Improvements in and relating to Waist Fastenings for Dresses and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 20th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Waist Fastenings for Dresses and
the like.
MARIE MAUDE PORTER 17, Whitehall Place, S.W., Independant Lady, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
1
A fastening for securing the skirt band of a ladies dress firmly to the bodice at
the back & also for other suitable purposes. It can be made in three ways, the
first consisting of either two, or three parts as preferred. The Bodice piece Part 1.
being formed of an openwork, horizontally barred straight or curved metal plate
about 3 or 4 inches long, having 4 (or more or less) bag stud heads at equal
pierced holes round the edges
distances apart, capable of a sideways half turn,
of each plate for firmly sewing to the bodice. The plate, or plates for the skirt
may be in either one or two pieces according to the make of back of skirt. If in
one it has 4 (or more or less, to correspond with the number of studs on part 1.)
eilet pear shaped holes, enabling it to be easily passed over the studs on part 1.
which then lock sideways over it. or if divided into two portions it should be con-
nected in the centre by either a hook & bar, or a tongue passing under a light metal
bar before connecting it with part 1. All the plates connected with this patent
having pierced holes all round the edges.
The second way of securing the same purpose with the horizontal bar openwork
plate of part 1. is to omit the studs & to use it in connection with a plate with a
long curved wire hook for fastening to the skirt.
The 3rd way of carrying out the same purpose is to use the curved plate of
Part 1. again omitting the studs, & substituting instead 4. (or more or less) tiny
chains in connection with 4 light hanging cross bars, or long pointed flattened
studs gripped in the centre by the metal chains which pass through holes in the
skirt waist band, either through buttonholes properly cut for the purpose, or
through oblong holes in a corresponding curved metal plate fitting to the skirt
band.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Waist Fastenings for Dresses and
the like.
MARIE MAUDE PORTER c/o Messrs. Holt, 17, Whitehall Place, London, S.W.,
Independant Lady, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
031

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
According to my Invention, an improved fastening for securing the skirt band
of ladies skirts, habits etc firmly to the bodice at the back, & also for other suitable
purposes. It can be made in three different ways, as shown in the following
description, & accompanying drawings, each consisting of two, or three parts as
preferred, & each separate part can have a brooch pin & catch at the back for
securing it to the dress etc, or be made without the brooch fastening & have
pierced holes all round it for sewing it on instead, or it may be otherwise mounted
upon a properly shaped belt ready for use as a prepared skirt land & bodice clasp,
Nos, 4 and 6 especially lending themselves to this latter treatment, thus obviating
the use of all other fastenings for the skirt when sewn into the band, the uneven
side divisions of Figure 6. allowing for the slight lapping over of one part of the
placket hole over the other, the two short plates hooking together perpendicularly,
whilst a long horizontal hook, (or hooks) also connects it with Fig. 4, the bodice
plate; the middle horizontal bar of which plate being slightly longer than the
others causes it to be slightly raised, so that the hook easily slips into it, thus pre-
venting all chance of an untidy skirtband showing itself out of position, and
spoiling the effect of an otherwise charming costume. The fastenings being
exactly curved to the shape of the waist, & about from 3 to 5 inches long, & lightly
but firmly made from exceedingly thin metal take up almost less space than the
ordinary untidy & thoroughly unsatisfactory fastenings whilst greatly improving
the set of the dress. Both the bodice & skirt foundation plates can either be made
of plain curved metal of any width, or of an openwork horizontally & perpendicu-
larly barred straight or curved metal plate, the first model having 4 (or more or less)
flat long bag stud heads, capable of a sideways half turn, & pierced holes round
the edges of each plate (except those prepared with brooch fastenings) for firmly
sewing on. The skirt plate or plates may be in either one or two parts according
to the make of the back of the skirt, if in one, it has 4 (or more or less) long eilet
holes enabling it to be easily passed over the studs which then lock across the
opening, the joints on the extention giving it the requisite pliability. The 3rd
way of carrying out the same purpose is to use the curved foundation plates
omitting the bag stud heads, & substituting instead on the lowest bar 4, (or more
or less) tiny chains in connection with the same number of light hanging cross
bars, or long pointed flattened studs, gripped in the centre by the metal chains,
which pass under & are secured between the notches in the bar of the 2nd or
skirt plate. Or the same effect may be more simply obtained by merely elongating
& continuing the foundation plate metal into and extension shaped like the chains
& studs, & made all in one piece with it for passing under the notches of the
second plate in the same manner as above described.
The annexed drawings show the fastenings made in accordance with my Patent
as applied to the waistband worn outside the bodice, if required for, vice versa they
must be made the reverse way on account of the curve. The fastenings appear
in a straight line in the drawings, but they should preferably be curved to the
exact shape of the waist. Figures 1, 2 & 3, show' the plates of the 1st model,
Fig. 1: the first Bodice plate shows the horizontal bars a; the perpendicular
bars b; the pierced holes 61, & the bag studs e, capable of their half turn for
locking over the eilet holes E in Fig. 2 and 3.
Fig. 2 shows the foundation bars d, and f, the eilet holes E. & the flexible
hinge F¹ connected with the bar G.
Fig. 3 shows the top bar of Figure 2, d. with the studs e passed through the
eilet holes E, & locked sideways across, them..
Fig. 4, 5, and 6, show the 2nd model complete. Fig. 4 shows two of the bodice
foundation plates the horizontal bars H the slightly lengthened bars J, & the
pierced holes or pin for fastening as required.
5

page_text: Fig. 5, shows the inside of the skirt plate the foundation bar M. the long hori-
zontal hook N. & the brooch pin or pierced holes L.
Fig. 6 also shows the inside of the skirt plate but divided into two uneven
pieces, the foundation bar M, the long horizontal hooks or hook N. the shorter
horizontal hook O & the perpendicular hook P. for connecting the skirt plates
together.
Figures 7 & 8 show the 3rd model. No. 7. shows the foundation bars 6, the
brooch pin, or pierced holes d, & the hanging studs c.
Fig. 8 shows the skirt plate with the notched top bar E. through which the
hanging studs, or extension of foundation plate c pass and are secured.
Figures 9 & 10, show another way of carrying out the same fastening.
Figure 9 shows the plate A. with the studs C. the perpendicular bars b. & the
pierced holes B¹
Figure 10 shows the foundation plates H. the hinged bars F. the hinges G.
& the connecting clasps F¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare what I
claim is.
A waist fastening & skirt support substantially as shown in the accompanying
drawings, & as described in the above specifications.
Dated this 10th day of September 1897.