Historical information

Roselia Isabell Welch was an actress born 16 November 1838, probably in England. Father John Murrell Welch, mother Angela Towsey. Dress has been worn by her descendants.|This decorative day dress was worn by Roselia Welch to the 1872 Melbourne Cup. Roselia made her Cup Day dress by hand - she may have used a published dress pattern but her skill as a needlewoman is evident as the entire surface is decorated with narrow hand beaded black braid applied in a fern-like motif over the blue cotton fabric of the dress creating a lace-like effect.

Physical description

Dress worn by Roselia Isabel Welch to the 1872 Melbourne Cup. White lining inside dress, blue lining inside train. V neck, front hook and eye opening. Handmade hook holes down centre front. Set in sleeves with black piped armhole seams. Fitted bodice with black piped seams Flat front skirt, full bustle area at back with centre back opening. Floor length train. Blue printed label on lining of centre back panel, right side. Upper case letters 'SUP' visible. Brown tape at waist with hook. Two pairs of tapes either side of back opening for bustle. Black lace around neck, sleeve, train and back opening edges. Black cotton loop in centre of train. Inset pockets right side at hip level and very small one left side at waist level. Entire surface of dress decorated with black braid hand stitched in a fern-like pattern.