Images(5)

Dress

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Mrs. Elsie Roberts American

Clothing MakerMade by Unknown

Dateabout 1845

MediumHand-stitched cotton with brass hooks and eyes

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center front length x width across shoulders): 55 x 15 1/2in. (139.7 x 39.4cm)
Hem (circumference): 128in. (325.1cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Barbara Kane

DescriptionWoman's day dress of cotton printed in a striped design of blue snowflake-like figures on a tan background, next to a stripe filled with a madder red and brown undulating line of abstracted Indian-type floral motifs, next to a stripe of the snowflake-like motifs on an ombre background of dark to light blue. The bodice of the dress is fashioned with a dipped waist; the bodice fabric is gathered into the center front waist and then fanned out to the shoulders. The fullness of the fabric at the lower center front is controlled by eight horizontal lines of gathering stitches, 3/4-inch apart. This fan front is bordered by 1 1/4-inch-wide gathered strips of self-fabric. The neckline is high and round, finished with a one-inch-wide band. The shoulderline is dropped. The sleeves are long and narrow, topped by a separate cap edged with the self-fabric gathered strip. The fabric of the back of the sleeves is gathered into the underarm seam at the elbow to allow the arm to bend. The center back opening is covered by a placket. It closes with hooks and eyes. The waistline edge and the armscyes are piped. The bodice is lined with plain-woven undyed cotton. The center front seam has an overlaid casing for boning. The skirt is gathered with cartridge pleating into the waistline; the top of the skirt dips to accomodate the waistline, rather than being sewn straight across. The bottom of the skirt is lined for about 9 1/2 inches with a different madder-stripe-printed cotton; this lining has a tuck sewn in it, which helps to further stiffen the bottom of the skirt.

Object number1987.210.0

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