Girl's Dress
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1850
MediumHand-stitched silk and cotton, with brass hooks and eyes and boning (probably baleen)
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across top): 34 x 18in. (86.4 x 45.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Joseph T. Hall
Object number1962.43.5
DescriptionGirl's dress of blue and cream-colored silk, woven in a large scale gingham. The dress has a wide, rounded neckline and a yoke across the shoulders. The bodice front is gathered with 1 3/4 inches of ruching across the slightly dipped waist; it is also gathered into the yoke, with the fullness released between this point and the waist. The short sleeves are decorated with two rows of ruffled blue and cream ribbon, woven with tiger or zebra-like stripes. The neckline and armscyes are piped. The back of the bodice is smooth, without gathering. The skirt is cartridge-pleated to the 1 1/8-inch-wide waistband along the bottom of the bodice. The center back opening is 17 1/2 inches long; it fastens with brass hooks and eyes.
The bodice is lined with white twill-woven cotton. The skirt is lined with white, glazed cotton. The bodice lining is reused from another dress, as evidenced by old needleholes marking seams, which are not seen on the front of the bodice. The center front, darts, and side seams are boned.
A line of needleholes two inches below the waist indicated that the skirt has been lengthened. The bodice has been made larger by adding a silk strip along the proper right side of the back opening, and a lining strip along the left side where the dress silk was opened up (it would have folded under, originally). The waistband is pieced on the proper left side.
The bodice is lined with white twill-woven cotton. The skirt is lined with white, glazed cotton. The bodice lining is reused from another dress, as evidenced by old needleholes marking seams, which are not seen on the front of the bodice. The center front, darts, and side seams are boned.
A line of needleholes two inches below the waist indicated that the skirt has been lengthened. The bodice has been made larger by adding a silk strip along the proper right side of the back opening, and a lining strip along the left side where the dress silk was opened up (it would have folded under, originally). The waistband is pieced on the proper left side.
Status
Not on view
