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[if I get enough facts posted here I'll make a pretty little guide.]

Broadcloth, as stated in another thread, is the most common thing used for a Lolita dress. What about other fabrics? What are some general fabrics that work?

I've made a One-Piece out of very pretty Calico and my mother says that you can make anything out of Calico, it's just slightly thin. The OP came out fine in my opinion, but do you think that's suitable?

Also, she suggested that sateen seemed to be a very commonly used fabric judging by the photos in Gosurori (don't doubt her, she's a hobby seamstress!). I believe I have about ten yards of sateen, so if it's not good for a One-piece say so now before I make something composed of FAIL.

Rouching and shirring aren't that different in technique, but they are used to create different effects. Generally, rouching on garments is a vertical element and done to create a sort of "scallop" shape on a hem, to gather a neckline down into the bodice [usually done with camisols or jersey knit tops in mainstream fashion], or to make light crinkles. There usually isn't more than one or two lines and they're often far apart.

Shirring is usually horizontal [and rarely vertical] and serves as faux smocking. It's both a decorative element and a tailoring element, unlike rouching. Rows of shirring are usually spaced no more than an inch or so apart and create a tight pattern rather than the light "folds" and gathers that rouching tends to cause. The elastic used in shirring also ensures that the garment will fit you snugly with a minimal amount of specifically tailored elements.

What about a petticoat? What do we make those out of? Like, netting and bridal things?

What, specifically, would be a good fabric for the many layers of a petti?

What makes a princess-line petticoat unique from any other petti?

My grandmother tried to explain but failed because of how I don't comprehend.

So to make a petticoat, we use a non-netting/tulle fabric on the undermost layer, like a slip. Then we stack our gathered netting/tulle of choice in how many layers we want, followed by another layer of non-netting/tulle fabric? All held together with elastic. Am I correct?

How does the construction of a princess-line petticoat differ from that of a standard petticoat?

Also, is a princess-line the same as an A-line? Is that even a real thing?

...Am I annoying you with my questions?

None of that made sense for me.

Do you finish the edges of the netting/tulle for the petticoat? How many layers typically would a petti have?

Also, is gathering the key to the fluff and poof? Or is it the layers? I think it should layers because gathering would make you have a bumpy hip/waist.

(I wish I could speed-dial you lol.)

Yes! This is less about fabrics and more about a Q&A for Spuntino. -renames the thread-

About skirt length... It MUST be on or directly above the knee, correct? An inch or more above the knee would be considered vulgar and NOT Lolita, correct?

Because I'm working on the pattern for a JSK that is about two, three inches above the knee. It's much longer than today's skirts, but not as long as a traditional Lolita skirt. So should I lengthen the garment to be proper length... or is it fine?

For reference, here's what I'm making.
[side] [front - rightmost]

EDIT:
Also! I keep forgetting to ask this. It's known that shiny fabrics for Lolita is a big no-no, but what about for waloli and qiloli? Can I use brocade for that? Because I bought a LOT of brocade before thinking about the shiny-factor... Is it usable?

EDIT EDIT:
Also, what about lining a garment? Must it be done for the total Lolita-quality? What purpose does it serve? Would a garment's outer appearance somehow change because of a lining? What materials are best for lining a Lolita dress?