Thursday, June 21, 2012

Edwardian/Teens Summer Mourning(?) Tea Dress







From the seller:

BEAUTIFUL & INTRICATELY DETAILED, HANDMADE VINTAGE VICTORIAN / EDWARDIAN, FINE COTTON LAWN /BATISTE LONG DRESS / GOWN DECORATED WITH ORNATE, GOTHIC FLORAL EMBROIDERY & CUTWORK DETAIL WITH SCALLOPED, FLORAL-PATTERNED LACE-TRIMMED EDGE - THIS ORNAMENTATION IS FOUND ON THE BODICE'S LARGE WING-LIKE "SHAWL" SHOULDER PANELS, ON THE THREE-QUARTER LENGTH SLEEVES, AND IN IT'S FULL 18" HIGH PATTERN AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIMETER OF THE SKIRT. BODICE FEATURES INSET HORIZONTAL FLORAL-PATTERNED LACE PANELS & FEATURES AN ORNATELY EMBROIDERED CUTWORK LACE WAISTBAND. GOWN IS FURTHER ACCENTED ON SKIRT FRONT & BACK WITH MULTIPLE PERFECTLY EXECUTED VERTICAL PLEATS. A BEAUTIFUL PIECE TO RESTORE, STUDY, DISPLAY OR SALVAGE FOR IT'S BEAUTIFUL ORNATE EMBROIDERY / CUTWORK DETAIL, LACE, & PLEATING DETAILED FINE COTTON LAWN BATISTE - A TREASURE TROVE OF MATERIALS FOR OTHER PROJECTS, BEING SOLD "AS IS".




I'M NOT SURE IF THIS BEAUTIFUL GOWN WAS ORIGINALLY BLACK - POSSIBLY INTENDED AS A MOURNING GARMENT? - OR WAS ORIGINALLY WHITE & DYED BLACK. EITHER WAY, IT IS A GORGEOUS, DETAILED PIECE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLE IN IT'S ORIGINAL CONDITION, HOWEVER IT NOW HAS SOME HOLES IN THE INSET LACE PANELS, BREAKS IN THE CUTWORK - SEVERAL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED WITH SMALL HAND REPAIRS, A COUPLE OF HOLES IN THE COTTON LAWN, ETC & IS BEING OFFERED "AS IS" FOR PATTERN, STUDY, DISPLAY OR SALVAGE OF THE BEAUTIFUL ORNATE EMBROIDERY / CUTWORK DETAIL, LACE, & PLEATING DETAILED FINE COTTON LAWN BATISTE, FLORAL PATTERNED LACE FOR OTHER PROJECTS SUCH AS DOLL CLOTHES. - A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS GOWN'S CONDITION WITH PHOTO REFERENCES CAN BE FOUND BELOW UNDER "CONDITION".




MADE FROM A VERY FINE, THIN COTTON LAWN /BATISTE, THIS GOWN IS SOMEWHAT SHEER & WAS PROBABLY INTENDED TO BE WORN OVER A SLIP - THIS GOWN IS SHOWN HERE OVER A PLAIN WHITE DRESS TO BEST SHOW CUTWORK & LACE DETAIL. THE LONG WHITE DRESS IS NOT INCLUDED.




THIS DRESS MEASURES APPROXIMATELY (MEASURED FLAT FROM SIDE TO SIDE, FASTENED AS SHOWN) BUST - 34" / WAIST - 23.5" / HIP - 48". SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILED MEASUREMENTS.




