Penny, how is the bodice closed in the back, and how was the sleeve finished at the bottom? The neckline differs for both '40's and '50's of the bodices I have for these periods. Did it ever have a skirt fastened to the bodice? My 1840's dress is one piece; the sleeve is puffed at the top and flares out slightly from just above the elbow. The neckline is at neck level and fastens in the front with hooks and eyes. The three bodices I have from the next decade have a more oval neckline that goes from shoulderbone to shoulderbone. They are plainly for a two piece dress. Two were made for the same skirt; one is matching and the other in coordinated contrast. This ensemble also has a jacket that was made at some time from a panel of the skirt. The sleeve is shaped more like the very early1860s. At the time I found this set in a shop, the skirt had been remodeled for about 1879/80. After researching the styles of these periods, I settled on 1855, based on the shapes total items and the 'extra fabric' included. With some fear and trepidation, I took the skirt apart and was excited and relieved to discover that the skirt sham was the original and it was clear that my proposed renovation was the right choice. There were the stitching lines that would support the two tiered skirt and the 'extra fabric' was meant to be the 8" ruffle at the bottom!! Sigh Kathleen
----- Original Message ----- From: "Penny" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Historical Costume" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 9:04 PM Subject: Re: [h-cost] hello out there and what's on your dressform > I saw earlier this week the thread "What's on your dressform" and didn't > have time to answer. A lot has been on my dressforms during the past week. I > have been photographing the fashion collection at Virginia Commonwealth > University. I start teaching the fashion history class Monday at the > university. I will be using some of the sturdier pieces in the classroom. > The frial pieces are photographed to show the students projected from my > laptop via a motorized screen. > > Some of the collection's costumes are misdated. Each archive box is like > opening Christmas packages... you never know what you will find inside. A > lot of fun! I found a bodice in a box named 1900. The bodice is clearly > not from 1900, as were several other items in the box. I think it might be > date from 1840s or 1860s. My class time frame is from 1860-1990. If this > piece is from 1860, I can use these photos in my class. > > Would you all please look at some photgraphs of the bodice and let me know > what time frame you think it is from. The center front and center back have > a point at the waist. > > Front view: ( I didn't pad out the waistline curve to show the full point) > www.costumegallery.com/help/P1010112.jpg > > Flat view of the inside of bodice: > www.costumegallery.com/help/P1010111.jpg > > Flat view of the back of bodice: > www.costumegallery.com/help/P1010107.jpg > > Thank you for your help. > > Penny Ladnier, > Owner > www.costumegallery.com > www.costumelibrary.com > www.costumeclassroom.com > > _______________________________________________ > h-costume mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume > _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
