New Fabric! ...and dress idea

This week a dear friend came by for a catch-up visit. It was just lovely, and we had a nice luncheon of chicken (okay, turkey) salad and spinach and strawberry salad with lime dressing! Good thing the boys were gone to work. They despise those types of 'girly' meals.

Anyway - our friend brought me a bundle of fabric from her stash that she wasn't using. 14 yards of scrumptious cotton in a blue/brown print. I know it's not reproduction, but I'm thinking it's close enough to pass for 1860s. What do you think?

Blue and brown/neutral are my favorite color combinations for fabric!

My hand, for scale

What if....I trimmed the skirt with bands of solid blue? And perhaps the bodice as well? Just to brighten things up a bit? A blue grosgrain belt would look lovely too.....

A sketch of my basic thought for the dress. Since Mom has apparently taken over wearing rights of my red striped dress, I need a new everday dress that can variate between washing dishes and strolling in town. I'm thinking non-hoop length skirt with slim coat sleeves and a conservative tucked front bodice with a fitted back bodice. You like?

I'm so excited! I haven't done any 1860s sewing all summer - and I miss it!