1850s White cotton petticoat
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1850-1865 A white cotton petticoat.
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Detail showing the front of the waistband
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Detail of the cutwork embroidery round the hem
Description
The petticoat is cartridge pleated into the 1½" wide self waistband, which has a dart at the centre front to shape it into a V; the centre back opening has a button and buttonhole fastening.
A band of cutwork embroidery, 15" deep, is sewn round the lower edge under the lower of two tucks, which are about 1" wide.
The cutwork has a pattern of flowers and pine motifs, worked with quite thick cotton thread, and this gives a stiffness to the hem; the lower edge has wide scallops.
Contemporary illustrations
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Detail from a fashion plate in Le Moniteur de la Mode, August 1853
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Detail from a cartoon in Punch, June 1858
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Detail from a cartoon in Punch, December 1860
