Hi Father Bill and Grizzly! And thanks for the warm welcome!

Downunderkilt THANK YOU!! Just fantastic!! That article explains so much to me! For the past few months I have been collecting fairly cheap scraps of Victorian fabric and trims but have not yet come across any tartan, so I guess that explains why then. Have not come across any Drugget either, but will look out for it now I know about it. And the shawl was just checked then and not tartan and so I am thinking I was right in assuming the tartan worn in photos I've seen were the rich. So interesting to know the colours as as I have been assuming everything was black. It said by the end of the 19th century women even started wearing shoes..I'm guessing from what I can see in my books they wore flat boots before then. I dont think they really bothered with corsets either, which was a bit scandalous in that time. My books describe the kind of life then but not the clothing and the photos are so dark, so thank you for the information. I really appreciate it, I think I seem to have been looking in all the wrong places with my internet searches