I knew Jillian would want to be in charge of designing the dress. She provided the specifications, and I sketched until we got the look just right. She requested that it have a high neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, a lace bodice that came to a point at the waistline, and that the color be soft lavender. She gave me some freedom with the lace choices and was more than happy to leave the construction details to me. As it would happen, the timing of the Cotillion dress preparations coincided with an opportunity I was given, along with my dear friend Penny Ackerman, to take part in a stitching tour to Paris, France hosted by Marie Yolande, who is well-known for her textile-themed trips. I was determined to bring something back that could be incorporated into the dress.

Jillian’s Victorian Cotillion Dress Design

Once we arrived, Penny and I made it our mission to scour the Paris Flea Market for something unique, which would make the dress even more memorable. If you’ve ever been to the Paris Flea Market you know how large it is, and you know that there is never enough time to see everything. We’d only ventured down three rows, when we stumbled upon the most wonderful booth full of antique textiles, clothing, laces and other accoutrements. The lovely proprietress, Madame Villoutreys, spoke perfect English, and gave her approval to let us plunder through her treasures even though we acted like little schoolgirls, squealing and gasping with every unique item we picked up. And then, Penny found it–a wonderful antique ivory lace yoke piece with tiny lavender embroidered roses. It was perfect. I would need to change the line of the bodice slightly to incorporate it into the design, but it would be well worth it. I gathered it up along with some other antique lace insertions and one particular wide edging I felt might suit the dress, or if truth be told, was too unique not to add to my personal collection of antique laces.

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