Images(2)

Dress

Original OwnerOriginally owned by a member of the Steele family American

Date1845-1860

MediumHand-stitched cotton, with later metal hooks and eyes

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width across shoulders): 55 x 15 1/2in. (139.7 x 39.4cm)
Hem (circumference): 100in. (254cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Richard T. Steele

DescriptionWoman's work dress of cotton printed with a design of tan, blue and yellow paisley-like leaf clusters and green branches on a brown background. The dress opens at center front with hooks and eyes. The bodice front is flat; there is no gathering or darts; the diagonal side front seams, which are unusual, provide only minimal shaping. The neckline, which is not quite round but very slightly V-shaped, is not piped as would be expected. The hooks and eyes are later than the dress, and the back of the bodice has been pieced out to make it longer, or to correct inaccurate pattern drafting. The shoulderline is slightly dropped and the armscyes are piped. The sleeves are long and narrow; they are only slightly gathered into the armscye seam. The sleeve fabric at the back of the arm is gathered into the underarm seam to allow ease of movement. The bottom of the bodice is stitched into a 1 3/4-inch-wide waistband.

The skirt opens to the right of the center front bodice opening, so the the waistband overlaps by about 6 1/2 inches. The skirt is gathered closely into the waistband. The bottom of the skirt is lined for seven inches with plain-woven coarse cotton. There is a tuck taken around the skirt, about 7 1/4 inches above the hem edge.

Object number1977.90.3

NotesDate Note: Fabric is earlier than construction of dress, which has been reworked and is later. (Lee)

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