Woman's Cap
RetailerSold by
Sage-Allen
(American)
MillinerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1880
MediumHand-stitched and machine-stitched silk fabric, with ribbon, machine-made laces, and wire
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 11 x 9 x 9in. (27.9 x 22.9 x 22.9cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Helen D. Perkins
Object number1984.94.20
DescriptionWoman's cap made from machine laces and lined with a light blue silk. There are three casings, having wire inside, that form the shape of this cap. The first is between the edging and brim. The second casing is between the brim and crown. The third is between the side and back of the crown. These casings allow the fabric to be heavily gathered, especially around the face. The cap is shaped with each front corner dropping down well below the chin, then rising up to the back of the crown.
Two fabrics are used. The first fabric is a machine-made lace with decorative edges, approximately six inches wide; the second fabric is a decorative fabric with lace-like accents that is approximately eight inches wide. The first fabric is laid on top of the second when sewn together. The lining is made of four pieces, with each seam lightly gathered and sewn into each casing. The cap is constructed with a 2 3/4-inch-wide brim, made from heavily gathered fabric number one and lined with light blue silk. It is edged with a ruffle that is 2 1/2 inches wide, also lined with the blue silk. The seam between the two fabrics lies just before the middle casing, where the crown begins. The crown is 3 1/4 inches wide. The soft back of the cap has a seam across the center where fabric number one is laid over fabric number two to complete the bottom of the crown. This material also creates the heavily-gathered ruffle at the back of the cap. The blue silk continues to be used as the lining throughout the body of the cap. A ruffle of fabric number one is stitched to the bottom of the cap at the side bottoms. The cap is also decorated with cream-colored silk ribbon, six inches wide, formed into multiple-loop bows at each front bottom and extending to become ties approximately 21 inches long. Each tie is cut at an angle at the end. This cap is meant to be a frothy confection of lace around the wearer's head.
Two fabrics are used. The first fabric is a machine-made lace with decorative edges, approximately six inches wide; the second fabric is a decorative fabric with lace-like accents that is approximately eight inches wide. The first fabric is laid on top of the second when sewn together. The lining is made of four pieces, with each seam lightly gathered and sewn into each casing. The cap is constructed with a 2 3/4-inch-wide brim, made from heavily gathered fabric number one and lined with light blue silk. It is edged with a ruffle that is 2 1/2 inches wide, also lined with the blue silk. The seam between the two fabrics lies just before the middle casing, where the crown begins. The crown is 3 1/4 inches wide. The soft back of the cap has a seam across the center where fabric number one is laid over fabric number two to complete the bottom of the crown. This material also creates the heavily-gathered ruffle at the back of the cap. The blue silk continues to be used as the lining throughout the body of the cap. A ruffle of fabric number one is stitched to the bottom of the cap at the side bottoms. The cap is also decorated with cream-colored silk ribbon, six inches wide, formed into multiple-loop bows at each front bottom and extending to become ties approximately 21 inches long. Each tie is cut at an angle at the end. This cap is meant to be a frothy confection of lace around the wearer's head.
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