CONSTRUCTION:


BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED & WELL-PROPORTIONED DRESS WITH GRACEFUL SILHOUETTE FEATURING DEFINED WAIST WITH SUBTLE FULLNESS AT HIP DUE TO MULTIPLE VERTICAL PLEATS THAT IS SLIGHTLY FULLER IN CENTER BACK SUGGESTING SLIGHT BUSTLE EFFECT (PLEASE SEE LEFT SIDE PHOTO IN PICTURE #1 OF DRESS FRONT ON HANGER & TOP ROW SECOND FROM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #5 OF DRESS BACK ON HANGER - ALSO TOP RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE # 3 OF DRESS FRONT LAID FLAT & BOTTOM ROW SECOND FROM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #5 OF DRESS BACK LAID FLAT)
BODICE IS MADE FROM TWO TRAPEZOID-SHAPED CENTER PANELS OF COTTON LAWN / BATISTE ACCENTED ON BOTH FRONT & BACK WITH SEVEN INSET HORIZONTAL PANELS OF .5" HIGH FLORAL-PATTERNED LACE - WITH AN ADDITIONAL PANEL ACROSS SHOULDERS. ROUNDED HIGH "JEWEL" NECKLINE IS BEAUTIFULLY FINISHED WITH TINY ROLLED HEM.(PLEASE SEE TOP ROW SECOND FROM LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #3 OF BODICE FRONT CENTER PANEL & TOP LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #5 OFOF BODICE BACK CENTER PANEL)
BODICE'S LACE-INSET CENTER PANELS ARE FLANKED ON EACH SIDE WITH FANTASTIC LARGE WING-LIKE "SHAWL" PANELS THAT BEGIN GENTLY GATHERED INTO ORNATE LACE WAISTBAND IN FRONT, EXTEND UP AND OVER THE SHOULDERS & TERMINATE IN SAME GENTLY GATHERED FASHION AT THE LACE WAISTBAND IN BACK. EACH "WING" IS ORNATELY DECORATED WITH THE GOTHIC FLORAL EMBROIDERY & CUTWORK DETAILING, ENTIRELY TRIMMED WITH SCALLOPED-EDGED FLORAL-PATTERNED LACE, AND EACH MEASURE ABOUT 14.25" LONG FROM SHOULDER TO WAIST x ABOUT 8.5" AT WIDEST POINT ACROSS SHOULDERS. SHAWL/WING DETAILS ARE ATTACHED VERTICALLY TO CENTER BODICE PANELS AND INTO WAISTBAND, FALLING FREELY OVER SHOULDERS & CAN BE DRAWN BACK AS SEEN IN TOP RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #5. (PLEASE SEE CENTER PHOTO IN PICTURE #1, TOP LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #2, TOP LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #3 & TOP ROW SECOND FROM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #3 OF FRONT BODICE DETAIL & TOP ROW PHOTOS IN PICTURE #4, OF BACK BODICE DETAIL)
THREE QUARTER LENGTH SLEEVES ARE ALSO DECORATED WITH THE GOTHIC FLORAL EMBROIDERY & CUTWORK DETAILING, TRIMMED WITH SCALLOPED-EDGED FLORAL-PATTERNED LACE, AND ALTHOUGH SHOULDERS ARE COVERED BY "WINGS", THE SHOULDERS ARE SLIGHTLY "PUFFED" WHERE THEY ARE EXPERTLY ATTACHED TO BODICE. SLEEVES MEASURE ABOUT 17" LONG FROM SHOULDER TO LACE AND ABOUT 5.5" ACROSS / 11" TOTAL CIRCUMFERENCE (PLEASE SEE LEFT SIDE PHOTOS IN PICTURE #3 OF SLEEVE)
