Clothing. High round neckline at back, with peaked turn-back revers at front. Long sleeves, gathered into 3 cm cuff, which fastens with two metal press-studs. Bodice has front opening with three x 2 cm diameter white plastic buttons - peaked in the centre and with an impressed ridged texture. Bodice has two bands of shirring at the front shoulder line giving a ruched effect 6.75 cm wide. Six gored skirt. A band 6.5 cm wide at centre front reducing to 3 cm wide at side seams, forms a midriff panel, before becoming a belt at the back fastening with two metal press-studs. Back bodice is lightly gathered on either side at waistline. A home stitched dress.costume, female, woman's navy dress

Clothing. High round neck at back, with peaked revers at front. Press-stud closure at centre front, with three grey plastic buttons sewn to outside.(two missing). Button is impressed with a circular pattern. Short sleeves. A 4 cm wide panel increasing to 5 cm at centre front is set into front waistline, and extends into a belt at the back-3.25 cm wide and fastening with a metal press-stud. Six gored skirt. Almost certainly home stitched, as several dresses in the collection are of similar style. An oval shaped patch, 16 cm X 8.5 cm has been hand stitched immediately below the centre front waistline. A home stitched dress.costume, female, floral print dress

Clothing. All over floral cotton dress, in a ''shirt-maker'' style. Short sleeves, high round neck at back, and pointed revers at front. Inserted band at front waistline, with a pointed overlap, shaped to 3.5 cm wide stitched down around front. Front opening bodice has a four press-stud closure, and two 1.75 cm white plastic buttons, sewn over the closure. Buttons impressed with a ridged pattern. Two darts on either side of lower edge of bodice, one dart from shoulder on either side of bodice. Six gores in skirt. Probably home stitched. Band inserted at waistline, extends to a 3 cm wide ''belt'' at back, fastening with two press-studs. A home stitched dress.costume, female, short sleeved floral dress

Clothing. Pink background, blue, green, and burgandy floral short sleeved rayon dress. Padded shoulders, high back neckline, V shaped at front. Front yoke, with a scalloped tab, marked with a 1.75 cm white plastic button, with a flower impression. Two white buttons mark the centre front opening. Skirt has six panels. Front bodice gathers to the yoke. Short sleeves have 3.75 cm turn back cuffs. A home stitched dress.ALL RAYON GRAFTON REGD, Anti Shrink, GRAFAINE Styled by Rosecroft REGD.costume, female, short sleeved dress

Clothing. Navy blue textured fabric possibly crimplene. Long tapered sleeves fastened with three covered buttons and loops at the wrist. High back neckline shaped to a V shape at the front. Centre front opening fastens with sixteen covered buttons and loops. Front yoke has a rouleau trim of fleur-de-lyse, and circular coils from 1 cm to 1.5 cm diameter. Side front panels are shirred at the yoke seam, and gathered at the shaped waistline panel. Waistline has a diamond shaped panel- 2.5 cm wide at the side seams, and eleven cms wide at the centre. Where the buttons extend over the midriff panel, the panel is shaped in a 7 cm V shape. Midriff panel extends into a belt at the side seams, fastening at the centre with a press-stud, and decorated with a flower of seven rouleau coils-1 cm in diameter. Hand stitched hem.costume, female, long sleeved navy dress

Clothing. Blue linen dress, with a black and white floral design, possibly home stitched. V neckline at front, high rounded neckline at back. Curved yoke at front bodice. Centre opening, fastened with press-studs. Three decorative buttons are sewn diagonally, side by side on the outside of the opening (X2). Side fronts are gathered to the yoke, and have two darts on either side front, at the waistline. Short set in sleeves. Six panels form the A-line skirt. Some hand stitching on facings and hems. A home stitched dress. Two decorative, curved decorative panels, 5 cm wide and 22 cm long, straddle the waistline at front and back.costume, female, blue linen floral dress

