Improvements in Skirt Protectors and Dress Trimmings.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1893 -Accepted, 24th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Skirt Protectors and Dress Trimmings.
I, LUCIAN FLANDERS HOWE, of 131, Spring Street, New York City, in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, Merchant, 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:
My invention consists of a skirt protector or dress trimming formed of a head of
fabric which is adapted to have its cut top edge prevented from ravelling and also
in applying to said head a material of such nature that when the head is wet, the
water or other moisture is prevented from being transmitted to the skirt or garment
to which the protector or trimming is attached.
Referring to the accompanying drawing
Figure represents a front view of a piece of skirt protector or dress trimming
embodying my invention.
Figure 2 represents a rear view thereof.
Figure 3 represents a section thereof taken on line
Figure 1.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.
A designates a strip or piece of fabric which is preferably velvet or plush, but
to which I do not limit myself, the same constituting the head of the skirt protector
or dress trimming.
B designates a brush which is secured to the lower portion of said head and
depends therefrom.
On the rear of the head is the strip or piece C of waterproof fabric which is
gummed or cemented thereto and furthermore secured by the top stitches D and
bottom stitches E, the stitches E passing through said strip and head, and being
also employed in the present case for securing the brush to the head.
The top stitches D are somewhat of the order of whip-stitches and they pass
over the top edge of the head, said upper edge being primarily cut or left raw
thus inclosing and binding said edge and preventing ravelling thereof.
In order to finish the upper portion of the front face of the head, I place thereon
the cord or rib G of suitable textile material over which are rove the threads H
which join the front ends F of the stitches D at top and the stitches J below, said
stitches F, J, running parallel in the longitudinal direction of the head respectively
above and below the cord G, the stitches J being continuations of the lower ends
of the whip-stitches D through the head A.
This produces a raised edging which finishes the upper portion of the head and
adds strength thereto.
Owing to the backing C, water that may be absorbed by the brush and head is
prevented from reaching the skirt or garment to which the protector is attached,
as said backing is interposed between the head and skirt or garment, it being also
noticed that the stitches I also prevent ravelling of the top edge of said backing,
said edge being primarily cut or left raw.
It will also be seen that the head A and backing C lie flat upon each other
without hems or folds, although firmly connected especially by the cement or

page_text: adhesive substance between them, it being evident that said parts may be pressed
together by an iron or other heating device so that said substance may cause the
proper adhesion of the parts and a smooth finish of the same.
As there are no
hems or folds on the head and backing, no ridges or unsightly projections appear
on the head and there is a saving of material in the manufacture of the goods.
Furthermore the article is ready to be sewed to a skirt or garment without hems,
folds or turning-over, and it will lie flat thereon without buckling, gathering or
other objectional features, or irregular surfaces.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1st. In a skirt protector or dress trimming, a head formed of a piece of fabric
and a binding of stitches over the top cut edge of said fabric.
2nd. In a skirt protector, a head formed of a piece of fabric and a binding
of stitches over the top cut edge of said fabric, and a backing on said head of
said fabric.
2nd. In a skirt protector, a head formed of a piece of fabric and a binding
of stitches over the top cut edge of said fabric, and a backing on said head of
water-proof material.
3rd. A skirt protector or dress trimming consisting of a head, a brush pendant
therefrom, and a backing on said head of waterproof material.
4th. In a skirt protector, a head formed of a piece of fabric, a backing of
water-proof material on said head and binding of stitches over the upper cut edge
of said piece and backing.
5th. A skirt protector having a head formed of a piece of fabric, whip-stitches
over the upper cut edge of said piece and rows of longitudinally-extending stitches
on said head joining said whip-stitches.
6th. A skirt protector having a head formed of a piece of fabric, whip-stitches
over and around the upper cut edge of said piece, a rib on said head, and rovings
of thread extending above and below said rib and secured to said head.
7th. A skirt protector having a head formed of a piece of fabric, whip-stitches
over and around the upper cut edge of said piece, a rib on said head, rovings of
thread extending above and below said rib and secured to said head, and a water-
proof backing on said head, the edge of said backing being bound with that of the
fabric of the head by said whip-stitches.
T
1 L
1011 JS .. 1900
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.