Collections Database

Description:
Woman’s one-piece, front-opening gown made from white, plain-weave linen decorated with an all-over pattern of small (1/2" x 1/2") crewel-embroidered, abstracted leaf-shapes. The dress is an important example of both late 18th-century women's dress featuring a patterned textile, as well as a reflection of changing aesthetics of that period, and the move towards simpler, light or white-colored gowns with small, repeating motifs in the textile. The embroidered motifs are in one of two colors; pink/rose or yellow/green. Bodice flaps meet center front, where they would have been fastened either with pins or perhaps stitching. Bodice terminates in a deep V point at the bottom. The wearing of a pair of stays underneath would have been essential to properly shape the body wearing the garment. Neckline secured with a drawstring. A waist seam completely bisects the bodice and skirt. The skirt is open in front; it would have been filled in by a petticoat. The skirt hem is faced with a matching linen. There are five linen tape loops attached at the inside hem facing; they worked in tandem with a pair of linen ties stitched inside the skirt, half way up (there may have been additional ties, now lost). Drawing the skirt up in this way was a style popular from the 1770s known as retrousee (or pulled up). Sleeves terminate just past the elbows, where they are shaped to accomodate a slight bend in the arm. Sleeves are gently pleated three times at the head as they are stitched under the shoulder straps.

Subjects:
Linen; Embroidery; Textile fabrics

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2022.5

Research on objects in the collections, including provenance, is ongoing and may be incomplete. If you have additional information or would like to learn more about a particular object, please email fc-museums-web@fivecolleges.edu.