Clothing. Woman's navy check wool coat with rounded lapels. Single breasted coat fastened with four X 2.7 cm navy plastic buttons decorative comb pattern. Internal pockets at hip level with vertical slit openings. Long straight sleeves. Coat is fully lined with satin fabric. A shaped coat widens to hem. Padded shoulders.costume, female, woman's navy check wool coat

Clothing. Woman's navy striped wool crepe coat. V neckline with fabric panels to waist with appliqué piping free form pattern. Coat fastened at waist with four X 1.5 cm fabric covered buttons and fabric loops. Long straight sleeves with fold back cuffs (4 cm). A-shaped coat widens to hem. Padded shoulders.costume, female, woman 's navy striped wool crepe coat.

Clothing. Woman's black light weight wool crepe coat. Sweetheart neckline with appliquéd piping flowers on either side. Front opening fastened at waist with four X 1.5 cm fabric covered buttons and fabric loops. Long straight sleeves with appliqué piping flowers at wrist. A-shaped coat widens to hem. Unlined. Padded shoulders.costume, female, woman's black light weight coat

Clothing. Woman's black single breasted wool jacket with pointed lapels. Front fastened with three X 2 cm black plastic buttons. Internal pockets at hips with slit openings. Long straight sleeves with three X 1.4 cm black plastic buttons at wrist. Fully lined with black satin. Six X 2 cm weights distributed around hemline. Padded shoulders.Tag inside back neck, ''tissu nouveau TAILOR MADE''costume, female, woman's black single breasted jacket

Clothing. Women's cream coloured cotton vest with fold over collar at front edged with gold coloured cord. Deep V neckline at front. Centre front opening is fastened with six X 1 cm white buttons with gold pattern, and six button holes. On each side of the front opening are three fleur de lys patterns of appliquéd cord in brown, gold and cream. The lower edge of the front sections are edged with gold coloured cord. Back section of light brown cotton fabric. Front is lined with light brown cotton fabric. Satin ribbed ties (40 cm X 4 cm) attached on inside side seams at waist level. Vent (20cm) in centre back from hem.costume, female, women's cream coloured cotton vest

Clothing. Very fine cotton petticoat with a fitted bodice, and dropped waistline. Back opening fastened with six 1 cm diameter buttons - three are fabric covered - (possibly the original buttons) and three plastic ''pearl'' buttons. The square neckline is outlined with 2.5 cm deep cotton lace inserted with 1.5 cm wide satin ribbon tied in a bow at the centre back and front. A row of very fine cotton lace, 1.5 cm deep then edges the square neckline, and also the arm holes. The back bodice is shaped in six panels, and front bodice is shaped in three panels. Three panels of embroidered cotton lace extends from the front neckline to the bustline. Outer panels are 5.5 cm wide and 7 cm long, while centre panel is 11 cm long and 5.5 cm wide. Each of these panels is outlined with the 2 cm wide cotton lace. From the dropped waistline, a 2.5 cm wide cotton insertion lace is threaded with 1.5 cm wide satin ribbon. The skirt is lined with fine cotton, finished at the lower edge with a 5 cm wide gathered cotton frill,and an over- frill, 14 cm deep of spotted tulle, edged with a 1.5 cm band of cotton lace. The outer skirt is spotted tulle in four bands- separated by four 3.5 cm wide bands of floral patterned lace. The hemline is trimmed with an eleven cm deep band of floral lace with a lower scalloped edge. The under-skirt is made with nine gored panels, and has a 5 cm deep lightly gathered frill at the hemline.costume, female underwear, petticoat.

Clothing. White linen camisole with peplum 8.5 cm deep. Round lace yoke at the front, with a panel for a ribbon insertion. Some evidence exists on the right front, that once there was a pink ribbon - possibly silk, but now there are only a few threads left. The insertion panel continues around the back neck edge. Two panels of three .5 cm tucks run from the neckline to the waist of the centre back. Front opening, with two 1 cm pearl buttons still evident, and a cotton tape and casing at the waistline. ON each side of front opening, a group of five pintucks, 7 cm long run from the waistline toward the bustline.All items belonged to Margaret Ann McLean.costume, female, white linen camisole.

