Historical information

This petticoat likely belonged to Ellen Dowsett (1858-1953) of Maidstone, Victoria. This style of clothing was common in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and this specific example was most likely in use in the 1890s. It could also have belonged to Ellen's daughter, Ruby May Selina Wallace (1891-1973), although this is less likely. It was donated by an Emerald resident who received it from Ruby. Petticoats and underskirts were worn for several purposes; this one may have been used to add warmth and/or comfort to a larger outfit. It was made with a sewing machine, but throughout its use was hand-repaired: handsewn stitches mark the addition of an extra piece of fabric or the repair of a deteriorating stitch near the hem.

Significance

This petticoat is an example of 1890s fashion and the handiwork that went into prolonging its lifespan.

Physical description

This petticoat/underskirt is entirely constructed from black satin. Near the waistband, the underskirt is fastened with three press-stud buttons and a hook. There are five stitch lines down the length of the petticoat, where separate pieces of fabric were joined to create the finished product. At the hem, an additional piece of the same fabric is handsewn on the inside of the petticoat with green-brown string; this may have been added to repair or lengthen the skirt. The hem includes a ribbon of purple fabric adorned with a purple fringe on the inside of the skirt. While modern clothing sizes cannot be mapped exactly to those of the past, today it would be considered to be about a size 10.

Inscriptions & markings

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