WAIST IS DEFINED WITH ORNATELY EMBROIDERED CUTWORK/OPENWORK LACE WAISTBAND MEASURING ABOUT 2.75" HIGH (PLEASE SEE LEFT SIDE PHOTOS IN PICTURE #3 & RIGHT SIDE PHOTOS IN PICTURE #5 OF LACE WAISTBAND FRONT & LEFT SIDE PHOTOS IN PICTURE #4 & TOP ROW SECOND FROM LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #5 OF LACE WAISTBAND BACK)
DRESS SKIRT FEATURES A SERIES OF METICULOUSLY EXECUTED VERTICAL TUCK PLEATS TO ADD FULLNESS TO SKIRT WITHOUT ADDING BULK TO HIP AREA - I COUNTED TWENTY-FOUR VERTICAL PLEATS IN FRONT AND ABOUT 36 IN BACK WHERE THEY ARE MORE CONCENTRATED IN CENTER BACK, CREATING MORE FULLNESS THAT SUGGESTS A SLIGHT BUSTLE EFFECT. PLEATS EXTEND DOWN ABOUT 8" FROM WAISTBAND (PLEASE SEE CENTER PHOTO IN PICTURE #1, RIGHT SIDE PHOTOS IN PICTURE #2, TOP RIGHT PHOTOS IN PICTURES #2, TOP ROW SECOND FROM RIGHT PHOTO & BOTTOM ROW CENTER PHOTOS IN PICTURE #3 & RIGHT SIDE PHOTOS IN PICTURE #5 OF SKIRT FRONT PLEATS - AND RIGHT SIDE PHOTOS IN PICTURE #4, BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO & SECOND FROM LEFT PHOTOS IN PICTURE #5 OF SKIRT BACK PLEATS)
ENTIRE PERIMETER OF SKIRT'S BOTTOM EIGHTEEN INCHES IS DECORATED WITH FULL EXPRESSION OF GOTHIC FLORAL EMBROIDERY & CUTWORK /OPENWORK DETAILING & ENTIRELY TRIMMED WITH .5" HIGH SCALLOPED-EDGED FLORAL-PATTERNED LACE (PLEASE SEE RIGHT SIDE PHOTO IN PICTURE #1, BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #2 & BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #3 OF EMBROIDERY/CUTWORK CLOSE-UP, TOP RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #2 & BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #4 OF FRONT & BACK OF SKIRT BOTTOM)
DRESS HAS 23.5" LONG VERTICAL TAILORED PLACKET DOWN CENTER BACK WITH TWENTY SETS OF TINY HOOK & EYE FASTENERS TO CLOSE. TOP SET OF HOOK & EYE FASTENERS ARE MISSING AND 3RD & 7TH HOOKS ARE LOOSE. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANTIQUE CLOTHING, BE CAREFUL FASTENING & UNFASTENING THE HOOKS & EYES AS THESE ARE STRESS POINTS - I ALWAYS USE MAGNIFYING GLASSES AND A PATIENT, GENTLE TOUCH! (PLEASE SEE BOTH TOP ROW PHOTOS, BOTTOM LEFT PHOTOS IN PICTURE #4 & TOP LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #5 OF BODICE BACK CLOSED & BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #5 OF DRESS COMPLETELY UNFASTENED DOWN CENTER BACK)
FABRIC:
THIS DRESS IS MADE FROM A BEAUTIFUL, WHISPER THIN COTTON - WHAT I BELIEVE IS CALLED LAWN OR BATISTE - IT IS SEMI-SHEER, VERY SOFT & BLACK IN COLOR. THIS DRESS IS UNLINED WAS PHOTOGRAPHED OVER A LONG PLAIN WHITE V-NECK DRESS (THAT IS NOT INCLUDED) TO BETTER SHOW DETAIL.
THE .5" HIGH INSET LACE AND .5" HIGH SCALLOPED-EDGE LACE MAY BE MACHINE MADE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE LACE IS MADE FROM - ALL OF THE LACE IS THE SAME BLACK COLOR AS THE DRESS.









