Stitches in Time Exhibit > Exhibit photos > Informal grouping

Two Calico Dresses and Aprons

 ca 1900.  Extant dresses of this type are unusual.  Everyday clothing, especially that of the lower classes, rarely survives to the present day.  Usually, these items were repurposed in many ways as they wore out or were outgrown, including being remade into a different style, recycled into children’s clothes, made into quilts, or consigned to the rag bag.  Notice that the buttons on both dresses have been removed, no doubt recycled into another garment.

Caramel wool dress with brass buttons.  This ensemble ca 1900 has pleated trim of self fabric on the skirt front, and small embroidered stars above the pleats.

Photo by Carol Stavish.