In this case, the alteration has been extreme, since the 18th century dress would have had a more naturally defined waistline and full skirt, rather than the very high waist and slim lines of the Empire period. Piecing in odd places and indications of former pleats and stitching lines suggest that the fabric was originally made up in the 1780s, when printed cotton textiles were very desirable. The painstaking and time-consuming nature of the process makes it clear why printed textiles in particular were so precious before the development of roller printing techniques in the early 19th century. Changeable silk dress, ca. By using one color for the warp yarns, and another color for the weft yarns, in this case black and red, a shimmering multi-color effect was achieved in the textile.
Silk redingote, ca.
Lightweight and warm, the redingote would have been a perfect winter garment for the inadequately heated homes of the period. The dressmaker's skill is evident both in the thoughtful placement of the floral design and careful construction so that wadding in the skirt ended a few inches below the waistband, eliminating bulk. Brown velvet was used to accent the fashionably wide collar and shoulderline. It is not unusual to discover that dresses of the 1830s have undergone alterations to their sleeves.