Clothing. A concealed full length back opening reveals five tiny covered buttons, 7 mm in diameter and five hand-stitched button holes. This opening is bordered by two groups of five very fine pin tucks with a 3 cm spacing between the two groups. The blouse is made from very fine Swiss lawn cotton fabric, and is very soft to the feel. The front has a broad panel thirty cm wide of exquisite pintucks, crochet, lace and embroidery. The embroidery is white on white, and features flowers and leaves in a curved pattern. A crochet panel below the high neckline is 4 cm x 10 cms and is peaked at the lower edge. This is bordered by 1.5 cm wide cotton lace, and horizontal pintucks. Two panels, one on either side of three pintucks, 1.5 cm panel of lace, and then the central panel of embroidery, pintucks, lace, and crochet. Five pintucks, 1.5 cm panel of lace and five more pintucks run the length of the short sleeves. Sleeves are puffed, and gathered at the shoulder, and at the 1.5 cm deep cuff, which is also pintucked. A 1.5 cm deep 'stand-up' collar, spoke-stitched to the garment, as are the sleeves and shoulder seams. Front hemline is curved. Back hemline is straight.costume, female, a full length back opening blouse

Clothing. Fine white linen fabric. A .8 cm 'tuck' edged at top and bottom with a spoke-stitched border, marks the waistline. Below the waistline is a peplum, split at the centre front with 8 cm deep peaks. These peaks are repeated at the centre back. The peplum tapers to 7 cm deep at side seams. The camisole is trimmed at the top edge with a 4 cm deep band of cotton lace. The top edge of the linen fabric has a double row (off set) of cotton embroidered 'spots' 2 mm in diameter, and three rows of drawn thread work - one cm in width, 3.5 cm wide lace form the shoulder straps. The back opening fastens with six tiny 7cm pearl buttons, and hand-stitched button holes. The lower button fastens with a loop at the waistline 1880-90's. A 'fan' of pintucks, arched from 4 cm long at the ends, to 6 cm long at the centre, fans the midriff at the centre front, above the waistline - 28 tucks in total.costume, female, camisole.

Clothing. Wide scooped neckline, edged with 1.5 cm deep cotton lace. The centre back opening is fastened with six tiny pearl shell buttons .8 cm in diameter- top button is fastened with a loop. 1.5 cm deep cotton lace trims the neckline and armholes. A .5 cm cotton braid trims the lower edge. Nine floral embroideries and pulled thread work 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm are spaced around the rounded front neckline. Below these embroideries on the left side breast, are embroidered the wearers initials-(M) MB. The owners initials are embroidered on the left front in a decorative manner, to compliment the floral embroidery. A lace ribbon, one cm wide at the waistline passes through 1.4 cm eyelets 2 cm apart. Between each set of eyelets, are groups of 4 cm long fine pintucks - 13 groups of two eyelets and 14 groups of pintucks.costume, female, wide scooped neckline camisole

Clothing. Very fine, cream linen bodice, with two vertical lace inserts either side of front opening, and three angled inserts from each side seam to the vertical insert. All inserts 2 cms wide. Short cap type sleeves are edged with the same lace, and band of this lace also outlines the wide square neckline. An insert between these bands has a fine, ribbon threaded through, which would act as a draw string. There is a 2.5 cm x 3 cm tab of linen at the centre back, but, no markings are evident. Three .9 cm pearl buttons, with three corresponding machine stitched button holes fasten the front. A cotton tape drawstring, and elastic are encased at the waistline giving the lower edge a peplum effect.costume, female, cream linen bodice

