Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mary Elizabeth Carter
American, 1842 - 1935
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1870
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk, cotton, silk lace and cotton or linen lace, unidentified boning, brass hooks and eyes
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width across shoulders): 76 x 17in. (193 x 43.2cm)
Hem (circumference): 120in. (304.8cm)
Dress (center front length): 53in. (134.6cm)
Hem (circumference): 120in. (304.8cm)
Dress (center front length): 53in. (134.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Frances Ellen Brinley
DescriptionPale pastel purple silk dress, probably for afternoon wear, with trained skirt. The bodice has a square neckline bordered with a pleated ruffle of self-fabric, with threads pulled to create a furry fringe. The shoulder is dropped and the waistline is slightly high, measuring 6 1/2 inches at the side, under the armscye seam. The coat sleeves are trimmed above the wrist with a knot of the fringed self-fabric. The armscye seams, neckline, and waistline edge are finished with piping; the darts are boned. The bodice is fitted with two five-inch-long darts on either side of the center front opening, which is controlled with brass hooks and eyes. The bodice is lined with plain-woven undyed cotton.
The skirt is flat in front, pleated over the hips, and gathered at center back. The center back panel of the skirt is pleated into the side back panels, and tapes are sewn inside the skirt, pulling up the fabric into a pouf. The skirt ends in back with a pointed train. The bottom edge is embellished with a four-inch-wide pleated self ruffle, headed by a four-inch-wide band of ruched self-fabric. The front of the skirt has two diagonal bands of 10 1/2-inch-wide black bobbin-type lace across the top half. The skirt is lined with stiff, plain-woven, undyed cotton. Inside the hem is a 4 3/4-inch-wide pleated ruffle of very stiff (and brittle), tan cotton fabric, edged with lace. There are tapes sewn inside the skirt to tie behind the knees, to control the fullness at the back. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side.
The skirt is flat in front, pleated over the hips, and gathered at center back. The center back panel of the skirt is pleated into the side back panels, and tapes are sewn inside the skirt, pulling up the fabric into a pouf. The skirt ends in back with a pointed train. The bottom edge is embellished with a four-inch-wide pleated self ruffle, headed by a four-inch-wide band of ruched self-fabric. The front of the skirt has two diagonal bands of 10 1/2-inch-wide black bobbin-type lace across the top half. The skirt is lined with stiff, plain-woven, undyed cotton. Inside the hem is a 4 3/4-inch-wide pleated ruffle of very stiff (and brittle), tan cotton fabric, edged with lace. There are tapes sewn inside the skirt to tie behind the knees, to control the fullness at the back. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side.
Object number1958.42.1
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