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Wedding Dress

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Almira Barnes (American, 1811 - 1835)

Date5 May 1830

MediumHand-stitched silk and cotton, with metal hooks and eyes

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across shoulders): 47 x 14in. (119.4 x 35.6cm) Hem (circumference): 91in. (231.1cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Jack J. Rabow

Object number1972.63.1

DescriptionWoman's dress of ecru silk, which is sheer, with an opaque woven pattern of leafy vines. The bodice is short-waisted (measuring five inches at the sides under the armscye), and has a wide neckline edged with a double row of satin-covered cording. The bodice front is decorated with a gathered width of self-fabric extending from shoulder to shoulder, edged with the satin cording, and meeting at center front in a faux knot. The sleeves are very full, being pleated into the shoulder and into a satin cuff. The sleeves are seamed along the top of the arm and under the arm; these seams have an insertion of satin piping. The armscye is also piped. The dress closes at center back with hooks and eyes. Both edges of the opening are lined with plain-woven white cotton; the bodice is otherwise unlined. The left side of the opening is trimmed with two double rows of piping. The bodice is fitted with two vertical darts in front, extending from the waistline.

The skirt is knife-pleated into the waistline, all around. It is decorated with a double row of the satin cording 17 1/2 inches from the bottom edge. Below the cording, the skirt is lined with sheer, plain-woven cotton.

Label TextWoman's dress of sheer ecru silk, with an opaque woven pattern of leafy vines. Worn by Almira Barnes (1811-1835) at her wedding to Thomas Gilman Fletcher (1801-1839) on 5 May 1830 in Berlin, Connecticut. She had a baby a year later, but sadly, she died of tuberculosis in 1835. The dress has a short-waisted bodice, wide neckline, very full sleeves, vertical front darts, center back closing, and knife-pleated skirt.

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