This great two piece outfit dates from the Civil War or just after.
It is entirely handsewn. The fabric is a light weight plaid wool, the colors are vibrant and the detail in the tailoring is incredible.
The bodice is lined with 4 panels of heavy brown cotton & one of polished cotton ( they used what they had). There is an “inner bodice” also of the heavy brown cotton which closes with 4 calico china buttons. The outer bodice closes with 9 light blue cloth covered buttons that match the blue in the plaid. The bodice comes to a “V” in the front and the back has a rounded “skirt”. There is boning only where the inner bodice attatches.
The skirt is box pleated in the front and sides with cartridge pleats in the center back and closes on the left side with two hooks & eyes. There is a pocket in the folds of the fabric on the right front. The skirt is lined only in the waistband and at the hem with brown polished cotton.
Ruching of the same plaid fabric decorates the cuffs, bodice edges and chest area as well as the skirt ruffle--what alot of work was put into this outfit.
The measurements for this piece are as follows (all are approximate). Bodice-- bust 32”, waist 26 1/2”, shoulders 17”, length shoulder to waist 14 1/2”. Skirt--- waist 26”, length 41” front, 43 1/2” back, and bottom circuference 126”.
Civil War dress c. 1863 made of blue and brown plaid silk. This two piece dress is trimmed at the bodice with silk fringe.
The bodice hook and eyes up the front and is lined with brown twill and boned. It is all hand stitched.
The skirt is also fully lined in polished cotton and features a slight train.
28 inch waist. A nice dress from the Civil War period.
This is an exceptional dress c. 1854-1864. This gown is made of a brilliant large scale plaid silk with an interwoven narrow grosgrain ribbon as part of the overall pattern. The colors are vibrant.
This one piece gown has an unboned bodice that is lined in brown glazed chintz, a combination of meticulous hand and machine sewing, closes with tiny brass hooks and eyes, the long sleeves are tiered in 5 tiers below the sloped shoulder line. Sleeves are shirred and have fullness.
The skirt is voluminous and has 5 period gussets of black cotton velvet material, skirt is lined in brown glazed chintz and has a horsehair hem saver - again more hand stitching inside - the majority of the sewing on this gown is fine hand stitching.
The bodice features decorations of 4 bows that have a mop buckle center and silk floss embroidery on the bows, three on one side and one on the other- the two black silk areas on the bodice seem to be part of the overall design- the black velvet wide pointed yoke girdle may be a later addition - but looks very nice.
SIZE - this gown measures to a 34" bust, is 17" across the back shoulders, has a 28" waist, the skirt has a 180" circumference, gown is 56" long overall, and 40" long from the waist to the hem.
This is an eye catching circa 1865 Civil War lady's one piece day dress in irridescent purple plaid silk with floral brocade accents.
The bodice has 2 front darts and a V back, drop shoulder construction, and piping at the neck, armscyes and waistband (remember, almost all dresses were piped.) Decorated with eight ornate glass buttons at the front closure.
It has a hook and eye front closure and side slit pocket to the skirt, with a box pleated front and fully gathered back. Trimmed in an intricate ruched plaid ribbon and black fringe at the bodice, back and cuffs. Lined with polished cotton.
Size Unknown.
The two dart bodice is stayed, has a V back construction, drop shoulder seams, an embroidered white cotton collar, ruffled capped sleeves, cuff accents and twelve original cloth covered buttons at the front closure.
The skirt is fully gathered in the back with a ruffled flounce hem and polished cotton facing. The overskirt is lined in crinoline with a fully gathered back, a small crinoline bustle pad and is trimmed with a ruffle and banded border.
A 31 bust and 23 waist. Just a grand eye catching dress of the period!
[Striped Dresses] [Plaid Dresses] [Floral Dresses] [Special Occasion Dresses] [Underthings] [Footwear]
