Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Florence May Alford
(American, born 1871)
Clothing MakerPossibly made by
Matilda M. Logan
Clothing MakerPossibly made by
Theresa E. Logan
Dateabout 1897
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched cashmere (?), cotton, and silk, with ferrous metal boning, brass hooks and eyes, and machine-made cotton lace
DimensionsBodice (center back length x width between shoulders): 20 1/4 x 12 1/4in. (51.4 x 31.1cm)
Skirt (center back length x hem circumference): 43 x 140in. (109.2 x 355.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of F. Ruth Johnson
Object number1970.39.5a,b
DescriptionWoman's day dress, consisting of a bodice (.a) and skirt (.b), made of very fine, cream-colored cashmere or other fine quality protein fiber, with fine woven stripes in pastel pink, blue, and yellow. Additionally, the fabric is printed with a blue meandering vine and a coral-like pattern. The dress has a yoke of cream-colored silk and a 2 1/4-inch-high band collar. The yoke is covered with machine-made lace over the silk, while the neckband is swathed in dotted net, which is stitched down only along the inside edges of the opening. The proper left side of the yoke and collar fasten to the bodice with hooks and eyes along the armscye seam and shoulderline; the rest of the bodice fastens up the center front with hooks and eyes. The printed cashmere fabric of the bodice is gathered along the bottom edge of the yoke (on the left side, it is gathered along the lining which is covered by the yoke extension). The fullness of the bodice fabric is controlled at the center front and center back by pleats for several inches above the waistline. The long, two-piece sleeves are puffed at the top and tight from above the elbow to the wrist, which is cut in points. The wrist is edged with a ruffle of lace, stitched around the inside of the opening. The bodice is fitted by two ten-inch-long darts on each side of the front, while the back is constructed of six pattern pieces to achieve a close fit. All darts and seams are boned. The bodice is lined with plain, white cotton.
The gored skirt is smoothly fitted around the waist to the center back, where it is cartridge-pleated for fullness. A self-fabric ruffle borders the bottom of the skirt. The skirt is lined with plain, white cotton like the bodice. Additionally, it has a stiff interlining around the hem. The bottom is edged with cream-colored velvet. The center back opening extends eight inches and fastens with a brass hook and eye on the 1 3/8-inch-wide waistband.
NotesHistorical Note: According to the donor, this dress was probably made by Matilda M. Logan or her sister, Theresa E. Logan. They worked as dressmakers in Hartford, Connecticut, from 1889 to the 1920s.The gored skirt is smoothly fitted around the waist to the center back, where it is cartridge-pleated for fullness. A self-fabric ruffle borders the bottom of the skirt. The skirt is lined with plain, white cotton like the bodice. Additionally, it has a stiff interlining around the hem. The bottom is edged with cream-colored velvet. The center back opening extends eight inches and fastens with a brass hook and eye on the 1 3/8-inch-wide waistband.
Status
Not on view