Clothing. White fine linen fabric, trimmed at lower leg with a 2 cms wide cotton , brooierie insertion and a 12 cm wide frill of textured (?) fine linen or cotton lawn broiderie. The front waistband dips to a central 8 cm deep peak. Waistband at side seams, is 4.5 cm deep and back waistband is 10 cm deep at side seams, and the 11 cm deep at centre back. Two 1.4 cm covered buttons close the back waistband. The knickers have a gathered opening panel, called at the time a ''drop-seat'' or ''access hatch'' at the centre back. This panel has a 5 cm deep waistband, fastened at either side by a covered button, and a third button at the centre. These buttons are sewn to the back waistband, and the button holes are sewn, correspondingly on the gathered back. A drawstring tape is also threaded through the back waistband. A 6 cm wide gussett sewn from the crotch extends 23 cms long.Printed in fine black ink on back opening; D.S.R.F. No 11.costume, female underwear, victorian era knickers

Clothing. Twelve shaped panels form the body of the jacket, which is dramatically ''shaped in'' at the waistline, and flared out toward the hipline. Four black fabric covered buttons form the closure, with hand-stitched button holes, all ''hidden away'' under an overlay of the beaded velvet, of which the jacket is made. The long sleeves, narrow at the elbow, flair out to an embroidered and beaded cuff, 35 cm in circumference. Sleeves are gathered at the shoulderline, giving fullness, and featuring an elaborate ribbon, cord, and beaded embroidery. The embroidery is repeated around the revere collar, and on the right-hand side of the bodice, and the full length of the back of the garment, and around the hemline, and also trims the opening edge of the left-front bodice. Lined with black silk. It feels as if there is extra to support beaded areas.GEORGE STIRLING & SONS, THE RICHMONDcostume, female, black velvet long sleeved jacket

Clothing. High stand-up embroidered net collar-close fitting to the neck, and fastening at the back with now 4 metal hooks and loops (one hook missing) and edged at top and bottom with tiny black beads. Five metal ''curved wires'' 7 cm long, are spaced around the up right ''collar'' (to hold in place). The embroidered net forms a V shaped panel at the centre front, and has 15 silk covered oval buttons .8 cm long, from throat to lower bodice. This panel is bordered by embroidered and beaded braid, 7 cm wide and giving a cross-over effect. Cotton tape inside waist 66 cm long fastens with two metal hooks and eyes.Under this lace cross-over, the bodice is shirred and pleated, to give fullness for movement. Pleats are ''caught-in'' at the waistline. An elbow length over-lay of sheer silk fabric, edged with the beaded braid. The sleeves are silk fabric to the elbow, and then narrow in to a three hook plackett at the wrist. This lower sleeve with a 2.5 cm lace frill, and a spotted tulle fabric, and ''dotted'' at the upper side with a double row of tiny black beads. A false tucked effect at opprox knee level at back of skirt. Back hemline extends to a small ''train''. Hemline is heavily weighted.costume, female, full length long sleeved black dress

Clothing. Curved ''cup-shape'' bodice, unlined, shirred slightly at the centre, and measuring 28 cm deep, from shoulder strap to midriff. A V shaped panel is inserted into the back bodice - 37 cm x 13.5 cm at the top to give a filled effect. Eight covered buttons and loops form the closure at the top of this panel (one button missing). A triangular shape is also sewn into the lower skirt to give flair.costume, female, slim black velvet evening gown

Clothing. Black, crushed velvet cape with a slightly peaked turn back collar, featuring a 6 cm wide ruched panel at each side front collar. Two circular diamente buttons 2.50 cm diameter fasten the front of the circular 15 cm deep yoke. Two bound button holes fasten the buttons at the throat.costume, female, 3/4 length black velvet evening cape

Clothing. Extremely fine linen petticoat, rounded neckline with a blue satin ribbon insertion, threaded through a lace insertion. This ribbon is now badly aged and shedding and splitting. A plackett at the centre back conceals six tiny 9mm covered buttons, and machine (?) stitched button holes. The neckline is outlined with three bands of cotton lace - the first band is 4.5 cm wide, and has a 'shamrock' leaf design. The middle band is 1.5 cm wide, and has a 'twisted' design, which holds the blue ribbon insertion. The outer row is 2.5 cm wide and has a scalloped edging.costume, female, lace trimmed fine linen petticoat

