Woman's Drawers, Chemise, and Nightgown Set
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Christina Pettit
(American, 1856 - 1951)
Clothing MakerMade by
Christina Pettit
(American, 1856 - 1951)
Date1878
MediumDrawers: Machine-stitched cotton with a glass button
Chemise: Machine-stitched cotton.
Nightgown: Machine-stitiched cotton with mother of pearl buttons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width at waist of drawers): 29 x 24in. (73.7 x 61cm)
Component (center back length x width across shoulders of nightgown): 53 3/4 x 17 1/2in. (136.5 x 44.5cm)
Hem (circumference of nightgown): 110in. (279.4cm)
Component (length x width at top of chemise): 38 x 24 1/2in. (96.5 x 62.2cm)
Component (width at bottom of chemise): 32 1/2in. (82.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of H. L. Hunter
Object number1971.66.5a-c
DescriptionWoman's underwear set, consisting of drawers (.a), chemise (.b), and nightgown (.c), made of white cotton.
Split drawers: The bottoms of the legs are decorated with two rows of ruching alternating with two bands of whitework embroidery. A lightly gathered edging of whitework embroidery finishes the bottom. The legs are each gathered into the two-inch-wide waistband, which closes on the left side with a single white glass button.
Chemise: A one-inch-wide band of whitework embroidery defines the wide neckline; it is edged with scalloped whitework. There is an 8- x 10 1/2-inch flap set below the neckline at center front; it is made by alternating strips of ruched self-fabric and whitework embroidery, edged with scalloped embroidery. The front and back panels of the chemise are gathered into the neckband. The sleeves are short (5 1/2 inches) and are gathered into the neckband and into a band of embroidery around the opening. Underarm gussets provide ease, and strips of self-fabric line the armhole for reinforcement. The hem is 2 1/4 inches deep.
Nightgown: A deep yoke made of alternating bands of ruched self-fabric and whitework embroidery covers the chest and back of the shoulders. The neckline is high and round, and finished with a scalloped edging of whitework; small triangles of whitework set on either side of the center front opening simulate a collar. The nightgown's opening extends from the neck to the hem; it fastens with mother of pearl buttons under a whitework placket. The opening is edged for its entire length on each side with a band of gathered self-fabric and scalloped embroidery. The shoulder is dropped; the armscyes are piped. The long sleeves are slightly gathered at the top of the armscye; the wrist openings are decorated with alternating bands of whitework and ruching simulating a cuff on the outside of the arm. The hem is about three inches wide.
NotesHistorical Note: Christina Pettit (1856-1951) married William Bennett Hunter of Madison on 5 June 1878 in Hartford, Connecticut.Split drawers: The bottoms of the legs are decorated with two rows of ruching alternating with two bands of whitework embroidery. A lightly gathered edging of whitework embroidery finishes the bottom. The legs are each gathered into the two-inch-wide waistband, which closes on the left side with a single white glass button.
Chemise: A one-inch-wide band of whitework embroidery defines the wide neckline; it is edged with scalloped whitework. There is an 8- x 10 1/2-inch flap set below the neckline at center front; it is made by alternating strips of ruched self-fabric and whitework embroidery, edged with scalloped embroidery. The front and back panels of the chemise are gathered into the neckband. The sleeves are short (5 1/2 inches) and are gathered into the neckband and into a band of embroidery around the opening. Underarm gussets provide ease, and strips of self-fabric line the armhole for reinforcement. The hem is 2 1/4 inches deep.
Nightgown: A deep yoke made of alternating bands of ruched self-fabric and whitework embroidery covers the chest and back of the shoulders. The neckline is high and round, and finished with a scalloped edging of whitework; small triangles of whitework set on either side of the center front opening simulate a collar. The nightgown's opening extends from the neck to the hem; it fastens with mother of pearl buttons under a whitework placket. The opening is edged for its entire length on each side with a band of gathered self-fabric and scalloped embroidery. The shoulder is dropped; the armscyes are piped. The long sleeves are slightly gathered at the top of the armscye; the wrist openings are decorated with alternating bands of whitework and ruching simulating a cuff on the outside of the arm. The hem is about three inches wide.
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