Woman's Drawers and Chemise Set
Original OwnerProbably originally owned by
Marie L. Brown
1848 - 1874
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1868-1874
MediumDrawers: Hand-stitched cotton, with a glass button and cotton lace.
Chemise: Hand-stitched linen and lace.
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width at waist of drawers): 29 1/2 x 24in. (74.9 x 61cm)
Component (chemise length): 39 1/2in. (100.3cm)
Component (width across top of chemise): 21 1/2in. (54.6cm)
Component (width across bottom of chemise): 35 1/2in. (90.2cm)
Component (chemise length): 39 1/2in. (100.3cm)
Component (width across top of chemise): 21 1/2in. (54.6cm)
Component (width across bottom of chemise): 35 1/2in. (90.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Phyllis Kihn
DescriptionDrawers: Woman's white cotton drawers, part of a set with a chemise. The bottoms of the legs are embellished with five rows of narrow tucks, an insertion of drawn and knotted threadwork, and a narrow edging of machine-made lace that resembles crochet. The crotch is cut very full so that when laid flat, the legs splay out. The drawers are gathered into the 7/8-inch-wide waist band, which closes over the left hip with a single white glass button. The opening of the left side is nine inches long and is faced with self-fabric.
Chemise: Woman's white linen chemise, with 8 1/2" X 11" center back inset between the shoulders, of vertically pleated self-fabric. The chemise fabric is pleated into the bottom of this inset, creating fullness in the lower part of the chemise. The front of the chemise is gathered into the neckline. The neckline is a wide, rounded square, trimmed with drawn and knotted threadwork and machine-made crochet-like lace. The sleeves are short (4 3/4 inches) and are gathered into the neckline and into a band of drawn and knotted threadwork. Underarm gussets provide ease. The front panel is pieced vertically along both sides to create adequate width. Seams are flat felled or stitched selvage-to-selvage. The hem is one inch deep.
Chemise: Woman's white linen chemise, with 8 1/2" X 11" center back inset between the shoulders, of vertically pleated self-fabric. The chemise fabric is pleated into the bottom of this inset, creating fullness in the lower part of the chemise. The front of the chemise is gathered into the neckline. The neckline is a wide, rounded square, trimmed with drawn and knotted threadwork and machine-made crochet-like lace. The sleeves are short (4 3/4 inches) and are gathered into the neckline and into a band of drawn and knotted threadwork. Underarm gussets provide ease. The front panel is pieced vertically along both sides to create adequate width. Seams are flat felled or stitched selvage-to-selvage. The hem is one inch deep.
Object number1980.38.11a,b
NotesHistorical Note: Marie L. Brown married Edwin H. Butler of Meriden, Connecticut on 26 October 1870.Subject Terms
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