Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Jennie Bromley
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1888-1890
MediumMachine-stitched machine-embroidered cotton and linen.
DimensionsBodice (center back length x width across shoulders): 20 x 13in. (50.8 x 33cm)
Skirt (center front length): 39in. (99.1cm)
Skirt (center back length): 41in. (104.1cm)
Other (waist circumference): 26in. (66cm)
Hem (circumference): 123 1/2in. (313.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Charles R. McLean
Object number1964.11.1.1a,b
DescriptionWoman's day dress of embroidered white cotton, consisting of a bodice (.a) and a skirt (.b). The fabric is heavily machine-embroidered with white thread in a repeated eyelet design. Bordering the skirt is a design of opposing curled fronds centered with a star-shaped flower; the design has a scalloped edge. This section of the fabric is also used on both sides of the bodice front. The embroidery pattern on the rest of the dress consists of double flowers on leafy stems. The bodice has a high, round neckline with a 1 5/8-inch standing band collar. The center front of the bodice is inset with plain, fine, white cotton, with the embroidered cotton covering the bodice from the shoulders down to the center front point at the waist. The fastening of the center front opening is set in the plain cotton, covered by the embroidered cotton for about the lower five inches; this fastening originally consisted of nine small buttons, but the buttons are now missing. The sleeves are three-quarter-length, set smoothly into the shoulder, and tightly fitted. The bodice front is fitted with two vertical darts on both sides, while the back fitting is achieved by cutting the bodice pattern in six pieces. The bodice front is lined iwth fine white cotton; the back is unlined.
The skirt is cartridge-pleated evenly onto a linen waistband, which fastens at the center back (original fastening missing). The embroidery pattern is worked perpendicular to the warp, so that the border pattern runs along what would normally be one selvage edge. The skirt is one length of fabric, seamed at the center back only. The scalloped border edge is backed with a narrow strip of fine cotton, so that the edge is made straight. The skirt is unlined.
The skirt is cartridge-pleated evenly onto a linen waistband, which fastens at the center back (original fastening missing). The embroidery pattern is worked perpendicular to the warp, so that the border pattern runs along what would normally be one selvage edge. The skirt is one length of fabric, seamed at the center back only. The scalloped border edge is backed with a narrow strip of fine cotton, so that the edge is made straight. The skirt is unlined.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object