Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Eliza Wadsworth
American, 1850 - 1922
DressmakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1909-1912
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk, cotton net, metallic threads, wires, boning, glazed cotton, and metal closures
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall length): 58in. (147.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Emory Robotham
DescriptionWoman's day dress of purple silk with a woven pattern of swirling paisleys created by dots, overlaid with a dotted black net fabric. The bodice has a square neckline with a wired, stand-up collar. Across the chest is a band of white net embroidered with metallic and pastel silk threads in a floral and bow design, laid over white silk. A vest effect is created by black dotted net edged with finer black lace and purple featherstitching. This black net and lace is gathered at the shoulder and then falls loose to the waist where it is stitched down, creating a V-effect both back and front. The "vest" is trimmed at the armholes with the purple silk. A large purple fabric chrysanthemum corsage decorates the proper left shoulder. A six-inch wide sash-like belt encircles the waist. It is gathered over vertical boning at the sides, center front and center back. The skirt is overlaid with the black net, which has two three-inch tucks above and below the knee area. The three-quarter-length sleeves are constructed in three layers. The first layer is a plain purple glazed cotton lining with 8 1/2 inches of white silk overlaid with white lace and white netting tamboured in a design matching the bodice band. The next layer is the purple fashion fabric, which completely covers the lining of the lower layer. The purple silk is then overlaid with a ten-inch cap of the black net.
The closure of the dress is hook-and-eye at center front of the lining, then the fashion fabric snaps up the proper left side, then the belt is closed with hooks and eyes on the left. The bodice is lined with purple glazed cotton. It is boned, and there is a petersham. Dress shields are mounted in the armholes. The hem is edged on the inside with a woven cotton tape to protect it from abrasion. The raw edges of the skirt seams are bound in silk tape, hand-stitched.
The closure of the dress is hook-and-eye at center front of the lining, then the fashion fabric snaps up the proper left side, then the belt is closed with hooks and eyes on the left. The bodice is lined with purple glazed cotton. It is boned, and there is a petersham. Dress shields are mounted in the armholes. The hem is edged on the inside with a woven cotton tape to protect it from abrasion. The raw edges of the skirt seams are bound in silk tape, hand-stitched.
Object number1998.108.2
MarkingsNone.Subject Terms
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