401: Men's Breeches c. 1770, sizes 32-42
These breeches are attributed to belonging to Arthur Middleton, signer of the Declaration of Independence for South Carolina. Born at Middleton Place on June 26, 1742 to the Honorable Henry Middleton and his wife Mary Williams, Arthur grew up in a household that had a long tradition of public service on both sides of the family.
These beautiful red velvet breeches are fully lined with tightly woven white linen. There are figured cream colored silk facings on the front fall, pocket linings, back gusset, and button hole facings at the knee. There is a small pocket in the top of the right hand waistband, as well as 6 3/4” deep pockets on either side of the fall. The waistband is adjusted through the use of a cord threaded through four eyelets at center back waistband. The center back seam is open for 7” (includes 4” of waistband) but covered by a gusset for 5 of those inches. This gusset no longer exists as a whole piece; but fragments linger in the seam allowances. Four buttons along the leg side seam allow for ease of getting one’s foot into the breeches. Kneeband closes with a single button sewn on the opposite side of the four buttons on the side seam.
Two 7/8” self-covered buttons close the waistband, and four 5/8” self-covered buttons close the fall and the pocket corners. These are nicely sewn breeches but corners were cut in the elegance of stitching where it would not be seen, such as the back waistband or the inside of the kneeband.
Pattern includes instructions on how to sew breeches without alining. Boys patterns will be available in 2020.
|
|
401: Men's Breeches c. 1770, sizes 42-52
