Dress
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1868-1870
MediumMachine- and hand-stitched silk, cotton, and horsehair, with brass hooks and eyes, wool flannel, linen lace, silk-covered ferrous metal buttons, and unidentified boning
DimensionsBodice (length x width across shoulders): 15 x 19in. (38.1 x 48.3cm)
Hem (circumference): 156in. (396.2cm)
Skirt (back length): 58in. (147.3cm)
Skirt (front length): 39in. (99.1cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Jane Yeomans Britton
Object number1981.130.1a-c
DescriptionWoman's sapphire blue silk day dress, consisting of a bodice (.a), skirt (.b, removed from its waistband), and sash (.c). The bodice has a low, square neckline that is bordered with a two-inch-wide band of gathered self-fabric, finished on both edges with a doubled row of blue satin. The waistline is slightly high, measuring seven inches at the side, under the armscye seam. The shoulderline is dropped and the armscye is piped. The bodice closes at center front with four satin-covered buttons, reinforced with a separate strap of the lining fabric with six hooks and eyes. The sleeves are trimmed at the wrist openings with a gathered band of self-fabric, as at the neckline. Fit is achieved with two 5 3/4-inch darts on either side of the bodice opening; the darts are boned. The bodice is lined with tan twill-woven cotton. One wool flannel dress guard remains in the proper right armhole.
The skirt (.b) has been taken off its waistband, but old fold lines and stitch marks indicate that it was flat in the front, pleated over the hips, and cartridge-pleated at the back. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The silk is lined with tan, plain-woven cotton, with an extra nine-inch-wide lining of woven horsehair/cotton fabric around the bottom. A blue wool tape binds the edge.
A sash (.c) fastens around the waist with hooks and eyes. It is constructed with a 1 5/8-inch-wide belt of the blue silk, centered with a strip of the blue satin. At the center back are two "tails," decorated along the lower edge with a gathered band of self-fabric edged with satin and narrow bobbin-type lace. Over the tails is a wide, wedge-shaped pendant, similarly trimmed.
The skirt (.b) has been taken off its waistband, but old fold lines and stitch marks indicate that it was flat in the front, pleated over the hips, and cartridge-pleated at the back. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The silk is lined with tan, plain-woven cotton, with an extra nine-inch-wide lining of woven horsehair/cotton fabric around the bottom. A blue wool tape binds the edge.
A sash (.c) fastens around the waist with hooks and eyes. It is constructed with a 1 5/8-inch-wide belt of the blue silk, centered with a strip of the blue satin. At the center back are two "tails," decorated along the lower edge with a gathered band of self-fabric edged with satin and narrow bobbin-type lace. Over the tails is a wide, wedge-shaped pendant, similarly trimmed.
Status
Not on view
5 June 1862
