A great deal of us on the online historical sewing/costuming-sphere have discussions on polonaise gowns and what they actually are (not just tying up your skirts). Mantua Maker in Cairo is the resident expert on the subject, since it was her final research/creation project to complete her apprenticeship to become a fully fledged Manuta maker and milliner. Plus, she has just researched and researched this subject for a few years now.
She is returning to the USA this summer for a short period of time and has set up a workshop with Burnley and Trowbridge to teach 12 lucky students how to build their own Polonaise, properly. (See link at top of page) I know MMinC personally, and you wont want to miss this. She's incredibly talented and an excellent teacher. Hurry up and sign up, the workshops fill up FAST. I, sadly, wont be there because I will have already moved to Sweden then. :)
All images property of MMinCairo.