Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Fannie Abigail Tibbals
(American, born 1854)
Clothing MakerMade by
Fannie Abigail Tibbals
(American, born 1854)
Date1874
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched cotton, with silk cording.
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (bodice front length x width across shoulders): 27 x 16in. (68.6 x 40.6cm)
Bodice (length of tails extending from back): 57in. (144.8cm)
Skirt (center front length): 38in. (96.5cm)
Skirt (center back length): 57in. (144.8cm)
Other (waist circumference): 24 1/2in. (62.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Helen W. Simonds
Object number1976.53.1a,b
DescriptionYoung woman's graduation dress of very sheer and lightweight, cream-colored cotton muslin, consisting of two parts, a bodice (.a) and a skirt (.b). The bodice extends over the hips with two panels; these panels are edged with a self-ruffle which continues up the center front opening and around the back of the neck. There is no fastening for the opening. The ruffles are bordered with a single, thin silk cord threaded through the fabric. The sleeves are cut with an upper and lower seam like a coat sleeve, and are decorated around the wrist openings with a flounce topped by a band of gathered self-fabric. Two long tails of self-fabric are gathered into the center back of the bodice. One of the tails has been looped up with crude stitches; it is not clear if this is an original treatment. There is no evidence that the other tail was looped up in the same manner.
The skirt has a train. It is decorated across the front with three bands of gathered self-fabric. The lower ruffled band continues across the back of the skirt as a header for a flounce. The skirt is pulled up in a low bustle effect in the back. The skirt is flat in the front and over the hips, and is closely gathered at the center back. It is completely unlined, as is the bodice.
NotesHistorical Notes: Fannie Abigail Tibbals (b. 1854) made this dress and wore it to her graduation from the New Britain Normal School (Central Connecticut State University) in New Britain, Connecticut, on 26 June 1874.The skirt has a train. It is decorated across the front with three bands of gathered self-fabric. The lower ruffled band continues across the back of the skirt as a header for a flounce. The skirt is pulled up in a low bustle effect in the back. The skirt is flat in the front and over the hips, and is closely gathered at the center back. It is completely unlined, as is the bodice.
Status
Not on view
5 June 1862
Object/Object
