PADME PICNIC DRESS FABRIC OPTIONS

This is the Polyester Crinkled Chiffon I purchased from Britex Fabrics in San Francisco for my skirt. It is heavier than most flat chiffons, perhaps close to a 12mm weight.

Fabric for Silk Corset

Crinkled Silk available at Britex Fabrics, San Francisco (9/03)
$34.99 per yard

This fabric I've found at Thai Silks seems to be the closest to what was used on the real picnic corset (in fact, I would not be surprised if this is the exact fabric). It is a light weight crinkled silk, and unfortunately the scan provided at their web site does not do it justice. I did see this fabric in person and if I were going to do a second version this is what I'd use. It just needs to be dyed and flat lined with an opaque gold silk layer behind it because it is slightly sheer.

Thai Silks Habotai Double Weave Crinkle # 021K-000

Thai Silks also has a silk Organza in white with the rose embroidered pattern that can be used for the shawl. The only drawback is that a) it's not netting b) the roses are all baby pink.

Another cape option for people living in the Bay Area is the nylon organza currently being sold at Fabrics R Us in San Jose (9/03). It is $10.00 a yard and the roses are multi-toned pink. However, the quality of the embroidery is not as good as what's on the silk and the nylon is a little on the stiff side. I think it would work though, and nylon can be dyed.