Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007 Search this
Medium:
silk net, silk lace, silk, silk damask ribbon, starched cotton, paper, adhesive, metal wire, and metal
Dimensions:
Length (shoulder to hem): 29 1/2 in. (74.9 cm)
Width (shoulder to shoulder): 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm)
Waist (flat): 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm)
Type:
dresses
Date:
1910s-1920s
Description:
A net and lace child's dress with satin floral ribbon. The dress is made of silk net. It has a round neckline which is edged with starched cotton fabric flowers with a stamen made of adhesive at the center. Silk lace with curved edges is sewn to the edge of the neckline below the fabric flowers. The short sleeves are finished with a band of silk lace with curved edges and starched cotton fabric flowers. Two lace fabric flowers are sewn at the drop waistline, backed with silk net. Starched cotton fabric flowers are sewn to the center of each lace flower. The flowers have metal stems covered in rolled fabric. Cream silk damask floral ribbon is tacked along the drop waistline. The ribbon is also draped over the shoulders, continuing on the front and back of the dress ending roughly six inches above the hemline. The ribbon is left unstitched to the dress except for at each flower. Machine embroidery with flowers, dots, and undulating lines is along the bottom six inches of the dress. The hem is finished with pointed scallops. The decoration on the front of the dress matches that seen on the front. The dress has a center back seam, the top nine inches of the center back seam are left open. Four metal snaps are sewn on each side of the center back opening. The dress is lined with cream silk. The overall construction of the dress is made with a combination of machine and hand stitching. Hand stitching is used at the interior neckline, armscye seam, along the center back opening button placket and the hem. The dress is unlabeled.
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane
