Description:
Dress, c. 1805. Vertical, figured (zig-zag) white cottom muslin. 2 pieces, front opening. The dress features a high waist (approximately 2" from the bottom of the armscyes), gathered front and back bodice, and a narrow skirt that is smooth in front and gathered at the center back. The garment fastens with a center-front placket from neck down into the skirt that is secured with a drawstring tie at both the waist and neckline. At the back, a center-back placket in the bodice only secures with a drawstring tie at the waist. Inside, the plain weave cotton or linen bodice lining fastens center front with overlappng flaps that would have pinned to the wearer. As with many other dresses from the very early 19th century, this example features a narrow back, about 4.5" wide.

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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2008.4.2

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