Collection |
MHS (unaccessioned) Textiles |
Date |
after 1878 |
Description |
Two-piece silk taffeta ladies costume in shades of black, white check. The owner and wearer was Robina Wilson (nee Rankin) of Koromiko, grandmother of Ethel Maud Collins (nee Wratt). See notes for an article about Mrs. Wilson. Construction details. Bodice of jacket: Cuirass style long length jacket fastened centre front with 15 antique covered buttons. Shaping is made with two darts reaching from bust line to hip line both sides. The jacket hem is turned up and caught with a running stitch to a 6cm bias tape, then hand stitched to lining. The fringing of thin feathery black strips 9cm long is attached 1cm underneath the turn up. Each piece of the bodice is lined individually. The back of the bodice consists of four pieces of material which are designed to pinch in the bodice as much as possible. One hook and eye fastens the jacket. Seams are oversewn. There is a high neckline finished with a 2cm upright collar, which is not original. A fob watch pocket has been added to the jacket. Lining: Horrockses, Miller & Cos [name of the firm from 1801 to 1887], manufacturer. Gold medals 1867 and 1878 Paris. Prize medals 1851 and 1862 (from Google). Lining is of fine cream cotton and fawn bias binding. Discoloured and mended. Stitching is mostly hand sewn. Sleeves: The set-in sleeves are finished at the wrist with a 4.5cm turn up. They are cut in two pieces and individually lined. The armholes have been top stitched to strengthen them. The original running stitch is still in place. Skirt: Shows signs of complete reconstruction. I believe that a small bustle has been removed to update the skirt's look. The skirt has none of the finish of the bodice and the seams are handsewn. Centre back panel 60cm wide is pleated into centre waist of 28cm. Side shaped panel starts at 38cm and tapers to 11cm with one pleat. Side gusset is in plaid taffeta material. Centre front panel 58cm (hem) is slightly shaped and has two deep inverted pleats of 4cm at waist. The skirt material has been simply turned over at wearer's waistline and hand whipped onto a lined material waistband. The extra material has been left without any further trimming or finishing. Tape 1cm at hem to give strength. A box pleat ruffle 14.5cm at hem has been stitched on by machine. Pocket on inside right hand seam in skirt.
Part of Ethel Collins collection. Some of the clothing collection attributed to Mrs. Ethel Collins was gathered before she became a member of MHS. Later, as volunteer in charge of the Textile Department, garments were donated to her for the Society [see MHS minute book 5, page 211]. These garments joined her own donated collection and all became part of the MHS Textile Collection. |
Object ID |
0000.600.0260 |
Object Name |
Costume |
Other # |
T848 |
People |
Wilson, Robina (nee Rankin) Rankin, Robina (later Wilson) Collins, Ethel Maude (nee Wratt) Wratt, Ethel Maude (later Collins) |
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