Infant's Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Francis Newman Holley
American, born 1807
Clothing MakerMade by
Sally Stiles
American, 1786 - 1854
Date1807; remade about 1840-1850
MediumHand-stitched cotton
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across top, including sleeves): 24 1/2 x 14 1/4in. (62.2 x 36.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Elsie M. Miles
DescriptionInfant's dress of white cotton, with a wide, square neckline and short, straight sleeves. The bodice is cut as a long rectangle, with the narrow ends folded to the center back to create the opening. Narrow shoulder straps connect the front and back. A drawstring is run across the top of the bodice, front and back. The armhole seam is piped, which is common to mid-century construction, but not early nineteenth-century construction. The plain, straight sleeves once had ruffles around the openings, as indicated by old needle holes. Needle holes and fold lines also indicate that each sleeve had a tuck mid-way around it. The bodice has been lengthened and a waistband with casings for five drawstrings added. The skirt is gathered along the bottom of the waistband. A 4 1/2-inch-wide tuck is taken around the skirt. The center back opening is thirteen inches long.
Object number1968.33.5
NotesHistorical Note: Sally Stiles married Newman Holley on 17 November 1805. She made this baby dress for her first child, Francis Newman Holley, born 13 May 1807.Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
