Friday, December 28, 2012

American Civil War Era Brown Windowpane Dress






From the seller:

We are listing a variety of antique and vintage items and we are happy to combine shipping so please check out our other items and add us to your Favorite Sellers!

This darted bodice dress is made of very sheer fabric that, based on the strong color and feel, is probably a silk/wool blend. A simple collar made of a double row of gathered tulle or netting is basted inside the piped neckline. It fastens up the front with 8 black fabric-covered buttons, some of which have faded to dark brown. The skirt is pleated in the front and sides and gauged in the back, indicating it was made in the mid 1860s. There is a pocket hole in the right side seam, but there is no sign of a pocket. The coat sleeves have deep decorative cuffs of knife-pleated self-fabric stitched down at the top and bottom edges.
The bodice is lined in the front with dark brown glazed cotton and the back with lighter brown unglazed cotton. The sleeves are lined in much thinner dark brown glazed cotton. The skirt has a short curved bottom panel of glazed cotton incorporated into the gauging at the center back to give added body for fashionably fullness there. It has a very deep self-fabric hem facing.


Measurements: Bust: 37.5 inches (95.25 cm), Waist: 28 inches (71 cm), Skirt length [front]: 36 inches (91.5 cm), Skirt length [back]: 37.5 inches (95.25 cm), Hem facing: 4.5 inches (11.4 cm), Hem circumference: 130 inches (220 cm)

Condition: The dress is in very good to excellent vintage condition. The netted collar is yellowed and the underarm areas are darkened with sweat, but still sound. I did not find any holes or tears not noted here or in the description.



From Me:

Today I'm going to go with some "somber" looking dresses. I want to save the bright and colorful for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for including this dress. It was just brought to my attention via Pinterest. I happened to pick up another sheer, wool windowpane last fall. The photos are very quick ones taken before being packed up to move. (I have yet to get the dress back out for closer inspection.) http://annaworden.wordpress.com/2012/11/24/two-surprise-finds-or-when-costumes-arent-costumes/img_3187/

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