Take a look at the seam in this skirt from an Indian wedding that my boss turned up…
The curved edge is important – if you put a curved inset onto a straight cut, you will get ruffles. On a corresponding curved edge, everything lies beautifully.
Thank you, India, for the crazy-amazing-clue. Awesome…. anyone know of any evidence of this from the 1500s?
Ohh… that’s interesting! What about those weird tucks on the bottom of 16th c. spanish gowns? http://www.cgfaonlineartmuseum.com/c/p-folacoello1.htm
Huh. Good catch. I’ve never liked the theory that those were a modesty element (to prevent the feet from being seen while the wearer was seated), because, like, major tripping hazard, but I think it’s different. That looks pretty straight, and it’s nearly a motif deep at the center, lessening to the sides. The piecing for the trim action adds fabric at the center front, essentially shaping the curve of the gore at the top of the piece.