An 1870s Work Dress

I recently attended Carrie Days at the Little House on the Prairie Museum. For the event I created An 1870s Work Dress.

A Bit of History

The 1870s are known in the fashion timeline as the Natural Form or Second Bustle Era. You can read more about this style in this post.

As with fashion today there was high fashion. 

The bodices became long and smooth fitting over the hips. This was known as the Cuirass style. 

Also fashionable was the Princess Dress, where the bodice and skirt are all in one without a waist seam.

These styles would become a bit less fussy and embellished when worn by the everyday woman. 

 I still continue to absolutely adore Ella Logan Meharry and her pet sheep.

A two piece cotton roller print 1876 day dress  with vegetable ivory buttons features a gathered flounce at the hem and cuff.

This 1870s cotton day dress features a casual Polonaise style. 

This 1878 dress is made from cotton. It is often referred to as a wrapper or wash dress. 

These dresses featured little embellishment, other than self fabric trim. This made them easy to throw into the wash. 

Most feature a center front closure. 

Dresses are unlined and the skirts are more narrow with less “swish”. Making them much easier t wear while performing chores.

Butterick B4570

I’ve had Butterick B4570 in my stash for a few years now. 

The pattern features princess seaming with a added flounce at the hem. The front button closure stops around the upper thigh.

I omitted the wide lace at the sleeves (this would not be practical) and added a self drafted collar. 

The pattern went together well. I would classify it as a intermediate level as the front closure is a bit tricky. 

An 1870s Work Dress

The fabric is Mill Book Series circa 1835 by Howard Marcus for Moda Pattern 46155. This collection was released in 2013. You can find remnants on Etsy and eBay. 

I had purchased 5 yards from my friend Eide at a fabric swap and shop a few years ago. Most 1830s dresses take at least 8 yards of fabric. 

So my thinking was that a pioneer woman perhaps might refashion a hand me down dress. 

The mother of pearl brooch is from the late Victorian era as is the tatting at the collar. 

Most wash dresses probably would not have been constructed with pattern matching but I did do it. 

The pattern actually calls for 5 3/4 yards of fabric. So I opted for a much shorter hem flounce and added some crochet trim to give it a bit more length. 

Historical note: I am wearing period appropriate undergarments to include a chemise, corset and petticoat. 

The dress hits right at my ankle but work and wash dresses are often a bit shorter. 

You can really see the Princess seaming on the back of the dress. 

In the new Little House series on Netflix Caroline carries a crocheted bag very close to this antique bag from my collection. 

I wore the dress all day long in 87 degree heat. At the end of the day Sidney Robyn Greenbush and I paid a visit to the sweet Jerusalem donkeys that live at the Little House. 

A New Hat

My talented friend Anna Worden is a maker of historically accurate straw millinery. She specializes in hand-sewn 18th and 19th century straw hats and bonnets.

Anna made a few bonnets for the new LHOTP series. 

Many of you were introduced to Anna’s amazing work during the LHOTP watch party that I hosted. 

The hat that I commissioned from Anna is very similar to the one worn by Ma. 

 

The crochet and ribbon embellishments were temporarily tied on to the hat. 

The antique floral posy on the front was pinned on to the bonnet. 

This way I can change out the the embellishments to match whatever dress I might be wearing. 

Historical note: this hat style was most popular in the 1860s. So I am a bit out of style all around. 

Mr. Edwards Great Grandson

I wore my new dress and bonnet to Carrie Days at the Little House on the Prairie Museum. It was so windy I had to remove the silk ribbon and antique posy from my bonnet. 

While there I met the great grandson of the real Mr. Edwards. Gary Mason is 90 years old and an absolute wonder! He volunteers at the site every Saturday. 

I was overjoyed to meet this man. We joked that Laura was always Mr. Edward’s (Edmund Mason’s) favorite. 

You can see a clip here when our group paid our respects to the gravesite of Mr. Edwards. Yes, we sang Ole Dan Tucker. 

   

Dr. Tann’s Medical Bag

I was also given the thrill of a lifetime when I got to hold the real Dr. George Tann’s medical bag. 

The medical bag is a recent acquisition for the museum. They need to purchase a tempered, climate controlled glass case for the bag so it can be shared with the world.  

Please visit the museum page or the link here to make a donation. 

Have a beautiful day!

Laura