadly, real crinoline — from the French word crin, a reference to the horsehair that provides its characteristic stiffness — is no longer available. But I am always on the hunt for a reasonable substitute.
Now at least I know what the finished product should look like.
It says here that crin vegetal, which is some sort of fiber from the European hemp palm (?), was used as a substitute:
http://bit.ly/pjEhQk
And look, I found it online!
http://www.deco-ameublement.com/catalogue/produits/334-fourniture-tapissier-matieres-de-remplissage-crin-vegetal-houles
http://www.coudre-broder-tricoter.com/ameublement2/crin.asp
Sadly it’s not in a woven form. 🙂 I think it’s used to stuff chair arms and cushions.
But maybe a stiff hemp type of fiber would be a good substitute.
There’s also horsehair canvas which is still used for men’s suiting, etc. You’d have to get a swatch but I imagine the feel would be similar.
http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/choosing-interfacing/technique_steps/8http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/choosing-interfacing/technique_steps/8
http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/Product.aspx/TailoringCanvases!4181
http://www.theliningcompany.co.uk/catalog/index.php?osCsid=9c366395efa472c718113c2ae2635919&cPath=33_83
Do you know Whaleys and Dukeries in England? I have all of their swatch books at the office and you would be welcome to come by and flip through sometime to get an idea of fabrics that are available in the wider world.
No — do tell! I would love to hear more. What type of fabric do they carry?
Also, we’re planning the fall meetings of the New York Nineteenth Century Society Hand-Work Circle. Interested?
sure, now that my wedding is behind me i would be happy to attend. i could even bring some swatch books with me for people to peruse. Whaleys and Dukeries both have a lot of cottons, silks, linens, wools, tailoring fabrics, etc.