Wednesday, November 12, 2014

American Civil War Era Plaid Dress


From the seller:

A captivating 1860’s plaid silk ball gown dress. The fabric has a white, black, red and light mauve plaid pattern. The bodice

Has short flared cap style sleeves that are decorated with white and black silk trim. The trim has attached silk balls. The front

Of the bodice is trimmed with gold silk balls. The neck, armscyes and waist are piped. The bodice is lined with cotton and has

a back hook and eye closure. The skirt is attached to the waist with cartridge pleating. The skirt is fully lined with cotton. The

dress is in good display condition. There are two dime size surface only holes under each and a few scattered pencil tip size

holes. The skirt has three small pea size surface only holes. There are small areas of underarm discoloration mostly to the inside

lining only. A charming dress that is for display only. Bust 31 Waist 24 Skirt length 37 Width at hemline 140.


From Me:

These sleeves fascinate me. I don't think I've seen where the ruffles were applied only to the inside of the sleeve before. This could also be worn with false sleeves.

5 comments:

  1. I'm in love with the bias strip. It's a simple but attention-grabbing bit of trim.

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    Replies
    1. I'm just happy that the plaid at the skirt seam didn't match up. :-)

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  2. I also love how Victorians didn't seem to care a whole lot about matching plaids. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Or stripes or prints or anything. Really, the matchy matchy thing doesn't happen until the the 20th c. I'm working on a regency dress right now. The dress I'm basing it on has mismatched trim that is supposed to look like stripes.

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    2. Well, the bodice is nicely matched...

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