Beautifully hand made from an interesting scrim type fabric (appears to be jute or hessian scrim?), with french seams and careful finish.

The dress has been painstakingly decorated with a sampler style needlepoint embroidery to bottom, and end of sleeves to match. I do think it's quite an early piece, and would tentatively place it to the arts and crafts period, c.1900.

I have included a 1930s satin underlap, which I have dyed an antique brown/gold. It does still have some old scuffs and iron mould (brownish) marks, but these are unseen under the overdress, and it is clean and wearable - fastens to the side with snaps, and has simple decorative stitch to neckline which I felt was a complimentary match!

The underdress appears slightly longer, but I haven’t hemmed as my mannequin is very slim, so it may yet rise up a little if it contains a few more curves! If not it could easily be hemmed. 

Measures: 

Embroidered overdress: 

Bust 38 flat max

Waist 42” (flared from bust)

Hips 46”

Length from nape to hem approx 52”

Shoulders from seam to seam 16”

Underarm to cuff approx 21”

Satin slip:

bust max 38” inc darts, better for 36”

waist 28”

hips max 42”

Shoulder to hem approx 52”

Condition: 

Overdress is immediately wearable. There are some historic repairs seen as darn and also painstaking patching and re-embroidery. There are some small breaks in the loose weave but nothing I would class as notable damage. I’ve photographed everything I could see when held to light. I think it’s certainly strong enough to wear as is. 

Underdress as described above, please see photos.