Women's Clothing
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Quilted petticoat, from America, about 1850.
This hand-stitched quilted silk petticoat was made for warmth. There is a thick layer of cotton wadding sandwiched between the green silk fabric and its brown checked silk lining.
Heavier skirts such as this were pleated at the front and sides and gathered at the centre back.
The petticoat hem is faced with tape to protect it from wear (get closer by clicking the images).
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Cotton dress, from United States of America, about 1830. This day dress is made from cotton printed with a delicate floral leaf pattern.
This home-made dress followed the style of the time, combining large ‘leg-of-mutton’ sleeves, a dainty bodice pleated in a V-shape and high waistline. The large sleeves and wide skirt make the waist appear smaller. The dress would have been worn with a chemise, corset, petticoats and large sleeve pads filled with down.
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Cotton dress, United States of America, about 1860
This dress is made from printed cotton and is hand-stitched. It has dropped shoulders, wide bishop sleeves and a full gathered skirt. The light brown colour on the dress would have originally been purple. Purple dyes used at this time were often ‘fugitive’, meaning they changed colour or faded quickly.The dress has been patched in numerous places to mend small tears and holes, evidence that it was much loved by the owner and saw many years of regular wear.
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Edwardian period dress, dating 1900 to 1905. Pouched front to bodice. Dress is in two pieces, with a separate bodice and skirt. Made from cotton muslin with lace yoke on bodice. Found in a roofspace in Dungannon, County Tyrone.
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Black woollen shawl, worn by Mrs. Elizabeth Sewell (Lizzie) from Tullynacross, Lisburn, County Antrim. The donor recalls visiting Lizzie in the 1940s, and remembers her sitting by the fire wearing this shawl and a tweed cap. Lizzie would have been in her late sixties at the time.
Accessories
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Tambour lace stole, cream in colour. Chain stitch embroidery on net, with needle-run interiors in some of the chain-stitch motifs. From Drumquin, County Tyrone.
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Collar
White Irish crochet lace collar, from Drumquin, County Tyrone.
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Corset
White linen corset, corded, with wooden busk. From Dromore, Lifford, County Donegal.
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Ladies muff, cylindrical. White feathers spotted and shaded pale grey. Blue silk lining. From Lifford, County Donegal.
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Paper fan, eleven years after the American Civil War, the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876 showcased America to the world. This paper fan was made as a souvenir of the exhibition.
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