FLP 229.8-18 Anne Taylor White Cotton Dress, c. 1804, companion dress to FLP 228
This dress is a white muslin "apron-front" dress with low neck, high waist, narrow skirt, and half-length sleeves. The bodice opens at center front. These two front pieces have a shoulder strap that extending over shoulders to meet center back piece. An underarm piece connects front bodice to back bodice. The moderately low scooped neckline has drawstring casing all around which ties at center front with narrow linen tape. The front pieces have three tucks along the bottom edges, between two and three inches long.
Bodice and sleeves are lined in white linen. The lining for the front pieces is attached around armsceye but detached at outer edge, becoming flaps across the chest in front. The approximately elbow-length sleeves are loose-fitting, and have large armseyes which extend far into the back bodice, meeting the narrow center back panel. The back seams are lapped.
The skirt consists of a front panel, two side gores, and a back panel. Front of skirt is an "apron front" construction, opening 2" below bodice at side seams, with front skirt panel forming a flap meeting the bodice. Side gores are slightly gathered to align with underarm seams; back panel is gathered into the width of the back bodice panel. The dress’s plain, sturdy cotton and loose fit the of the sleeves suggest it was an everyday dress for work in the home.
This dress is believed to have belonged to Ann Baily Taylor, in addition to a corset and wedding dress. The corset (FLP 228) fits under this dress, supporting this attibution by the donor. Ann Taylor Married in 1804 and lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
FIT:
This dress would have been worn over a with a shift, stays, and at least one petticoat.
FABRIC:
The original exterior fabric is fine, white cotton and the lining is linen.
COMPANION CORSET PATTERN:
FLP 228 also belonged to Anne Taylor. It is an under bust corset. Where it hits on the body is the place on the dress where tucks are released.
Bodice and sleeves are lined in white linen. The lining for the front pieces is attached around armsceye but detached at outer edge, becoming flaps across the chest in front. The approximately elbow-length sleeves are loose-fitting, and have large armseyes which extend far into the back bodice, meeting the narrow center back panel. The back seams are lapped.
The skirt consists of a front panel, two side gores, and a back panel. Front of skirt is an "apron front" construction, opening 2" below bodice at side seams, with front skirt panel forming a flap meeting the bodice. Side gores are slightly gathered to align with underarm seams; back panel is gathered into the width of the back bodice panel. The dress’s plain, sturdy cotton and loose fit the of the sleeves suggest it was an everyday dress for work in the home.
This dress is believed to have belonged to Ann Baily Taylor, in addition to a corset and wedding dress. The corset (FLP 228) fits under this dress, supporting this attibution by the donor. Ann Taylor Married in 1804 and lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
FIT:
This dress would have been worn over a with a shift, stays, and at least one petticoat.
FABRIC:
The original exterior fabric is fine, white cotton and the lining is linen.
COMPANION CORSET PATTERN:
FLP 228 also belonged to Anne Taylor. It is an under bust corset. Where it hits on the body is the place on the dress where tucks are released.