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Quilted Petticoat

Dateabout 1820-1830

MediumHand-stitched silk, cotton, and linen with cotton batting

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length): 36 1/2in. (92.7cm)
Hem (circumference): 83in. (210.8cm)

Credit LineGift of Mary S. Belden

DescriptionCreamy-gold silk quilted petticoat. An 11 1/2-inch-wide border design of an undulating feather encircles the lower section of the petticoat. The background of this section is filled with parallel diagonal lines. Above this border, the petticoat is quilted in a diamond grid pattern. The petticoat skirt is knife-pleated into the muslin waistband, creating a box pleat at center front and center back. The petticoat opens on the left side; the waistband probably originally closed with hooks and eyes. The lower 13 3/4 inches of the petticoat is lined with the same creamy-gold silk as appears on the front. Above this, the lining is brown cotton, with a 5 1/2-inch band of fine, plain-woven linen at the top. The wadding is probably cotton. The bottom is finished with a narrow front-to-back edge. The quilting thread is a matching silk. There are nine stitches to the inch.

Object number1975.42.1

NotesHistorical Note: According to a note that came with the petticoat, it was made from "Mother's" or "Aunt Sally's" dresses. Aunt Sally was Sarah Mallory Stocking, wife of the Reverend Sabura Stebbins Stocking.

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