Infant's Dress
Clothing MakerMade by
Julia Hebard
American, 1827-1907
Dateabout 1865
MediumHand-stitched and machine-stitched cotton
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across top): 43 1/2 x 14 1/2in. (110.5 x 36.8cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Agnes T. Allen
DescriptionInfant's dress of white cotton, with a wide neckline controlled by a drawstring in the back only. The center front of the bodice is whitework-embroidered with a floral design. The front and shoulder neckline edges are trimmed with narrow whitework edging. The short sleeves are gathered at the shoulder. They are embroidered with a design similar to that seen on the bodice. The bodice is lightly gathered into the waistband, which is machine-stitched. The skirt is gathered closely into the waistband. The back of the dress is open for 15 1/4 inches and closes with the drawstring at the neck. A 1 1/2-inch strip of scalloped self-fabric stitched along the neckline in the back would form a ruffle when the drawstring is pulled up.
Object number1962.30.4
NotesHistorical Note: Julia Hebard Goldthwaite (b. 1827) is said to have made this dress for her first child, a son, who died at birth on 6 August 1852. The style of the dress is too late to have been made for that child, but Julia Hebard Goldthwaite had seven children between 1852 and 1867, so she may have made this dress for one of her younger children. Julia Hebard Goldthwaite had seven children, four of whom died before they were two, and one of whom died on her thirteenth birthday.Subject Terms
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