Infant's Shirt
Clothing MakerPossibly made by
Mrs. Sallie H. Brainard
1787 - 1873
Dateabout 1839
MediumHand-stitched linen, with linen bobbin lace and cotton appliqués
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length): 7 3/4in. (19.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Alice Welles
DescriptionInfant's shirt of very fine, sheer linen. It is cut as a long rectangle, with the two narrow ends folded to the center back. The sleeves are made by slashing the fabric for 3 3/4 inches on the folded edge, and in a curve, down from the top edge. The two tabs thus created are seamed together to form a shoulder strap. A strip of fabric, about one-inch-wide, is stitched around the armhole, with the open edges at the top of the shoulder. The shoulder strap folds back over the top of the arm. The edges are trimmed all around with one-inch-wide bobbin lace, so that at the top of the arm, where the lace fills the gap between the edges of the fabric strip, it forms a V-shape. The flaps created at front and back from cutting the fabric for the shoulder straps are rounded and folded down to prevent the belly band from chafing the baby. These flaps are also edged with the lace. The seams between the linen and lace edging are appliquéd at intervals with whitework dots and leaves. The stitching is very fine.
Object number1933.14.4
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