MEASUREMENTS: THIS DRESS WAS MEASURED FLAT FROM SIDE TO SIDE, FASTENED AS SHOWN :


TOTAL LENGTH: MEASURED FLAT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM - 1S APPROXIMATELY 53" LONG

BUST: MEASURED FLAT FROM SIDE TO SIDE UNDER ARMS - IS APPROXIMATELY 17" OR 34" TOTAL

WAIST: MEASURED FLAT & FASTENED FROM SIDE TO SIDE ACROSS WAISTBAND - IS APPROXIMATELY 11.75" OR 23.5" TOTAL
HIP: MEASURED FLAT FROM SIDE TO SIDE ABOUT 25" DOWN FROM WAIST WITH PLEATS GENTLY SPREAD - IS APPROXIMATELY 24" 0R 48" TOTAL
SHOULDER: MEASURED FLAT FROM SHOULDER SEAM TO SHOULDER SEAM IS APPROXIMATELY 14"
SLEEVE: MEASURED FLAT ALONG TOP FROM SHOULDER TO LACE TRIM - IS APPROXIMATELY 17" LONG




CONDITION:


THIS VINTAGE EDWARDIAN /VICTORIAN ERA DRESS HAS BEEN HAND-LAUNDERED, PRESSED & IS ODOR-FREE IN WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS GOOD TO FAIR CONDITION FOR A PIECE OF THIS AGE - IT COULD POSSIBLY BE REPAIRED & WORN (ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE MORE OF A "PUNK VINTAGE GIRL") OR WORN AS A COSTUME- BUT IT'S REAL VALUE MAY BE IN IT'S SALVAGEABLE MATERIALS - THE BEAUTIFUL EMBROIDERED CUTWORK /OPENWORK DETAIL WITH IT'S UNUSUAL GOTHIC FLORAL MOTIF, THE FLORAL-PATTERNED LACE, & SECTIONS OF MULTI-PLEATED FINE COTTON LAWN BATISTE COULD BE USED FOR OTHER PROJECTS OR STUDIED FOR THEIR AMAZING EXECUTION BY ANYONE INTERESTED IN SEWING OR FASHION DESIGN.




WHILE THERE ARE SOME HANDS REPAIRS AND BREAKS FOUND IN THE EMBROIDERY/CUTWORK & EACH TOP LACE INSET ON THE BODICE FRONT & BACK SHOW DEFINITE HOLES WITH OCCASIONAL HOLES NOTICED IN LOWER INSETS, THERE IS A LOT OF USEFUL MATERIAL ON THIS DRESS. THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FLAWS FOUND ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL WITH PHOTO REFERENCES BELOW:

THIS VINTAGE EDWARDIAN /VICTORIAN ERA DRESS HAS BEEN HAND-LAUNDERED, PRESSED & IS ODOR-FREE IN WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS GOOD TO FAIR CONDITION FOR A PIECE OF THIS AGE - IT COULD POSSIBLY BE REPAIRED & WORN (ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE MORE OF A "PUNK VINTAGE GIRL") OR WORN AS A COSTUME- BUT IT'S REAL VALUE MAY BE IN IT'S SALVAGEABLE MATERIALS - THE BEAUTIFUL EMBROIDERED CUTWORK /OPENWORK DETAIL WITH IT'S UNUSUAL GOTHIC FLORAL MOTIF, THE FLORAL-PATTERNED LACE, & SECTIONS OF MULTI-PLEATED FINE COTTON LAWN BATISTE COULD BE USED FOR OTHER PROJECTS OR SIMPLY STUDIED FOR THEIR AMAZING EXECUTION BY ANYONE INTERESTED IN SEWING OR FASHION DESIGN. IN GENERAL, THIS DRESS IS UNWEARABLE! IT WAS JUST TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BE THROWN AWAY, SO IT IS BEING OFFERED "AS IS" FOR PATTERN, STUDY, DISPLAY OR SALVAGE OF THE BEAUTIFUL MATERIALS. WHILE THERE ARE SOME HANDS REPAIRS AND BREAKS FOUND IN THE EMBROIDERY/CUTWORK & EACH TOP LACE INSET ON THE BODICE FRONT & BACK SHOW DEFINITE HOLES WITH OCCASIONAL HOLES NOTICED IN LOWER INSETS, THERE IS A LOT OF USEFUL MATERIAL ON THIS DRESS. THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FLAWS FOUND ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL WITH PHOTO REFERENCES BELOW:
SMALL HAND REPAIR ON RIGHT SHOULDER AT SEAM - WHICH IS COVERED BY SHAWL/WING DETAIL WHEN WORN (PLEASE SEE TOP LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #6) SMALL HAND REPAIR JUST BELOW NECKLINE JUST LEFT OF CENTER FRONT WITH BREAKS IN TOP LACE INSET (PLEASE SEE TOP ROW SECOND FROM LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #6) TWO SMALL HAND REPAIRS IN SKIRT FRONT ABOUT 17" UP FROM BOTTOM/9' FROM LEFT SIDE SEAM (PLEASE SEE TOP CENTER PHOTO IN PICTURE #6)
VERTICAL SPLIT WITH TWO SMALLER HOLES JUST BELOW NECKLINE IN BACK RIGHT ABOUT 1.5" FROM CENTER (PLEASE SEE TOP ROW SECOND FROM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #6) TEAR IN SKIRT BACK ABOUT 9" UP FROM BOTTOM NEAR CENTER (PLEASE SEE TOP RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #6) AND HORIZONTAL HAND REPAIR IN 12" SECTION IN SKIRT BACK NEAR CENTER ABOUT 2" UP FROM HEM WITH SCATTERED BREAKS IN CUTWORK & A COUPLE OF HOLES NEAR BOTTOM (PLEASE SEE BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #6)
TINY HOLE IN SKIRT FRONT BETWEEN PLEATS LOCATED ABOUT 6.25" BELOW WAIST / 6.5" FROM LEFT SIDE SEAM (PLEASE SEE BOTTOM CENTER PHOTO IN PICTURE #6) AND SLIGHT WHITISH MARK / DISCOLORATION NOTICED ABOUT 11" BELOW WAISTBAND / 7" FROM LEFT SIDE SEAM OF SKIRT FRONT (PLEASE SEE BOTTOM ROW SECOND FROM RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #6)
A COUPLE OF HOLES LOCATED 3.5" UP FROM BOTTOM / 11.5" FROM LEFT SIDE SEAM OF SKIRT FRONT, AND A WELL-DISGUISED HORIZONTAL HAND REPAIR WITHIN EMBROIDERY CUTWORK ON SKIRT FRONT BELOW LOCATED ABOUT 2" UP FROM BOTTOM ( PLEASE SEE BOTTOM ROW SECOND FROM LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #6) AND A BREAK IN THE OPENWORK WITH A COUPLE OF SMALL HOLES ON SKIRT FRONT BOTTOM RIGHT ABOUT 2" UP FROM BOTTOM /7" FROM RIGHT SIDE SEAM (PLEASE SEE BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO IN PICTURE #6)
BREAKS/HOLES IN BACK BODICE TOP LEFT HORIZONTAL LACE INSET (PLEASE SEE TOP RIGHT PHOTO IN PICTURE #4)
I HAVE DONE MY BEST TO ACCURATELY DESCRIBE & PHOTOGRAPH THE CONDITION OF THIS VINTAGE EDWARDIAN /VICTORIAN DRESS. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE TEXTILE PIECE, EXPERTLY DESIGNED & CONSTRUCTED WITH METICULOUS HAND DETAILING, FROM FINE MATERIALS, AN AUTHENTIC PIECE OF FASHION HISTORY THAT IS WELL OVER 100 YEARS OLD. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PERFECT CONDITION ITEM, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU.
THIS BEAUTIFUL DETAILED BLACK EDWARDIAN/VICTORIAN ERA GOWN WITH ORNATE EMBROIDERY, CUTWORK & LACE INSETS IS BEING OFFERED AT A REASONABLE STARTING PRICE WITH NO RESERVE. SOLD "AS IS".






PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH ANY & ALL QUESTIONS PRIOR TO BIDDING AS THERE ARE NO RETURNS ON VINTAGE ITEMS.




ITEMS ARE BEING OFFERED FROM A NON-SMOKING, DANDER-FREE HOME! SOLD "AS IS"!




From Me:

I'm not sure how this is "gothic". I don't see anything medieval about it. Yes, I know, she meant "goth" but even then...because it's black? If anything, I'd say possibly Lolita goth but it's vintage so....

