Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Lucy Fiddis Griffith
(American, 1878 - 1965)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1892
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk, with one ferrous metal hook and eye, ferrous metal boning, non-ferrous metal hooks and eyes, machine-made silk (probably) lace, faux pearls, and glass beads
DimensionsBodice (length x width across shoulders): 17 x 12 1/2in. (43.2 x 31.8cm)
Skirt (center back length x hem circumference): 120 1/2 x 44in. (306.1 x 111.8cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Adelaide Clark
Object number1964.76.1a,b
DescriptionWoman's wedding dress, consisting of a bodice (.a) and skirt (.b), made of cream-colored rib-woven silk. The bodice has a low, square neckline trimmed with clear glass beads and faux pearls worked in a strip of floral-like motifs, over a nine-inch-wide flounce of fine machine-made lace. The waistline is pointed at center front and center back; the bottom edge of the bodice is also trimmed with a strip of the beads and faux pearls. The sleeves are made in two pieces: a very full oversleeve with a lining that is shorter than the sleeve, which pulls it up into a large puff. The undersleeve is tight from the shoulder to the wrist; the lower half is made of the rib-woven silk, while the upper half is made of plain cream-colored silk. The sleeve ends in a point over the back of the hand, with the edge trimmed with the glass beads and pearls. The center front and center back of the bodice are fan-pleated from the waistline point to the bottom edge of the neckline. The outer pleats are flanked by a row of feather-stitching. The center front opening fastens with hooks and eyes, which are turned in opposing directions to make the closure extra secure. The bodice is fitted with two seven-inch-long darts on either side of the center front, while the back is constructed with six pattern pieces to achieve a close fit. The lining is plain, cream-colored silk. Each dart and seam is boned; the seam allowances are finished with a binding of silk tape. There is a cream-colored silk/cotton petersham mounted at the waistline, and a large metal loop stitched at the center back for hooking to the skirt. The neckline has a silk drawstring within a silk tape casing to control any gaping that may occur.
The skirt is also constructed of the ribbed silk, but without embellishment, except for a gathered self-fabric binding around the bottom edge. The top edge of the skirt is bound with silk twill tape; there is no waistband. It is flat in front, and full in the back by means of layered knife pleats. The fabric of the top pleat is turned and pleated diagonally, which pulls the fabric tight over the hips. The skirt is lined with plain, cream-colored silk. The inside lower edge is stitched with a scalloped ruffle of the lining fabric. The center back opening extends 8 1/2 inches and fastens with a large brass hook and eye. A large steel hook is mounted vertically for attaching to the loop inside the center back of the bodice, which would support the weight of the back of the skirt.
NotesHistorical Notes: Family history states that Lucy Fiddis Griffith (1878-1965) married Charles Johnson Clark on 30 November 1892 in Owego, New York, but other records indicate a date of 1895.The skirt is also constructed of the ribbed silk, but without embellishment, except for a gathered self-fabric binding around the bottom edge. The top edge of the skirt is bound with silk twill tape; there is no waistband. It is flat in front, and full in the back by means of layered knife pleats. The fabric of the top pleat is turned and pleated diagonally, which pulls the fabric tight over the hips. The skirt is lined with plain, cream-colored silk. The inside lower edge is stitched with a scalloped ruffle of the lining fabric. The center back opening extends 8 1/2 inches and fastens with a large brass hook and eye. A large steel hook is mounted vertically for attaching to the loop inside the center back of the bodice, which would support the weight of the back of the skirt.
Status
Not on view
