Petticoat

Original OwnerOriginally owned by a member of the Goodsell family (American)

Clothing MakerMade by Au Bon Marché (French)

Dateabout 1898

MediumMachine-stitched silk and machine-made cotton lace, with silk ribbons

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across the bottom of the silk): 44 1/2 x 49in. (113 x 124.5cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Percy H. Goodsell, Jr.

Object number1961.64.44

DescriptionPetticoat of ivory-colored silk, heavily trimmed with ivory-colored laces and ribbons. The petticoat is constructed with seven gores and a center front panel, which are stitched smoothly into the two-inch-wide waistband around the front and sides and pleated at center back. The waistband is covered with stiff, loosely woven cotton. The center back opening extends eleven inches and fastens with a drawstring, which is stitched into the waistline casing 9 1/2 inches on each side. This leaves 19 1/2 inches of the waist edge flat in front and on the sides. The petticoat flounce is seventeen inches deep; the top layer consists of self-fabric panels appliquéd with lace in a bow design, alternating with panels made of horizontal rows of machine-made, bobbin-type lace and satin ribbon. These panels are edged with rows of either ruched ribbon, or strips of box-pleated, scalloped self-fabric. Below these panels is a gathered flounce made up of rows of the ribbon and lace. Underneath the top layer of the flounce just described is the base of the petticoat, which has two more layers of self-fabric ruffles, edged with cut scallops. The petticoat was never worn, as evidenced by the merchant's cardboard hang tag which remains tied into the waistline with a blue and white string.

Status

Not on view