An Improved Method of Facing or Edging Ladies' Dress and like Skirts, and Material for the Purpose.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 15th Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Facing or Edging Ladies' Dress and like
Skirts, and Material for the Purpose.
I, GORDON MCDONALD, of 27 Milton Street, City of London, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It is well known that the bottom edges of ladies dress skirts and petticoats
become frayed, and look ragged after a little wear, this arises from the flopping
action, the rubbing against the boots, and the cleansing of dust, or dirt from the
surface of the fabric.
The object of my invention, is to prevent, or obviate the fraying and ragged
appearance by introducing leather backing or edge lining to the bottoms of such
skirts. The leather, plain or dressed, (glazed) is prepared in strips for sale in
lengths for attachment by sewing, or otherwise, with or without a binding braid or
tape as a finish, or it may be "pinked" or scalloped at the lower edge.
The colour of the leather may correspond to that of the material of the dress
skirt, or petticoat.
1
AT
3004
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Gordon McDonald.
An Improved Method of Facing or Edging Ladies' Dress and like
Skirts, and Material for the Purpose.
°
I, GORDON MCDONALD, of 27 Milton Street, City of London, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
It is well known that the bottom edges of ladies dress skirts and petticoats
become frayed, and look ragged after a little wear, this arises from the flopping
action, the rubbing against the boots, and the cleansing of dust, or dirt from the
surface of the fabric.
The object of my invention, is to prevent or obviate the fraying and ragged
appearance by introducing leather backing or edge lining to the bottoms of such
skirts. The leather plain or dressed (glazed) is prepared in strips for sale in
lengths for attachment by sewing, or otherwise, with or without a binding braid or
tape as a finish, or it may be "pinked" or scolloped at the lower edge. The
colour of the leather may correspond to that of the material of the dress skirt or
petticoat.
My invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed drawings.
Figure represents a strip of leather with a braid sewn to it, the lower edge of
the braid containing a cord for neatness of finish but such cord may be dispensed
with and the braid be left plain.
Figure 2 is a view of a strip of leather scolloped and with an edge braid
sewn on.
Figure 3 represents a dress skirt or petticoat with a portion thrown back to

page_text: indicate the means of attachment, the leather in this case is without any braid and
can be sewn on flush, or be turned over to the outside as shown, the leather being
in this case preferably of the same colour as that of the material of which the
skirt or petticoat is made.
Figure 4 indicates a similar view to that shown at Figure 3 but has the cord and
braid edging. This view (Figure 4) shows only one row of stitching for the
attachment of my improved facing or edging to a skirt, so that it hangs free but it
may have a second row of stitching to bind it close to the skirt.
I prefer that my leather strip facing or edging be of such depth that it can be
sewn on to the fold back piece of the skirt for solidity of connection and the two
lower edges be at the same level but the leather can be sewn on to project slightly
below the bottom of the skirt or petticoat.
By this invention, the use of a leather bottom edging to a skirt tends to effect a
better "sett or fall by serving as a stiffener to keep the dress clear of the legs
during walking exercise in addition to preventing the fabric becoming frayed or
looking ragged, it being also protected from the common rubbing and flopping
action against the boots.
With dresses provided with dragging trains, the inside bottom edge leather
facing is affixed the fabric is kept clear of the dirt and dust which usually gathers.
The use of the leather edging enables any portion to be sponged or brushed off
should it become dirty from any cause.
A, leather strip. B, braid attached thereto. C, cord in braid. D, fold over
edge of leather edging and serving as protection to fabric.
I have only shown the braid at one edge of the leather strip but it may be along
both edges to facilitate more easy sewing to the skirt fabric.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The manufacture of edgings for ladies dress and like skirts by the employment
of leather in strip like form as and in the mauner described.
2. In combination with leather strips, a braid or its equivalent, the two when
combined in a manner substantially as hereinbefore described being prepared as a
facing, or edging for attachment to ladies dress skirts and petticoats for the purposes
set forth.
The 9th day of November 1894.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Gordon McDonald.