Mourning! :-)

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Cute Mid 19th Century Mourning(?) Bonnet





From the seller:

Fabulous and unusual woman's Amish bonnet with rows of hand gathered stitches, known as rouching. This has a large brim, over the face, as is typical of 19th century bonnets. It is made of black cotton and original ties are intact. There is one 1/4 inch tear on the back of the bonnet. The front flaps have a weighted material inside that feels like nut shell pieces, but it may be old stiffing pieces that have disintegrated. Or- perhaps it is something added to weigh down the front corners. I don't want to take it apart to see. Brim part measures 9 inches in length, back of bonnet 7 inches in height. Great condition for age.

Stand does not come with bonnet.


From Me:

It's a black hat that looks funny, it must be Amish! LOL! I'm not good at bonnets but I'm think 1850's on this one. I just loved the ruffled quilting.

Crazy 1890's Bodice







From the seller:

This piece dates to the Victorian 19th C and is fashioned of a fine grade cotton with a black cross print running throughout. The mega mutton sleeves have layered pleating at the shoulder with the sleeve becoming fitted at the bottom cuff. The bodice closes with 4 matching shell buttons off to the side, great fitted pleating through the center rear back. The plain cotton collar is boned on the points in front, rear could be boned further to give it stance if desired. There are some small age related stains that I have not tried to clean, most of which is on the right outer sleeve. Excellent condition, height of Victorian styling! Measures 30 inches around the bust with 23 inches around the waist and 20 inches in its center length down the rear.

From Me:

A small part of me wants to declare this a runway piece from 1988. :-D

1870's Yellow and Gray Bustle Gown

dress26

From the seller:

Apologies for using a life model for this dress, but the images were taken before I had a mannequin. I must also apologise for the cobbled together foliage in the background, but my neighbour had bright blue sheets hanging out on his washing line that clashed immensely with the colours of the gown, so I covered the sheets with vegetation. I am selling this gown with a heavy heart, but I neither have the time nor the knowledge to restore it properly. It deserves to go to someone who has both and can restore it to its former glory.

This very rare three piece bustle gown is breathtakingly beautiful, frilly and complex in its construction. It is composed of a stunning trained skirt, a matching day bodice and a matching evening bodice (please see the last photos of fashion plates showing similar gowns from 1878 - this also shows the correct silhouette). It is very rare to have both bodices with the skirt. It was very common to have a day and evening bodice, but sadly the evening bodices were often separated from the day dress and were never reunited. So, it is a stroke of luck to have both with this skirt.
The gown is made of greenish grey and beige (sandy) coloured silk with machine-made? cream coloured (please note they are not white, but cream in colour!) lace trims, silk bows and a velvet bow. It is entirely lined with cream/beige coloured cotton.
The day bodice is adorned with two rows of knife-pleated ruffles on the front, around the neck, the hemline and on its cuffs. The long sleeves are constructed of lace and have very broad cuffs. The cuffs also have a lace ruffle attached to them. It closes with small fabric covered wooden buttons on the front.
The ball/evening bodice is made of the same grey silk with beige and light pink silk trim. The bodice has an over the shoulder cut and closes with grey silk covered wooden buttons on the front. Both bodices have an internal waist tie with which it was secured around the waist. Neither bodice is boned.
The beautiful skirt is made of the same grey and beige coloured silk and has a draped apron-style front, a bustle back with an amazing 21" long train and a very broad kife-pleated grey silk ruffle at the front hem and the same double grey and beige knife-pleated ruffles on the train as the day bodice. There are two large beige bows attached to the train. The skirt closes on the back with hooks and eyes on the back and has internal cotton ties with which the skirt would be pulled back into the correct bustle-back shape.
The dress is hand and machine sewn. The day bodice has been slightly altered. The two side seams where let out to enable a slightly larger fit. The white perspiration protection pads on the bodices are modern of course.

The dress is designed to be worn over a bustle. The dress is shown over a bustle frame that is not included in this sale, but bustles and bustle frames can often be found on Ebay.

