Infant's Dress

Dateabout 1850-1860

MediumHand-stitched cotton

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across top): 31 1/2 x 13in. (80 x 33cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Mrs. James Brewster

Object number1958.26.8

DescriptionWhite cotton infant's dress, with wide, square neckline controlled by a double row of drawstrings. The shoulder straps are made of whitework embroidery. The sleeves are 4 1/2 inches long, but were originally made shorter by a tuck which has been removed. The sleeves are edged with a double row of machine-made bobbin-type lace. The armscyes and underarm seams are piped. A drawstring controls the waist. The skirt is gathered to the bottom of the bodice. The bottom of the skirt is bordered for eight inches with series of narrow tucks alternating with bands of embroidered white dots separated by faggoting. The bottom of the skirt is stitched with a 3 1/4-inch-long extention, which also has narrow tucks and is edged with machine-made lace. (It is evident that the dress was increased in size to accommodate a growing baby.) The center back of the dress is open for 7 1/2 inches and closes with drawstrings.

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