Infant's Dress

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Francis Newman Holley (American, born 1807)

Clothing MakerMade by Sally Stiles (American, 1786 - 1854)

Date1807; remade about 1840-1850

MediumHand-stitched cotton

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across top, including sleeves): 24 1/2 x 14 1/4in. (62.2 x 36.2cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Elsie M. Miles

DescriptionInfant's dress of white cotton, with a wide, square neckline and short, straight sleeves. The bodice is cut as a long rectangle, with the narrow ends folded to the center back to create the opening. Narrow shoulder straps connect the front and back. A drawstring is run across the top of the bodice, front and back. The armhole seam is piped, which is common to mid-century construction, but not early nineteenth-century construction. The plain, straight sleeves once had ruffles around the openings, as indicated by old needle holes. Needle holes and fold lines also indicate that each sleeve had a tuck mid-way around it. The bodice has been lengthened and a waistband with casings for five drawstrings added. The skirt is gathered along the bottom of the waistband. A 4 1/2-inch-wide tuck is taken around the skirt. The center back opening is thirteen inches long.

Object number1968.33.5

NotesHistorical Note: Sally Stiles married Newman Holley on 17 November 1805. She made this baby dress for her first child, Francis Newman Holley, born 13 May 1807.

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