The dress is probably a modern size UK 6-8 (EU 32-34, US 4-6) (all with a waist corset - see measurements) (but please check the measurements to be certain) and its measurements are as follows (measured when lying flat):

Length of day bodice: 24"

Bust: 17"-17.5" (ca. 34"-35" all around)

Waist: 13" (ca. 26" all around) (note this is a wasp waist, so a waist corset ought to be worn)

Width at shoulder: 14"

Length of sleeves: 22.5" (including the lace cuffs)

Length of evening bodice: 14.5" (including the shoulder straps)

Bust: 16-16.5" (ca. 32-33" all around)

Waist: 12" (ca. 24" all around) (a waist corset ought to be worn with this dress)

Width at shoulder: 13" (excluding the shoulder straps - space across the shoulders between the straps)

Length of skirt : 39" (front); 60" (back)

Width at waist: 12" (24" all around)

Width at hem: 58" (116 "all around - without the train, just the regular skirt hem)

The dress is in need of repair, but is structurally quite sound (particularly internally). The major problem are long tears (longer than shown in the photo - they had been pinned together at the time) on the beige silk of the apron front and sides (these can be pinned together and well hidden in the folds, as I have shown in the photos) and primitive repairs on the waistband of the skirt (see photo). Further the pleated trim is worn in places and is unravelling on the back of the neck on the day bodice and on the back of the skirt train (see photos). The lace trim on the front of the day bodice has small holes were a previous owner had pushed through the button, so that they show on the outside, I prefer them hidden underneath the lace (see photos). The silk on all the buttons of the day bodice is gone. The silk around the button holes on the day bodice is very worn (see photos). The hooks on the skirt are missing and a small bit (2") of the ruffle trim on the front of the bodice needs to be reattached (this is just loose).
The gown is in very clean condition, but I have to mention light underarm stains on the day bodice, an underarm stain under the left arm on the evening bodice, a water stain on the beige apron front of the skirt and soiling on the hem of the train on the skirt, where it would have dragged across the ground (see photos).


From Me:

It's a good thing I adore this dress because getting the photo up was a pin in the backside. Yes, photo. Not photos.

1940's Bikini!








From the seller:


A drop dead 1940's vintage pinup swimsuit with a yellow/gold satin stripe. The skirt has inserted jersey cotton panties and the halter top is lined in the same fabric. The skirt has side button closures.

VINTAGE ~~ 1940's

LABEL ~ ~

FABRIC ~ ~~ ~ cotton & rayon

MEASUREMENTS ~~ Skirt - 14" from the top of the waistband to the hem in the center, 12 1/2" length from waist to the side of the hemline, 25" waist. Halter top about a 36", maybe a B cup?

CONDITION ~~ You can see in some of the photos that there's some specks/spots on both the top and the skirt. Hopefully with a good soak they'll come out? Otherwise this glamorous 40's vintage swimsuit is in great vintage condition.


From Me:

Normally, I wouldn't consider posting something this late but this is just too cute and too rare not to be posted.

Adorable 1890's Summer Dress







From the seller:

Winsome summer sheer printed cotton in an indigo and white print. Dynamic print! Hook and snap front closure, bodice is stayed and lined with ruffle details at shoulders. Back closing skirt, unlined with white trimmed small ruffles at hem. In excellent uncleaned as found condition, no holes no major staining. Strong and wearable some hook or snaps may need to resecured. Chest measures 34", waist 28", sleeves 23", length 17". Skirt waist 26", length in front 41" in back 45" approx.

From Me:

Isn't this fun? I love the print and the sleeves on it.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

[insert drool here] Edwardian Gown






From the seller:

Ladies and Gentlemen we are proud to present you one absolute ultra rare find in our private collection, an Antique Edwardian Silk Wedding Dress Glass Beads. Offering a stunning champagne-toned antique wedding gown in a rare larger size, circa turn of the century.

This dress is wearable and in sturdy antique condition. It is an antique dress, approximately 100 years old. I have listed some flaws and issues below. Despite these issues, this dress is in 95% perfect condition.