Clothing. Elbow length, fine cream coloured kid leather gloves. Top edge is curved and is not hemmed. A plackett at the wrist is finely bound in the leather, and is 11.5 cm long. It fastens with three tiny 8 mm diameter pearl shell buttons, and bound button holes. The gloves are machine stitched, and it would appear that the long full-length side seam has been placed side by side, and then 'overlocked'. Three rows of angled stitching fans out over the back of the hand.costume accessories, female, kid leather gloves

Clothing. Light grey kid leather gloves, with a sueded 'chamois like' finish feel. A 12 cm long plackett at the wrist, fastens with three .7 mm, rounded pearl buttons. Six rows of fine machine stitching fan out across the back of the hand, giving the effect of three pin tucks. Top edge of the gloves is gently curved.costume accessories, female, light grey kid leather gloves

Clothing. Light silver grey with a 10 cm long plackett at the wrist, fastened with three domed cream coloured bakelite buttons- 6 mm diameter. Six rows of fine machine stitching, giving the effect of three pintucks, fan out across the back of the hand.The top edge of the gloves is slightly curved.61/4 WASHABLE GLOVE- GRENOBLE.Made in France 3062 (on upper side) 1629costume accessories, female, light grey kid leather gloves

White cotton infant's nightgown with long sleeves. Yoked front and back. Front yoke has diagonal pintucks. Back yoke has horizontal pintucks. Front of nightgown attached to yoke with series of knife pleats with lace trim on outer edges. Decorative lace across front at waist level with 40cm ties attached on either side. Back of nightgown gathered onto back yoke. Back opening (36cms) fastened with two different one cm plastic buttons. Long sleeves trimmed at wrist with two rows of lace and diagonal pintucks. Six horizontal rows of pintucks four cm above hemline.costume, children's, white cotton infant's nightgown

White cotton child's lace dress. Unlined. Dropped waistline. Bodice made up of vertical strips of two different laces. U shaped neckline with flat gathered lace collar (7cms) with one cm fine lace trim around neckline. Cap sleeves (7cms). Skirt (16cms) of gathered lace in one piece. Back opening full length of bodice (22cms) with three buttons two X .6cm and one X .9cm.costume, children's, white cotton child's lace dress

Cream coloured long sleeved infant's silk nightgown. Yoked front and back made up of overlay of vertical strips of lace. Ruffle of gathered lace around high neckline. Set in sleeves with 1.6cm lace trim and three pintucks at wrist. Skirt gathered onto yoke and front. Lower section of nightgown has three X four horizontal sections of four pintucks with lace inserts (2.5cm) between the sections. Gathered ruffle at hem,(15cms) with four pintucks and three cm lace trim with scalloped edge. Back opening (26cm) fastened with two X .8cm plastic buttons at either end of the yoke.costume, children's, cream coloured infant's silk nightgown

Long lily-pointed sleeves, fastened at the wrist with six X 0ne cm covered buttons and loops. A firm padded roll 19cm long, and eleven cm circumference sits at the shoulder at top of sleeve. A gathered panel on either side of the neckline forms a sweetheart neckline. Gathering under the bust, and a A shaped centre front panel - with V shape at lower edge-panel 33cm long. Two semi-circular panels 28 X 19cm from side seam to the centre front, and defining the shape of the peaked centre panel. A small inverted pleat comes from th ebottom peak of the centre panel. Skirt is circular and extends into a sweeping train.29 covered buttons with loops extend from the back neckline to the curved join at the hipline of bodice and skirt. A one cm band of fabric has been machine stitched around the hemline, and hand rolled and hand stitched to give weight and finish at the hemline. Two X 2.5cm loops, hand stitched are at the left and right sides, to slip over the fingers to hold the train above the ground.costume, female, cream wedding dress with extended train