Dress Material Similarity

[rmassella]

Does this material from Fashion Fabrics Club: http://www.fabricfabric.net/images/swatches/BBB028.600x600_thumb.gif

look similar to the material that is used to make this dress at the Wisconsin Historical Society?

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/collections/online/image.cfm?ImageFile=/VoyagerImages/Z017/Z01741/Z0174192.jpg&TableKey=OBJECT:28784


Bob Massella

[Paula]

I think they are pretty close although the Wisconsin one looks like the blue lines may be a little darker or wider (at least on my monitor)

[Hendy Appleton]

They're certainly close enough in my (inexperienced) book, especially since the FFC fabric is wool. I like the bias cut on the bodice and sleeves of the original, although the FFC fabric will probably read more balanced than the original dominant diagonal stripe.

[Marta Vincent]

Bob, The bias cut of the bodice "says" to me that it is either 1840's/very early 50's, or it is a boy's dress.  In this case, I think it is the former.  The narrow, bias cut sleeves, the bias bodice front, the longer waist are all 1840's 'clues'.  In the '60's girl's dresses were not typically made with bias cut bodices. (Boy's often were.)

I like the fabric, and think it'll work well for your daughter's dress.  A darted front is perfect for a wool dress; I just would not cut the bodice on the bias, and I'd make the sleeves a fuller, defined, more curved coat shape.  The coat sleeve should be cut on a slight bias so that visually they look a bit wider at the elbow as well as being cut that way.

[rmassella]

Marta,

Thanks for the information, it is always appreciated.  

When I was looking through the Wisconsin Historical Society for ideas, I saw this dress and I remember recently seeing a similar material on FFC.  They seemed so close in appearance I wanted to see what others thought.  Anyway, here is the information from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society: Girl's, rust, blue and green plaid, cotton/wool homespun dress, 1848-1852. - http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/collections/online/Detlobjps.cfm?ObjectID=28784

Materials/Medium: cotton(textile), wool(textile)

Detailed Description:  Rust, dark blue, and green plaid, homespun and handwoven, cotton warp and wool weft; hand-sewn; natural waistline, with inset band 1.5" wide; calf-length skirt is set into waistband with wide pleats in front, and narrow cartridge pleats in the back; a deep "growth" tuck goes around entire bottom of skirt, just above hem; two long darts go up bodice front to bust points; long fitted sleeves, with cuffs bound in narrow black cotton bias tape; matching bias tape binds jewel neckline; pocket made from red and brown calico hidden in proper right side seam; bodice lined in off-white cotton muslin; center back opening closes with 10 hooks and eyes (all but 2 missing)

Object History: Worn by either Gertrude Elizabeth (1842-1852) or Mary Jane (1845-1852) Bigford, daughters of Thomas (1815-1890) and Eliza English Gifford (1814-1904), who married in 1840 in Bethany, NY. The Bigfords moved from New York to the Forest Township, WI in 1848. In 1854 they moved to Taycheedah, WI. Thomas had been a constable in Bethany, NY. He farmed and ran a hotel in Wisconsin. They had 4 other children: Royal (1847-1939, NY), Henry Lewellyn (1854-1890, WI), Helen, (b. 1855, WI), and Walter (1856-1938, WI). Donor Harold Geisse (1884-1975) was Helen's son.

Bob