Jul 15, 2011

Interesting Round Gown, c.1780

Another gown I've taken pictures of recently is this one-piece round gown at the Helen Geier Flynt Textile Gallery in Historic Deerfield, MA., United States. This gown is similar to the gown we will be making in a 1780s Costume Workshop in Canberra, Australia from 1-3 October 2011.

c. 1780
Blue worsted wool, linen
Blue wool tabby
Found in Litchfield, Connecticut
2003.27.1

When you look closely at the sides you see that the gown has a drop-front. Without having an opportunity to look closer, I am guessing that it could be worn with ties to the front skirt piece tied at the back or pinned to the corset. The bodice and sleeves are lined with plain linen and the pleated back has a centre back seam.









2 comments:

Susan said...

Thank you for sharing these images from your collection visit. I always love to see extant American garments! Looking forward to seeing more (I hope!)
-Susan

Hallie Larkin said...

Alwen, I had the opportunity a few years ago to study this gown in great detail, the back pleats of the gown were just hacked off to bring it up to fashion and or resize and make it into what I call an apron front gown. A wonderful example of a contemporary (18thc) alteration.

$0 Web Hosting

Total Page Views