Girl's Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Jennie Tuckerman
(American, born 1863)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1875
MediumMachine-stitched wool/silk, cotton, silk, with wool/silk-covered ferrous metal buttons, abalone buttons, and gutta percha buttons.
DimensionsBodice (center back length x width across shoulders): 19 1/2 x 12 1/2in. (49.5 x 31.8cm)
Skirt (center front length): 25in. (63.5cm)
Hem (circumference): 80in. (203.2cm)
Component (center front length of overskirt): 21in. (53.3cm)
Component (center back length of overskirt): 19 1/4in. (48.9cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Annetta Eddy Brigham
Object number2001.49.22a-c
DescriptionGirl's three-piece dress, consisting of a bodice (.a), skirt (.b), and overskirt (.c), made of two tones of blue wool/silk poplin. The bodice is hip-length and fitted with princess seams. It has a center back opening which fastens with seven abalone buttons hidden under a placket; the placket is decorated with nine turquoise-green poplin-covered buttons. The bodice has a high, round neckline, which is piped with contrasting dark blue silk. The sleeves are set smoothly into the armscye and are decorated at the wrist with non-functioning turn-back cuffs edged with a pleated ruffle of bright blue poplin. A blue silk ribbon bow further decorates the cuffs. The pleated trim of bright blue poplin is also used as a decorative edging along the bottom of the bodice, beginning at center back and continuing around the hips and then curving up the left and right bodice fronts to the shoulders. A blue silk ribbon bow is stitched on each shoulder; the bows have approximately ten-inch tails. The lower center front edge of the bodice is dipped and piped with the bright blue poplin. White plain-woven cotton is used to line the entire bodice.
The skirt is smooth in front and gathered in back. The bottom of the skirt is edged with a four-inch-wide pleated trim of the bright blue poplin. The 1 1/2-inch-wide waistband would have been secured with a single button, which is missing. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The lower six inches of the skirt is lined in a white glazed cotton.
The bustled overskirt is decorated down the center front with three blue silk ribbon bows. At the front right seam, a 5 x 5-inch tulip-shaped patch pocket is stitched, made of the same bright blue poplin that is used for pleated trim. At the base of this pocket, there is a bow made of the same fabric. The two side panels of the overskirt are gathered and raised, to form the bustle. The center back section of the overskirt is gathered and puffed for the top half of the length. The volume of the bustle is achieved with a short strip of poplin sewn underneath, pulling up the bottom of the panel. The waistband fastens with a brown gutta percha button at the left back seam. The bottom edges of the overskirt panels are trimmed with 2 1/2-inch-wide pleated, bright blue poplin.
The skirt is smooth in front and gathered in back. The bottom of the skirt is edged with a four-inch-wide pleated trim of the bright blue poplin. The 1 1/2-inch-wide waistband would have been secured with a single button, which is missing. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The lower six inches of the skirt is lined in a white glazed cotton.
The bustled overskirt is decorated down the center front with three blue silk ribbon bows. At the front right seam, a 5 x 5-inch tulip-shaped patch pocket is stitched, made of the same bright blue poplin that is used for pleated trim. At the base of this pocket, there is a bow made of the same fabric. The two side panels of the overskirt are gathered and raised, to form the bustle. The center back section of the overskirt is gathered and puffed for the top half of the length. The volume of the bustle is achieved with a short strip of poplin sewn underneath, pulling up the bottom of the panel. The waistband fastens with a brown gutta percha button at the left back seam. The bottom edges of the overskirt panels are trimmed with 2 1/2-inch-wide pleated, bright blue poplin.
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