Toile Siamoise Skirt

This early vintage skirt was purchased from a French textile dealer. She was kind enough to give me a little history on the antique skirt. It belonged to someone of the working class and is made of a very heavy, sturdy cotton - similar to sailcloth or canvas. The material is a dark blue and white vertical stripe. French peasants often wore blue and white stripes as a 


symbol of their patriotism. The skirt is very simple in design. It has a drawstring waistband and blue banding or hem protector along the hemline. The skirt was usually worn over several petticoats - some which were longer than the skirt. It is very heavy and measures approximately 35" long. The blue is still vibrant. If anyone has anything to add, please let me know and I will add to this description.

C. 1840's/1850's Girl's Dress/Cape

 This gown is so sweet and so typical of the mid-1800's. The dress is one piece with a matching cape and due to the very small size, I am guessing it was a young girl's dress. The dress has a small, stand-up collar and center front hook/eye front closure. Lovely green buttons accent the front closure of the dress; however the hook/eyes are the actual closure. The bodice is lined with unbleached muslim and does have some boning - two (2) in the front, one (1) on each side and one (1) at the center back  . Piping encircles the lower edge of the bodice as well as the dropped shoulder armscyes  . The sleeves are narrow through the upper arm and widen as they approach the elbow and lower arm. Wide cuffs complete the sleeves. The cuffs are decorated with five (5) bands of green trim. The bodice is very fitted and ends in a point at the center front and back of the gown. The skirt is attached with wonderful gauging or pleating. A small watch pocket has been incorporated into the waistline seam  . The skirt also has a long side pocket which is sewn into the side seam. The skirt does have a hem protector and the circumferance of the hemline of the skirt measures approximately 135". A matching cape - simple in design - completes the outfit. The cape is made of the same fabric and the gown and is also accented with the same green trim and buttons as the gown. The center front closure is decorated with green buttons (not working) and five (5) bands of green trim. This trim also encircles the lower edge of the cape. The gown and cape are still in sturdy condition; however both have some moth damage and spotting. The gown has wear on the center front bodice opening (can be seen in photos) and some moth damage to the sleeves and back of bodice. There is some spotting on the back of the gown bodice and sleeves; however the major spotting is on the skirt ( . I have not tried to clean the gown. There is also spotting in the lining of the bodice; however this is not visible from the outside. The gown is very small and makes a beautiful display piece.