This dress is gorgeous and ornate. The bead work, lace and styling date this gown between 1910 and 1915. This gown is for a bride who is seeking a totally unique, delicate, and feminine antique wedding dress.

This dress is completely hand-tailored. It has no label, and it is completely original and one of a kind. The seams are machine-stitched, but there is a huge amount of hand stitching throughout, and hand-rolled french seams throughout.

10 inch x 8 inches of Glass beading hangs down asymmetrically along the right front bottom.

As with most clothing of this period, you will need a friend or assistant to dress, due to the incredible tailored fit with many closures.

The bodice does up with a row of hook-and-eye closures along the spine. Below the waist, there are two sets of hook-and-eye closures (one for the silk bodice, one for the lace over layer). At the small of the back, one snap closure has come unsewn, and on the right lower back there is a tear in the lace. There is a small rip to the lace on the back hip. The bodice has some light boning for shape.

The skirt has weights sewn into the hemline. There are water marks around the hemline of the silk skirt. There is one stain on the right front side of the bust. These will likely come out with dry cleaning. We have not cleaned this gown.

There is another set of closures to fit the hips, on the right hip, slightly askance to the spine seam.

The sleeves are open at the top portion, affixed with three rows of beaded chains. The beads drape the bodice asymmetrically along the left side, in contrast to the asymmetrical beads along the right side bottom of the dress. Overall, much of the bead work is intact, but repairs will need to be done. Some of the bead work is unraveling, or has become unattached and is missing beads.

This stunning antique wedding dress is in need of dry cleaning, and some careful repairs before it is ready to be worn. There are some flaws to the lace, silk and stitching throughout. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to provide many more detailed photographs.

Please double measurements. Measures:

Shoulders: 17 inches
Bust: 19 inches
Waist: 15.5 inches
Hips: 20 inches
Length: 61 inches at shortest point, 86 inches full length of train

Condition: Great condition. Guaranteed antique and authentic. Smells fresh.


From Me:

::making grabby hands::

Late 18th Century Looking Shoes






From the seller:


Very beautiful antique french pair shoes.
Realized handmade, rust silk velvet with
amazing antique gold metallic embroidery and cream beads .
I note smalls damage, foresee repair trim

( old paper in shoes)

It's very antiques shoes
size : 10"

Below, the base is changed.

It's rare and unique model for collector.
Origine, castle south of France


From Me:

My guess is about the 1780's for these. Check out the embroidery on them!

Lovely Edwardian Lace Blouse







From the seller:

ANTIQUE LACE BLOUSE TO REPAIR OR AS CUTTER TEXTILE TRIM REMNANT

Beautiful mixed lace

Edwardian / Victorian

SOLD as damaged to repair or as cutter for beautiful Whitework Lace ~ see photos for old two areas where it is coming away at the seam and there is just a spattering of tiny moth nips in a small place at the waist and also I found a small hole in the lace at the back of the collar (neck ) and there are just some teeny miniscule breaks in lace in collar area that really do not detract.

Shoulder to hem ~ 19.5

10.5" across shoulders

16" across underarm to underarm

18" around arm holes at shoulder

10" arm inseam

16.5" around neck area

Sew Pretty!

Great trim for sewing antique french doll clothes, pillows, Victorian projects ETC...

SOLD AS SHOWN


From Me:

Dear Seller,

What damage? Why on Earth do you think this lovely Edwardian blouse should be sold as a cutter?!?

No Love,

Me

Silk Turn of the Century Bodice





From the seller:

This is a beautiful satin silk victorian bodice, yummy blue green color, in extraordinary no hole, no wear, beautifully tailored condition. It has gold sequin and beading trim which is probably a later edition - easily removed, or repaired. It is very tiny.

Actual measurements:

22" sleeves;
15" armpit to armpit, across the back
23" waist
14.5" center back neck to bottom of bodice.


From Me:

It's too bad that the front stomacher/placket piece is missing. I would have loved to see what was paired with all that crazy trim.