Isabella... this is perfect! Thanks so much! Exactly the right era, and
yes... I imagine that particular detail would make laundry much easier for
students, or perhaps for the underpaid ladies who did it for them. :-(
Instead of a buckle, as Sharon suggested, perhaps a straight pin was used to
fasten the front ties?
And... now that the mystery of the front ties has been solved, thanks to Fran,
Sharon, and Isabella... anyone care to venture a guess as to the function of
the inner (longer) ties?
-Dede
From: . . <lizmaek...@hotmail.com>
To: "h-costume@mail.indra.com" <h-costume@mail.indra.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 15, 2015 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: [h-cost] Stange detail on early 1900's shirtwaists - help?
Hello,
I get this in digest form so I apologize if anything I say is repetitive of
something someone has already posted. There is a pattern for a similar blouse
in 1906 in the Delineator:
https://books.google.com/books?id=tGxJAQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA1177&ots=D7FhGj19hw&dq=The%20Delineator%2C%20June%201906&pg=PA646#v=onepage&q=shirtwaist&f=false
The reason it might have the overbelt and not be permanently gathered in the
front is shown in a book from 1911:
http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/needlework/Text-Book-On-Domestic-Art/Shirt-Waist.html#.Vc-L2rTy8y5
Basically, it was because it was much easier to launder for the students in the
era before washing machines. :-) You can use the inner belt to keep the
shirtwaist from moving around and the outer belt is used to keep the
pleats/gathers in place while you are wearing it. The outer belt would be
hidden by the skirt and yet another belt.
Hope that helps!
Sincerely,Isabellahttp://www.extantgowns.com
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