Help dating full slip with smocking
- Thread starter laurenm
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MyVintageCocktail
VFG Member
Yes, I would call that smocking, and I would date it as late 50s, both due to the styling and the primarily pink & blue threading (the pink & blue colorway was really popular around then, I believe). But, what is going on there through the bust area? Has this been altered/taken in? It doesn't seem to be hanging right. Darling slip, but something looks askew....
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
I agree with Anne, smocking, late '50s and also that the bust looks like it's been altered. I suspect the two seams that come out diagonally from the centre front of the waist have been added to make it smaller. If this is the case, and you can take them out without damaging the fabric I'd be inclined to remove them.
MyVintageCocktail
VFG Member
I agree!
laurenm
Registered Guest
Yeah,
I thought it was just a weird way to 'accomodate' the 'bosom'....I still am not in the habit of checking seams and now that you mention it, i see the original elastic seam was cut and a tighter strip has been put in. I think it should be easy to redo.....it is so sweet.
Also, would you call the skirt fabric 'crystal pleats'?
I thought it was just a weird way to 'accomodate' the 'bosom'....I still am not in the habit of checking seams and now that you mention it, i see the original elastic seam was cut and a tighter strip has been put in. I think it should be easy to redo.....it is so sweet.
Also, would you call the skirt fabric 'crystal pleats'?
MyVintageCocktail
VFG Member
The skirt looks to be tucked and not pleated, although the "effect" is like crystal pleating at a distance. But, honestly, I can't see the detailing closely enough to tell quite what they are, technically....
Circa Vintage Clothing
Alumni
Accordian pleats!
laurenm
Registered Guest
Thanks Nicole. I have heard and read about 'crystal pleats' and have been describing trim on lots of 50s/60s slips, nighties as crystal pleats....I went to wikipedia's 'pleats' entry and see no mention of crystal pleats. I also can't find much elsewhere on the internet.
I did find these two rather intriguing points on the wikipedia entry:
Plissé pleats are narrow pleats set by gathering fabric with stitches, wetting the fabric, and "setting" the pleats by allowing the wet fabric to dry under weight or tension. Linen chemises or smocks pleated with this technique have been found in the 10th century Viking graves in Birka.[9] and
Fortuny pleats are crisp pleats set in silk fabrics by designer Mariano Fortuny in the early 20th century, using a secret pleat-setting process which is still not understood
I did find these two rather intriguing points on the wikipedia entry:
Plissé pleats are narrow pleats set by gathering fabric with stitches, wetting the fabric, and "setting" the pleats by allowing the wet fabric to dry under weight or tension. Linen chemises or smocks pleated with this technique have been found in the 10th century Viking graves in Birka.[9] and
Fortuny pleats are crisp pleats set in silk fabrics by designer Mariano Fortuny in the early 20th century, using a secret pleat-setting process which is still not understood