Help with dating handmade little girl dress

[Vintagiality]

Any thoughts on when this dress could be from? It is definitely old and handmade but that is as far as I got. The fabric is something like cotton canvas. Has a metal zipper in the back down the midle. Does this fabric pattern have a name? It is more cream than white (the pictures make it seem too light)

Thank you,
Victoria

 

[retro ruth]

This kind of pattern is usually called 'toile de jouy' or just 'toile', I believe.

 

[sewingmachinegirl]

Hi Victoria, yes like Ruth said the fabric is usually called Toile. The dress looks 1970's too me, and I am speculating that perhaps it was made to simulate a period costume, and could have originally been worn with a full petticoat.

Cheers,

Gayle

 

[Vintagiality]

Thank you, Ruth and Gayle!!!

 

[Midge]

I know this as Toile de Jouy - I love this. I immediately thought this might be something in the way of a costume, simulation 18th century fashion.

Karin

 

[Linn]

Toile de Jouy is correct. It might be a costume or just a charming handmade dress from the 1950's

Linn

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

I agree with the others on the fabric - it's very distinctive and especially popular for interiors, and from the sounds of the thick fabric, it might be a soft furnishing cotton. I have an excellent book by the Victoria and Albert on the topic - "Toile de Jouy".

I agree with Gayle and Karin that the style has echoes of an 18th century design (French Rococo) but it will not be terribly old - I'm with Gayle on a 1970s date (Laura Ashley produced similar prints at that time) but if you could provide details and photos of the construction it will help: eg, is the centre back zipper metal or nylon? How are the seams and hem finished? Is there a lining?

 

[Vintagiality]

Thank you Nicole. It has a metal zipper and no lining. I will take some pictures of the construction and post shortly.